Chapter 1: Persona Straightjacket
“Let’s see, Brandon Gorton, CEO of Crytek Industries, Madrid Bastion, Head of Security for the centralized urban center,” Here Dr. Breen paused momentarily “And our involuntary patient Muhammed El-Bahadari. Don’t worry, you will find that this procedure is quite painless. As you are all aware by now, this procedure is a lengthy and risky one, and there is a slight possibility that you will not live to see tomorrow”. Dr. Breen turned to boldly face his three patients.
“However, my pioneering work on Combine technology is proven to cure mental and physical abnormalities, and you are all here because of the former, voluntarily I might add. Mr. Gorton, you were diagnosed with schizophrenia less than six months ago, and you were among the first to voluntarily sign up for this rehabilitation program, what do you have to say regarding your doubts on this transition you are about to embark upon?”. Mr. Gorton straightened his spine, and swallowed nervously.
“You have no need to feel anxious Mr. Gorton, these men beside you are not here to judge, please proceed”. Mr. Gorton seemed to visibly relax. “Yes, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia quite recently, and I have been searching fervently for a cure to this illness”. “And do you find it slightly ironic that as a head of a major pharmaceutical company, you have know learned the value of effective and sustaining treatments, rather than cheap, generic therapies that do little more than drain your customers’ pockets?”, Dr. Breen derided politely.
“I am ashamed of my prior conduct, and have quite eloquently learned my lesson, all I can say is that I am completely ready for this transition”, Mr. Gorton responded. “Very well, and you Mr. Bastion, do you have any comments concerning our conduct?”. “I-I just want to get better”, was the head of security’s simple reply. “Alright, and Mr. El-Bahadari, I am certain we already know your opinions concerning this, let us continue with this procedure briefing then”, Dr. Breen said slightly mockingly to the obviously disturbed man.
The foreign man began to squirm in his chair, the restraints making a rubbing sound as he struggled. Dr. Breen nodded, and two masked men came forward, one of them delivering a blow to the man’s head with a strange baton-like weapon. The other dragged the chair into the shadows. The other two men in the dim room began to shift uncomfortably in their seats. “Now gentlemen, shall we proceed....good, let us then take a little tour of the labs that we will be performing the procedures in”.
“The setup we have downstairs is not as eloquently equipped as I would have liked, but it will serve”, Dr. Breen continued, crossing over to the far side of the room and opening a faded wooden door that revealed a narrow staircase. The two men awkwardly followed Dr. Breen down the flight of stairs and into a cavernous chamber that was obviously the labs Dr. Breen was referring too. The doctor half-turned to them. “At first we started with government funding, which was meager at best. Now we are receiving funding from private organizations as well as wealthy individuals that want to see our work furthered”. Gorton and Bastion stared in amazement at the chamber they were now standing in, which spanned the length of three football fields. All types of equipment were scattered about, from test tubes filled with strange an unknown substances, to lumbering cybernetic machinery and massive computer mainframes.
“The procedure itself could last several days, most of it will consist of implanting the Combine technology into your body, few risks are involved but I will take the liberty and explain them to you”, Dr. Breen continued absently, while studying a clipboard. Suddenly, a middle-aged man with light brown skin and nothing but scanty white hair at his temples came riding up to them.
“Good morning Dr. Breen, have you found that report yet, I think you should have a little chat with Harold, that poor man is replacing everything nowadays”, the man smiled affably, Dr. Breen returned the gesture. “No, I haven’t, but I think we both know who the culprit is now, don’t we?. Gentlemen, I would both of you to meet my colleague Dr. Eli Vance”. “Colleague, don’t you mean mentor, benefactor?”, Dr. Vance cut in. “I could think of a few other references as well, Eli”. Dr. Vance smiled again, “I can take a hint, gentlemen it was a pleasure to meet you”. Dr. Vance strode off slowly, his unmistakable limp causing the men to stare uncontrollably at the man walking with quiet confidence into the distance.
