explosivecombat | 018. [Text, and one other thing.]

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018. [Text, and one other thing.]

[TEXT]

Due to various circumstances in my world of origin, for quite a while, time was immeasurable for me. It came to lack meaning. Weeks bled into months, months into years. In some ways, this world seems like that for many of us; there's a lack of structure, and the list of things that one can do with themselves before they settle into some sort of day-to-day routine is incredibly short. These creatures become a part of our daily lives; this world becomes a part of our daily lives. And before we know it, we've spent weeks here. Months. Years.

That blank spot in my life lasted for seven years, I believe. Yet with nothing else to focus on, I discovered more about myself in those seven years than I did over the course of most of the rest of my life. Spending that long in the dark - whether it's physical or otherwise - tends to teach one a lot, I believe, even if it's just where your limits lie.

You'll have to forgive me for the needless introspection; if you're humoring me by continuing to read, either you have more patience than most at half-midnight, or this is one of those messages on the feed that greets you first thing in the morning. But apparently time does have meaning to most people in this place - in which case...

Tell me how long you've been here, if you choose, and what you've come to discover about yourself in that time.

I suppose it's worth saying that personally, I've been here for a year, as of half an hour ago.

For me, it's been another year where time has next to no meaning, despite the fact that I have an easy way to keep track of it; another year with no direction, though I wouldn't say it's been spent in the dark. Whether I like what I've discovered about myself or not within that year has yet to be seen; however, I find myself content with the way things are.

While I know that I have no choice in the matter, I think I could tolerate another year.

[PRIVATE TEXT TO KATO]

I have a favor to ask of you.

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And yet you still want to know? Good man.

It was for an act of insubordination against my superior officers that left five of them dead. It was during a time of war; I disagreed with their orders, and saw no other option.

Was it because of the corruption you mentioned earlier?

It was, yes.

[And that much is true! It's perfectly true.

Just misleading as hell, but...]

I see. What happened exactly?

[This sounds much better, at least!]

One of the unspoken rules that all alchemists are expected to adhere to is "Be Thou For The People" - in other words, alchemy is intended to be used for the good of mankind. Most consider this to imply that a pacifistic stance should be taken, or at least a stance of general nonaggression - that alchemy should be used primarily for creation or healing purposes. However, there are some that believe that defending one's country is a fair interpretation of that unspoken rule, that using our skills to serve the military is, indeed, acting for the good of our people. Both are valid interpretations; given that I served the military myself, it should probably be obvious what my beliefs lean toward. But the general population doesn't agree with those of us who served, and continue to serve, our military, believing in the more pacifistic stance; they insist that we have no morals, considering us to have sold ourselves to the government for money or military prestige. Admittedly, our standards for what we will and will not do have to be lowered quite a bit once we become State Alchemists; we're expected to give the military our complete obedience while we're under their employ.

However, arguably lowered standards or not, there are some things that are considered an abomination unto both humanity and nature in general; there were individuals in that war that were using alchemy in ways that even State Alchemists would find abhorrent. I didn't agree with the way they wanted to utilize what they had created; this...conflict of interests, I suppose you could call it, quickly turned violent.

Let me see if I understand. Something happened during the war that you didn't agree with. The conflict resulted in their death and you were imprisoned because of it. Is that correct?

What happened? What was it that caused you to strike out against them?

More or less.

They used alchemy to create a Philosopher's Stone - an item that will allow alchemists to bypass Equivalent Exchange, and transmute nearly anything to whatever extent they see fit. It's an incredibly powerful artifact, and not one to be used lightly.

The creation of such a thing, however, requires human sacrifice; the Stone is made out of human souls.

They killed people to create such a thing?

[That's... that's disgusting. Why would any government agree to sacrifice their people for something like that? The answer is obvious; they wanted the power. That doesn't excuse it. It's still disgusting.]

You opposed them for creating such a thing, then?

I didn't exactly oppose them for creating it, per se; it was a time of war, after all, and you know what they say about desperate times. The Stone was also created using the souls of our enemies. War has a way of changing your mindset about such things in general.

However, when the war came to a close and they wanted the Stone for their own purposes, I couldn't abide by that.

But opposing them wouldn't have done any good. They must have taken it from you anyway. I suppose in the heat of the moment you didn't consider that, but ultimately they still would have obtained the Stone.

The officers I killed were the only ones who knew of the Stone's existence, save for myself; I was searched thoroughly after my arrest, and they didn't find it on my person. At this point, I can honestly say that I don't know what became of it; it's entirely possible that it was broken or destroyed.

[Technical truths are awesome things; he actually hasn't lied to you yet, as at this point, he legitimately doesn't know what Al did with the thing. Outside of, presumably, "saved the world or something."]

So they weren't able to do whatever they wanted with the Stone? That's good to hear.

[Who knows what they'd want that Stone for anyway? It would have been terrible, that's all he's sure of.]

I'm glad to hear you managed to stop them.

[Deaths are never acceptable, but the ends justify the means.]

Indeed. I did spend seven years in solitary confinement for my effort, however; it wasn't exactly pleasant business, but I was released eventually.

I'm sorry to hear that. I take it you were released for good behavior?

The murder of five superior officers isn't exactly something you get released for based on good behavior, King Logan. The leader of my country reviewed my case, however; I assume he found it sympathetic. I was told not to ask too many questions.

Edited (WOW SHIT THAT ICON WAS PSYCHOTIC SORRY) 2012-10-09 00:55 (UTC)

I suppose that's very true. I suppose his reasoning doesn't matter. You were employed by him directly after then?

I was, yes.

You're rather curious, you know; you ask quite a few questions. I don't find that to be a bad thing, mind you; it's just interesting to see someone do that.

This is fascinating. I am quite interested in what's happened to you. As I said, you're an interesting man.

I appreciate the sentiment.

You're up rather late tonight; why is that, if I may?

Ah, it's nothing. I'm usually up fairly late.

[That's certainly not a lie! It's not like he stays up, but that's not the point!]

Still in Goldenrod, by any chance?

I am, yes. Why?

Curiosity, mostly. Although it is my last night in town for some time; care to meet outside, should you not be terribly busy?

[...admittedly, given the hour, this will involve detaching Archer and possibly resetting the alarm, but he's gotten good at that...]

Of course. Where shall I meet you?

[UGH KIMBLEE YOU'RE SO RUDE. But anyway, Logan might be a bit eager about this, okay. Senior figure tho.]

Are you familiar with that casino downtown? It's rather difficult to miss, particularly at night; meet me there in about twenty minutes?

[He can't deny that this will be rather nice, all right, even if Archer may get a little tetchy because he more or less just got in from seeing Kato. However, the news he received from the scientist in question hadn't been as good as he would have liked; it will be good to recharge a bit. Spend time with another of his juniors.]

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018. [Text, and one other thing.]

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