Questioning time

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

[Told to whomever looks like a pilot and is willing to listen, or just was unlucky enough to stumble near Devon.]

Unlike Dantoinne, I have no delusions. This ship does not exist to save the world. Its priority is survival.

Regardless of its reason for existence, the crew will be drawn into combat. For one reason or another - with the world as it is, it will be only a matter of time.

To fight, you must be ready to kill. To kill, you must be ready to die yourself. Are you ready to die? Or see your friends killed before you?

Comments

[l-has-a-keikaku.livejournal.com]

I would prefer not to die yet.

But if it comes to that I have no fears or regrets. This body of mine won't last forever anyways.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

[Apparently there's more to this kid than his anemic body shows at a first glance...]

Are you ready to kill as well? You will not fight only Festum out there. Most likely other humans as well.

[l-has-a-keikaku.livejournal.com]

Again, I'd not go out of my way to do it.

But you're right. Our job is simply survival, and Tatsumiya Island's the only place where genuine advancements in stopping the Festum are being made. My job here, gathering combat data for the TSX... it's pointless if I get the Fafner destroyed.

So even though it's not an easy call to make, it's one I've come to terms with.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I see.

[Does not sound disapproving, so apparently it's an adequate answer in Devon's book.]

[l-has-a-keikaku.livejournal.com]

And what about you, Devon? You don't seem to be the kind of woman who has grappled with that dilemma at all recently, but you seem much more... grounded compared to Dantionne.

[veiled-fervor.livejournal.com]

Interesting.

It seems that survival should be the primary objective of any group which has any other objectives as one cannot complete their objectives if one is dead.

As for death, I cannot afford my own destruction. It would go against my primary directive.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Consider a situation where your group's objectives and survival are mutually exclusive. What takes priority in such a case?

[veiled-fervor.livejournal.com]

My survival is necessary. If the group's objective requires my destruction, then I must abandon said objective.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Survival above everything else then, I see.
Is this your personal decision, or a result of your programming?

[Devon apparently missed the "primary directive" part. Or maybe she doesn't know what it means.]

[veiled-fervor.livejournal.com]

There is no real distinction between the two.

My primary objective is to repair the Aether Wall and to eliminate Unbound Aether Beasts. In order to complete this objective, I must continue to exist, as I am the only being that I know of which is capable of doing so currently in existence. As such, my survival must outweigh all other things, including immediately completing my primary objective.

[heliotropesmoke.livejournal.com]

... you must be a hit at parties.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't know. I have yet to attend one.

[heliotropesmoke.livejournal.com]

You ever try to live a little?

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

If by that you mean "socialize and participate in events and gatherings", I am content with my life as it is.

[heliotropesmoke.livejournal.com]

You just seem like a downer, that's all.

[stupidshinji.livejournal.com]

[ Blinking. ] Kinda dire, don't you think? What brought this about?

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Living in this world brought this about.

[stupidshinji.livejournal.com]

Still, it seems a little outta the blue to ask.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

I must know the mental fortitude of people I am working with. This is as good a time to ask as any other, would you not agree?

[stupidshinji.livejournal.com]

[ Nodding. ] Makes sense, I guess. To answer your question, then... yeah, I'm ready for anything. Have to be in order to pilot an Eva to start with.

[vjockey.livejournal.com]

[There was a serious look on the soldier's face. This was a question every man was asked before he left for the State Academy's bloody "Final Exam"]

Life is cheap ma'am. Especially my own. A gear in the machine can always be replaced.

I'll just make sure that I've been worn out completely before that time comes.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

So, you do not value your life. I see.

[Is Devon content with this answer? Apparently not, because she asks again. And this time she sounds even more serious.]

That sounds like a trained answer. Do you really believe that or were you taught to believe that?

[vjockey.livejournal.com]

[He was, unsure of what to reply.]

It was what I was taught ma'am. As to what I believe...

[He trailed off. He still did not know what to say]

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Of course. It is more convenient for the "higher ups" if you are willing to throw your life away easily.

[You could almost picture Devon doing quotation marks in the air as she said "higher ups". Except that she is not the kind of a person to act like that. In fact, compared to average people her gestures and hand movements are minimal.]

At a loss for words, I see. Think about my question then. That is enough of an answer.

[vjockey.livejournal.com]

[He nods, Devon's tone sending a pang of what felt like failure in the man. He would think at great length for a new answer if he was ever asked again.]