A Policy of Non-Punitive Handling of Errors
As the two paramedics sat in the break room, their eyes moved across the familiar pages of the training handbook. The words that had once seemed mundane and necessary were now taking on a different hue, a veil lifting to reveal a deeper understanding of the changes they had undergone.
"Listen to this," R5M3L said, his finger tracing the lines. "It says here that the neuro-based conditioning aims to promote 'enhanced team cohesion and minimized individualistic tendencies.' I mean, we knew that, but now it sounds so... orchestrated."
S7N1A leaned closer, his brow furrowing. "And this section about 'Enhanced Emotional Control.' They make it sound like a virtue, but it's basically just controlling our emotional responses to suit their goals."
"Yeah, it's like they've turned us into machines," R5M3L muttered. "Even our emotional reactions are engineered to fit their idea of the perfect paramedic."
S7N1A's gaze darkened as he continued reading. "Look at this part about 'Encouraging Non-Conflictual Communication.' It's all about suppressing disagreements and maintaining a harmonious facade. No wonder we never argue anymore, even when we used to have differing opinions."
"And the part about 'Minimized Desire for Personal Relationships Outside the Organization,'" R5M3L said with a bitter chuckle. "They've managed to isolate us from our families and friends, all in the name of 'team unity.'"
S7N1A closed the handbook, a mix of anger and realization in his eyes. "We've been conditioned to believe that all of this is for our own good, for the greater mission. But really, it's about control and conformity."
R5M3L nodded, his expression determined. "We've got to start questioning this, talking to others, raising awareness about what's really happening."
S7N1A's lips curled into a determined smile. "Agreed. We might have been conditioned, but that doesn't mean we can't break free from it. It's time to reclaim our individuality."
In the dimly lit control room, the AI system's alert caught the attention of JK65R and IO3SS, both of them on duty supervisors within the Corps. The screen displayed a summary of the conversation between S7N1A and R5M3L, highlighting their discussion about the training handbook and their growing resentment of the conditioning's effects.
JK65R's brow furrowed as he studied the text on the screen. "This is concerning. We can't afford any deviations from the established protocols."
IO3SS nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Our strength is built on compliance and unity. Anything that threatens that stability must be addressed promptly. But we should keep in mind the Corps Policy of non-punitive handling of errors. We must offer the chance of improvement.”
The AI system offered suggested actions based on its analysis of the situation. "Recommendation: Initiate a targeted modification to reinforce adherence to protocols and suppress dissenting thoughts."
JK65R tapped a few buttons on the console, adjusting the settings for S7N1A and R5M3L's next scheduled conditioning session. "Let's increase the intensity of the motivational reinforcement and tweak the emotional control parameters."
IO3SS leaned closer to the screen, reviewing the changes. "And make sure to emphasise the consequences of deviating from the prescribed behaviour, also let them train harder. We can't let this spread among the ranks."
The AI system acknowledged the commands with a beep, its algorithms calculating the optimal adjustments. "Modifications applied. Conditioning session for subjects S7N1A and R5M3L scheduled."
I parked the first response car, exchanged some casual banter with the guys. Then I went to the chow hall for a quick dinner. They had some mashed vegetarian stew and the dispenser gave me my serving. As I sat down, I met BH89L who was on conditioning chamber duty today and would most likely put me through meat grinder later as well.
BH89L: Hey S7N1A, how was your shift today?
S7N1A: (grunts) The usual. Responded to a couple of calls, nothing too exciting. You know how it is.
BH89L: Yeah, I hear you. (pauses) So, I heard you're scheduled for conditioning today.
S7N1A: (nods) Yep, it's that time again. I'll be heading to the chamber right after this break. How's your week been, BH89L? Back in the conditioning chambers, I assume?
BH89L: (sighs) Yeah, I'm on chamber duty this week. It's been... interesting. You know how it is, trying to keep everyone calm and comfortable before the big plunge.
S7N1A: (smirks) Yeah, I remember my last session. It's like they're trying to lull you into a false sense of security with those friendly conscripts.
BH89L: (chuckles) Well, it's all part of the job. We want you guys to be as relaxed as possible. Makes the whole process smoother.
S7N1A: (raises an eyebrow) Smooth, huh? More like surreal. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder what's really going on in those sessions.
BH89L: (leans in closer) You and me both, S7N1A. But we're just cogs in the machine, doing our part to keep the Republic running. What happens in those chambers is above our pay grade, if you catch my drift.
S7N1A: (nods) Yeah, I get it. Anyway, got to finish up here and head for my appointment. Wish me luck.
BH89L: Good luck, S7N1A. Remember, just relax and let the system do its thing. See you on the other side.
S7N1A: (smiles wryly) Thanks, BH89L. I'll try to enjoy the ride.
S7N1A stumbled out of the conditioning system, feeling like he'd been dragged through a mental swamp. The straps were released by a fellow conscript, and for a moment, he just stood there, trying to shake off the disorienting haze that clouded my mind.
It was a feeling he hadn't experienced since those grueling days of Basic Medical Training.
"What did they do this time?" He managed to mumble, his voice sounding distant and detached even to my own ears.
The fellow conscript, who ran the system, glanced at him with an expressionless face. "Extended motivational reinforcement. Reinforcement of adherence to protocols."
The conscript's features shrouded by the subtle light of the chamber. "You're in the process of recalibrating, recovering from the conditioning. It's normal to feel a bit foggy."
