When The Lights Go Out

[Renegade]

*Faces. Her face, screaming, pleading for a way out. Fire. The smell of gas and burning flesh all around. White masked men laughing from outside the window. Flashes of light and soon an explosion. REEEEEN!! Her voice screaming. Then everything goes black*

*I jolt awake, sweating and a gasping for air. I don’t know where I am and start to panic. I see tubes and needles sticking out of my arms as my eyes adjust to the light. The room I’m in is white, a blinding kind of white. Looks like a hospital room to me. I can’t feel anything. I grab the covers I’m under and throw them off the bed I’m in. I stop when I suddenly feel a burning sensation in my right arm. I glance down at it and see dozens of tattoos covering my arm, but they start to disappear and the burning worsens as I let out a cry of pain and fall to my knees.
Someone’s by my side. I can sense it, I turn to look at the woman and she injects something into my arm. The Burning stops and I look back at my arm. Half of the ink in my arm is gone, leaving a faded look to the upper tattoos. I look back at the nurse who is quickly walking across the room* What did you do to me? Who are you? Ah! * I hold my arm and get off the floor. I rip the IV out of my arm and throw it to the ground. I stop when I see a glint of metal hanging from my neck. Dog tags. I glance at them and read what they say* Renegade, Reboot Program, ID Number 000975342
*I glance at the nurse as she’s calling someone on the intercom.* What the fuck is this? Who are, Where the hell I am? *With no answer from her I make my way to the door. I grip the doorframe and a chill runs down my spine when I touch the cold concret.* Guess my feeling back *I mumble to myself. I realize I’m not supposed to be out of the room when I see a few concerned and shocked looks from the nurses behind the reception counter. I jump when a cold hand grabs my arm and I whip around to see the nurse from my room.I look down at her*
Come back inside. You must be cold.
*I let her lead me back inside. She fetches me a white long sleeve shirt from the closet that matches my white sweatpants I’m wearing.* Please lady, tell me where I am.*I put the shirt on and realize there is more tattoos on my chest and lower torso, my left arm is covered with them as well. What the hell happened to me*
Hospital Wing D, Room 245 inside Battery City. * smiles and patches up his arm from where the IV was ripped out.* Now please sit down on your bed and rest. I’ll be right back.
*I do as she says and watch her leave the room and talk to a few men outside my door. Two are in white masks from my dream the other is in normal work clothes. Strange, Battery City huh? And Renegade? That name seems so familiar…I shake my head and clear my thoughts. Well Battery City doesn’t seem so bad.*

[Renegade]

*The nurse came in with the man and although she seemed calm I could hear the concern in her voice as she whispered with the man*

He woke up ahead of scedual Sir. I had to stop the de-inking proccess and im not sure how far along the Wipeout was before he came around.

Thats alright Mary, well just have to adjust to the situation. I'm afraid if we put him back in the proccess he may not wake up. *Stops whispering as soon as we get closer to the patient. Smiles* Hello, My name is Doctor Watson, I'll be monitoring your progress for the time being. *Looks at clipboard in my hand* Now it says here you'r name is Marcus Ren Pollock

*Im confused as the doctor starts to speak with me. Progress? What the hell is he talking about?* Umm hey Doc. *I think for a minute about the name he said and something clicks.* Umm yeah thats my name, I go by Ren though, I really don't like my name if you get my drift.

*Narrows eyes at the patient when he states he likes going by Ren.* Very well Ren. Now tell me do you remember anything at all before you woke up?

*Glances at the nurse and she just smiles and nods telling me to it's okay to talk with him. Should I tell him about the dream? If I do how will he take it?* Ahh no Sir. I don't remember anything. Am I supposs to? *He writes something down and I start to get nervous*

*Smiles* No, it's normal for civilians like you to not remember much after what had happend to you in the Zones. Just incase take this *hands him a small webcam and points to the computer* If you remember anything just make a small video about whatever it is you remember, it's sorta like a personal blog. We won't view it unless you feel like sharing.

*When he mentions the Zones I freeze.*
Sand, heat, and running. Looks back and sees a dust cloud. Breathing hard from running. Sand everywhere...
*Takes the camera and looks at it. Why the hell do they care if I remember anything? And the Zones? Was that a flashback of what had happend?* Uh sure thing Dr. Watson.

