A Brave New World

[Max Griffiths]

*Upon reentering the city, I park in the underground lot of the Tower and take the elevator up to the floor with the banks of computers for check-in*

[Jonathon Orwell]

*It is later in the afernoon. I tap my fingers repeatedly against my desk. I am trying to plan what I shall say during my meeting to introduce myself to my team. I am interupted by a bing on my computer. I open up my email and read my message. I scowl and write down a quick note. I mutter to myself and click NEW. I type a message requesting CROW unit 8 to meet at 2:30. I send the message out and add Mr. Wilson to my contacts. Then I write a new message requesting an agent named Max to meet me five minutes before the meeting.*

[Max Griffiths]

*I log into the computers, seeing Red do the same at another terminal. After typing out my report, I click on my Notifications folder and see two new messages - the first one detailing a mandatory meeting for the unit Red and I are assigned to at the moment, and the other requesting a one-on-one meeting with my new superior. I sigh and sign out. I hate meetings. It wasn't so bad when I didn't have to pretend to listen.*

[rileywilson]

*Back at my office I'm rewriting the code for a set of fly cams that malfunctioned. If the guys at R&D could get it right the first, maybe we wouldn't get complaints of flies swarming around bus terminals or chasing small dogs. Most of the fly cams are supposed to be out in the zones anyway... I'm notified by the computer that I have a message and smile when I see the meeting set up by Jonathon. If I'm any judge of character, this should be very interesting*

[redhavoc]

*I see the notice for the meeting after I type in my report. The report itself is like my thoughts, disjointed and missing bits here and there. I didn't get any killjoy names, but I enter their descriptions on that chance that it matches the archives. After I'm done I go over to Max, unwilling to eat or tend to my wounds until Max gives the all clear*

[Jonathon Orwell]

*At 2:15 I pick up my coat and lock the door to my office. Belle Sacramento's office is already cleaned uo and ready for its new owner. I get in the elevator and push Floor 5. I walk down to my reserved conference room and sort my papers on my podium.*

[rileywilson]

*At 2:16 I enter the conference room, having watched Jonathon enter a minute earlier. I carry a leather folder, even though there is just junk paper in it. Easier to look professional than be professional, although I am both. I don't wait for him to see me*

"Mr. Orwell, we have waited far too long for this moment. I have a speech prepared if you like".

[Jonathon Orwell]

*I look over at him and nod.* That is wonderful Mr. Wilson. I was planning on just introducing you but perhaps it will be better for you to formally appoint youself into your new position. Our agents must know whom they are going to be taking their orders from, no?

[rileywilson]

"Excellent. May I ask, the files are vague on this point and it is important for our partnership. This question is so important, in fact, I have instructed the cameras to loop for the next two minutes. We are alone. Have you ever a killjoy or had thoughts of being a killjoy?"

[Jonathon Orwell]

*I raise my eyebrows at the question.* Mr. Wilson. Understand that I am completely out my comfort zone here in Battery City. In New York we had very little trouble with these killjoys. It's a very rare occurence and as far as I can tell, Better Living is the only way to live. It provides comfort and security. No longer must one feel pain or deal with heartbreak. Why would I want the discomforts of anything but?

[Max Griffiths]

*I reach over to Red and lift up the flap of her slashed sleeve, seeing how deep the cut is* You can't go to the meeting like that. Infirmary first. I have to talk to Orwell beforehand anyway, so you can just meet me there. You won't get lost?

[rileywilson]

*A little pang of disappointment and admiration goes through me. Jonathon is the most flawless person I've met in battery city. Granted, it's not that hard... The flycam flies into my pocket, unnoticed. So much for a little blackmail..."

[redhavoc]

*I shake my head 'no' and head to the infirmary, wondering what Max's meeting will be about and if he'll kill anyone at it. I see Max reaching for his gun in my head and try to shake the feeling that something is about to change. The nurse at the infirmary is appalled at my condition. I feel bad for being such a nuisance as they reseal the knife wound in my shoulder, sew up my arm, bandage various cuts on my head and legs, and wrap my ribs where they are badly bruised from the kick. I am not the only one there, in fact the infirmary is overflowing with recovering drac and crow agents, many in a worse condition than I am. I take the pills and wolf down some food so they'll let me go. It's almost time for the meeting...*

[Max Griffiths]

*While Red's in the infirmary, I make my way upstairs to the meeting room. I walk in without knocking, seeing two men inside who I don't recognize. I don't say anything, just lean against the doorway and wait for them to notice me.*

[Jonathon Orwell]

*We're interupted by the door opening. I scowl, because I would have liked to ask Riley the same question. I look over and see One Shot. He's a draculoid but I can see by the way he holds himself he is not the usual.* You must be Max. Hello.