Terrify

[broken_frightener]

[With the threat of the Vagan ended and the SSR reluctantly rescued one would think that a break was finally found. This would not be the case as an alarming message began to worm its way throughout a number of frequencies. The area that was projected was forgettable, what was about to happen was not. It was Leos, Remille standing behind him.]



This is a message to all those willing to raise their guns in defiance of the world.

You know me as the Ninebreaker. As the leader of the Frighteners. As a fellow Murderer. A man who hunts those that cause chaos. Though I clearly didn't do that good of a job. Heh.

I've had a lot of time to think about the state of the world. Took a good long look and asked myself... Why keep it the way it is? After all people like us already shape the world don't we? People in and out of the ESUN in their shadowy offices give us mandates to do what they ask as well as private jobs on the side as their own personal hit squads or maybe even just the latter because they can't be seen endorsing such things.

We serve whatever power lets us feed our urges, our want to hunt and kill. To feel alive. We move. We slay. We get paid. We do all the dirty work they're too afraid to have see the light of day or are just too lazy to have done themselves. The world goes on. We fight until we're of no use and then we're erased and tossed aside. We already carve it up into a meal fit for the fat kings on their velvet thrones who claim themselves to be the force of order in the 'civilized world'.

[There was a muffled noise as Boyle hauled a rather battered looking bureaucrat who was cursing angrily.]

"Let me go damnit! This wasn't what I put this team together for! Let me go Klein! After all I've done this is my thanks?!"

I think it's time we took that throne for ourselves. We fight their wars. Their battles. We deserve it all. I think we're done taking orders from the likes of weaklings like him don't you think?

"What the hell are you babbling about?! Klei-"

[With a deep and sinister chuckle Boyle lifted the former benefactor of the Frighteners and proceeded to repeatedly slam him into the ground. Not even caring as the screams of pain fell silent and were replaced by the sound of a dead man being beaten into a pulp by the floor.]

The world has no small amount of superweapons to go claim for our own. No shortage of sheer destructive force to call ours. To that end we'll take the STAI Battleship for ourselves. That floating island of guns... While they're too hobbled down by their own goals and finances their protectors will be too slow to act. SSR, Unity Group, it doesn't matter who's in our way... the world will be in our hands if you join me. What say you gentlemen?

Isn't it time for a new world?

[There was no other damning proof than this... Leos has gone completely insane. Just how will you react to this new threat?]

Comments

[brought_it_back]

No! We absolutely can't do that!

[Eva's shaking like a leaf, fire in her eyes.]

We definitely can't kill him! We can't!

[keep_your_dignity]

I HAVE GIVEN KLEIN HALF A DOZEN OPPORTUNITIES. YOU SEE HOW THAT HAS WORKED OUT.

HE'S MADE A DECISION OF WHAT HE WANTS TO BE. AND WHAT HE HAS DECIDED TO BE IS A THING I'M GOING TO KILL.

[brought_it_back]

That's exactly why we shouldn't kill him!

[keep_your_dignity]

NO, THE REASON YOU DON'T WANT TO KILL HIM IS THAT YOU HAPPEN TO LIKE HIM.

I HAVE FUCKED UP MANY THINGS I CARED ABOUT, BARTON. BUT I'M STILL A BELIEVER IN FREEDOM OF CHOICE. WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO IS WHAT DEFINES YOU.

THIS IS WHAT KLEIN HAS CHOSEN. AND NOW HE GETS THE CONSEQUENCES. THE FACT THAT HE'S THERE IS IN PART DUE TO MY OWN CHOICES. AND NOW I GET THE CONSEQUENCES.

THAT'S HOW FREEDOM WORKS.

[brought_it_back]

That's...That's not it at all!

[Eva takes a breath.]

...I...I like him, but...I hate him too. I hate him more. For us to do 'what needs to be done', to...kill, him...that's what he wants us to do. It's what he's hoping for and longing for...

So I can't let him get that wish.

[keep_your_dignity]

YES. I KNOW THAT. THIS IS AN ELABORATE SUICIDE BY COP.

WHAT, DID YOU THINK I DIDN'T NOTICE HE WAS SURROUNDING HIMSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT NOBODY WOULD MISS? I WARNED HIM ALREADY. TWICE.

[Kagura's armor had yet to move, but now the "face" plate turns slightly so it can look at Eva sideways]

YOU SAY YOU WANT TO KEEP HIM ALIVE BECAUSE YOU HATE HIM. LEAVING ASIDE WHETHER I BELIEVE A SINGLE BLOODY WORD OF THAT, THE FACT OF IT IS I DON'T. OR AT LEAST NOT ANY MORE THAN I HATE MANY OTHERS.

[brought_it_back]

Then...you still shouldn't just kill him!

[keep_your_dignity]

AS ONE WHO KEPT HIM ALIVE, WHAT HE DOES IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. AS A SOLDIER, MY JOB IS TO TAKE DOWN THREATS LIKE THIS. AS A PERSON, HE MADE HIS CHOICE, AND I AM RESPECTING IT. AND AS KAGURA, KLEIN IS NOW THREATENING PEOPLE UNDER MY PROTECTION AND THEREFORE HE FUCKING DIES. THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY I SHOULD.

GIVE ME A SINGLE ONE WHY I SHOULDN'T.

[brought_it_back]

That's-but!

[Eva takes a few deep breaths.]


...Leos has been a friend. We know he can be a good person...or at least a good-enough person.

Humans are all flawed creatures...So we shouldn't give up on forgiveness.

Not as long as there's the slightest chance left.

[keep_your_dignity]

TRY TO DO AS YOU FEEL YOU MUST. IF I AM ORDERED IN THIS FLIGHT, I WILL DO THE SAME.

[Kagura begins walking away]

AND ON YOUR FIRST POINT, BARTON, I'M NOT AT ALL CERTAIN WE KNOW ANYTHING OF THE SORT.

THAT IS THE ENTIRE PROBLEM.