12th Mission // Text

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

What are you willing to die for?

[Can you tell Jacob's in a dark mood after the recent bullshit? It's subtle, but the hints are there!]

It's a serious question. There are other things I could be talking to you about right now. I could talk to you about the OTO, or nuclear war, or Atropos, or why hundreds of people died in the Shimmer, or how much damage the "gods" did. I could talk to you about Aegis Force and the Mars Mission and why they're necessary. And if anyone wants to hear about those things, I'll be happy to answer. But that's not what I really want to know right now.

What I want to know right now is what are you willing to die for? Permanently, laying it all on the line. Would you do it for your friends? Your home? Protecting civilians? For a cause? Just to keep your word?

I know what my answer is. But not everyone has one. Most people don't have to think about this stuff. Most people shouldn't have to. They should just be able to enjoy life. But that's not where we're at right now.

My Commander once said something that stuck with me. We were facing a suicide mission, going to a place no one had ever- I mean ever- come back from. The enemy had stolen thousands of lives, and that was just the beginning. The odds didn't matter: we had to stop them.

She said "we have to give everything, even if that means our lives. We will stop at nothing. We will fight for the lost."

A lot of lives are getting lost right now. A lot of people needing protection. We could be looking at the end of the world here. It's a good time to think about what you're willing to give up to defend what's important to you.

Comments

[generalgrievous]

I would have done whatever it took to keep my people safe. I fought for them. I gave up much for them. I would rather choose to live to continue fighting for them, however if the only choice was to sacrifice my life to keep my homeworld secure, then that shall be the way.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

I think that's a good answer. You want to protect your home- I can respect that.

What about here? Your homeworld isn't here. Is there anything on Earth that means the same amount to you?

[generalgrievous]

No. I have no loyalty to the humans here nor their pitiful planet.

However, there are wrongs that need righting and I will not turn away from the battle ahead.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Mind sharing what those wrongs are?

[Hopefully they don't involve this 'pitiful' planet that Jacob is quite attached to.]

[mathemagier]

There are things I would accept dying for- my home world, a groundbreaking discovery, perhaps even this world if things worked out that way. I understand personal sacrifice for a larger cause.

However, there's only one person I would willingly and without hesitation sacrifice everything for-- my health, peace of mind, morality. Although I know his life wouldn't be improved if I gave mine for him, it's a risk we're living with at the moment because the alternative is abandoning him.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[Jacob chuckles fondly.]

I'll bet there's no prizes for guessing who that someone is. You two are lucky to have each other, you know that?

[mathemagier]

Yes, we are. Even infected as he is, I would never consider wishing him away. He's been a little better lately, since the age mishap.

You seem rather troubled, however.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Maybe a little. What the Shimmer did... and everything we've heard about Atropos. It's a lot to take in. I guess it's been a while since I had to think about saving the whole world, not just the Porter cities.

Text

[drivesadesk]

I'd die to protect humans. I already put myself in a position where that might happen back home.

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[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Redemption, right? The price is always damn high. How bad is this position, Jonathan?

[He hopes his friend isn't headed home to die next time he gets Ported out.]

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[drivesadesk]

Oh, it's just the usual. The Reptilians that are all pro-invasion are trying to kill me, the humans who know what I am but don't know I switched sides also attack on sight. That kind of thing. I did manage to convince an FBI agent to hear me out, though, so there's some hope.

Text

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

That's something, at least. I'm dealing with something a little similar back home. Cerberus isn't exactly kind to people who want to leave. And I'm pretty sure the Alliance still thinks I'm a deserter and a terrorist, too.

[fource]

You're right. Most people shouldn't have to think about this.

Are you alright, Jacob?

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

I'm okay. Just thinking about things. We're almost there, you know? Won't be long until we're off to Mars, facing whatever is waiting for us out there. No guarantee what will happen next.

[fource]

You're right. Some part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop, but... All we can do is trust in our hearts and each other.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Yeah. That and triple-check every piece of equipment and gear we're taking on that ship. We might not be able to do much about Atropos, but at least we can give Alke a good shakedown cruise.

[codeofiron]

My friends.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Sounds like they're lucky to have you, Brandon.

Do you know if they would do the same for you?

[codeofiron]

[A year or two ago he could have answered that without hesitation. Now...]

Yes.

You?

text priv

[h2no]

is it all starting to weigh on you? offer's still open.

all of the above, for the record.

text priv

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

The gym offer or the dream offer? Or both?

That's a lot of things to be ready to die for, Archie. I hope your list of things to live for is just as long.

Re: text priv

[h2no]

bbbbboth? though thinking about it i think the gym thing would be more beneficial in this case. work off some frustration on a punching bag you know?

they're kind of the same thing? it's confusing. you die enough and you get kind of a weird relationship with the concept.

text;

[consulinchief]

Should people choose to fight, this is a question they should be thinking about, yes.

But not everyone who has been brought here against their will should be forced to fight, nor should they have to think about such things.

[There's a long pause between messages.]

I have fought to protect the innocent, and though I may not have succeeded every time, I refuse to allow that to stop me.

text;

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

We could all be forced to fight whether we like it or not. The people who hate us don't distinguish between imPort combatants and people who just want to be left alone.

It's hell, isn't it? Knowing you can't save everyone, no matter how hard you push.

[consulinchief]

I'm aware, but if they choose "flight" instead of "fight"... that is there prerogative to do so.

You sound as if you speak from experience when it comes to losing innocent lives.