Hospital Wing

[Volume Virus]

Fine. I guess I misinterpreted. *One of the medics or doctors or whoever's actually helping me anymore jabs my leg with a syringe. It promptly goes numb, and he starts sewing up one end of the bullet hole.* I just hope this is done by then...the Great Basilisk Slayer needs to take part in the final battle. For morale purposes. *I laugh at the title I have abruptly given myself, not expecting it to take hold. Honestly, everyone's probably already forgotten about it.*

[Jonathon Orwell]

*I scowl at Aftermath and watch his... girlfriend be treated. I look back up at him and toss another pill in my mouth.* I am fine. You try getting shot in the chest with a magnum and see how you feel afterwards. It is going to take a lot for me to overdose. I suggest we leave in 5 minutes, any more civilian casualties and we may as well hand ourselves over on a platter. *I grab a clipboard off the nurses desk and flip through it, looking for my unit members. I walk across the hall and poke my head into a room.* Morand, up and at 'em. You are going back out. *I go back into the hall and usher for Max.* You are coming along too if you feel up to it. Where did Miss Main go? And Pacis and Mahoney...

[Volume Virus]

Five minutes? But I...is that enough time? *I look from one doctor to the other frantically.* Can I be back on my feet by then?

*After an hour, I've come to feel like a vehicle for the two conflicting sides of my mentality, Angie and Lady. I've asked the doctors and nurses as they came in, and each assured me that I was Angie, telling me to take my pills. Lady doesn't want me to take the pills. Angie does. When I do, Lady gets quieter and quieter, then finally shuts up. Now, it's nearly to the point where I forgot about her existence altogether. Through my window-wall, I see a heavily bandaged man that I recognize from somewhere. Angie recognizes him as "Mr. Orwell", her superior. I can see his mouth moving and feel as if he's talking about her. I stand up, ignoring the spell of vertigo I get, and open the door, smiling at him.* Um, hello. Am I needed for something?

[Bullet Ringer]

Where do you need us to be? *I'm talking to Orwell 'cause well all of the remaining Killjoys are here or here in the hospital.* Re-grouping in the corridor isn't very logical. *I move back avoiding a couple of rushing nurses, proving my point.* Garage?

[Incendiary Aftermath]

*I pull down the collar of my shirt and point to a cigarette shaped scar in the middle of my chest.* Battle of Fresno, 2013. I lost a lot of good men that day. The wrong men... *I take the M1911 from my jacket and examine it, then cock it.* Five minutes is perfect. I suggest we head out to the wall and keep watch for anything suspicious.

[Volume Virus]

*I'm confused. Battle of Fresno? It doesn't ring a bell. Was that in the Helium Wars, World War III, or a separate battle altogether?* Ohh, no you don't. *IA starts to move away, but I keep hold of his hand and pull him backwards with all my strength. Good thing I'm using my good shoulder.* You are going NOWHERE without me.

[Incendiary Aftermath]

You'll come out when you're fine. Without me out there everyone will die, and that would be bad. So let me go, alright? *I noticed Vol's confusion at the mention of the Battle of Fresno. A private war no one knew about... save for a few of the vipers and me.* Look, I promise there will be enough time for you to fight. Okay?

[Volume Virus]

Well, I'm coming with you, then! *I turn around, yanking out IVs as I go, and start putting weight on my good leg. The medics start panicking.* You've kept me safe for long enough. It's MY turn to be there to protect YOU. Wasn't it you that got the idea that it should be the two of us against the world?

[Incendiary Aftermath]

Right now the world is on our side. *I take Vol's hand and kiss it lightly, then push her back onto the gurney* You're not gonna be able to protect me with a messed up leg. The more we daddle, the longer it'll take to be treated. Sit down, get treated, and meet me outside. Okay?

[Blackout]

Garage sounds good, anywhere sounds good. *i sound a little anxious, but I really want to get away from all these pills. Seeing Orwell swallow a few almost sent me over the edge*
~isn't it great to be back in the safe walls of Battery City? If only you'd let me take a few pills...~
Forget it! *i blush when I realize I had said that out loud* sorry, thinking out loud, I'll just wait outside if you don't mind. *i quickly dart between a few doctors and leave the room*

[Bullet Ringer]

*I follow out after Blackie darting between doctors and patients until I catch up to her. I grab her arm and pull her to one side moving out of the crowded corridor* Are you okay Blackie? You ain't hurt are you?

[Volume Virus]

So, what, you're not going to stay? *I sigh melodramatically.* Fine just go. But don't do anything stupid, and stay as safe as you possibly can. If you die, I'll kill you. Am I understood?

[Incendiary Aftermath]

I'll come back to life JUST for that occasion. I'll be fine. *I holster my pistol* Alright, everyone ready?

[Blackout]

I'm fine, I think. I just had to get away from all those pills. *i shudder slightly* the last thing I want right now is to have 'her' take over while we're still in Battery.

[Volume Virus]

*I look out the door and laugh quietly.* While you were trying to console me, I think 'everyone' went and got organized. Orwell's collecting Dracs, and Blackie and Bullet went to the garage, I think. Honestly, I know that I'm a damsel in distress here, but you can pay attention to your surroundings while you stare into my eyes like a character in a soap opera, can't you? *I let go of his hand and smile.* Go ahead. I'll be along later.