[It’s not too far a deviation from what she’s used to, and Jack thinks some familiarity might be helpful in this situation. His eyebrows are raised expectantly.]
Unless you want something really out of your wheelhouse.
( is... she the one being more paranoid? fear is making her a little jumpy, though she'll realise that valkyrie is pretty safe. it was a word with meaning long before she developed her suit or became a part of overwatch )
[All the time in the world, really, so Jack knows he shouldn't be so worried about missing things back home, even though he can't exactly help it. He's sure the two of them can make something work if she needs a minute or two to think about her call sign.]
76 is fine. I'm used to it by now.
[Sure, if the Regency wants to dig around and pull up articles from his home world and time, they might be able to make the connection, but he figures the chances are higher that Jack Morrison as he was is the bigger threat. He won't be fully safe either way.]
[Distasteful as it is to be reminded of who he used to be, he can't honestly expect Angela to play along with his act. To ask as much of her would be unfair, and his steps slow so that he can put a hand on her shoulder.]
It doesn't have to be anything more than a callsign.
( she doesn't expect the contact, and stops her own walk to look up at him, contemplation in her expression. there's a few moments of silence before she finally responds with-- )
I wouldn't want to put you in danger. We're in a risky enough situation already.
( though jack flew towards danger. he was a soldier, that was his job. but personal danger, something not on the battlefield.... )
Ange, if they wanted to screw around in our timeline, I'd already be gone.
[Given his contributions to the world, he can imagine that would make him a target--unless his actions during the Crisis and as leader of Overwatch eventually pave the way for the Regency.
But that's an uncomfortable thought, one he tries to visibly shake off, offering Angela a reassuring smile instead (or at least, the best one he can muster).]
[Jack is quiet for a moment, unsure whether or not he wants to breach the subject. He heard enough about what happened to Xici to know that's probably not the way he wants to die, but he hasn't actually asked Angela about it directly. She was in the tent when it happened.]
[She wouldn't be bringing it up if it wasn't something to worry about. Obviously it was terrible, and he feels badly for making her relive it, but Jack needs to know the specifics.]
( angela hesitates before her gaze settles on his, almost frowning, but really disgusted and afraid. it's so outside of any technology she's seen before )
Feets. Hands. Each piece disappearing as if they were cut off, but with no wounds appearing.
[Jack exhales slowly, eyebrows furrowed together. Angela is a doctor, and he knows she's seen more than her fair share of horrors, but this is unspeakable. It means they went back in time and dismembered a child, piece by piece. The implications of such a method of execution is inhuman.
No one deserves that. Even being forced to watch it seems cruel.]
I'm sorry you had to see that. You shouldn't have.
( she's seen a lot in her years, a consequence of the war and overwatch, but this was more than angela would have ever considered. the fact that someone did... )
They could have just killed her. They tortured her, and she had done nothing.
[Everything he knows about the Regency so far indicates they're tyrannical--Xici, of course, had spoken well of them, but Jack can recognize propaganda when he hears it. It makes it all hurt that much more, to know how devoted she was only to have them cast her aside in the worst possible way. Violating the rights she believed she had. Anywhere else, he'd classify this as a war crime, perpetuated against their own citizens.]
Doesn't make it right, but--
[This is war. Jack knows war more intimately than he knows anything else.]
[What he doesn't say is that he can't be sure they're on the right side of things, but what happened to Xici is pretty convincing. He's not ready to say that COST is the definitive good guy (there so rarely is one in war), but perhaps this is a good sign.
As good a sign as it can be, given the situation.]
( for both him and herself. angela wouldn't have willingly signed up for another war, not when there were many people that she was already trying to help. but jack... he'd already suggested about his need for answers and overwatch )
Unless there's even more they're not telling us.
( which was so likely. with their technology would cost have been able to give jack what he wanted so that he would help? or did they wipe their memories to try and make themselves seem plausible )
[Still, the Commander has been forthcoming with her answers. It's almost refreshing, if not for the fact that 76 tends to think that everyone is hiding something, just generally speaking. He has no real way to verify what's the truth and what isn't, especially if his memories have been tampered with.
He wants to give them the benefit of the doubt--believe that they're fighting on the right side, but he's been burned before.]
But I don't think rocking the boat's a good idea. Not until we know more.
( they don't know these people well enough to know how safe it is, mission or not. their commanders, the others brought here. there was a lot of risk )
Participating just enough may lead us to some more answers. And if they were truthful it may also help the situation.
[Jack nods in response to indicate that he’s speaking generally—that Angela isn’t the one he’s worried about, not when it comes to mutiny. He’s in agreement with her assessment. They don’t know enough to act, and playing along might help them learn more.]
I want to hope we’re on the right side, but—
[He trails off, the implication clear. He’s been burned before.]
