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

[star_of_sad]

No, it's not that. I just...

I don't want anyone else to be hurt. Me being here... means everyone is a potential target. And Asakim knows this.

[ugyuuya]

And we're a target for the BETA, Wulgaru, Ingram, Zentradi, terrorists, the AEP, or any number of other threats.

Our job isn't exactly the safest and if you're a target for Asakim then he might be trying to force you out alone to remove you as a threat or make you an easy target. You leaving could make it worse for us for all you know. Really all it boils down to is one simple question.

Do you want to be here?

[star_of_sad]

That... that actually makes sense, doesn't it?

And, well...

Yes. I want to be here. I haven't been with Unity Group for very long, but.

But for the first in a long time, it felt like home.

[ugyuuya]

Then I guess you have your answer now don't you? I'm just glad someone was able to catch you before you acted on that. Of course I'm sure we'd have gone out in force after you if you'd tried to up and quit without saying anything, we are quite the group of busybodies around here aren't we?

[Stella chuckles softly at her joke as she lets Setsuko continue to calm down.]