Singularity point

[star_of_sad]

[Setsuko has something important to tell everyone, or at least people who know who she is and are willing to listen. It's not a broadcast, it's told in person.]

This... this has waited long enough.

The Meganoid trap made me realize that I cannot run away from it. I have to face the truth, and a part of that is telling others.

So, you see:

Those events when I, well, teleported, were not just a one time thing. On the Meganoid ship, it almost happened again. And before that... when I was very young, my family was killed. I should have been with my parents, but I wasn't. I woke up in an orphanage, in safety, a long distance away.

I think that whenever my life is really endangered, something whisks me away to safety. And that sounds like a really good ability, but... I do not know why it happens. I should be a normal everyday person, but I'm not. And this power affects others too, as the La Gias incident proved.

So I'm afraid. Afraid that if I continue piloting, one day I will throw my friends into vacuum or another universe or something. By saving myself, I will doom everyone else, without meaning to or even being able to control it.

I... just needed to get it off my chest. My apologies if this causes you to stop trusting me.

Comments

[a_linear_mind]

This must have been weighing on you for a while.

[Here's the person that's pretty much doing the exact opposite of what Setsuko was doing here.]

[deathflag_survivor]

Far from it.

[He's no Chief, but hey, he's a black superior officer of a female Real pilot who's surely going to live forever and ever!]

You're trusting me with this information, it wouldn't be right to turn my back on you now of all times.

[ugyuuya]

You're damn right you should apologize, thinking we'd be so shallow to as to cast you aside when you've worked so hard and worried so much over the rest of us. Who did you think we were that we'd be upset over this?

[An honest smile and hand on the shoulder convey the camaraderie and warmth of the last statement.]

I can appreciate that this is hard for you to accept and the lack of control is scary but now we can watch for it and work at it. If you can learn to control it just think of what good it would do especially after things like what happened to Willis, Seta, or Ken. Nobody will blame you for what happens as long as you're honest with us Setsuko, just take it a step at a time and we'll figure this out together.

[gravitons]

Hm, I have been hearing of these incidents for some time now.

Causing harm to those around you is, no doubt, a possibility.

[Shu is blunt here, but he is also obviously thinking about something...]

[tiger_ken]

Called it.

[Well, not quite, but Ken was certainly suspicious beforehand.]

And... that's all I have to say.

[star_of_sad]

Yes. I tried not to think about it for years, but ever since I joined Unity Group and the incident with Kaname Chidori's rescue...

[star_of_sad]

I... actually am holding it back from some people.

Please do not tell this to them.

[star_of_sad]

Ah...!

[Setsuko was already preparing for a well-deserved lecturing, when something more surprising happened.]

But this happened so many times, and yet I wasn't able to piece anything together...

[star_of_sad]

Yes. I may become a serious liability and threat to others.

Maybe it'd be better if I hid somewhere, away from dangerous situations...

[star_of_sad]

Is... that so?

[tiger_ken]

It was clear from the start you had no conscious control over it, whatever it was. And despite what Denzel theorised, it was too well correlated with you for it some kind of random occurrence.

But beyond that, its not like you were actively trying to hurt anyone. And you're not to first to keep secrets around here.

[Annoying as Ken's found that habit, he can tolerate it in Setsuko's case.]

At least you didn't punch anyone over it.

[A bit of self-deprecation to lighten the mood.]

[ugyuuya]

It's no more a deal then Seta or Willis in the long run. If it starts becoming an issue we'll address it then but for now the fact that you're opening up about it and we'll know what to look for is more than enough. If you keep worrying about things like this you'll wreck your health. If you do feel you need to worry about everyone else at least take a page from Stella's book and do so in moderation. She's got the whole team mom thing down pretty well between Seta, Kei, and Leos.

[Yuuya does cast a quick glance around just to be certain that said teammate wasn't in earshot.]

[gravitons]

That is one solution to the problem.

However...

[star_of_sad]

You are rather pragmatic about this, aren't you?

Thank you, Lt Bridges.

[star_of_sad]

Yes?

[star_of_sad]

I suppose you have a point there...

Considering several other members of Unity Group.

[tiger_ken]

Incidentally, you mentioned that your family were killed...?

[Ken bites his lower lip, already feeling slightly guilty to poke, but...]

[star_of_sad]

Yes, but that was a long time ago.

I was still little, I can barely remember it.

[gravitons]

To stay away from the battlefield, unable to act, while knowing that your comrades are putting themselves in harm's way.

Could you live with such a decision?

[It may sound rhetorical, but this is something Shu has to know the answer to.]

[tiger_ken]

How did you... handle, being without your parents?

[The guilt rises slightly, and Ken starts awkwardly rubbing his arm.]

[ugyuuya]

With what I've seen on my first three missions I kinda have to be. I'm almost certain that watching people almost die has become more stressful and emotionally draining than if they'd really bit it.

I'm still annoyed with Willis after this last stunt that was pulled and his magical lack of answers for it but he's clammed up tighter than Fort Knox and I know a hopeless cause when I see one.

[a_linear_mind]

It's been in your thoughts a lot more lately, right?

[Of course, Willis doesn't seem worried about it at all.]

[star_of_sad]

Well. Obviously.

[star_of_sad]

They're still alive, at least...

I do not know what is happening with mr Willis, or inside his head. I hope he has a good reason to keep it a secret.

[star_of_sad]

I promised myself to face it, not to run away.

It is... it is a decision I could live with. But I would not be happy doing so. And if there is such an option, I would rather choose something else.