VIDEO: 003

[fource]

This is Quatre Raberba Winner. I'm one of the people working on Project Alke. [And even without the unpleasant shoutout in the Majority Report, it's clear that he's been having a bad time; putting aside how drained he looks, he definitely took a couple punches to the face in the past week.]

As you may have heard, the nanites appeared to malfunction at some point after we cleared the moon’s orbit. A number of imPorts on the flight reported physical symptoms that went away when we landed on the moon. This also caused some people to have difficulty accessing their abilities. [He glances away from the camera; three guesses who was one of them.] Even back home, I've always been able to... I was surprised when the nanites stopped working, and I overreacted. I wanted to apologize for the way I behaved. Hopefully we'll find a solution to the nanite problem, and anyone who can add to the research is invited to.

[It's clear that he's still chewing over something. For a moment it looks like he's going to end the video, until he frowns and continues in a sudden burst of passion.]

But even though I apologize for overreacting on the flight, I still stand by what I said. We can't allow the OTO to weaponize outer space, any more than we can ignore them if they really are working with Atropos. But that doesn’t change the fact that what we're about to do will put the natives of this world in danger. We can't let the OTO use this as an excuse to hurt the people of this world any more than they already have. I've accepted that the nanites are a necessity in order to stabilize our abilities, and our abilities may be the only way we can remove the nuclear threat, or even face Atropos if it comes to that. But if you're only comfortable getting involved if the nanites will prevent you from dying, do not come.

Recently Jacob asked what people were willing to die for. Not what you'd be willing to get hurt for, or whatever it is that the nanites and the Porter can do, but what you're willing to die for permanently, the way it is back home. It's fine if your answer isn't the safety of the people in this world. No one should have to die for something they don't believe in or something they don't feel connected to. But that means you cannot risk this mission by being on the ship. You cannot fight effectively against Atropos if you’re worried about your own life. That's what outer space was trying to tell us. People will die if we fail. Do not join us if you're not prepared to be one of them.

Comments

[drivesadesk]

The nanites might bring us back in this world, but it's not like we had them back home. I was willing to risk dying to save humans back home, and I'm willing to risk dying to save them here.

This changes nothing.

[fource]

I think it does. [But he sounds more pensive than he did even a few minutes ago, since Jonathan was so kind as to immediately validate his worldview.] I think here, knowing that the nanites can bring people back... it causes people to act differently. It makes people more willing to fight when they otherwise wouldn't. That's dangerous.

[drivesadesk]

I wouldn't know. I already threw myself in danger back home. It's kind of amazing that I'm still alive.

[fource]

[There's something fond about the way Quatre smiles, brief as it is.] I know someone like that. There are always people who take that side. People who just want to protect others. But here... I'm worried about the others. The ones who were living normal lives in their homes. No one like that should have to get involved in a fight. But they might anyway, if they count on the nanites to save them.

[drivesadesk]

Oh, right. Yeah, I wouldn't want them to get involved with this. Not if they're not ready for this sort of thing. I mean, sure, everyone has that first moment where they actually start fighting stuff like this, but...you never know how many of them will make it.

[fource]

Right. [See, Jonathan gets him.] I think we made a mistake bringing the observers onto the ship. No one should have to find themselves in that situation if they're not prepared for it. What happened last week was just a reminder.

[drivesadesk]

Yeah. I mean, I get the advantage in doing it, it let us show natives what we're trying to do, but they shouldn't be there. That can't happen again.

[faithfulson]

Quatre...

[ Luke falls silent a moment, a sympathetic expression on his face. He understood how he felt, completely. If they fight, if it turns into a knock down, drag out fight with the OTO, it was going to drag the native population into it, no matter what they did to try to stop it. ]

[ He didn't like it either. But the alternative was to wait for the OTO to do something worse. ]

I joined the Rebellion knowing full well that I could be shot out of space, that death could come for me quickly, because I had to do what I could to make a difference. Being here, with the nanites, doesn't change that.

[fource]

[It's not as strange as it should be, hearing someone else say something that could describe his own thought process word-for-word. Maybe it would feel different if this was the first time it had happened. As it is, he just nods.]

