After making some inquiries and requests Laney is told that she can meet her friend. But first a doctor wants to interview Laney, wanting to know as much as they can on how Maria ended up in the condition she is in.

The doctor is not military, as evident by him being overweight, and unshaven. The room is a simple office, Laney isn't restrained nor are there any USAF guards about. "So Miss Laney please start off my telling me how you know the subject."

In reply to Doctor (msg # 2):

"Hello, Doctor. Lakeisha Carmichael. Call me Laney." She got comfortable.

"Maria Delores and I are, or were employed by the city of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas as licenced paramedics through MedicWest. She's been my partner since I started working for MedicWest. Maria Delores was the senior paramedic on our crew. Our contract was for services in North Las Vegas but we were transferred to Las Vegas due to the volume of calls on the Strip.

"Sorry, Doc. Didn't catch your name? You don't look like you're in the military." The latter statement wasn't a question, although her asking for his name was genuine.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:06, Fri 29 Apr 2016.

In reply to Lakeisha 'Laney' Carmichael (msg # 3):

"Sorry Ma'am I don't normally do things like this. My name is Joe Ritter and I'm a pathologist."

"So you two were out working a call when The Wave began?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 18:48, Sat 30 Apr 2016.

In reply to Dr Ritter (msg # 4):

"Pleased to meet you, Doc. I guess you want the story on Maria's injury, correct?

"Yes. We were on duty. Lots of patient calls related to the flu. We had a call at Caesar's Palace where we were attacked by some crazies. (I come from Louisiana, y'understand, I just don't like callin' 'em "Zombies" 'cause they got nothin' to do with Voudoun, right? But I digress.) Anyhow, Maria got assaulted by our patient and and went unconscious. I got her stabilised and managed to get her to the "bus". Once we were on, South Sinatra I think, we got T-boned in traffic. We both got banged up, some. She came to about half an hour later. Her vitals were a little odd, BP and core temperature seemed a little low."

[Private to GM: I can't recally recall what was odd about Maria's vitals after she seemed to recover but I know they were odd.]

In reply to Lakeisha 'Laney' Carmichael (msg # 5):

"Was she bitten? Did at any time after the assault did Maria's heart stop?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:48, Sat 30 Apr 2016.

In reply to Dr. Ritter (msg # 6):

Laney shrugged in unsure way, looked away and then back. She tried to remember the events but it seemed so long ago.

"Maria flatlined in the elevator at Caesar's Palace. If her heart was truly stopped, then there's no way on Heaven or Earth I could start it again, right? When she went down I checked her pulse and determined she had arrested. The EEG was broken so I went ahead and assumed it was pulseless tachycardia and not complete arrest. I started CPR, then defibbed her. I got a pulse, so it couldn't have stopped altogether.

"Was she bitten? I don't think so. I shot one, ah, crazy, in the hall. When I turned back our patient was on Maria, who was down at that point. I shot the patient because it was clear Maria's life was in danger. Something I thought I'd never have to do. There was a lot of blood everywhere and Maria had a neck wound, puncture. I rigged an IV and applied a pressure bandage. I thought the bullet went through the patient and struck her. After working here and in New Orleans, it's not my first rodeo when it comes to GSWs (Gunshot Wounds) and I've seen it happen.

"When I checked the dressing later, I couldn't find the wound. I guess I was mistaken before. Blood must have all been the patient's. Must have been. People just don't heal like that."

A note of doubt crept in her voice. Had Maria's heart fully stopped? Impossible, or else she wouldn't have been able to start it again. That was a medical impossibility. Was she bitten? She couldn't say, all she knew was at one point it seemed like there was a wound like that on her neck, but then later it was gone. It wasn't medically possible, and mistakes were made.

A smile forms on his face as Laney describes there being no wound. "After waking, other then abnormal vitals and a low core temperature can you remember anything else out of the ordinary?"

In reply to Dr. Ritter (msg # 8):

Laney didn't seem to recall anything in particular. She hadn't actually seen or heard of Maria exhibiting any unusual behavior. But she thought she heard Maria mention something in passing about having some kind of relationship or control of the crazies? But that was crazy talk. And hearsay. Personally, she hadn't seen anything herself and assumed this was due to her being concussed.

