<strong> Scientist, Carl Dodd </strong><br/><strong> Prisoner Processing Facility </strong><br/><hr/><br/>Carl Dodd shifted in his seat.  He hated the trip back and forth from the Fortress - that was probably why he came and went as little as possible.  The slight rocking motion of the sub as it passed through different currents and water densities gave him a mild case of seasickness.<br/><br/>He tried to take his eyes off the floor and look around a bit.  His doctor, Rachel, had told him he should walk around, or at least move his eyes during the trip to minimize the symptoms since the medicine she gave him didn't work too well.  He glanced at the new inmates.  They were six of them this trip - four women and two men - lined up in the usual fashion, and dressed as they were at their trials earlier in the day.  They stood, arms secured above their heads with shackles connected by a rigid bar and inserted in an overhead track-work.  They wore shackles on their ankles as well, connected by a chain just long enough to allow them to walk at a shuffle.  All of them were quiet of course, the last male in the group sporting a black eye and a bleeding lip from the guard's "lesson" about not speaking.  Carl's stomach did a flip-flop, and he looked back down again.  Regardless of Rachel's suggestions, it just felt better that way.  Once they docked, he'd feel like himself again.<br/><br/>As if the world heard his request, he felt the sudden deceleration of the sub, and the familiar sounds of docking.  There was immediate activity about him as the guards started getting ready to transfer the prisoners.  Restraints were checked, and instructions given.  When the forward hatch opened, he let the guards lead the prisoners first while his stomach finally settled, then he followed them out.<br/><br/>The only way into the Fortress, was through the prisoner intake facility, so he needed to wait for them to clear before he could get through.  It was faster when he traveled on a supply run, since there were no prisoners to process - but this time, it would have been another week's wait, and he was tired of dealing with his father.  He watched as the guards connected the sub's overhead track-work to the one inside.  It was a good design - keeping prisoners on the proper pathways, and limiting their movements significantly.  There were often a few that didn't take well to the initial processing, especially since they were told nothing about where they were being taken other than "a maximum security facility", and some of them were still coping from the fact that they'd just been handed down life sentences.  As much as it was an inconvenience to have to wait, he had to admit to himself, he enjoyed watching.  He followed the group of four women as the men were lead off in a different direction.<br/><br/>Throughout the process, a taped recording played in the background, repeating ad-infinitum, "You are now the property of the Gen-Tech Corporation.  You will obey all officer instructions.  Any act of disobedience will result in punishment.  Any attempt to escape will result in death.  Obey all printed signs.   You are now the property of the Gen-Tech Corporation.  You will obey all officer instructions..."<br/><br/>The motorized overhead track-work kept them separated by about 6 feet and forced them ahead when necessary. A few moments after he heard the sub un-dock for its return trip, the processing guards arrived and began to cut the clothing from the new inmates.  Most of them were quite unhappy with that activity, but restrained as they were, they couldn't offer up much resistance.  As the recording continued to play, the naked inmates were forced to shuffle forward through an x-ray machine, and then an ultraviolet sterilization archway.  Carl watched them, admiring their bodies.  The Gen-Tech screeners always seemed to do a good job, he thought, at selecting them.  He licked his lips as his eyes wandered... certainly there would be reason to examine a few more closely...<br/><br/>The next part of their processing was what the sadist in him really enjoyed watching.  One by one, the track pushed them against an upright metal table.  The guards detached their shackles from the overhead, and reattached them to the top of the table. Straps were pulled tightly across their backs and legs, and their heads secured in a vice-like feature.  The table tilted forward,putting their heads directly under a large device, with a fairly thick needle at the end.  He loved hearing them scream as the surgeons guided the needle into the backs of their necks, depositing the control implant inside their brain-stems.  Of course, it didn't hurt THAT much, but they cried and whimpered just the same - probably the idea of a needle being driven into their necks had as much to do with it as the pain did.  Once completed, the table brought them upright again, and the guards secured them back to the overhead, and the line moved forward.<br/><br/>In the next room, a recording explained their implants, and then gave them a brief sample of the "pain" function.  Then, their shackles were removed, and they were issued their uniforms - a pair of simple panties and a short-sleeved, knee length dress - both in a simple gray color.  Once dressed, the guards secured their wrists again in front with handcuffs, and handed them their only possessions - a towel and a toothbrush.  They were instructed to step forward into a small room with a speaking dais, where they would receive an introduction to the Warden, and then, be taken to their cells.<br/><br/>Carl nodded to one of the guards, who recognized him immediately.  He slipped quietly towards the door, scanned his ID, fingerprints & retina, and entered the employee's area of the facility...