major_west: (crazy in the rain)
[personal profile] major_west
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.

Private

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

Private

Date: 2010-02-01 01:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com
I disagree. It's honest.

Private

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

Private

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

Private

Date: 2010-02-01 02:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com
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?

Private

Date: 2010-02-01 02:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com
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.

Private

Date: 2010-02-01 02:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com
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!

Private

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

Private

Date: 2010-02-01 02:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] impure-tale.livejournal.com
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?

Private

Date: 2010-02-01 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] major-west.livejournal.com
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.

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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

Private

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