ALIGN 07 ☰ VIDEO; (backdated to Mar 5th)

[grimreaping]

[ Kid's been absent for the better part of the week in the wake of the Debrecen bombings. He didn't inform anyone of where he was going, but given the backdrop of his video feed, he's back in Maurtia Falls. He looks more than a little rumpled and dirty, as if he's been wearing his same suit the whole time (he has been). Nonetheless, he addresses the viewers levelly and calmly. ]

In response to the American government's bombing of Debrecen, in the murder of unaffiliated and undefended civilians, I went to Hungary to assist with the aid efforts. Needless to say, the Hungarian citizens were not pleased by my presence... there was a great deal of resistance to my helping, at times violent. Despite that, I was able to help recover some survivors.

[ Too few of them, though. That definitely explains some of the damage and traces of blood on his clothing... the injuries may have since healed, but the evidence they left doesn't evaporate. ]

I did this in full awareness that my actions would be deemed criminal by the US, and have contacted the proper authorities that I am awaiting their arrival for my arrest, which I do not intend to resist. But I want to make it clear that even benevolent aid efforts, when they are directed to those whom the US government considers enemies, is seen as the same crime as participating in an attack against them. That humanitarian efforts are a crime if they are not approved.

[ Kid's yellow, double-ringed eyes are glowing like coals. For all his outward calmness, this young godling is pissed. ]

My sentence will be temporary, but that doesn't change what I intend to do going forward. The Soviets may have provoked the initial reaction, but the US willingly chose to target primarily civilians. In good conscience, I can no longer support or tolerate their actions.

---

[ OOC: Open log is HERE! ]

Comments

video

[bindsthedead]

Kid... [Sabriel's clearly distressed and trying to tamp it down.]

You could have told someone what you were planning.

Re: video

[grimreaping]

Why? It wasn't necessary for me to have permission or approval.

video

[bindsthedead]

So we'd know if something went wrong! The Soviets have used nullifiers before, and they hated and feared imPorts even before America decided to attack one of their allies. What if they'd captured you?

Re: video

[grimreaping]

This wasn't a military installation, Sabriel, it was a city. The most they aimed in my direction were stones and words.

[ That wasn't entirely true -- there had been the occasional bullet. He didn't hold it against them, had only repeated his assertion that he was here to help, that not all imPorts supported what had happened. ]

text | private | through the mirror network

[wonk]

ur really planning 2 just walk into jail over this?

id have fuckin ditched man honestly like im still tempted

[grimreaping]

Even if that weren't a pointless endeavor given the nanites' tracking ability, a reaper does not run away.

[wonk]

raises eyebrows

we talking physical law here or "im 2 hardcore 4 this" bc if its the latter thats just kinda silly

video;

[attainment]

[All things considered, Barnaby is composed, although he can't quite refrain from pursing his lips before speaking.]

Are you in need of a lawyer?

Re: video;

[grimreaping]

[ The offer is so abruptly incongruous that Kid actually laughs. ]

I... no, there isn't going to be a trial for this portion, only at the completion of the sentence, I understand.

But thank you for the offer.

video;

[attainment]

[Barnaby prefers to see to people's practical needs before letting himself mull too deeply over anything else. Not that he doesn't care, but he doesn't exactly have a right to complain about anything if he's not willing to at least offer assistance.]

What is the trial supposed to determine if it won't be held until after your sentence is completed?

[flynnnotjunior]

Hey, uh. Good job. [ Seems a little underwhelming as far as things to say, but he's just arrived. ]

[grimreaping]

[ A new face... this is an awful time to arrive, Kid thinks. Still, it's not this other teen's fault. ]

Thank you. I wish I could have done more over there. They didn't deserve that.

[flynnnotjunior]

Whatever you did was better than not doing it.

Video

[darwinatrix]

Tell me.

Are you familiar with the concept of total war?

Re: Video

[grimreaping]

I'm well aware of it, yes. I don't know if you have the Geneva Convention or equivalent in Amestris, but this was not an instance of legitimate military targets, regardless of what propaganda is being used here. I was there... I know what I saw.

Video

[darwinatrix]

Crippling the enemy's war machine to make the war end more quickly is absolutely a legitimate military action.

When war is declared, you should act decisively and with all your might to bring it to an end. Prolonging conflict only invites further suffering and misery.

[Text]

[herstarlight]

Proceed with caution; do not let your emotions guide you.

Re: [Text]

[grimreaping]

It was not emotion which motivated me.

[ Not entirely, at least. Or rather, emotion in the sense that it was part of his being. ]

[Text]

[herstarlight]

May I ask what has motivated you? You do seem angry.

video

[medalsome]

[Wow. What a strong soul pun unintended. Joaquin can't help but feel rather awed by Kid's efforts.]

... That's really magnanimous of you.

And I agree with where you're coming from. I'd rather not break laws in order to accomplish good in this world, but at the same time, I don't approve of your getting arrested just for showing compassion. There's something broken in this system.

Re: video

[grimreaping]

[ Kid is glad someone else gets it. ]

Laws of order and balance go beyond what is written on paper, yes.

Re: video

[medalsome]

It makes me think we need to try to set up some sort of... I dunno, a group of imPorts that can help people in other countries going through crisis situations that remain safe from political backlash. I mean, there's gotta be some sort of protections put in place for people just doing right by people, you know? It's not like you were condoning the ones who chose to help Russia by helping out those civilians...

text

[superposition]

[Guess who's got two thumbs and suddenly feels super guilty watching this. Because Qubit abruptly realizes he could have been there to help, but he was so tied to the idea of staying in the country and not getting arrested that it didn't cross his mind.

Something's got to change here.]

You did the right thing.

Re: text

[grimreaping]

Thank you. You may be in the minority for believing so, however, particularly among non-imPorts.

[superposition]

Better alone than in bad company. Washington said that, I think.