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[cloningblues]

[The discovery that yet another alien enemy race is presumably human-like drives Asagi to reflection. He's looking at the bonsai tree in his room, which seems to be growing fairly well.]

...The Wulgaru use an army of obedient clones to fight. These clones don't even have the will to refuse; they can only fight, and die when they're no longer needed. The Balmarians are similar; they want humans to be their soldiers. They want someone other to fight for them.

[A pause. He draws parallels to his own situation.]

...Are they really that different from humans?

Comments

[cloningblues]

Such as?

[star_of_sad]

Humanity uses cloned soldiers but they're not forced to, their future stolen away...

[cloningblues]

Yes. Their past is stolen instead.

I don't think any of the Wulgaru clone soldiers are forced either. They just fight because it's all they know...

[star_of_sad]

Is fighting all you know, too?

[cloningblues]

Well, there's this.

[Asagi grabs the bonsai plant.]

And a few other things. And I keep being dragged into hare-brained schemes, whether I like it or not.

[star_of_sad]

If you look at it objectively, it's not all that bad, is it?

[cloningblues]

I suppose.

But this is still nothing I decided I want, from my own free will...

[star_of_sad]

Having parts of your life decided for you...

Being a clone has nothing to do with it. It applies to a lot of people from all walks of life.

[cloningblues]

That's... Not something I considered. You're right.

But how much freedom do I really have, even compared to these people?

[star_of_sad]

Being able to progress your own personal goals, and having the power to stand up to others if they try to hurt you...

I'd say that counts as freedom.

[cloningblues]

Setsuko?

Thanks. Hearing that from you makes me feel better. A bit.

[star_of_sad]

I'm happy to hear that.

It doesn't matter what your origins are. You and your friends are no less of people than me, or anyone else in Unity Group. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[cloningblues]

It wasn't even something someone else told me. It was my own doubt. It can be your worst enemy, sometimes.

[star_of_sad]

Yes. It really can.

[Setsuko knows what you mean Asagi.]