exsilium | when one bypasses the brain [video]

[Billy is located in his garage, a number of shiny orb-like devices lining the walls behind him. There are a few gun-like shells too, though when questioned he'll be all too eager to explain that none of them are lethal.

He has the pale, bags-under-eyes look of someone who's hardly slept in a week. It's well earned.]

I've been thinking about the battle all week. And with what I know---or think I know---of the United Earth, I think I've committed an unforgivable crime. The UE citizens are guided from birth to hold certain opinions and aptitudes, slotted into their roles by a totalitarian organization pulling the strings, aren't they? If that's true, the soldiers never made an informed decision to fight against us. They were innocent, and...I murdered without acknowledging that. They never had a chance at freedom, and now they'll never have it.

[He hangs his head, drumming his fingers against the worktable.]

I know there's no penance for what I've done, no excuse that justifies it. Nothing will ever be enough. But to make it easier for others to fight without killing, I've been drawing up blueprints and making protoypes for some more effective non-lethal weapons. I understand if you don't trust me with them, or if you would rather develop them without me, but I'm willing to assist if you'll have me.

And before I end this: please don't think I'm passing judgment on anyone else about this. That world was worth trying to save, supplies were low. I simply allowed myself to cross a moral line I swore I wouldn't. I don't know how to live with myself, but I fully acknowledge that this is my own fault.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do we know how they're trained, how they're raised? We could find some...some way to get through to them with words?

I don't think so. We can ask around, but information like that is bound to be heavily guarded.

Why would the Initiates guard such information from us?

...that's a good point, if they know. But they might not.

It's definitely worth asking.

It is. If we can get them to not lift weapons at all, it would save many lives, on all sides.

But I'd like to help with nonlethal weapons, too.

I'll be working at it at the garage, but if you want to meet just outside I can arrange it? There should be enough space out here.

I'd appreciate that. If nothing else you can test things on me?

Are you sure? I'll take every precaution I can, and I can fix a fair few things, but that's risky.

Billy, if I have anything to offer it's the fact that I am a bit sturdier than a human, even an armored one.

You're offering yourself as the best candidate for live testing, right?

Yes. Unless you have a better use for me?

No, I don't. But...thank you. It'll help once I have some of these prototypes ready to go.

I would very much like to help.

Who could we ask about what is known about the United Earth soldiers?

Maybe one of the Initiative's new liasons?

Ah, right.

[A laugh.] Sorry, there's been a-a lot going on. I forgot. I'll ask them and see what we can find?

That would be perfect. I'll see what I can find out as well.

when one bypasses the brain [video]

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