Approaching the Firing Line

[Blackout]

*i grit my teeth as the treatment starts. I felt like I had betrayed everyone after giving away the informations and was now practically agreeing to being made better. By the end of the 12 hour treatment I could feel the effects starting to eat into my brain and my gold eyes had started to darken a bit but still held the color and glow as I was sedated and brought back to my cell. When I wake up I see a doctor ready and waiting to question me*

[Alexander Ludovico]

(writing for the doctor)

*I smile at my patient, and keep my words slow and even in case she's still disoriented after the sedation* Hello. Let's start simple - please tell me your name, and what you're hoping to do here in the city.

[Blackout]

Riley Bauman, no Blackout, that's my name. And I'm hoping to do what's right for my friends. *its a bit of a struggle to answer, not just from the sedation but also from me trying to stay true to being a killjoy*

[Alexander Ludovico]

All right, that's all for now. *I signal to the guards, and they start getting the killjoy ready for her next session. There's no point in my going through the rest of the questions; the hesitation was enough, and one session is never enough in any case.*

*The next six sessions pass relatively smoothly. There are several attempted reversions, but that's standard; when patients become aware of the changes in their mental state, they usually respond with a burst of adrenaline and increased resistance. The fits fade quickly, though, and by the fourth day I think we may be nearly done. Back in the cell again, I pull out my list*

Good morning, Miss Bauman. Could you tell me what you're hoping to do while you're here in the city, and what your impressions of the surrounding Zones are?

[Blackout]

*i look up at the doctor with dark almost black eyes, barely a speck of gold can be seen in them* the Zones are a radioactive wasteland that are fit for no human to live in. And I hope to be able to venture into that wasteland and bring my brothers back to safety and happiness here. *i then become aware that my mask is still on and I take it off. My hands shake slightly but I ignore t and toss the mask onto the floor*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I smile warmly, and nudge the mask to the side with my foot* Good, good. What do you remember about living in the Zones? Don't worry if there are gaps; it's perfectly normal to have forgotten things.

[Blackout]

I remember being starving, exhausted, and delusional, thinking that living out there was somehow better than the city, other than that, not much.

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I nod again, making a note on my clipboard regarding the extent of her memory. She answers the rest of the questions satisfactorily, showing no signs of hesitation or deception. I already have her prescription ready and when we're done and her restraints are removed I hand her a pair of bottles and a slip of paper with the details*

That first one is a basic comprehensive medication, to be taken twice daily. The second is for emotion stabilizing, and is as-needed, but no more than two tablets per half hour. I'm very happy with your progress, Miss Bauman. These men will escort you to the training dormitories until you've received your permanent assignment. *I nod towards the pair of draculoids in the hall behind me.*

Any questions before you're on your way?

[Blackout]

*i shake my head as I take the bottles* no sir. *i dry swallow a couple pills from the first bottle and start to walk out of the room, not even glancing down when I accidentally step on my mask*

[Alexander Ludovico]

Have a Better Day! *I return to my office when Bauman is taken out of the wing, and sign off on the concluding paperwork. Then it's down another hall to Treatment Room 9, where I'll be overseeing the therapy sessions of a man convicted of multiple thefts and one assault. We don't have much crime here in the city, but when we do, this is usually where they end up. I pop a pill before opening the door; he's a very antagonistic fellow, and I don't want to get riled up.*

-----

*The draculoids show Bauman to the dormitories. It takes a good twenty minutes to get there; up the elevators, down one hallway after another, out to the farthest wing by the training center. The halls are as uniform as ever, but the doors lock from the inside and there's a cafeteria, shared laundry rooms, and various other amenities.*

You're in a double room for now, *one of the draculoids says.* Clothing and personal items have been issued to you and are on the bed. You're welcome to use the training center, but your ID card won't give you access to any other wings of the building. If you have any concerns, the dormitory office is at the end of the hall we came in through.

[Blackout]

Thank you. *i walk into the room and head straight for the clean uniform on the bed. I wanted out of the dirty rags I was currently wearing as soon as possible.after a much needed shower I don the uniform and glance at myself in the mirror, feeling and looking much Better. I decided to head for the training center after gathering my ID and pills and my issued gun*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*The same drac that had dropped Blackout off at her room finds her in one of the gymnasiums a few hours later. His mask is shoved carelessly into one of his back pockets, and his hair is curly and slightly mussed on one side.*

Making yourself at home? *he asks, then nods towards the double doors* Sorry to interrupt, but I'm to take you over to the medical wing for a checkup. Name's Renner, by the way.

[Blackout]

*she smiles at him and quickly puts her gun away* Bauman, Riley Bauman. *she swallows a couple pills as she walks over to him* And I am, it feels good to be back in the city, can't imagine why i ever thought of leaving in the first place

[Alexander Ludovico]

Nice to meet you, Riley. *Renner smiles, holding the door for her as they go through.* Don't worry about it. There are a lot of people in the city who've spent more or less time in the Zones, and a lot of them say the same thing. I've heard of something called Zone Sickness; I think one of its symptoms is like a temporary insanity - no offense, *he adds quickly* But some of the people who remember the Zones say they had it, and that's why they didn't realize how bad it was out there. And anyway, most people here don't care where their coworkers come from as long as they pull their weight. We're here to work together and make things Better, and that's good enough.

*He leads the way down several hallways and up a flight of stairs, stopping in front of a wide reception desk* Here you are - they'll tell you where to go from here. Maybe I'll see you in the training center sometime. *Renner smiles again, then turns back and starts down the hall* Good luck!

[Blackout]

None taken, and I've actually done some research on said sickness and have made advancements on finding a cure for it. I believe I actually might have found a cure but it has not been properly tested yet. Thanks for walking me here, ill see you around some time. *she smiles back at him and walks up to the reception desk*