S7N1A's brows furrowed, a veil of uncertainty shrouding his thoughts. "Recalibrating?" The word tasted strange on his tongue, as if he was grappling with a concept just beyond his grasp.
Right. Of course. Because in this meticulously controlled corps, everything had to be reinforced, double-checked, and stamped with obedience, he thought. As if they thought we were all mindless drones that needed constant reminders of what we were supposed to be.
S7N1A couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle, though it sounded more like static than genuine amusement. "Ah, how could I forget? Just in case I start thinking for myself, right?"
The conscript's gaze remained fixed on him, unwavering and but with a expression of a little bit of of sympathy. "Protocol compliance is essential for the success of the mission." The conscript patted S7N1A head with his gloved fingers, a short feeling of content flushed through S7N1A.
"Yeah, I know," S7N1A muttered, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him. It was like trying to fight against a current that was determined to pull him in a direction S7N1A didn't want to go. But at the same time, S7N1A knew he couldn't afford to resist. Not here. Not now.
As S7N1A turned to leave, the conscript's voice followed him like a distant echo. "Have some rest, S7N1A."
S7N1A nodded vaguely, his mind still swimming in a sea of programmed directives. "Yeah, you too."
With each step, S7N1A could feel the conditioning settling back into place, reinforcing the walls around his thoughts, smoothing out any rough edges of dissent. He was back on track, a cog in the machine, following orders without question.
R5M3L stumbled likewise out of the conditioning chamber, his head spinning with a disorienting mix of thoughts and directives. He hadn't felt this detached since the early days of his training, when everything was a blur of conditioning and simulations.
"Hey, are you okay?" another conscript asked, offering a steadying hand.
R5M3L blinked, trying to focus on the face in front of him. "Yeah, I think so. It's just... the conditioning hit me harder this time."
The conscript nodded sympathetically. “Yes yours has been tweaked a little. Something about reinforcing adherence to protocols."
S7N1A and R5M3L found themselves jogging alongside in their red training suits, weighted down by additional weight in their plate carriers during the mandatory morning physical training routine. The rhythmic pounding of their feet on the track seemed to create a steady beat for their conversation.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" S7N1A panted, his voice a mixture of frustration and confusion.
R5M3L nodded, his breath coming in heavy exhales. "Yeah, that conditioning session was... different. I mean, I've been through a lot of them, but this one..."
"It was like they cranked up the control knob," S7N1A said, frustration evident in his tone. "I felt like I’m on autopilot the whole time. And those thoughts... those thoughts weren't even mine."
R5M3L's jaw clenched as he nodded again. "I know what you mean. It's like they're digging deeper into our minds again, manipulating our very thoughts and feelings."
S7N1A's brow furrowed. "For what purpose, though? I thought the conditioning was supposed to make us better paramedics, more compliant, more dedicated. But this... it's something else."
"Maybe they're trying to push us even further," R5M3L mused. "To make us so devoted to the system that we can't even question it."
S7N1A let out a frustrated breath. "It's working, though, isn't it? I mean, look at us. We're standing here, talking about our own conditioning as if it's some distant concept. We should be outraged, fighting against it."
S7N1A's gaze turned introspective. "I remember a time when I questioned things, when I had doubts about the system. But now... it's like those doubts have been silenced, replaced with blind allegiance."
R5M3L's determination seemed to intensify. "Maybe the key is to find those fragments of doubt, to reconnect with the part of us that questioned. If we can remember what it felt like to think for ourselves, maybe we can start to unravel this conditioning."
The coach's booming voice cut through the air, breaking their conversation. "Run, paramedics! This is training, not a social gathering! Focus on your pace and form, or do you want to end up as flabby as a civilian?"
With a shared grimace, they picked up their pace and focused on the rhythm of their steps, the rush of wind in their ears, and the relentless pressure of the conditioning that still gripped them.
S7N1A's shoulders sagged slightly. "It won't be easy, though. They've honed this system over years, perfected it to mold us into their ideal paramedics.
The coach's booming voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. "Alright, S7N1A and R5M3L! Drop and give me fifty push-ups, now!"
S7N1A and R5M3L exchanged a glance, the seriousness of their conversation momentarily replaced by the urgent need to follow orders. Without hesitation, they both hit the ground with gloved hands, their arms bearing their weight as they began the first push-up.
The coach paced back and forth, his arms folded across his broad chest, eyes sharp as they scanned each paramedic's form. "Chest to the ground, R5M3L! S7N1A, keep your back straight!"
Gritting their teeth, they pushed through the demanding exercise, muscles burning with each repetition. The coach's shouts continued to punctuate the air, pushing them to give their all. As the count reached thirty, R5M3L's arms trembled, but he forced himself to soldier on, his determination unwavering.
S7N1A's breathing grew heavy, a fine sheen of sweat glistening on his shaved scalp. With each push-up, his mind oscillated between thoughts of resistance and the immediate task at hand. Despite the physical strain, his conviction to challenge the conditioning remained steadfast.
"Forty-five! Five more, you're almost there!" the coach barked, his voice a mixture of encouragement and challenge.
As the final push-up was completed, they collapsed to the ground, their chests heaving with exertion. The coach's expression shifted from strict discipline to a nod of approval. "Good work, both of you. Remember, strength isn't just physical, it's obedience to orders and following protocols.”
