major_west: (crazy in the rain)
major_west ([personal profile] major_west) wrote2010-01-31 04:19 pm

122 - WHOA THERE finally addressing some flood issues

I've been here for nearly two years now, and while others may have seen results, I have not. It's become clear to me that no matter what course I'd have taken, the end result would have been the same: they live. My men and I die. Perhaps, if I had been a better man-- by whatever metric you wardens measure it by-- I'd have had no second chance at all. My death would have brought peace, a darkness, whatever it is those who do not end up on the Barge receive... and nothing more.

In light of that, I must admit that I've even less reason to repent. I'm quite attached to consciousness, to simply being and feeling alive, even if it's in death here.

Survival is all that matters.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
Because your assertion has no integrity and it's unbecoming of you.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
It's easy, and you're more honorable than that when you allow yourself to be.

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
What use is honour if it would've gotten my men killed all the same?

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Because you are an example to them, and what use is your example as a leader if in the face of death you defy the very principles of your character that your rank and station are meant to represent?

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
All I did was try to keep them alive and sane, all while knowing that there was no hope left in the world. To turn on them for the sake of a handful of outsiders would've been defying my rank and station.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
I can't believe I'm even saying this

They were soldiers, Henry. Charged with the defense of their nation and people. If anyone should be expected to maintain some modicum of human decency for their fellow man in a crisis it should be them, and it is not a betrayal to have that expectation! If that's not a standard you can hold then you have no providence to maintain your commission!

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
You weren't there! I come from a world where you can't afford to be merciful, not if you wanted to survive.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
You were merciless and you didn't survive, so that philosophy hasn't served you well! Not only did you not survive but you suffered a death far worse than being shot for sticking to principles. Wouldn't you agree, Major?

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I had a moment of mercy, and everything unravelled.

And no, I wasn't shot-- that is, he wasn't shot. He was stuck with a bayonet. It was no less traumatic than what happened to me.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Horseshit. He didn't wake me with his screaming nearly as much.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I will not. I'm being honest.

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't have nightmares as much any more.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
You're getting off the subject, dumpling.

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
All I'm saying is: anything I would have done differently would have been a failure, anyway.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
But you would have died a hero instead of a failed pimp.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps at your next convenience -- flood or what have you, you should ask the girl.

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I never wish to see or speak to them again.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
And you don't have to, but you will not deny your crimes against them.

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I already know it was wrong. I knew that before I even met them.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
And yet you speak in your entry as though there is no point in regretting that, or in professing regret.

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[identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
No. I just see that doing things differently would have yielded the same results.

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[identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com 2010-02-01 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
If there had not been a plague, Henry -- if you had lived the rest of your life, retired decorated and fat, and died in your bed, you still would have died, as would every single one of your men. Same result.

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