[ WP ] The year is 2776 , and most diseases have been cured ...

`` Let's discuss possible compensation scenarios.'' The man put his hands together and placed them on the table. 
 
 `` Is n't it a bit early for that discussion? The tests are n't complete yet.'' Leaning back in his chair, the father's gaze roamed aimlessly across the featureless walls. 3 meter high walls of white anodized aluminum. The room was small, with a table for four in the middle. The chairs were fixed to the floor. Only one door existed behind the man in front of him. The man was breaking protocol by touching the table, but then again he should n't even be in the same room as the father right now. 
 
 `` Of course, but this is a special case. As you know, I would n't even be in this room with you if you were n't who you are.'' 
 
 `` I'm not that great.'' 
 
 `` Oh on the contrary, you are one of the most highly decorated officers in section 47. You're a veteran of 10 years with Sanitation and in your tenure you positively identified 7 different possible outbreaks and just last week tracked down that influenza carrier into the aux electrical panel access after she eluded the inoculation team for days. That could easily have turned very nasty.'' 
 
 `` She was n't a carrier. And MedBay cleared me.'' 
 
 `` Yes of course,'' The man smiled as he shifted his fingers, prompting a display to appear on the wall to the left of the father, where he had been gazing, `` but your son is showing similar symptoms as that carrier.'' 
 
 The display showed video footage of the woman. She looked perfectly healthy, waiting in line for her turn in the decontamination showers. Until it was her turn to move up the line, she stumbled ever so slightly and wiped her nose with her left hand. The video looped back to the beginning to start again. 
 
 `` She was n't a carrier.'' The father stated again, slight irritation in his tone. 
 
 `` Yes of course.'' The man murmured as he watched the looping footage. Making slight gestures with his left hand, jotting down notes on a prompt that only appeared in his ocular display. His iris trembled ever so slightly as he shuffled documents on his display. A tactic all bureaucrats seem to employ when they are being dismissive. Suddenly he quickly blinked three times, closing his workstation. He leaned back in chair and crossed his arms as he looked sternly at the father. 
 
 `` Ours is a thankless job, officer Stanton.'' The man's tone was low and monotone. `` We maintain order and peace and keep this colony alive but we can not deny that we kill innocent people. We have to live under a stricter code. I'm sure the populace understands but they rarely sympathize when they see their loved ones dragged away. Human beings are selfish by nature. That's my belief anyway. What we do is necessary but not pleasant. We do n't often make friends in our line of work.'' As he finished his sentence the man trailed off a bit, a bit of sadness showing through in his last words. 
 
 Officer Stanton sat up in his chair and leaned closer to the table, as he crossed his arms as well. `` I believe in the work. I've got enough friends. I do n't much care to make more. Being as busy as you say I am, I do n't really have the time and as of now, more pressing concerns on my mind.'' 
 
 The man smiled again, perhaps not quite as much as before, but a smile nevertheless that seemed to be genuine. Officer Stanton recognized that the man was n't a bad person. He's just doing his job. And the professional curtesy he had shown him by appearing in person was more than he had expected. After all, it was not normal to be in contact with possible carriers without the mandatory Haz-3 protocols. Yet here he was. A high level Adjuster from Central sitting and waiting with Officer Stanton while the final tests are confirmed through MedBay on the fate of his son. 
 
 `` Why did you turn him in?'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` Why did you turn him in? He's your son.'' 
 
 `` Because it's the right thing to do.'' 
 
 `` Really? For your son?'' 
 
 `` Yes. I've been in Sanitation for 10 years. As you know. This is the best thing for him.'' 
 
 `` Do you really believe that? Would your wife agree with you?'' 
 
 Anger briefly flashed across Officer Stanton's face but he quickly regained his composure. They are surely watching him, monitoring his vitals. He had worked so hard to maintain control. He will not break now. 
 
 ``... my wife. She will understand. Do you know much about my wife?'' 
 
 ``... of course.'' 
 
 `` She survived Section 106. She was lucky. Do you know about that? Of course you do.'' It was hard for Officer Stanton to hide the distaste in his eyes as he tried not to remember the details. The man of course noticed. 
 
 The man leaned closer to the table, arms still crossed and without giving pause, picked up the words. 
 
 `` Of course I do, pox outbreak from contaminated shipment from the surface wiped out Section 106. Command delayed their decision for a week before they finally gave the order and burned the damn place. We all watched as the disease dropped them one by one, women, children, until they were begging for death by the end. Twelve hundred. Twelve hundred souls officer Stanton, and do you remember why?'' 
 
 `` Fuck you.'' 
 
 `` Because one of YOUR Sanitation men would n't give up their mother officer Stanton.'' 
 
 `` FUCK YOU.'' 
 
 `` Twelve hundred died and the whole Section was put to flame because one of you officers was as selfish as the rest of mankind.'' 
 
 The two stared motionless. 
 
 The man leaned back into his chair and blinked three times rapidly, bringing up his displays. 
 
 `` That's just one of many. Not just in Sanitation of course, but also in MedBay, Transportation, Salvage, etc.'' His eyes gazed down slightly. `` Even in Central. Even Command. How many Colonies do you think we might lose if we let this go unchecked? We are the authorities. People place their trust in us. Its only fair that we should try to live up to their expectations.'' 
 
 Officer Stanton sighed and leaned back in his chair. 
 
 `` Of course. If my son is sick I will not hide it. I turned him in because its the right thing to do. And now I have to sit in this room and wait. Wait to see if its just a sickness or if it's a contagion. I have to sit here and wait to see if they're going to execute my son and put him to the fire. And if it's all the same to you, I'd rather sit and wait alone.'' 
 
 -- -- 
 
 This turned into a ramble... Sorry.
