Holding Pattern (Part 2)

You're in the book. Cleared for the Red Zone. Back to work, then.

He lays fresh pads on the chair's arms.

Takes a few rounds, with rest in between. After each one I ask you some questions and watch how you move. If things start happening in the wrong order, tell me.

You pay first. Then the chair.

Back to work, then.

He checks the cable behind the rig's mesh cover, then lays clean pads beside the chair.

Ready. The rig pulls power off the CELL in short bursts. We run it until the green line looks the same every time. Why that matters, ask the Institute. I just follow their steps.

Then you get a small taste of what the Scar does. Enough for your body to learn it. Not so much I can't shut it off.

The straps hold your arms down in case they stop listening to you. Say the word and I stop.

He straps your forearms down. Behind the partition, relays begin to click. The trace on the small green screen drops each time the load rises.

Not right yet. Again.

The first few traces differ. He resets the load after each one. By the sixth cycle, they match.

There. That's the one. Follow my finger.

You feel your hand close before you decide to move it. His finger crosses your vision twice. He cuts the exposure and waits for your grip to loosen.

First session. Tell me where you are.

Pay for your spot first. Back to work, then.

Between sessions, he washes the raw patches beneath the pads. You rest until you can hold a cup without watching your hand.

Another round. Same questions after.

The relays resume. This time his finger crosses your vision once. After another rest and exposure, your hand closes when you ask it to.

Your name. Where you are. What I asked you last time.

You answer. He checks the trace under one final exposure, then removes the pads.

Memory's fine. Hands work. Looks like it stuck. You're cleared.

The CELL stays here. Whatever it did to you, you take with you. Keeps your head straight out there. Won't stop a bullet, though. Or a bad decision.

Red Zone access is now available for your account.

Back to work, then.

Pay for your spot first. Back to work, then.