All you need is...

[jianai]

[1]
[Immediately after Through the Stomach mission. Said in person for those who were present (or had a reason to be around the area), or as a transmission for those who were not.]

I'm sorry everyone. But I will not be returning with you to Unity Group.

At least, not now. There are many refugees around, who have lost houses, lives, friends and family.

I have promised to help them, and I will. As soon as the ESUN relief group arrives, I'll join it. I have a little bit of experience doing something like this, so don't worry about me.

I'll return as soon as those peoples' immediate needs are taken care of and their base for building their own future will be restored. See you in a few weeks.

I'm very proud of you.

[2 - for Walt]
[Ren hopes to find the depressive Lt before he departs. If they do, it's time for a small private conversation.]

It seems you have been given a unique gift. And, well, a rather scary one - I don't mean for me, I'm not afraid of you. Unless you want me to be afraid that is. No, I mean it could be a little bit scary for you.

Would you like to talk about it? Don't worry, I won't take much of your time.

Comments

[jianai]

No, I know that a lot of people are lacking in empathy. This world can be very cruel and unfair sometimes, and many are in a hard situation where they are forced to look only for themselves, sometimes to the detriment of others.

If they had been through the same things I have experienced, it'd open their eyes. This is what I mean. I'm not special, it's just that fate guided me on this path of life and made me who I am.

[abugslife]

Just what kind of horror and cruelty have you seen in your life?

[jianai]

I have seen desperate crowds fleeing for their lives as those who swore to protect them were the first to run, people forced to abandon their own beloved ones just to live, starvation, disease, misery, monsters that consumed everything on their way - and humans who did not act too differently, either.

[abugslife]

And yet you smile even as you talk to me about this.

[jianai]

This is not everything I have experienced in life. Would you mind if I told you a story, Hetepheres? It will not be a long one.

[abugslife]

You have my attention.

[jianai]

There was a time when one of Earth's countries was ruled by a harsh, autocratic government. Well, some still are, but this particular example happened a long time ago, before anyone in Unity Group was even alive.

The people of the country were fed up with its government. There was a big protest - and the leaders sent the army to disperse it. But as tanks drove through the capital streets, towards the square where the protesters gathered...

Someone stood up. A single man, still carrying plastic bags of groceries that he picked up, walked out of the crowd and blocked the column of tanks with his own body. They tried to drive around him, but he moved so they couldn't do that. He went up to the first tank in the column and exchanged words with the crew inside. Nobody really knows what he told them, and soon enough he was grabbed by soldiers.

Practically speaking, this act has mattered little. I don't know what has happened to him - maybe he was even killed, and everyone must have realized this possibility, especially himself. But it was an incredibly brave, self-sacrificing thing to do. It must have taken extraordinary courage.

Do you think it was an extraordinary person?

[abugslife]

Yes. As well as someone who threw away his life in a tragically pointless sacrifice, as extraordinary people are prone to do.

[jianai]

And this is where we disagree.

I'm not demeaning that man or his act - but I do not think he was extraordinary or unique. He was just a normal person. Every ordinary person is capable of gestures like that, he only acted on that capability.

This is one example that I learnt of, but during my life I have witnessed many more personally. Persons who stood up to injustice despite having very little to themselves, people who performed great acts of bravery, self-sacrifice. You may call them heroes. I believe everyone can be a hero.

This is why I smile.

[abugslife]

You are thinking about the people who came to our rescue now.

[jianai]

I am also thinking about them, yes!

[abugslife]

Heroism and courage are noble traits. But at the same time, sometimes they drive us towards actions where we accomplish nothing, and only sacrifice ourselves for an ideal. And yet, even if rationally such actions are a waste, I cannot condone them in good conscience.

This is why it is so tragic.

[jianai]

I'm glad we had this talk, Hetepheres. Today I learnt more of you - and I'm very happy that I did.

One more thing.

It's not my intention to brag. But, as long as I am around, I will not let peoples' acts of heroism and nobility go to waste. They will be rewarded as they deserve.

[abugslife]

Let us hope you will be able to accomplish as you intend.

Stay safe.