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It's easy to lose yourself in a place like this, where gods can control how even a machine can feel.
[He doesn't generally like referring to himself like that, but hell, it's not like everyone doesn't know already.]
[He doesn't generally like referring to himself like that, but hell, it's not like everyone doesn't know already.]
What people? You mean more soldiers, or more synth haters?
[Now it's Rey's turn to guess.]
[Now it's Rey's turn to guess.]
Not to me. I was tied up after he went down. Had a few things to take care of and left the actual handling of him to Henry and Maketh.
[Which is usually best, considering he doesn't always approve of Maketh's methods.]
What I got from the reports is that he's just the kind of man who wants to watch the world burn. Given the way he was trying to start trouble with us for no damn reason, I don't doubt it.
[Which is usually best, considering he doesn't always approve of Maketh's methods.]
What I got from the reports is that he's just the kind of man who wants to watch the world burn. Given the way he was trying to start trouble with us for no damn reason, I don't doubt it.
People from my neck of the woods. Brotherhood. Hell, even just people with nowhere else to go. Seem to be a lot of them here, too.
[Nick can't help but wonder if it's on purpose sometimes; it's hard to believe the gods when they have so much control over so many things, but claim to have none over that Door of theirs.]
[Nick can't help but wonder if it's on purpose sometimes; it's hard to believe the gods when they have so much control over so many things, but claim to have none over that Door of theirs.]
It's not the gods, [ she's quick to retort. Not angry, but definitely a bit sharper than intended. Rose has been nothing but clear on where she stands regarding the deities of the cave. ]
I was... in a place before this. Called Haven. It was worse than here, if you can believe it. And it's just some shit from back then kind of coming to the forefront lately.
[ Which is about as detailed as she'll get, actually. For now. ]
I was... in a place before this. Called Haven. It was worse than here, if you can believe it. And it's just some shit from back then kind of coming to the forefront lately.
[ Which is about as detailed as she'll get, actually. For now. ]
Guess it's more convenient for the gods when the Door brings in people who have no other option but to stay, if it beats the alternative.
[Some people here are dead, or dealing with much worse -- like Rey and, she suspects, Danse as well.
[Still, the gods claim they don't control the Door, so that doesn't count for much the people who don't fit that bill.]
[Some people here are dead, or dealing with much worse -- like Rey and, she suspects, Danse as well.
[Still, the gods claim they don't control the Door, so that doesn't count for much the people who don't fit that bill.]
[And then there are those who opt to stay, like Nick. It's home now, and he's not about to leave his family behind, especially when...]
From the way Danse put it, there isn't much of a Commonwealth to go back to at all. Some future I haven't lived yet, and am being judged for anyway.
[Not that being judged for something beyond his control isn't old news.]
From the way Danse put it, there isn't much of a Commonwealth to go back to at all. Some future I haven't lived yet, and am being judged for anyway.
[Not that being judged for something beyond his control isn't old news.]
[Rey isn't surprised to hear it's that bad; seems to be a theme with this place.]
Not much you can do about that. But I do know a thing or two of what that's like.
[Only instead of a future, it was for a past she didn't remember, and had been a completely different person.]
Not much you can do about that. But I do know a thing or two of what that's like.
[Only instead of a future, it was for a past she didn't remember, and had been a completely different person.]
[Ah, so he wasn't there the whole time. Oh well, that's alright, his insight into the fight itself is still very helpful.
That's entirely likely, although I admit I hope he had a more specific reason.
[Because that'd be a lot easier to work with.]
That's entirely likely, although I admit I hope he had a more specific reason.
[Because that'd be a lot easier to work with.]
Some people are just sick in the head, Doc. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that.
[Given his profession, chances are he's seen his fair share of terrible people -- maybe not immortals, but people nonetheless.]
[Given his profession, chances are he's seen his fair share of terrible people -- maybe not immortals, but people nonetheless.]
Unfortunately, no.
[Although he doesn't like to just write people off there are definitely some individuals beyond help, and despite that he doesn't know enough about Sato just yet to include him among them he's getting the impression he's probably one of them.]
Thank you for answering my questions.
[Although he doesn't like to just write people off there are definitely some individuals beyond help, and despite that he doesn't know enough about Sato just yet to include him among them he's getting the impression he's probably one of them.]
Thank you for answering my questions.
[Nick can understand that feeling.]
Anytime. There anything else I can help you with?
Anytime. There anything else I can help you with?
Not now, but if I have further questions about this in the future could I contact you?
[Just in case.]
[Just in case.]
Anything you need. You know how to reach me, or you can catch me at the headquarters if that'd be better for you.
[He offers a small smile, genuinely appreciating how nice Nick has been.]
Thanks again.
[He nods farewell, then ends the connection.]
Thanks again.
[He nods farewell, then ends the connection.]
Mr. Valentine.
My name is Romulus Hart. I'm a newer member of your Guard here, and I've been operating under miss Maketh for some time now. She has recently ordered me to prioritize defending you, should any event against the Guard or attack in general occur.
I am a skilled fighter and will see to your protection. We should discuss a contingency plan, should I be required to come to your aid.
My name is Romulus Hart. I'm a newer member of your Guard here, and I've been operating under miss Maketh for some time now. She has recently ordered me to prioritize defending you, should any event against the Guard or attack in general occur.
I am a skilled fighter and will see to your protection. We should discuss a contingency plan, should I be required to come to your aid.