After the moment's pause to think, she shook her head.

"Honestly, I never saw anything that struck me as weird. Maybe because not long after she regained consciousness, we were in different vehicles and of course things were kinda confused.

"I believed Maria was suffering a concussion, which of course wouldn't really be out of the ordinary after being assaulted, losing consciousness, and then getting into a motor vehicle accident that totalled our ambulance.

"Regaining consciousness after arresting and then running around is pretty out of the ordinary. You'll need to ask her about anything else."

The doctor writes several notes as Laney explains. “Ok so your friend Maria has some odd issues going on. She has amnesia and barley has a recollection of her life, family or even the fact she is an EMT. Her body temp is a constant 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit. She doesn’t seem affected to extreme heat or cold like you and me. Injuries seem to heal faster under certain circumstances, which is why if she was bitten you didn’t see any injury after taking the bandage off. Her skin is very pale, almost ghost like, which is odd for someone of Hispanic descent.”

“Anyhow as you speak to her realize these things.”

After the interview, Laney is led to a room and allowed inside. The room has a small desk, two chairs, a flat screen TV with a blu-ray player hooked up to it, a bed, and adjacent smaller room (probably a bathroom). Maria is also present.

[Private to Maria Delores Hernandez:
You’ve been treated well. All the tests done to you have been done humanly. You’ve been provided with food, water, clothing, and privacy. When the situation required it, it was women who carried out some of the more ‘non-private’ tests.

You’ve been told that you will be going to Alaska so that more testing can be done and to possible figure out a way to better understand how/why people killed by those who rose from the dead also become ‘Zombies.’

The only negative things are all the poking and prodding during various tests, and the fact you are on a form of house arrest, unable to leave the building your in.]

"That's right, she did exhibit retrograde and anteriograde amnesia. Her skin was pale, I attributed that to shock.

"Thanks, Doc. I'll see how she's doing."

Shaking the doctor's hand, Laney entered the room.

"Hey girl, how you feeling?"

Maria perked up as she saw Laney walk in.

- "Oh, hey Laney! Good to see they wised up and let you out... Can't say the same about me though."

She took an audible sigh, though it was mostly deliberately overacted theatrics.

- "Oh, i know why they're doing it, i mean i did possibly arrest in that elevator from what i'm told so only it makes sense that they want to watch me for a while and i can't fault them for it, it's just..."

She gave Laney a pleading look.

- "...It feels like i'm in jail! I mean, they're nice and all and they're all handling this very professionally, just like in an actual hospital mind you, i'm just bored out of my skull! Core temp is low but stable and i'm paler than i used to be, but i'm healthy as a horse. I can beat everyone else in here arm wrestling... though with only other patients to contend with that isn't saying much."

The smile returned again as she rubbed her hands in anticipation.

- "So that's enough of me rambling for a bit, how've you been?"

In reply to Maria Delores Hernandez (msg # 13):

Leny debated whether to tell Maria Delores about her children. Did she remember them? They were probably dead or infected. Was this a kindness, her not seeming to know?

"I'm all right. There was a... misunderstanding when I arrived. They confiscated all my medical gear. Said I'd never get it back. Then I got a little upset. That's not how it's supposed to be done in these situations. But I guess they're kind of making it up as they go along and you know what they say, you can't fight city hall. But that's all over and done with.

"Yeah, you did arrest in the elevator at Caesar's Palace. I brought you back, and when you came to you seemed all right. There was maybe a bite as well, but it healed up within hours. A miracle, really. But you look healthy. You are really pale, though, girl! I thought that might be shock but not after all this time. I really do believe that you're stronger now.

"One thing you should know is they're getting ready to evvacuate the base real soon. Everyone's being relocated to a safe zone. Know where it is? Goddamn Alaska! Whatver this is, it's gonna last a long time if that's how far they gotta go to feel safe. Apparently you don't need to go if you don't want to. I'm not, and there are some other people that are gonna stay.

