06: † text

[salvagedsoul]

We should not return to Earth.

We should stay here.

I know that may be an unacceptable proposition to some of you, especially after the most recent difficulties with opening the agricultural wing.

But from the perspective of safety and advantage, this is better.

Even at its widest point, the English Channel is only 240 kilometers.

Comments

[salvagedsoul]

All problems that we can cope with. What we cannot counter is the brute strength of our enemy.

Morale... while I hadn't thought of that, there has always been tension among us. Even back on Earth.

[blondtactician]

Either situation is not ideal. We are, essentially, trapped and waiting, while we slowly chip away at the Initiative. However, we could make more people available toward that end if we were not as focused on the basics of survival as we are up here.

Morale cannot be discounted. The recent incident is surely on everyone's minds, and serves as an example of not only what could go wrong here, but what is unknown about living here long-term. We cannot afford to lose an entire population again. We do not know with certainty this is a safer environment, and even if it turns out that it is, the fear that it is not, as well as the long-term effects of claustrophobia and isolation could cripple many of us.

If the majority of people want to return to Earth, our efforts will not be properly focused until that goal is met. Unfortunately, we are not a cohesive group of soldiers in the least bit. If the illusion of freedom and seeing the sky - as well as having at least somewhat less worry about where the next meals are coming from - are enough to help maintain some fighting spirit, I think that's a logical enough thing to work toward.

I understand what you are getting at. I do not disagree completely, though I am not convinced that the gains of staying here completely outweigh the risks.

[salvagedsoul]

[oh. someone willing to actually think about it. he likes this.]

The majority desires to return in what I fear is a short-sighted desire for a more comfortable living situation. Of course, no one has seemed to consider how we'll be vulnerable all over again if we return.

I said something because I wondered if anyone realized the real benefits this place could afford us.

[blondtactician]

The current belief is that we might alter the past to the point where they would be unable to use the bomb.

Taking a different approach, for instance, attempting to move forward from this point and cut our losses from the last attack, is probably more than some are ready to accept. We left them behind die. The lucky ones died quickly, but from what I have read on the affects of atomic bombing there are plenty who are still taking their time to die, even now, as burnt husks of flesh. And there will be cancer, sickness and blight to follow. Attempting to change the course of the war so this situation does not come to be, and to return things to the way things were so that we might return to Earth might not seem tactically advantageous, even overly sentimental. But we need every single person who is capable of fighting to keep fighting. And that has everything to do with the battle that can only be won in people's hearts.

I think we will fight better and harder in Exsilium. There's also a certain advantage to being a small group of individuals hidden in a larger group vs. being a small group of individuals in the middle of nowhere.

Out of curiosity, do you carry any sort of emotion toward Earth and what happens to it?

[salvagedsoul]

Nuclear weapons are so ingrained in this world's history that I wonder how possible that is. We might as well simply focus on eliminating them entirely. Naturally, I can't say or do anything about the attitudes of the others.

Why do you think I wouldn't carry any emotion? Just from this suggestion? I wish you'd give me a bit more credit.

[blondtactician]

I didn't accuse you of not having those emotions, I simply asked you if you did. Whether or not you care for Earth's fate does factor in to this situation, but mostly I was curious if you empathize at all with those who can't see past their grief and guilt over what has happened.

[salvagedsoul]

By asking something like that, it comes off as an accusation, you know. Even I know that.

But yes, I do. [an elaboration doesn't come.] ...Did I say something wrong?

[blondtactician]

I wanted to see how you'd react. I'm not angry with you, but do you understand why some people would be?

[salvagedsoul]

Ah. Are people "angry"? You're the only one who's asked me something like that.

I wonder why you wanted to see my reaction.

[blondtactician]

Specifically, I wanted to know how you'd react to the implication you didn't care about the suffering of others.

[salvagedsoul]

[that's not a reason why, Armin.]

You know, I don't think we've spoken before today, have we?

[blondtactician]

No. It is only recently that I've been able to us the tablet with any level of proficiency.

[salvagedsoul]

They can take some getting used to.

I'm Kaworu. Even though we disagree, I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of what I'm trying to say.

[blondtactician]

I'm Armin. It's been an interesting discussion.

I think your idea might be workable if we were all on the same page about the war in the first place, and people were a little more comfortable with the level of casualties. In other words, it were just you and I, maybe it would work just fine.

[salvagedsoul]

Sadly, the Initiative makes some strange choices about who to bring here.

But, even then, we've been through a lot together. At the very least, we've managed as we are thus far.

[blondtactician]

Agreed. Even in my case, there are definitely people in my world who fight more effectively.

I'm guessing there's a war where you're from?

[salvagedsoul]

You could say that.

From our conversation, you're obviously from someplace with warfare, right?

[blondtactician]

Yes. I am a soldier.

[salvagedsoul]

It's good to have you here, then, Armin. The misfortune of having been brought here aside.

[blondtactician]

I hope I'll be of use here.