Chapter 4 – I think we'd rather be burning your information

Battery City

I hate them. They don't care about us, I know that now. It's been about a month since the interrogation and since then I have been laying low not that I really had a choice in the matter. They didn't do much to ease the agony. Why would they when they were the ones who inflicted it? They only gave me painkillers. It still hurts a bit to speak.

I have not been passive in my fight against them though. I want to know what a zone runner is. I also want to know how this government formed to know why they are resorting to such measures. You would think they would have told us this in our history classes but all we have got is the most basic- that it formed after a war and they ascended to power to keep the peace. What war?

…

The Zones

It took him some time but he was finally getting the hang of it, shooting that is. He had started with mannequins or crash dummies as he was later told, as they were a larger target but then graduated to empty cans, which he was now practicing on outside the diner. It was also blistering hot. "Take a break. You do not want to outdo yourself" Cherri Cola said tossing a full soda can his way.

"Thanks Cola" he replied opening the can and taking a drink from it.

"So, have you thought about what you want to be called?"

"You said it's better to make it personal. I remember when I was really young that my brother used to read to me. Most books were about this detective wearing a black cape and a mask. I think he was a superhero." He paused for a moment, to see if Cherri Cola had something to say, and then continued "What sticks most clearly in my mind is that the detective had a partner. He wore a black and yellow cape with a red and green outfit. His name was Robin".

At that moment a shot was fired, just missing Cherri Cola's head. Turning around, Cherri saw where it came from, "Dracs! Get down." Further shots were fired in their direction. He didn't move. He couldn't. He was terrified but he also wanted to help. "If you are not going to hide…" Cola cried firing towards the Dracs, hitting two out of six. "Then find something to slow them down." At this something clicked. He had an idea. But he needed time and in order to get that he needed to find cover first.

He ran to the car, it was only a metre or two away but he had no choice. Shots from the Dracs ray guns were fired in his direction. He reached the cover of the Trans Am barely dodging the blasts. Out of breath, he tried to control his racing heart. He needed to focus. What do I need? He found an empty soda can and some wire. Next he took the petrol tank that was beside him and he carefully poured some of the petrol into the can. Then he wrapped the wire around the can, letting a bit of the wire hanging. What he made was a bomb or at least something to which had that effect. All he needed to do now was test it- to set it off.

By now Cherri Cola had taken out the two Draculoids that he had been fighting leaving three left, he had also managed to create more of a space between them. Now was the time. He got out from behind the Trans Am, and ran right past Cherri Cola, "Hey! What are you-?" Cherri cried, but he didn't get to finish his question as he was astonished by what he was seeing and the bravery of it.

He had quickly stopped and put his make-shift bomb on the ground, and was running back. Once he was with Cola he looked around, the Dracs were gathered in the vicinity of the bomb. "Here.", Cherri Cola said smiling, handing over the ray gun he himself had been using.

He took it, smiling back.

Three, he held the ray gun firmly in his grip.

Two, and took aim at the improvised fuse which was the wire.

One! He fired. The blast hit the wire causing an electric current to rush up it. They had just enough time to reach the shelter of the Trans Am before there was an explosion of sound. The surge of electricity exploded the can and the petrol inside it erupted into flame. Screams from the trapped Draculoids echoed through the air for several minutes then quietened. After a moment of stunned silence Cherri Cola spoke to him "I think I found a name for you- Caustic Robin. 'Caustic' means burn. How does that sound?"

"Slaughtermatic". Caustic Robin replied gleefully.

"That's the spirit, killjoy. Come here I need to show you something."

…

Battery City

I am at the library, underneath it to be precise. I decided to risk it and go after my classes. Wasn't too hard to get around security, there was only one staff on patrol guarding the door, so all I needed to do was distract him and steal his card. I did that by convincing someone else to ask for 'help' from the staff. He accepted on the condition that I tell him what's down here. I won't though, no one can be trusted. Not that much. Not with that type of people- who use secrets as a form of currency. Anyway, once the guard was walking away I slipped past him and grabbed the card. The door opened into an elevator. I entered and it closed before anyone could follow.

My time is running out and I still haven't found anything that could help me find the answers to what a zone runner is, why they are resorting to such cruel measures and how they formed in the first place. Not a single computer… nothing. Entering yet another room- this place is a maze, I think I have found what I need. Along the walls of the room there are organizer cabinets, loads of them and in the centre of the room is a large table. Having a closer look, each one has a label on. Walking down the row I notice all of them have at least a date but some have a date then a title. Stopping at a cabinet that has both- the title being 'Helium War', is this the war that they referred to in class? I need to find out. Opening the top drawer, carefully pulling out the first folder then laying it on the table, reading it said:

'The Helium War also known as The Analog War to those outside the city, took place in the year 2012. After the depletion of the world's fossil fuels, there needed to be an alternative solution to the energy demands. This alternative was nuclear power. However, there became a problem with the radioactive waste that resulted. Too much of this waste was hazardous to the human population causing sickness and death. Better Living Industries did their best in controlling the damage, creating what is known as the six (6) Zones, areas that have been affected. The first Zone representing the safest area while the sixth representing the most dangerous. They also perfected technology which allowed the harnessing of helium, and converting it into a type of plasma that could be used in a variety of different ways including an energy source. Even though the plasma could be used in multiple ways its primary use was in militaristic or safety purposes held by a select few. This created divisiveness among the population which quickly spread into an outright war between those who believed that safety was the right and best way to use the technology and those who believed it should be available for all to use how they wish. The war closed with those believing safety was the upmost importance an ideal backed by Better Living Industries, as the victors. While those that disagreed, choosing to leave the city becoming the first zone runners.'

I have got my an- Sirens! I have been so busy reading I didn't hear them start. My time is up. I need to get out of this room, but I need to take the few pages with me. The guards are already there. Two of them! I dodge them both, going under instead of fighting my way through. Turning around the corner I keep running up the passage. I am nearly there. The elevator is in sight. C'mon! Shit, another guard blocking my way. I can't turn back; the others will be closing in by now. He looks stronger anyway. I attack him by lashing out with my elbow. It connects but it will only buy me a few seconds more. Picking up speed. Yes, I made it. Quickly I scan my card and enter the elevator. Up the elevator, the doors open. I can feel gazes looking at me, but I can't stop now. They haven't locked the entrance yet. I can see it closing just as the last person who chose to leave, exits. I make it, but only just. The entrance doors close behind me as soon as I squeeze out.

To continue running I must find a safe place to hide. Lay low, and hope that they don't capture or find me. I will be dead if they do. But I got my answers, a zone runner is a freedom fighter, they saw that what Better Living Industries was wrong even if they had the best intentions. Just like me and my brother. And although in the Zones it sounds like a dangerous place so is the city.