Approaching the Firing Line

[Blackout]

*I continually cry out and struggle against the restraints, trapped in this ongoing nightmare that wont end for three days. In a split second moment of clarity during the pain I decide that I can't let Bullet or the boys or any of them to go through this, and it pains me even more than the treatment at what I'm possibly deciding to do*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*In the cell, Blackout is secured to the bed and the IV drip is set. The door is locked and one of the doctors accompanies a guard to the monitoring room at the end of the hall; from there, the vitals of patients in any of the cells can be monitored, and a live video and audio feed from each is available.*

*I receive a brief transmission by the time I step out onto my floor, updating me on the killjoy's status (stable, no change, no coherent verbalization).*

[Blackout]

*tears were running down my face now, both from pain and from the guilt of what was to come*

((im not quite sure what to do now unless there's a time jump to the end of the treatment))

[Blackout]

*It felt like an eternity instead of only three days before the pain finally started to fade away and i could think clearly. I lay in the bed staring up at the ceiling and waiting for Wilson to return*

[Alexander Ludovico]

(I'm aware there's a time discrepancy between Wilson and the rest of his unit, but we'll just pretend there's not...)

*I would have forgotten about the killjoy altogether if I hadn't been getting updates every twelve hours. As it is, I make my way back down at the appointed time, and meet the doctors at the entrance to the wing. They tell me they're pleased with the results of Placebo Beta and see good things for its future, and I tell them it depends on the killjoy's response. They tone down their enthusiasm, and step silently into the cell after me.*

*The killjoy looks exhausted, and no longer pulls at the restraints. I walk over and look down at her* Hello, Blackout. Ready for your rehabilitation? Or do we have time to talk?

[Blackout]

No we... *she sighs sadly and debates for a moment before the thought of Tes or Ace going through that ended it* we can talk

[Alexander Ludovico]

Good. *I almost smile. It seems the doctors were correct.* Very well. We might as well be comfortable, then. *There's a small metal chair in the corner and I bring it a few feet closer and sit down. One of the guards steps forward and releases Blackout's restraints, replacing them with a pair of hand and ankle cuffs. A doctor is putting away the IV line in the meantime, and steps on a panel at the base of the bed that slowly raises the back so the killjoy is in a sitting position.*

Let's start with the basics. Callsigns and civilian names of the killjoys you interacted with, and any known safehouse locations.

[Blackout]

The ony safe houses i know of are the ones i ran but theyre all vacant at the moment. As for my friends, I don't know some of their civilian names because we just use our callsigns, I tell the truth on that. *she took a deep breath and tried to hold back tears* Firebird Freedom, first name Hunter, don't know last name. Glass Vendetta, civilian name unknown. Cynical Paranoia, civilian name unknown. Neon Sky, first name I think is Emily. *a few tears started rolling down my cheeks* Bullet Ringer, civilian name unknown. Tesla, civilian name Connor Bauman. Ace of Spades, civilian name Isaac Bauman, previously Isaac Hernandez. im sorry guys, but I couldn't let you go through that torture *i whisper the last part to myself and glare at Wilson fiercely* happy now you bastard?

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I glance up at the red light of the nearest camera, confirming that the conversation is being recorded.* My happiness has nothing to do with it. Just one more question. Once they leave the superstore, where will they go?

[Blackout]

They'll probably go back to my safe house in Zone 5. *technically I wasn't lying because I wasn't sure if they would go back there before trying to come to the city, because i knew they'd try to rescue me, but of course I wouldn't tell Wilson that*

[Alexander Ludovico]

Thank you for your cooperation. *I pull a detailed map of the Zones out of the folder I'd brought with me, and hand it to her along with a soft-tipped felt pen* Mark the location of the safehouse on this map, then give it and the pen to your guards. As soon as that's done you can begin your rehabilitation treatments. If your information is good, I can guarantee your friends, if and when they are captured, will not undergo questioning. If not - and a patrol will be dispatched to confirm the location of the safehouse - my promise is void. Have a Better Day.

*I leave the room, pausing in the hallway to confirm the treatment schedule with one of the doctors*

[Blackout]

It better be, because if I find out any one of them goes through that hell, you can be sure I will be giving you hell! *i take the clipboard awkwardly with m bound hands and look at the map of the zones. My eyes linger a bit on where the superstore is and I sigh* I'm sorry guys *i make an x where Five was and gave it to the guard. One takes it away while the others starts to ready my treatments. I glare at them fiercely and try to pic something useful from the guards. User my mask and easily get it without him noticing. I put it back on and feel stronger as my ees blaze gold* die with your mask on if you've got too *i whisper to myself*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I ignore her comment, striding away as soon as everything is in order. The doors at the end of the cell block lock behind me, as do the pair at the end of the next hall. I scan my employee card in the elevator and soon enough I'm on my way back up to my office.*

*The first doctor, a trim young man with dark hair, frowns slightly when he sees the killjoy is wearing her mask again, but doesn't make her take it off.*

Come with me, *he says, and leads the way back through the hallways to the room they'd used previously. The double IVs are still set up, as is the table against one wall* Have a seat, and we'll get started. If you respond well, the whole process should only take a few days. You'll be Better in no time!

[Blackout]

*i pale and almost try to run out of the room but stop in the door way* if I try to run they'll ony punish the others *with a deep breath I walk over and sit down in the chair, eyes still golden*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*The doctor nods approvingly when Blackout sits down, and lets her leave the mask on. She'll want to take it off by herself, before the treatment's over. Within ten minutes she's been secured, the double IV lines are set, and the films have started playing. Periods of pain will alternate with periods of euphoria, matching corresponding videos of life in the Zones and life in the City. She'll be sedated and taken back to her cell for six hours of sleep after each twelve hour session, and asked a set of questions once a day to track her progress. Depending on how she responds to the treatment, she'll be ready for release between three days and a week - either to monitored civilian life, the draculoid training dormitories, or the on-site science and medical center.*

(feel free to write or time jump however you'd like - I'll follow your lead)