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.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

I will kill whomever approaches me or other humans with deadly intent. This is not natural law, but human logic: they take lives, so they should be prepared to have theirs taken away.

If they are not prepared... too bad for them.

[This answered Ryo's question only halfway through. Almost like if Devon is deliberately avoiding a part of it.]

[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.

[heliotropesmoke.livejournal.com]

... you must be a hit at parties.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

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

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

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

[heliotropesmoke.livejournal.com]

You ever try to live a little?

[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.]

[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.

[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.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

So this is how a robotic intellect works.

I will honor your decision.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Is that so?

[Somehow, Devon finds this accusation harder to retort than usual. The next sentence comes only after a moment of thought. And it comes out rather awkwardly.]

Whatever my life and habits may seem to other people, I would not have it other way.

[veiled-fervor.livejournal.com]

As to the answer to your other inquiry, I am programmed to not be comfortable killing people.

I am strong enough to effortlessly injure or kill the majority of people I might come in contact with, as such, in order to avoid me becoming a threat to the world myself, I was programmed with an instinctive aversion to killing of any sort.

I am capable of going against this aversion when the situation warrants, however I will not intentionally kill another unless I have no other viable options.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Trying not to kill an enemy may endanger yourself or others. Only those confident in their superiority over the opponent should act in this way.

[veiled-fervor.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, however I have no choice in this instance. I cannot kill another unless I have sufficient reason to do so, just like I cannot allow myself to be destroyed for any reason.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

I realize that. What an unfortunate situation - to have your choice limited...

[heliotropesmoke.livejournal.com]

That's your prerogative, and you're right that survival is critical, but I'm just saying... loosen up a bit.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

[Flashback to a situation in Devon's past. It is painful and bitter... but she doesn't want to talk about it.]

No, I believe I will not be doing that.

[stupidshinji.livejournal.com]

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