"Look... I don't know how to say this but... you know you have retrograde and anteriograde amnesia, right? There are some things you need to know. You have a right to know you have a family. A boy and a girl, Raul and Malina. They were at home in North Vegas being babysat by your aunt while we were at work. I think they're probably gone. I can ask around if they made it here. Or else they might have holed up with your family in North Vegas. Lots of your people live there. They could have made it.

"I don't know what you want to do. But you have a right to know."

Maria felt her stomach turn when she heard about her kids, the look on her face showing a hint of surprise at the feeling, but ultimately she took a deep breath.

- "Yeah... You're right, i don't remember a thing. If it's memories i'm having a hard time, but my body remembers the things i did a lot so i can still drive, swim, ride a bike, stuff like that. I can feel it in my gut that you're right about my kids though."

She took another deep breath, looking at the ground and walls for a moment, hoping against better knowledge that she'd find something to help her reach a decision. That was just wishful thinking though.

- "Look, if you could ask around for the kids i'd owe you for it, but i'm worried i'm going to freak them out or something. If you run into them, please prep them a little about my new looks and the fact that i couldn't even recall their names?"

She softly shook her head, already knowing what the right thing to do was, but not wanting to say it regardless.

- "Look, apparently i got this Zombie virus and survived, but they can't run more tests with what they got here so i need to go to Alaska. It sounds like my best shot at reversing this thing, and as a paramedic -- even one that can't recall shit -- i need to do something to help. Even if that is way over north in freaking Alaska."

She had a sudden thought, and chuckled for a moment, trying to take the tension off of her mind and lighten the mood a little.

- "Man, why'd it have to be Alaska? They couldn't set up some research base over in Hawaii or something?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:22, Tue 03 May 2016.

In reply to Maria Delores Hernandez (msg # 15):

Laney laughed. "I know, right? Alaska! Why not Nevada? Or Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska. Plenty of real estate that's empty and closer. If I were them I'd keep some part of Nellis active to use as a research base. It's got solar power, water from Lake Meade, a secure perimeter. If something goes wrong it's not going to endanger their main enclave. Oh well, not our decision.

"I'll ask around for you. About your kids. If you had a choice, would you go to Alaska?"

Maria gave Laney a nod in response. It came easier now, while the decision had been hard she now felt committed to it.

- "Yeah... I mean, my body temp is like seventy, i want to know what the Hell's going on before this gets any worse."

She tilted her head a bit, a small smirk appearing on her face.

- "...Now why do i get the feeling you're planning something?"

In reply to Maria Delores Hernandez (msg # 17):

Laney tried to look innocent,

"Moi? Plan something? In point a' fact, I ain't plannin' nothin'. 'Least until after we leave here. Here at Nellis the military has all the cards. And they're operating without much of a clue as to what's going on, not that anyone really does. That means they are taking a stricter approach to Martial Law than is probably legal, but it's not like we can take them to court because they are making the rules now.

"The military is being strict but fair under the circumstances and I don't want them to even think I'm gonna cross 'em.

"What it boils down to is I'm keeping my head down. When they leave, I'm gonna remain. We got a crew, find some place safe. Got some ideas on what we can do until the military comes back from Alaska. I think they're gonna let people have some of the vehicles and equipment they can't move. That'll help."

In reply to Lakeisha 'Laney' Carmichael (msg # 18):

With the visit effectively over, Laney said her goodbyes.

"Take care. Hope you can stay if you want to... if you go to Alaska, don't forget to write."

Hugging her, she got up to leave. "I love you girl, stay strong."

She then went to wherever records were kept or people tracked to see if Maria's children every turned up.

Maria nodded in response. She felt bad about Laney staying here, but there wasn't much she could do here, especially compared to the potential good she could do in Alaska in helping to find a cure for this damn virus.

- "You too Laney. Take care... It sounds like once the army pulls out, things are going to be pretty lawless around these parts."

She knew better than to try and talk Laney out of something once she had her mind made up, but that didn't mean she couldn't warn her.