A prisoner's promise

[stupidhonor]

[Where is Sielje after the breakout? Her cell looks devastated, full of rubble, partially burned and with one wall just outright gone.

And there she is, standing in the middle of it all, looking like a total mess. Dishevelled hair, ash covering her skin and clothes, body full of cuts and bruises. It was a close call, staying here. She could also just try to flee like the others.

But she gave her word to stay. So she did.]

I heard of what occured.

...

My condolences.

Comments

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You're still here. You didn't try to escape and nobody tried moving you somewhere else?

[stupidhonor]

I think there were more pressing concerns.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You could have tried to use the chaos to do more damage as well. You'd think people would try to make sure of that. Or just noticed when people tried running away.

[stupidhonor]

I gave my word.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Well, here people lie often enough that nobody trusts it without also confirming.

Also, you could still have been crushed by rubble, it's our duty to keep our prisoners safe as well.

[stupidhonor]

Some men came, I told them I am alright and do not intend to escape, so they went off elsewhere. I have not seen them since.

They were rushed.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I see. I imagine they realized that if you were going to run, you'd have done so already.

[stupidhonor]

Yes.

[Finally, people of Earth believe the power of a honorable promise! Sielje looks rather content for some reason.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Did anybody say anything about moving you somewhere less destroyed?

[stupidhonor]

Not yet. Once again, I think there were more pressing concerns.

[Sielje takes a sweeping look around the destroyed surroundings.]

I will wait longer before growing impatient.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Come with me. I'll look after you as your warden, it won't do to let you stay in a building that might collapse on top of you.

[stupidhonor]

Are you sure? If I wanted to, I could overwhelm and defeat you easily.

[Sielje glances around the ruined surroundings, and her face takes on a slightly apologetic look.]

However that would be a dishonor. And I have no intention of staying here longer than necessary.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Sure you could.

And besides, what would you do then? You're on an enemy base in the middle of the desert on a planet that you don't know. Also, you could have run away already if that was what you wanted to do.

Now let's look for somewhere else until somebody takes charge and gets you a new cell.

[stupidhonor]

A resourceful and mighty lord would find a way, for sure...

[However Sielje is not one and instead she falls in line behind Alex.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Not sure why inherited political power would make you better at escaping, but let's get out of here for now.

[reactorhead_russians]

"Thank you." Sasha says. She looks battered and wearied from the long battle. "...your parole papers were approved by Commander Antov, before..."

Her voice trails off. "Where would you like to go?"

[stupidhonor]

Where... you mean, I can go as I please?

[Sielje blinks in surprise.]

Freely?

[reactorhead_russians]

"Accompanied by an escort, of course." Sasha says. "And you'd be restricting to the nearby cities. But you can schedule trips outside this complex."

She glances off to the side. "You'll have to arrange the details with another prison guard. I have a feeling Alexis and I will be resigning soon."

[stupidhonor]

Resigning? For what reason?

...

Do you blame yourself for what happened here?

[reactorhead_russians]

"Certain...matters were beyond our control." Sasha says. "But our duty was to keep prisoners from escaping, and to keep them alive."

She glances at ruins of Aaaron's cell, where custodial staff are currently spraying down the bloodstains.

"We failed in that duty." Sasha remarked. "The commanders may reject our resignations...but we must take responsibility."

[reactorhead_russians]

With that sober comment out of the way, she looks at Sieljie and quirks her lips.

"You have drywall in your hair. Did you take your oath to stay so seriously you refused to dodge the debris?"

[stupidhonor]

I do not wish to die, but it is hard to evade when the whole chamber seems to fall on your head.

[Sielje looks down. For a while it felt like it was the end of the road for her.]

I understand you. Your duty, and your feelings about it.

[reactorhead_russians]

"Oh?" Sasha says. "How do you think we feel about our duty?"

[stupidhonor]

...

Remorse.

You feel remorseful at your failure.

[reactorhead_russians]

"Remorse implies that we could have done something different," Sasha says. "Do you think that's the case?"

[stupidhonor]

Does it? It is not my intention to accuse you of incompetence...

[reactorhead_russians]

"I know you weren't." Sasha says. She things for a moment.

"Nyet," She says at last, "I feel sorrow for what happened, but not regret. Alexis and I did the best we could with what we knew at at the time: and even if we could not change the outcome then, we can learn from this event and do better next time."