"Community, Identity, Stability."

[Jonathon Orwell]

Nothing? Nothing at all? *I straighten and smile. I put my hands in my pockets.* I can do that for you.

[Max Griffiths]

Then do it. *Orwell calls in several dracs and I stand when they release me, waiting without interest to be told where to go. I flinch when I remember Red's horrified face, but quickly bury the thought.*

[Volume Virus]

What? No! I couldn't! These people saved my life, and I owe them...and, if I left the city again, I would NEVER be able to get back in.... *My voice gets really quiet.* I can't let you go. Bringing you guys in...it was the first thing I had EVER done right! It may be the only thing I ever do right again!

[Jonathon Orwell]

(I screwed up. I have to rewrite it so if it doesn't make any sense... that'd be why.)

*I grin maliciously and with the help of some crow agents we restrain him even further.* Take him up to the operating room. *I wait for them to leave and I am alone once again. I laugh and hit the lights as I leave, enclosing the room in darkness. They have him tied down when I get to his room. I check the straps myself, making sure they with hold him. I stand back and only intercede when I see a nurse go to give him anesthesia.* No, not this time dear. We want him as aware as possible.

[Max Griffiths]

(To avoid confusion, thought I'd mention that the above post is wrong. Imagine Orwell taking Max to an operating room and telling the nurse not to use sedation or anesthesia.)

*The restraints keep me from moving, but I don't want to move anyway so I don't mind. I turn my head the slightest bit when Orwell stops the nurse but can't bring myself to really care. Whatever happens is worth it.*

*After a scan of my brain activity is taken a doctor enters my field of vision, wheeling a cart with some sort of apparatus on it. He straps a band around my forehead, attaches several wires, and puts one hand on the machine.*

I'm going to help you, Max. This will send a stream of electricity into a specific section of your brain, eliminating those unwanted memories. It may take a few rounds to be completely effective. It's slightly primitive, I know, but the prior brain damage indicated in your files means we can't use our standard medication treatments. It's safe and reliable 85% of the time, though, so don't worry. *The man smiles* You'll be better in no time!

*The last shred of self-awareness I have prompts me to protest, but before I can get the words out the doctor flips a switch on the machine and a loud buzzing sound fills the air. My jaw clenches and my back arches, the restraints cutting into me as the electricity passes through. It's nothing compared to the pain in my head, though; my skull feels like it's being split in two and I think I'd be screaming if I could open my mouth.*

*What seems like an eternity later, the generator is turned off and I slump back onto the bed, only half-conscious*

[Jonathon Orwell]

*Throughout the entire procedure I smile. No- I grin. He is in obvious pain and I love it. When it is over I walk over to him and tighten the restraints, making sure they did not loosen during the procedure. As I do so I talk:" Max, you are Better. We will let you rest and recover but I want you to know I am looking forward to having you back on our team. Just tell me one thing: who was your last partner? She has gone missing and we need whatever information you have to locate her. *I am not sure he can hear me and, if he can, if he can even respond. But it is worth a try.*

[Max Griffiths]

*I try to focus on his voice* My last partner.... was a girl. Young. *I'm having a hard time picturing her, but I know that much is true* I don't know her name...

That's enough. *The doctor looks reprovingly at Orwell* You shouldn't bring up memories during the course of the therapy. It can have adverse effects on the results. Just relax, Max. Okay, here we go.

*Again the switch is thrown, and again the current shoots through me. It's nearly unbearable - a hundred times worse than the hits I've taken from ray guns. After the third round another scan is taken, and the doctor nods approvingly before coiling up the wires and shutting down the generator* Very good, Max, very good. I'd just like to run through a few routine questions with you, if that's okay.

*I'm shaking and don't reply, but he doesn't seem to need the confirmation*

Name?

*My voice is uneven* Max Griffiths.

Employer?

Better Living Industries.

Family members?

I don't... none?

Last partner?

*I pause, but can't seem to recall the answer* I don't know... a man, I think.

*The doctor clicks his pen and sets aside his clipboard, smiling* Everything seems to be in order. Now you just rest up, and I'll check up on you in a few days. Have a better day!

*He leaves the room while one of the nurses releases my restraints and starts to wheel the bed out of the room. I notice a man standing by the door, but can't place his face. He must be another BLI employee. He certainly seems happy enough.*

[NotACoolKid]

*Alex puts up little fight as the Killjoys begin their escape. In fact, the smile that's found its way to his face just lingers there as he's pulled every which way. To him, it's all just a sort of game, a sort of follow the leader. He smiles up at Gear as he drags Alex out. This is all so much fun. But wait...they're leaving the cells? He looks up at Gear, confused.*

Why're we leaving the nice cells? They were so thoughtful...*He isn't opposed, he's merely confused*

[jumpstart]

*I rush out of the cell when it's open, then pause, dizzy from getting up so fast. When my head clears I see the group heading for the elevator, dracs on the floor*

Wait! *Half of them turn* We need to find PB. I'm not leaving without him!

[Rachel Mahoney]

*I see the other twin killjoy and for some reason I feel the urge to help him, maybe because my brothers are twins. I have to resist the urge to tell him and instead get my finger on the trigger of my gun. If the opportunity comes up, then maybe I'll tell him, but only then. I step out of my hiding spot and fire at the killjoys, not necessarily aiming at them*

[redhavoc]

*I nod when Jump mentions the other killjoy. I may owe the brothers more than anyone else. A crow steps out of the shadows and I automatically aim for her, hitting her in the arm. I motion for everyone to follow me to the elevator. I know Wilson likes to keep his new patients/prisoners one floor up*

[Sylvia Main]

*I stop and look at Jump.* I can show yo- Ah! *I duck low avoiding a laser burst. I look back around at the agent.* Stop! Lady, please come with us! Who cares if you can't do anything right! We're you're family, not them! *I am weaponless and look back at the agent who's shooting at us. Red begins to run towards the exit and I look at Angie, pleadingly.* Please?

[Rachel Mahoney]

*the hit to my arm almost makes me drop my gun but I manage to hold onto it and bring it back up. I see one of the killjoys talking to Angie and I continue firing, but I purposely aim to miss them. God, Orwell is going to murder me if he finds out I'm doing this*

[Funhouse Gear]

It doesn't matter, Nack, we've just got to go. Trust me, now come on! *I pull her to the side to avoid a shot from the crow, the run after Red with Nack stumbling along behind me*

[redhavoc]

*I run to the elevator, push the up button, and wait. When the doors finally open I stun the two BLI employees inside and drag them out. We pile into the elevator, Nack just dragged along, and I push the 'Up' button. Things were akwardly quiet until we reached the next level*