[Now here's news Nick didn't expect -- maybe down the road, but certainly not now. He calls this fellow back, as texting with his mechanical hand is sometimes tricky.]
Mr. Hart, it's Valentine. While I appreciate Maketh's concern, it's probably better you put your skills to good use elsewhere in the city when something big happens. We're pretty shorthanded as it is, and there's always someone in need of help.
Mr. Hart, it's Valentine. While I appreciate Maketh's concern, it's probably better you put your skills to good use elsewhere in the city when something big happens. We're pretty shorthanded as it is, and there's always someone in need of help.
Yeah. You would, wouldn't you?
[He gives her a rueful kind of smile.]
Guess it's a good thing I'm hoping we can turn this place into something better. Someplace worth staying in, especially for those folks where it does beat the alternative. If we can ever all get on the same page about that, things might just turn out all right.
[He gives her a rueful kind of smile.]
Guess it's a good thing I'm hoping we can turn this place into something better. Someplace worth staying in, especially for those folks where it does beat the alternative. If we can ever all get on the same page about that, things might just turn out all right.
[Oddly enough, it's never occurred to Rey that Nick would fall into that "alternative" category. He's never seemed to express much interest in going back home, but she's also questioned whether his intentions of staying here have more to do with her than the state of things in his world. Not that she minds; it's just good to know.]
That's a tall order. [Especially since Rey just about nearly sabotaged her friendship with Sharon over being on different pages on the matter.] Guess it's a nice thought, though.
That's a tall order. [Especially since Rey just about nearly sabotaged her friendship with Sharon over being on different pages on the matter.] Guess it's a nice thought, though.
[If ever asked, Nick would definitely tell Rey the people here are what matter to him, as home is where you make it; however, he's sure she knows.]
That's the ideal. Things rarely go that way, but it doesn't hurt to dream.
[Not that machines like him can dream in the literal sense -- not without the gods' intervention -- but the point still stands.]
Guess I'll go give Shadow a call, or see if I can't catch him sometime soon. I oughtta sit down and have a talk with him as it is.
That's the ideal. Things rarely go that way, but it doesn't hurt to dream.
[Not that machines like him can dream in the literal sense -- not without the gods' intervention -- but the point still stands.]
Guess I'll go give Shadow a call, or see if I can't catch him sometime soon. I oughtta sit down and have a talk with him as it is.
No, can't say that it does.
[Depends on the dream and the one dreaming it, though -- in Rey's humble opinion.
[Her expression is forced neutral as Nick swings the topic back to Shadow again. Not her favorite subject as of late, but necessary.]
Okay. [She pauses, folding her arms over her chest.] I know you want to see the good in some people, but... Just keep in mind, they have to want to change, and they have to try. You can't force that.
[From the sounds of it, this one hasn't been trying hard enough. But again, her opinion, and not one that can stop Nick from caring either way.]
[Depends on the dream and the one dreaming it, though -- in Rey's humble opinion.
[Her expression is forced neutral as Nick swings the topic back to Shadow again. Not her favorite subject as of late, but necessary.]
Okay. [She pauses, folding her arms over her chest.] I know you want to see the good in some people, but... Just keep in mind, they have to want to change, and they have to try. You can't force that.
[From the sounds of it, this one hasn't been trying hard enough. But again, her opinion, and not one that can stop Nick from caring either way.]
[Well, Rome hadn't anticipated a refusal, and it gives him pause for a moment before he tries again.]
I apologize, [he starts,] but I'm under orders. I will come to your aid whether or not you believe it's necessary. If you have dispute with my orders...
[Well, he'd say "take it up with Maketh", but that sort of thing just isn't done in his world, and so he hesitates for a brief moment.]
-I will not disobey them. I would recommend discussing you concern with my superiors.
I apologize, [he starts,] but I'm under orders. I will come to your aid whether or not you believe it's necessary. If you have dispute with my orders...
[Well, he'd say "take it up with Maketh", but that sort of thing just isn't done in his world, and so he hesitates for a brief moment.]
-I will not disobey them. I would recommend discussing you concern with my superiors.
You mean Maketh.
[Of course he means Maketh. Have an audible sigh, Rome.]
Look, with most of the situations this city throws us in, my safety isn't an issue. I don't need to eat or sleep or any of that, and while I might get banged up from time to time, I have plenty of folks looking out for me already. You're better off helping someone else, but I appreciate the thought.
[Though he gets the feeling that his appreciation means nothing, and that he's going to have to have a word with Maketh about this after all.]
[Of course he means Maketh. Have an audible sigh, Rome.]
Look, with most of the situations this city throws us in, my safety isn't an issue. I don't need to eat or sleep or any of that, and while I might get banged up from time to time, I have plenty of folks looking out for me already. You're better off helping someone else, but I appreciate the thought.
[Though he gets the feeling that his appreciation means nothing, and that he's going to have to have a word with Maketh about this after all.]
Nick. Lance came to me with a plan to manage Sato in the short term. I thought little of his proposal, but he is determined to see it through with or without our assistance. As it will affect the Guard and imply our involvement regardless of what we do, not to mention our duty to keep him safe, I think it best that we impose ourselves.
To that end, he has agreed to take council with us. I want you and Maketh there. If we are to avoid a repeat of recent events then our combined wisdom is needed.
To that end, he has agreed to take council with us. I want you and Maketh there. If we are to avoid a repeat of recent events then our combined wisdom is needed.
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