ABC - Penance

Introduction

Welcome to another serving of life in the Zone, this time focusing on Police Inspector Luisa Alvarez, whose story began in ABC – The Confession.

In this tale, Luisa is on the trail of the elusive Jacob Tan, once an operative for Jericho-Three but now an enemy of the Archimedes Network.

Please enjoy.

By Paul Mitting

Extract from Data files recovered from Jacob Tan

A Man Called Pony

November 2046

Interview with Zeus Tubbs, former Warden Corporal at Labour Camp One

Tan: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Corporal Tubbs. Our Agency appreciates your cooperation.

Tubbs: That's fine, Mr Tan. I had to give a heap of these interviews right after the incident, so one more is Okay. Especially since you bought me a nice lunch too!

Tan: You're welcome, Corporal. May we begin with a brief description of the role you performed at Labour Camp One and how long you were deployed there.

Tubbs: Sure, but it's just Mister Tubbs these days. I resigned from the Warden Corps not long after the attack. Nowadays I am a plain old Security Guard working in Spitfield City.

Back then I was a Corporal in the Warden Corps and had been in service for close to five years. The Wardens are responsible for security at the Labour Camps in the Zone and we are loosely affiliated to the Police Auxiliary.

We patrol the perimeter fences, man the watchtowers and conduct security patrols within the camp grounds. Whenever there was a prisoner riot or fighting between inmates, our job was to break it up with whatever level of force was required.

I had been deployed at Labour Camp One for eight months, following four years duty in Camps Three and Seven.

Tan: Our records indicate Camp One was considered a dangerous assignment for the Wardens. Most of the highest risk prisoners, especially those who were Awakened, were sent to Camp One. There was a high turnover rate of Wardens at the Camp, often due to injury or disablement.

Tubbs: That's why I wanted the transfer. After four years I was still only a Warden Corporal. For those who could tough it out, promotions were pretty common at Camp One.

Tan: I see. So you would say you were highly motivated to gain advancement in the ranks?

Tubbs: (Laughter) Nah, I thought it would be an easy path to better pay. I never minded cracking a few heads to keep the peace, so I reckoned I would fit in perfectly at Camp One. It was a lot like I had expected, but they had put most of the trouble-makers in PCDs by the time I started my deployment. That made the riots and brawls short and sweet. (Laughs again)

Tan: PCD's? Can you elaborate on what those are, Mr Tubbs.

Tubbs: Sure, but I am surprised you need me to explain what they are. Most Labour Camps use them, particularly on any Awakened they have in detention. It stands for Prisoner Control Device, but most Wardens and inmates call them Janglers. They are worn like a collar around the prisoner's neck and are locked by smart keys. When a prisoner misbehaves the Wardens can trigger them with a remote control to send electric shocks right into their necks.

We all get to sample the delights of a Jangler as part of our training, just so we know what they feel like. Even at the lowest settings those bastards hurt! Whoops, pardon my language there Mr Tan.

Tan: That is fine, Mr Tubbs. Please continue.

Tubbs: Okay. So, PCD's can be triggered on any prisoner who is getting out of control or refusing to follow orders. They are especially useful on Awakened, as the electric pulses mess with their Abilities. While they are being pulsed they can't use whatever special powers they have. Comes in very useful for the more dangerous ones like Blockers or Kinetic Enhancers.