“Let’s see, Brandon Gorton, CEO of Crytek Industries, Madrid Bastion, Head of Security for the centralized urban center,” Here Dr. Breen paused momentarily “And our involuntary patient Muhammed El-Bahadari. Don’t worry, you will find that this procedure is quite painless. As you are all aware by now, this procedure is a lengthy and risky one, and there is a slight possibility that you will not live to see tomorrow”. Dr. Breen turned to boldly face his three patients.
“However, my pioneering work on Combine technology is proven to cure mental and physical abnormalities, and you are all here because of the former, voluntarily I might add. Mr. Gorton, you were diagnosed with schizophrenia less than six months ago, and you were among the first to voluntarily sign up for this rehabilitation program, what do you have to say regarding your doubts on this transition you are about to embark upon?”. Mr. Gorton straightened his spine, and swallowed nervously.
“You have no need to feel anxious Mr. Gorton, these men beside you are not here to judge, please proceed”. Mr. Gorton seemed to visibly relax. “Yes, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia quite recently, and I have been searching fervently for a cure to this illness”. “And do you find it slightly ironic that as a head of a major pharmaceutical company, you have know learned the value of effective and sustaining treatments, rather than cheap, generic therapies that do little more than drain your customers’ pockets?”, Dr. Breen derided politely.
“I am ashamed of my prior conduct, and have quite eloquently learned my lesson, all I can say is that I am completely ready for this transition”, Mr. Gorton responded. “Very well, and you Mr. Bastion, do you have any comments concerning our conduct?”. “I-I just want to get better”, was the head of security’s simple reply. “Alright, and Mr. El-Bahadari, I am certain we already know your opinions concerning this, let us continue with this procedure briefing then”, Dr. Breen said slightly mockingly to the obviously disturbed man.
The foreign man began to squirm in his chair, the restraints making a rubbing sound as he struggled. Dr. Breen nodded, and two masked men came forward, one of them delivering a blow to the man’s head with a strange baton-like weapon. The other dragged the chair into the shadows. The other two men in the dim room began to shift uncomfortably in their seats. “Now gentlemen, shall we proceed....good, let us then take a little tour of the labs that we will be performing the procedures in”.
“The setup we have downstairs is not as eloquently equipped as I would have liked, but it will serve”, Dr. Breen continued, crossing over to the far side of the room and opening a faded wooden door that revealed a narrow staircase. The two men awkwardly followed Dr. Breen down the flight of stairs and into a cavernous chamber that was obviously the labs Dr. Breen was referring too. The doctor half-turned to them. “At first we started with government funding, which was meager at best. Now we are receiving funding from private organizations as well as wealthy individuals that want to see our work furthered”. Gorton and Bastion stared in amazement at the chamber they were now standing in, which spanned the length of three football fields. All types of equipment were scattered about, from test tubes filled with strange an unknown substances, to lumbering cybernetic machinery and massive computer mainframes.
“The procedure itself could last several days, most of it will consist of implanting the Combine technology into your body, few risks are involved but I will take the liberty and explain them to you”, Dr. Breen continued absently, while studying a clipboard. Suddenly, a middle-aged man with light brown skin and nothing but scanty white hair at his temples came riding up to them.
“Good morning Dr. Breen, have you found that report yet, I think you should have a little chat with Harold, that poor man is replacing everything nowadays”, the man smiled affably, Dr. Breen returned the gesture. “No, I haven’t, but I think we both know who the culprit is now, don’t we?. Gentlemen, I would both of you to meet my colleague Dr. Eli Vance”. “Colleague, don’t you mean mentor, benefactor?”, Dr. Vance cut in. “I could think of a few other references as well, Eli”. Dr. Vance smiled again, “I can take a hint, gentlemen it was a pleasure to meet you”. Dr. Vance strode off slowly, his unmistakable limp causing the men to stare uncontrollably at the man walking with quiet confidence into the distance.