I thought so. ["I'm glad" isn't really an appropriate response, but... it's good that at least a few of the other Alke crew members agree.] I'm more worried about some of the others.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke spared him a small smile. ]

Give them some credit; what they lack in willingness to die for the cause, they make up for in determination. They're stronger than even they know; I can feel it.

[fource]

[Quatre's frown comes back; he shakes his head, more to himself than in response to Luke's words.] That's not it. Of course they're strong. But people who are afraid of dying-- they shouldn't be on a battlefield. We can't pretend that isn't what this is. That's the problem with the nanites. They blur the lines. [He states this with so much confidence and sincerity that he takes for granted that it's the logical next step of their conversation.]

[faithfulson]

[ Luke stared a moment, before he shook his head. ]

Quatre, no; knowing you will die and not being afraid to die are two different things. Knowing you will die means you are willing to dedicate yourself to a cause that you feel is bigger than your own life. Not being afraid to die can be dangerous, not just to yourself but to others as well.

[ He fell quiet a moment. ]

I don't know a single pilot that isn't afraid to die. I imagine it's the same here.

[fource]

[Quatre's frown grows deeper, and this time when he shakes his head, it's more emphatic.]

It's the opposite. If you're afraid to die, you shouldn't be fighting. And that's a good thing. War is terrible enough as it is. I don't mean that you should want to die, but if you're afraid, it will only extend the battle.

[In other words: here's one.]

[faithfulson]

[ Luke stared at him for a long moment, a sad look on his face. It was a moment before he let out a breath, shaking his head slightly. ]

Quatre, I really believe you're dedicated to protecting people, especially when it comes to the OTO and what they have already tried to do to us. But I... don't think you should be part of this mission anymore, even if Jacob permits you to go on the next flight.

[d33tached]

Do you expect to die on this mission? Permanently, no less?

[He's only slightly panicked.]

[fource]

I hope not, but it's possible. The nanites stopped working as soon as we passed the moon's orbit. We may not come back if we're injured when they're not functioning. I think everyone has to be aware of the possibility.

[d33tached]

[Make that super panicked. He's not even really sure how to respond. How is he just now learning about this?]

Yes, I suppose so.

[Quatre's a fool for going and D33 wants to tell him so, but it would be pretty hypocritical considering that his husband is also both a fool and going.]

[fource]

[He can guess where this is going-- not that D33 would be concerned for Quatre, but Kaneki was a very public face for the project. If D33 is looking for reassuring, something about how the chances of danger are low, he's looking in the wrong place.]

Everyone on board is aware of what's at stake here-- or if they aren't, they should be.

[d33tached]

I have no doubt that they are quite fully aware of the potential consequences.

[He's sure that Kaneki knows perfectly well. Or maybe he doesn't. D33 would prefer if it were the latter.]

[fource]

Maybe. [He's starting to doubt it, though.] We shouldn't have even invited the observers on the test flight.

[d33tached]

Why any one of you has decided to embark upon this mission is entirely beyond me.

[He expects some lecture about "caring for other people" or "the good of the world" or whatever, but he still doesn't get it and he never will.]

It is a fool's errand.

[loyal_soldier]

I've already died for the Empire. If I die again, I'd rather it be for the values I defended there. To protect others from criminals who seek to replace order with chaos for their own benefit.

[fource]

I'm sorry. [That he lost his life, that is. Quatre still isn't sure how to feel about people coming here after their own deaths; it sounds messy and complicated, and he figures it probably isn't his place. At most it means that he might meet some of his family members again, which is something he'd rather not consider until and unless it actually comes up. At the very least, here's one member of Project Alke who can give his answer confidently.] But I'm glad to hear it nonetheless. [Even if he can't help but feel that 'defending the empire against chaos' sounds more like an Alliance position than Quatre's own.] So long as the people of this world are safe.

[loyal_soldier]

It's how I was supposed to end. The only thing wrong with it is that the situation was pushed that far. [That clone production was necessary at all, in fact. An Empire free of subversive elements would have no need for soldiers.]

My commander prioritized the benefits of our work to civilians. I've done my best to follow his directives without him.

[fource]

It sounds like this is a good way to do so. [Truthfully, Quatre doesn't see much wrong with that statement; he's struggled plenty in the past about adapting once the battle was lost, and he's thought more than once about not having a place in peacetime. It's only the 'supposed' that makes him hesitate.] ...Was it a suicide mission?