maskormenace | [002] Video

[ Rick appears plain exhausted on the video. He's had a hell of a time recovering from the whole LACKEY ordeal and it shows. For a moment, he stares into the camera and debates turning it off. But instead, he rubs his face with his hand and goes forward. ]

I got a few things to say. You ain't gonna like 'em. But I think you need to hear 'em.

[ There's a pause as he mulls over which one to start with. ]

First off, I was a part of the team that put LACKEY in a human body back in Lithuania. 'Cause of that choice, the Soviet Union was able to have their porter here an' put us through hell. Maybe we didn't make the right call, but I still felt responsible for the him. So much so that I wound up gettin' imprisoned alongside LACKEY for the duration of the Soviet occupation.

When you people came up with your plan to extract LACKEY, no one came to me. Shouldn't have been hard to find out that I was there. To communicate with me. But I promised LACKEY I'd protect him an' that's what I did until I was killed by someone I thought was on my side.

[ A beat. ]

An' that wouldn't've been so much of a problem except for one thing. I got a virus inside of me. A virus that when I die, I revive an' turn into a....guess the term most of you I talked to have called it is a 'zombie.' But we call 'em walkers. They're jus' walkin' corpses, no life left to 'em except to eat living flesh. No one put me down in that room for good. An' it coulda been a disaster. This virus is in every single person from my world. So if ever there comes a time where you have to kill any of us or one of us dies, make sure you destroy the brain. If you don't, well -- it don't take long for the virus to spread through a single bite.

[ He lets out a prolonged sigh. ]

I get it. Why you did what you did an' took me out. Which also leads to the other thing I wanna say:

I come from a world where the dead outnumber the livin'. Every day is a struggle to survive. Food is scarce, resources even moreso. I understand war better than many of you can imagine. I understand the horrible things you have to do in order to survive. Hell. I did 'em myself.

People died in Debrecen. That's the reality. There ain't a damn thing we can do to change it. It's just the way war goes. I've lost a lot of people along the way. Good people. People who didn't deserve the die jus' like those civilians. But it ain't realistic to think it won't happen in war. Gettin' angry about it ain't gonna change things. And doin' somethin' stupid definitely ain't gonna change things. What it all boils down to when you're in a war, what you gotta remember is: there are no good guys, no bad guys. There're jus' people, tryin' to fight to protect themselves an' their own, doin' whatever it takes to do that. The Russians wouldn't've done it any different if the situations were reversed.

[ He rubs at one of his temples as though he can sense the indignation he's about to stir up. ]

Guess what I'm ultimately gettin' at is we have to live here. Don't go on an' do somethin' stupid that reflects on us all. 'cause trust me on this much: when you go on an' do somethin' stupid, it only leads to way more people bein' killed. That is a reality, the only reality, you have in your hands to control.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ With a laugh. ]

Yeah. Kinda guessed that. But it's comforting to know. I really am grateful so many people look out for Carl.

That's how it should be here. People looking out for one another and working together instead of fighting amongst ourselves. Being divided won't help anyone.

Our numbers are too great an' everyone has too many different opinions. It seems like there's always gonna be a divide. What's that sayin'? We got too many chiefs an' not enough Indians.

An accurate saying. But that doesn't mean I am giving up on trying to unite people under a common goal. You should know by now how stubborn I am, Rick.

[ With a laugh: ]

I have no doubt if anyone'd be able to accomplish it, it'd be you.

[ Peggy laughs along with him. ]

Your faith in me is appreciated.

[ More than he would ever know maybe. ]

Would you ever consider coming to one of my self defence classes? I'll waive the fee for the first lesson.

If you're offerin' a complimentary lesson, you can bet I'll be there. When is it?

Tuesday evening at seven pm. But if that doesn't suit you, I can make the time a little later.

Don't think I gotta work Tuesday, so that suits me jus' fine. Could use a chance to flex my muscles again. Don't wanna get rusty out here.

I wouldn't want you to get rusty either. Teaching the classes has helped me to keep on top of my skills and I always like having someone new in my lessons. See what they're capable of.

You sure you just don't want a chance to kick my ass? 'cause I'm startin' to suspect this is a revenge thing.

[ His words are light and teasing. He knows she has no ill feelings regarding what happened in Pan's forest. ]

[ Peggy laughs. ]

Now that would be telling, Rick. You will just have to come along on Tuesday and find out for yourself.

[ She's absolutely teasing. ]

[ He smirks. ]

Alright. I'll be there. You can count on it.

I'll see you there.

[ With a smile Peggy ends the feed. ]

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