*Gets up and smiles. I start to leav but turn as I remember something to tell the boy.* I advise for you to get some sleep son. You start Drac training tomorrow morning.

*I watch him leave with the nurse who's name I've learned is Mary and mumble to myself* Drac Training?

[Renegade]

*I lean back in my chair after I turn the web cam off. I stare at the blank screen then close my eyes. So this is is huh? Zones here I come. I smile then get out of my chair. I'm startled when I turn around and see Marry standing by my bed with a colorful stack of clothes.*

These are your Killjoy clothes. *smiles* Doctor Watson says you leave tonight after the sun goes down. *hands clothes to Marcus*

Is that so? *I take the clothes and go to the bathroom a little way across the room, leaving the door cracked* I take it he won't be escorting me to Zone two then will he? *I look through the colorful attire and change into the dark blue jeans. They fit quite tight and I grimes at the bright green shirt with a traffic light in the center and the words "3...2...1 GO!" under it.*

I'm afraid not. He told me he would see you off when the van leaves tonight. *looks at the floor* He'll give you all the detail then. As of right now I'm suppose to help you pack and get ready for your departure.

He couldn't tell me now? *I look at the black knee high boots, paint splattered all over them and reluctantly pull them on. I then grab the leather jacket and examine it. Dark blue in color with two red bands on each arm. A patch with weird symbols is on the left side of the front and the back has a large green octagon with the word "GO!" in the middle. Paint also splatters the back. Oddly the jacket seems familiar but I tug it on anyway* Couldn't you have chosen clothes....I don't know that aren't so annoying?

*laughs* I'm sorry Marcus it's what Watson put together, I had no say in the matter and neither do you. The reason he couldn't tell you is because it's confidential. He'll talk to you privately tonight and besides he's a busy man and didn't have time today.

*Laughs slightly* Well thats fine I guess. *I walk out of the bathroom with my hands held up, showing he the whole getup* How do I look? Killjoy enough for you? *Smiles*

*Looks shocked. He looks just like the way he did when he came in. I'm surprised he doesn't recognize his own killjoy outfit.* You look just like one of those Zone Rats. *I smile* Now here *I hand him a small pouch.* It's full of prescribed pills. There's a note inside that tells you what to take each for.

*Gasps sarcastically* Miss. Marry! Your language! *I laugh and take the pouch* This will do me good out there. What else do I need?

*Laughs* Oh hush. Come with me and we'll gather all your essential needs to survive out there in the desert. *Leaves the room hoping he follows*

*Laughs and follows her out of the room. I get a few weird glances as I walk down the hall but just smile. Best be getting used to that. She leads me into a small room with all sorts of things. From BL/ind issued ray guns to cans of dog food. Marry starts to fill a bag with items and a few cans of dog food. I scowl at the thought of eating that stuff. But I guess I'll need to in order to survive out in The Zones*

[Renegade]

*I chilly in the parking garage were we stand. Marry had escorted me to the garage were three Dracs were waiting for me. She told me they would drive me to Zone Two and give me my transmitter when we got there. She had also given me a gun, a ray. Blue and you guessed it, with paint splattered all over it. We waited silently for Watson to arrive as a white van pulled up. Watson emerged from the passenger seat and walk straight toward me, grabbing my arm and leading me toward the elevator out of the others hearing space.*

Are you ready for this Marcus? *Doesn't wait for a reply and looks down at clipboard with notes scribbled all over it and hands him an envelope.* Inside is basic facts about the Zones, Killjoy slang, and other information you'll need to know.

