Through the heart

[jianai]

[1 - locked to Argos Flight]
[Immediately after the mission ends, someone is checking on VG's downed TSF.

VG himself can see a weird person appearing in the entrance to the cockpit, looking at him with a concerned expression.]

Are you wounded? I know you didn't die, but it'd be a shame if you were hurt because of me.

[2]
[Later, back at Unity Group Bases, someone is making a video introduction.

That someone is an individual with horns and an unchanging smile on their face. Ren switched the old robe to standard, baggy technician overalls. The reason for that is simple: the robe had a gunshot hole at the heart, and was stained with blood - Ren's blood.]

Hello, my name is Ren Ubuntu. I am really grateful for saving those ESUN soldiers. Let me explain. Hmm, where should I start? Ah yes. These...

[Poke at the horns.]

They are real. No, I am not a demon or anything supernatural like that. I am an artificial human-like being, birthed from a cloning pod. I'm afraid that my kin, beings similar to me, are after me. They want to, well, kill me and eat my flesh. I am not too concerned for my own safety, but they started to target people around me as collateral.

So I'm turning to you for help. I know Unity Group is powerful and can defend itself against my kin, and your Commander-in-chief agreed to grant me asylum, at least for a little while. I have a little bit of skills I learnt here and there, so don't worry, I won't be a freeloader. If there is a way I can help you with anything, I will.

This introduction feels... impersonal, but I'll gladly talk to everyone in person. I'd like to get to know all of you better.

I'm sure you are all wonderful people.

[The transmission ends there, but Ren is easy to find in person. They don't exactly blend in with the crowd.]

[3]
Several people have died that night. So many more could've perished, but even that few make me sad. It's a tragedy.

[Ren found the memorial, and puts a lit candle in front of it.]

I know most of them were not members of Unity Group, but I hope it's alright if I remember them this way.

Comments

[ugyuuya]

My name is Stella Bremer and for the most part we are a welcoming group, assuming you don't try to do anything you shouldn't to any of the other pilots. We've had some issues with some of the pilots being impacted by certain support personnel which has led to an intolerance of their presence, but I don't think that will be an issue with you.

[jianai]

Intolerance? I'm curious now... but don't be concerned. I will not try to impose myself on others.

Stella, there is one thing I would like to make clear if I am to stay around the Unity Group for any longer amount of time. So please don't misunderstand.

I love you.

[ugyuuya]

[Stella seems mildly confused by the rather frank admission.]

You love me. As in me the person or me as a member of the human race? I'm assuming it's not a romantic interest, if it is I'm flattered but I don't think I'm interested in that way, it's frankly a little hard to tell with you. I'm curious as to your exact meaning so I'd like to ask for a bit more of an explanation.

[jianai]

You are perceptive Stella. But you're right, I don't want to cause any misunderstandings.

My love is not romantic, but I do love you - and everyone else. This isn't just an expression of "I love the whole of humankind, so it applies to every person because of that".

I love everyone on an individual level. You are wonderful.

[ugyuuya]

That's a very unique outlook on life and people in general. I try to be open but even then I will still pick people over others and there are just some people that I cannot agree with and would rather never be around.

You really are something, that whole not-human thing really stands out here. But I really have to ask, with all the atrocities that humans have committed against each other over the years can you really say you can love everyone? I mean it's not like you could just forgive and love the people responsible for the Holocaust or other acts of such horror could you?

[jianai]

My stance is unusual, I realize that. But it's not entirely inhuman either. Do you know of an ancient Chinese philosopher, Mozi?

Would I love someone responsible for the Holocaust?

Yes. I would. But I wouldn't forget what they did, or forgive it. I'd even kill them, if I had to.

[ugyuuya]

No, I'm not aware of Mozi but that seems to be a contradictory statement Ren, I'm not sure how you could love someone and not be able to forgive them or even to bring yourself to kill them if the situation demanded it.

I could see the mercy kill if they were in pain or were going to die in a horrible manner, ripped apart or devoured painfully by hideous burrowing monsters. [Stella's voice seems to catch and after a moment she continues.] But I can't imagine being able to kill someone you love when they can still be rescued or spoken with just because of what they could potentially do.

[jianai]

This is a very understated, unfitting example, but...

Let's say a child misbehaves, even quite severely. A parent will punish them - even a good parent, to make sure that won't repeat itself. They are motivated by love.

It is a bit similar for me. Sometimes, in the name of love, you need to harm someone to stop their own hurtful behaviour. Especially if that behaviour hurts others, whom you love just as much.

Do you understand what I am talking about, Stella? Admittedly, I do not quite understand it myself. It is a complicated feeling, words alone cannot fully express it.

[ugyuuya]

I can see it in part in that way but even a parent will have things that they cannot forgive or condone from a child which can damage or break the bond.

I guess we can chalk it up to your different nature from the rest of us. I think that with what we've done to each other or the things which happen that we can't forgive ourselves for it really is an inhuman viewpoint. It's lovely and amazing, but still inhuman.

[jianai]

My viewpoint is unusual for both humans and my own kin. I realize that, I won't force it on others or think less of them for not following it.

But... thank you for calling it amazing, Stella. It made me really happy to hear that.

If you'd like to discuss mohism, please ask me any time. It's really fascinating, especially considering for the age and political situation of when it came to be.