It has been a harrowing month after the traitor investigations. You thought you might be demoted back to an INFRARED or worse...terminated.
But then...
You awaken in the dark. The last thing you remember is bedding down for sleepcycle, followed by nightmares involving truncheons and hypodermic needles. You feel a metallic stasis collar around the base of your skull sending a strong electric current through your spine, completely immobilizing you. You hear a crackling noise coming from the darkness high above. A muted burbling issues from behind one wall.
The lights snap on. You seem to be in a briefing room, with several camera eyes peering down. You are all strapped to identical metal chairs bolted to the metal floor. Hot, bright lights glare from the stained ceiling tiles. In one corner an implanted wall speaker crackles with the noise you heard earlier. Across the room, a mirrored panel stretches from wall to wall. Undoubtedly, behind the panel lies an observation room.
Everyon has lumps and bruises in various visible spots, except Gunther, who has none.
A voice over the loudspeaker, not The Computer, but some human you don't know:
Intercom:
Welcome, Troubleshooters! You are in Briefing Room B-37F. The Computer is honoring you by allowing you to participate in a new service for the citizens of our glorious Complex. our calculations project that your service will increase happiness and efficiency across the complex. Your selection is evidence of The Computer's trust in you and appreciation of your value. In return, you wish to show The Computer your undivided loyalty, do you not?
There is a pause for you to reply, but you cannot move your heads or speak.
Intercom:
Excellent! Loyal citizens, as expected. Your respectful silence indicates acceptance of the mission.
As part of a special Troubleshooter team, you will serve complimentary beverages at least every 30 minutes to all citizens of RED Clearance or higher who have been waiting at a specified location, per experimental happiness regulatin PEC-V-9A-65992B. Your specified location is: [slight pause as you hear the distant sound of a file being accessed] Termination Center VWV-3C. The happiness of Alpha Complex's citizenry depends on you. Do not fail The Computer!
Your team leader for this mission is Seth-R-BCK-1. After this briefing, you will immediately appoint from among yourselves loyalty, hygiene, recording, happiness and equipment officers. Starting now, you have one hour to report to your contact at PLC Outfitting Warehouse R17 in VWV Sector to receive equipment and supplies. You are fully responsible for all equipment and supplies requisitioned to you. That is all.
The lights dim. The stasis collars on the backs of your necks shut off, allowing you to move. The straps on your chairs slide back, freeing you. A door slides open to a RED Clearance hallway: the exit. There is just enough light to navigate the room and get out. The intercom has switched off.
You each have your PDCs, ME Cards and personal equipment. No laser barrels, though.
In the room is Bruce, CL, Gunther, Joseph, Lynn, and Seth. As the intercom person noted, Seth is your new team leader.
OOC: You have one hour to get your equipment outfitted, meet with your secret society contacts (if you can!), determine what your mandatory bonus duty will be (except, of course, for Seth), and any other actions before you have to meet at the termination center.
