Mother Love

[abugslife]

[News spread quickly in Unity Group. General Mukantagara, the leader of the Gebian attack force that caused so much damage to Sparta, turned out to be Hetepheres' daughter. Nobody knew... Up until the end, when Hetepheres killed her.]

[After the fight, the Gebian general can be found in her office, sitting behind the desk - the room is mostly dark, the light is not even on. Her terminal is, but she's not really looking at it - just staring somewhere with a distant gaze. Until someone enters or contacts her, at least.]

...Yes?

Comments

[abugslife]

No.

But if I had a change to repeat it, I would do the same.

[jianai]

I see...

[Ren shuffles forward.]

To be honest, I feel guilty.

I could have used my power to save your daughter's life. But I didn't. It feels like a mistake, now.

[abugslife]

...

You never said you have such an ability. How does it work?

[jianai]

If I know someone is going to get hurt or die, I can take their wounds on myself. But I have to be there when it happens, it's not empathetic healing. Just empathetic sacrifice.

During the operation, you said the time for talk is over. The Anti-Earthling Party killed many people, and you fought their leader with killer intent. This is why I did not use my power.

...

I will not blame you for hating me.

[abugslife]

No, you did the right thing. Mukan was completely annihilated by the attack; I do not know what absorbing this would have done to your body. At best, you would be knocked out, and unable to do anything else. This is an ability better reserved to save those who are on your side.

[jianai]

I did not save anyone. I think I killed someone in fact. This really isn't the time to ponder moral worthiness, and judge when it is acceptable to kill and when it isn't. Is it?

I just...

[Ren is glad the room is dark because that smile still stays on. But their voice shakes and a hand moves up to remove something they got in the eyes.]

I feel so sad.

[abugslife]

You saved a lot of people. What do you think would have happened if we did not arrive, or failed our objective? How high would the casualties be?

This is a war. Killing enemy soldiers is an inevitable part of it.

[jianai]

I am sad for everyone who perished that day. Not just the Gebians who I were forced to kill. I do not forget about the locals that perished that day. It's why we went there, to save them all, right?

[abugslife]

We saved those who were still alive by the time we arrived. We did the best we could in the situation that was given to us.

[jianai]

You're right, Hetepheres.

I think you noticed by now, but I am not exactly a good soldier.

[abugslife]

Of course I noticed.

Are you sure Unity Group is a right place for you?

[jianai]

I have my doubts.

But... I try not to forget. I came here to seek protection. No, rather - I needed to be surrounded by people who did not need protection. I try to help only because the alternative would be to sit idly and do nothing.

Please don't be concerned for me. Whatever happens to me during your combat missions, I can take it. I just do not want to be a burden or an obstacle.

[abugslife]

Review the data from the battle, paying additional attention to your own actions.

You are definitely not a burden.

[jianai]

I'll do that. It's embarassing, but that is a part of a learning experience.

[To say something like that, even though the times were really hard for her...]

Hetepheres - thank you.

[abugslife]

Do not thank me. Just do what you think you should do.

[jianai]

Do what I think I should do? If you say so.

[Ren walks up to the desk, spreads their arms wide and gives Hetepheres a comforting hug.]

[abugslife]

[No physical reaction of any kind. The Gebian general just sits there for a while quietly.]

...Are you done?

[jianai]

Yes.

[Ren takes a step back, looking a bit sheepish.]

Hetepheres, I know you have an image to uphold. As a Gebian general, you are supposed to be a paragon of virtue in every living moment.

But if you want to open yourself up every once in a while, no one will blame you.

If you don't mind, I will be on my way now.

[abugslife]

Please, do not treat me like a delicate flower who has to put on a strong face of an ice queen, but becomes better when she finally lets it all out of her heart. This is not how it works in reality.

...Take care, Ren. Talking to you helped a little.

[jianai]

No, you are not fragile. You are a very strong person.

But this kind of things helps even for strong people. It's definitely more healthy than keeping it all in forever.

Well then. I will see you later.