The lights flickered in Home’s main entrance, as they often did. Bay Ling knew that plenty of the electricians on staff had attempted to find the cause, to no avail. The slight, middle aged Asian woman was of the mind that as long as they had power, the denizens of Home would just have to get used to the dim lighting in the hallways. Anyways, it served only to make the enlightenment of the minds who walked in them to shine brighter.<br/><br/>Bay loved this place, and she let the feeling turn up the corners of her mouth as the new recruits entered through the abandoned library. Behind her, she knew that Captain Mark Anthony’s face would be locked into a scowl, and Pastor Daniel’s face would be solemn as he prepared to quietly bless the recruits’ future. But despite all the hardship they would soon have to be prepared for, Bay welcomed them Home with open arms. Today these little lost humans would join a community of people like them, people that would be living, loving, fighting, and dying along with them. All for the same cause.<br/><br/>Bay’s smile widened as the last recruit filed in, and she opened her arms wide. For the hundredth time since joining the revolution a decade ago, she began her speech:<br/>“Welcome Home, humans. Welcome to the head quarters of the Human Revolution. Welcome to a community of others like you. And welcome to our compound, Home. This is where you will live and train for what will either be to the end of your lives or the end of the tyranny we live under. This is our castle, and we welcome you to our cause,” here Bay paused for breath and effect. “I would like to introduce myself, Bay Ling, and Captain Mark Anthony here behind me as your training instructors. From me you will learn of your history, of art, and of what it means to be human. From Captain Anthony, you will learn the skills you need to fight the Leeches. Together we will prepare you for all that is to come.”<br/><br/>Captain Anthony, a large, handsome man in his fifties, stepped forward, passing a hand threw his salt and pepper hair. Keeping his face locked in a grimace, he surveyed the recruits doubtfully. “It is highly possible that you will die for this cause. It is my job to see that doesn’t happen, but I will not succeed, not with all of you. This is a hard world, and choosing to fight it isn’t easy. I respect you for that, but that choice will seem like child’s play next to the ones you will soon make. Training begins tomorrow morning, and you have just enough time to get settled in before dinner, in the mess at 1800 sharp. There’ll be eight of you to a dorm, even numbers of guys and gals. You report to Bay at 0800 in the morning. Got it? Good. Preacher?”<br/><br/>The old, solemn pastor stepped forward and smiled benignly at the six figures standing before him. “My name is Pastor William Daniels. I am here for religious guidance, if any of you feel the need. May your futures in the revolution be blessed. If you will follow me, I will lead you to where you may rest your tired bodies. The chapel is not far off if you also need to rest your tired souls.” Pastor Will turned down on of the dim hallways, gesturing for the recruits to follow.<br/><br/>___________________<br/><br/>Having been the last one to enter, Lara took time to examine her fellow recruits while the leaders each gave their welcomes. They came in big sizes and small, though none of them were incredible spectacular. They had probably all led fearful, monotonous lives similar to her own. All had probably been hurt or snubbed by the Leeches.<br/><br/>There were just six of them, so two beds would be empty in the dorm, but there were equal numbers of “guys and gals” as the captain had so eloquently put it. As of yet unsure of what to think, Lara ran a hand through her dark hair and quietly followed as the pastor led them towards their dorm. She didn’t know about all that mess about souls, but her feet were definitely tired and she was ready to put her pack down. At least the lights somewhat worked in here. That dark old library had been spooky.