That which remains

[star_of_sad]

[1]
Yes? H... hello there.

[Everyone who was out there knows what happened. Setsuko certainly does, after all she was the one who got beaten up and put in a hospital bed. She was the one who had to watch helplessly as Toby got killed.

And now, after patching up in the medbay - bandaged, but not bedridden, she tries to act like everything's fine. And failing.]

[2]
[A bit later, Setsuko looked around to make sure no one's around. She didn't do a very good job so it's easy to eavesdrop.]

Just... just this one time. Toby, Chief, I know I promised, but...


[Just this one time, Setsuko can't stop the tears from flowing.]

I'm sorry...

Asakim Dowen... you wanted me to hate you. I don't know why but.

Y... you succeeded...

Comments

[keep_your_dignity]

GOOD. NOW THAT THAT'S CLEAR.

WHY ARE YOU BLAMING YOURSELF?

[As usual, Kagura is perceptive as an eagle and subtle as a brick]

1/2

[star_of_sad]

...

[Setsuko needs a moment to regain her mental stability. That question hit like a ton of bricks.]

2/2

[star_of_sad]

He... Asakim Dowen is targetting me. He could kill me but didn't.

He wanted me to hate him.

[keep_your_dignity]

HE ALMOST CERTAINLY WANTS YOUR POWERS TO DO SOMETHING. HE MAY BE BANKING ON YOU GOING HAYWIRE, OR THERE'S A WAY TO STEAL THEM FOR HIMSELF IF YOU BREAK DOWN, OR SOMETHING OF THAT STRIPE.

DID YOU CHOOSE OR EARN YOUR POWERS?

[star_of_sad]

No. I don't know why I have them. Or... why didn't they help me this time.

[keep_your_dignity]

COULD YOU HAVE PREVENTED WATSON FROM LEARNING ABOUT ASAKIM DOWEN'S MESSAGE?

[star_of_sad]

No. I don't think so. Umm...

[Setsuko knows the angry robot won't like this.]

The message was not from Asakim.

[keep_your_dignity]

THAT IS INTERESTING. WHO ELSE IS AWARE OF DOWEN'S COMINGS AND GOINGS, THEN?

[star_of_sad]

That group, the Chimera. Do you remember, Major? They promised to help us with tracking Asakim Dowen down.

That message came from them.

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura is silent for a few seconds. God knows what the heck the artificial major is thinking about this. Is she up to something?]

I SEE.

CHANGES NOTHING IN THIS CONVERSATION THOUGH.

[star_of_sad]

No, it doesn't.