More Equal Than Some

[Rachel Mahoney]

*i head straight for the medical van when it arrives, still clutching my shoulder to try to slow the blood. That's one thing I really hate about bullets, the wounds just keep bleeding. At least with rayguns the wounds get slightly cauterized so they dont bleed as much. Two medical dracs rush over to me as I reach the van and start working on my shoulder*

[rileywilson]

*A radio broadcast informs me that the vans have arrived and Orwell and I head back to the middle of the ghost town. We are both unsettled by the way things turned out with Max and don't talk much on our way. We arrive and I see the four vehicles parked in a circle for safety, dracs already stationed around the outside like an old-fashioned wagon train. Mahoney and a few others are by the medical van while Pacis is passing off the children off to the child-services van. That's good, I can't stand children and they're only alive because one day they'll be useful adults. Otherwise I couldn't tolerate them at all. I look around for Morand, but he must still be out with the rest of the unit*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I recommence my wanderings, gradually circling back around to the vans. The whole area is quite dirty and broken down, any exposed metal rusted half away by the acid rain. I don't know why anyone would want to live out here. A streak of dirt discolors my left sleeve as I step too close to the side of a building, and I brush it off as I step around the corner closest to the vans. The children are being loaded up, as are the killjoys, but my eye's caught by a pair of men farther off. They're the only ones in the area without masks, and I recognize Wilson immediately. He looks even better than the ID photos suggested.*

[rileywilson]

*A flash of grey catches my eye and I turn to see a man smiling at us. He's wearing a white jacket and pants combo, but they aren't standard BLI issue. They even have artful red stripes on the upper arms. He's not wearing a mask or obviously armed, but has a name tag. I almost wonder if he's an exec, but an exec would never be out here and I know everyone in the tower from their files anyway... *

*I frown and head over to the man, a good looking one that's perhaps around my own age, hard to tell with the radiation now days. I want to get to the bottom of this now*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I don't even have to cross the road to say hello - Wilson comes over of his own accord. Splendid. He opens his mouth, presumably to ask who I am and what I'm doing here, but I cut him off. I reach out and shake his hand, smiling* Name's Alexander Ludovico, but you can call me Vico. Or anything else, really. I'm your consultant. Mind if I call you Riley?

[rileywilson]

*I'm stunned into silence for a few seconds When Mr. L- Vico shakes my hand. That doesn't happen very often* Consultant? I thought you weren't coming till next week. Does BLI know you're out here, most of our consultants stay at the tower. And, uh, no. I don't mind if you call me Riely.

*I'm not sure why I let him call me by my first name. He's technically under my command. Maybe it's the heat or the failures of today...*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*My smile widens when it takes him a bit to respond* Well, yes, technically I'm not on the payroll until next week. But I didn't have anything to do, and I heard you lot had some action out here so I decided to drop by on my way to the supermarket. Sure, they know I'm out here. Or at least, the friendly lads driving the medical van do. Besides, I wanted to meet my unit. Looks good, by the way. *I make a point of not indicating the draculoids moving around us when I make that last comment*

[rileywilson]

*I nod, not sure who he is referring to exactly. I straighten my jacket a bit, even though it's partly covered in desert dirt* Well, since you are out here, let's use your analyst skills. How many more killjoy groups do you think are out here now that we've taken out the main one and do you think it's worth it to continue?

[Alexander Ludovico]

*His adjustment amuses me, but I don't comment. Oh, he'll be a fun one, all right... but for now, it's time for business. I nod towards the vans, where the last killjoy is being shoved into the back of the one closest to us* You captured six killjoys, by my count, plus two fatalities and the children. By the state of yourself and Mr. Orwell, I assume there are more still out there, but I don't think there are many and I don't think they're worth pursuing. Firstly, this is already an unusually large group to have encountered. It's simply not safe or feasible to maintain such a number. I doubt there are more than three or four left. In addition, the fact that we haven't been attacked here implies that they're vastly outnumbered. Killjoys are notorious for attempting impossible rescues, so the fact that they've left us to wrap up their friends means the odds are well against them. No, they're running by now.

[rileywilson]

*I nod. I'll confirm with Orwell first, but in all likelihood we'll pull out. Our haul is too good already and this will more than redeem us for the massive killjoy escape that Red helped in. Thinking about the first experiment reminds me that I have to get the other two from the training facility. Hopefully they will be more effective than Red was... I turn to try and wave Orwell over, so we can come to a decision and round up the unit*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*When Riley turns, I catch sight of the scorch marks on the back of his jacket, and though the protective vest he wore underneath took most of the heat, the way he's moving shows he can feel the hits. I step forward immediately, looping my arm through his and starting off towards the medical van. He protests immediately, but I don't slow down* Oh be quiet, Riley, you need a doctor. How do you expect your unit to follow orders when you don't even take care of yourself? Sam!

*I raise my voice when I spot the man I sat next to on the way over here, and wave him over, shoving Riley the last few steps towards him* Be a dear and treat Mr. Wilson, would you? And don't listen if he says he doesn't need it. I think he's got heat stroke, he's a bit delirious.

*Riley starts to say something else but I hold up a finger to shush him* Don't worry, I'll speak to Orwell. See you in a bit! *Turning around, I start off back the way we came, whistling a bit as I circle the vans and spot Orwell a short distance away*

[rileywilson]

*I look at Sam and shrug, an action I immediately regret as pain tears through my back. The medic has me sit down and he carefully takes off my coat, shirt, and protective vest. The burned area stings as he begins to disinfect it, but I don't react. I have a high pain tolerance and I am thinking about Vico. I'm not sure what to make of him. He's brilliant, from what I can tell, but informal. I'll have to have a private talk with him soon about etiquette*

[Jonathon Orwell]

*I begin collecting and rounding up the rest of my unit. The numbers of killjoys we managed to capture, is a bit alarming. I knew their were many hiding in this area but considering most of them got away, the number we have is more than sufficient. I order a Mr. Turner to receive medical aid and help a few agents load a few of the captives into one of the armored vans. I ignore my minor wound, it has dulled to an annoying ache now. I turn back to the clearing, wiping my hands on my pants and frowning. I see an unfamiliar man approach me so I quickly forget the Max incident. I remember my job and put up my old formalities again, walking towards him and putting a hand out to shake his hand.* Hello.

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I smile and shake his hand. He's not so much my style, but still. BLI sure can pick its agents.* Orwell, yes? I'm Alexander Ludovico, your new consultant. I go by Vico, though. I'd have come said hello in any case, but I happen to have a message as well. Riley's over with the medic van, but I think he's rather eager to head back to the city. Is everything in order?

[Jonathon Orwell]

*I glance around the area, nodding my head.* Indeed we are. *The captives are contained and the medics have nearly finished treating my unit. It is a shame, we were not even here more than a day. The plan would still have been initiated, but after a while to avoid suspicion. Not to mention Max got away. I frown and pop a few pills to ignore the situation and to block out the pain on my scarred shoulder.* It was very nice to meet you Mr. Lu- Vico. Feel free to ride in whichever vehicle you prefer. Wilson and I will meet with you soon to discuss procedures and such. *I half smile before turning and climbing into a vehicle.*