Shades of Grey

[Max Griffiths]

*After leaving Orwell's meeting, I make my way down to the supply levels, assuming Red is following*

[redhavoc]

*I look down at my shoes as I follow Max, my confidence fading as the moment passes. It is replaced with a yearning to go back to when BLI was normal and I knew my place...*

[Max Griffiths]

*I use my card to swipe my way through all the checkpoints, and move from station to station gathering supplies like vitamin pills, food packages, and extra batteries. If anyone asks why I need so much, I just tell them it's a confidential mission regarding the failed project, and they accept it. After picking up another uniform and several weapons, I head for the elevator down to the parking garage. As we descend, I comment to Red* It takes so long for anything to get done, our clearance won't expire for at least another few days.

[redhavoc]

*I nod and I adjust the two bags of gear Max handed me. The weight strains the wounds from the fights and I rummage through one until I find the heavy pain killers. These should do. I admire Max for how strong he is after all this and wonder how he deals with it. Maybe he doesn't notice at all*

[Max Griffiths]

*When we get to the parking garage I automatically head for one of the white drac cars, but then reconsider and cross the lot to the far side where they park the higher-quality black vehicles for higher-ups in the company. I unlock a car and get in, waiting for Red to do the same*

[redhavoc]

*I follow Max and carefully pack the bags in the trunk, too tired to notice which car we are taking. Only when I get in do I notice the high quality. I look around, a little delighted even as the BLI trained side of my self is horrified. I play with the seat-heater switch, turning it on and off*

[Max Griffiths]

*I pull out of the parking garage and I'm waved through by security as we leave the Tower, drive through the city, and pass through a cleared section of tunnel in the ruins of the wall. My mind is quite clear - I'm not particularly bothered one way or the other about leaving Better Living Industries*

[redhavoc]

*I look out at the city. Parts of it are quiet, while other parts are recovering from the day's attack. I quietly search through the glove box for a notepad, not wanting to bother Max. There are guns, pills, even an extra pair of headphones, but no pens or paper. I point out to the zones instead, wondering where we are going*

[Max Griffiths]

*I rummage around behind my seat with one hand, eventually pulling out a notepad with a pen stuck through the spiral binding. The first few pages are filled with routine patrol information, but the rest is blank* No idea where we're going, if that's what you're asking. Just looking for a good spot to pull off. I need some sleep.

[redhavoc]

*I nod and accept the pen and paper, but don't write anything. For now I don't have any questions that can't wait. The stars pop out as we leave the city behind and I curl up on the seat, staring up into space*

[Max Griffiths]

*I drive until we leave Zone One, then take back roads for a while. I pick a spot for the night, pulling off the road where our view is unobstructed in all directions and the city is just a faint smudge of light on the horizon. I take a few of the vitamin and energy pills, then lean my seat back and fall asleep*

[redhavoc]

*When I wake up I'm unsure of where I am. Stopped car...Max...oh. I try to move, but have to go slow. I'm stiff and sore all over. The sun is just coming up over the desert as I quietly get out of the car with the first aid kid. I sit on a rock not too far away and start to change the dressings on the major wounds. The process is calming and I don't even panic when I realize this is my first day without BLI*

[Max Griffiths]

*When the sun rises I open my eyes, sit up, and get out of the car. I quickly swap my outer clothes for the fresh set I brought from the tower - I don't want to get dried blood on the inside of the car if I can help it. Then I walk over to Red, who has the med kit out* So what would you like to do?

[redhavoc]

*I look up at Max. Me? I point to myself and shake my head. Then I point to Max. He should be the one to make the decisions, not me*

[Max Griffiths]

*I fold my arms* That's no way to act out in the Zones. You're not a crow anymore. You can make your own decisions. *Besides, I want to understand exactly why she followed me out here. Her actions might give me a better idea of her motivations*