*I take the envelope and open it. Skimming the words and facts. Slaughtermatic? Shinny? Motor Baby? Fetch?The words look familiar but who on earth would ever say any of them? I look back up as he speaks again. Listening closely*

You will be dropped off in Zone two by those four nice fellows over there *Marcus looks over at the Dracs and smiles* They are instructed to give you a transmitter. With it you are to report your day's findings back to me. You encounter anything from a cactus to one of the zone rats you report it. *I pause looking at him sternly* We need you on the inside Marcus. Gain their trust. Be their friend, get close to them. Get them to tell you about themselves. Their past, secrets and weaknesses. It'll be vital Intel for the Company to have. See if they have any family left that we could contact. *He nods slowly* These Killjoys need to be dealt with Marcus. Do ANYTHING to gain their trust. If it means getting rid of a few Draculoids then....well do so. If It means going on raids or vandalizing stuff, do it. I will inform the Drac and SCARCROW units to keep an eye out for you and if they see you I'll inform them not to shoot at you. Do you understand?

*I nod at all the info that I had received* I understand Doctor.

*Satisfied* Good. Now remember to contact me every night and if not then try your hardest to contact me when you get the chance. Now your transport awaits. *I turn and walk back to the van, giving instruction to the Drac unit*

*I watch him go and sigh before walking after him. Marry is holding my bag and I smile when I take it and sling it over my shoulder.* We'll it's been a nice couple weeks, you know getting to know you and stuff.

*Smiles weakly* It has been. Look take care of yourself out there. I won't be there to take care of you when you get hurt. It'll be more difficult than your tranning I can assure you that.

*I laugh* Trust me, I'm not gonna miss you sticking needles in my arm and stitching me up. I'll be back before you know it Marry. Till then I'll be seeing you. *I turn and start to walk toward the van when I stop after hearing her call my name. I turn and she's already there. Before I know it she hugs me tightly*

I'm going to miss you Renegade *I hold back tears as Doctor Watson calls me to the elevator to leave*

*I just stand there, shocked. She called me Renegade.....the way she said it so quietly and softly reminded me of Her, the girl I see in my dreams. I just watch her go before heading to the van. I get in sna look out the window as we begin to move, watching the garage and soon the City disappear and sand soon takes over the landscape.*

[Renegade]

*The drive drags on longer than I had expected. Im in the back of the van after deciding I wanted to get some shut eye. The four Dracs up front though made it hard because they never shut up. I'm about to say something but we come to a sudden stop and I bump my head on the side of the van.* A little warning next time would be great guys. *The back door opens and I see one of them without his mask on. He's younger than me, a trainie by the looks of it.*

Sorry Mr. Pollock. We've arrived at your destination.

*I gradually get out of the van, grabbing my bag of "goodies" in the proccess. I examin my surroundings. There's a dim light coming from an old light poll, motion sensered is my guess. By the looks of things we've stopped at a gas station, long ago abandoned. No one is in sight.* This is it? A gas station? *I shake my head and unzip my bag, grabbing the pouch full of medications. I glance over the note inside and grab a random bottel. Fuck it, they look the same so I just pop a few of the pills in my mouth, hoping to rid my head of the aching from the sudden stop. I turn and see the Dracs filling up their van before all but one scramble back into the van.*

Here's you transmitter and directions on how to use it and contacing Dr. Watson. *hands him the transmitter and nods* Good luck Mr. Pollock.

*I take the device without a word and nod back, watching as he gets in the van and drives off back toward the city. I stand there under the light for I dont know how long, trying to decide my next move. The light dims and I look up, I'm guessing hours passed because I can see the sunrise in the distance, it's quite beautiful, the radioactive gases give it a purple and reddish tint. I smile. I look down at the transmitter in my hand and the note in the other. I skim through it. I push the small green button and mess with the dial until it's on the right frequency so that anyone listening can hear.* Is anyone out there? *I wait and only hear static* This is Renegade, anyone? *More static* My location is Zone two, i'm at an old abondond gas station, if anyone can hear me please respond....* I send out the same transmision several times over the next few hours only to hear static as a response.* Gaahhh! Damn it! *i'm started to get frustrated and grab the bottle of pills in my pocket. I pop one of them before rubbing my forhead. How the hell does Watson expect me to do this job if I can't even get a simple response! I look at the device in my hand and reluctantly send out one last call, hoping to hear something other than static this time*

[Arson Anthem]

*rb* This is Arson Anthem, responding. I hear you Renegade. Over.

(If you'd like to respond directly on our thread, we're on "But I'll Take What I Want." Feel free to double-post, as well)