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[It’s not too far a deviation from what she’s used to, and Jack thinks some familiarity might be helpful in this situation. His eyebrows are raised expectantly.]
Unless you want something really out of your wheelhouse.
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( possibly only if you knew details, but who knew what anyone knew -- or could know )
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[As long as they're careful about what they say and to whom.]
I'm not so creative, Ange.
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( is... she the one being more paranoid? fear is making her a little jumpy, though she'll realise that valkyrie is pretty safe. it was a word with meaning long before she developed her suit or became a part of overwatch )
What about you? Or is 76 safe enough?
( it had worked for a time )
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[All the time in the world, really, so Jack knows he shouldn't be so worried about missing things back home, even though he can't exactly help it. He's sure the two of them can make something work if she needs a minute or two to think about her call sign.]
76 is fine. I'm used to it by now.
[Sure, if the Regency wants to dig around and pull up articles from his home world and time, they might be able to make the connection, but he figures the chances are higher that Jack Morrison as he was is the bigger threat. He won't be fully safe either way.]
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( she'd obviously heard the name or the numbers before, but to have them attributed to the man she once knew-- )
I keep having to stop and remind myself.
( only in privacy when she was certain that it was the two of them would she use his name )
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[Distasteful as it is to be reminded of who he used to be, he can't honestly expect Angela to play along with his act. To ask as much of her would be unfair, and his steps slow so that he can put a hand on her shoulder.]
It doesn't have to be anything more than a callsign.
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I wouldn't want to put you in danger. We're in a risky enough situation already.
( though jack flew towards danger. he was a soldier, that was his job. but personal danger, something not on the battlefield.... )
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[Given his contributions to the world, he can imagine that would make him a target--unless his actions during the Crisis and as leader of Overwatch eventually pave the way for the Regency.
But that's an uncomfortable thought, one he tries to visibly shake off, offering Angela a reassuring smile instead (or at least, the best one he can muster).]
Try not to worry about it.
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( as much as he tries to be, and she does appreciate the effort. angela does give him a nod, though she may worry for a little longer )
Not with how they could kill you.
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You saw it, didn't you.
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( the word is quieter, and even though angela had alluded to the horror she didn't really wish to talk about it )
That's why I'm concerned.
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[She wouldn't be bringing it up if it wasn't something to worry about. Obviously it was terrible, and he feels badly for making her relive it, but Jack needs to know the specifics.]
What happened?
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( angela hesitates before her gaze settles on his, almost frowning, but really disgusted and afraid. it's so outside of any technology she's seen before )
Feets. Hands. Each piece disappearing as if they were cut off, but with no wounds appearing.
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No one deserves that. Even being forced to watch it seems cruel.]
I'm sorry you had to see that. You shouldn't have.
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( she's seen a lot in her years, a consequence of the war and overwatch, but this was more than angela would have ever considered. the fact that someone did... )
They could have just killed her. They tortured her, and she had done nothing.
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[Everything he knows about the Regency so far indicates they're tyrannical--Xici, of course, had spoken well of them, but Jack can recognize propaganda when he hears it. It makes it all hurt that much more, to know how devoted she was only to have them cast her aside in the worst possible way. Violating the rights she believed she had. Anywhere else, he'd classify this as a war crime, perpetuated against their own citizens.]
Doesn't make it right, but--
[This is war. Jack knows war more intimately than he knows anything else.]
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( to stop the regency, to save time. they had someone to hate, and visible proof of what could happen if nothing was done )
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[What he doesn't say is that he can't be sure they're on the right side of things, but what happened to Xici is pretty convincing. He's not ready to say that COST is the definitive good guy (there so rarely is one in war), but perhaps this is a good sign.
As good a sign as it can be, given the situation.]
This is our fight now, whether we like it or not.
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I don't suppose they're interested in that part.
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[Jack has little to offer that but a shrug.]
Supposedly I came here willingly. I don't remember. Don't think I would have left what I had going on at home.
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( for both him and herself. angela wouldn't have willingly signed up for another war, not when there were many people that she was already trying to help. but jack... he'd already suggested about his need for answers and overwatch )
Unless there's even more they're not telling us.
( which was so likely. with their technology would cost have been able to give jack what he wanted so that he would help? or did they wipe their memories to try and make themselves seem plausible )
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[Still, the Commander has been forthcoming with her answers. It's almost refreshing, if not for the fact that 76 tends to think that everyone is hiding something, just generally speaking. He has no real way to verify what's the truth and what isn't, especially if his memories have been tampered with.
He wants to give them the benefit of the doubt--believe that they're fighting on the right side, but he's been burned before.]
But I don't think rocking the boat's a good idea. Not until we know more.
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( they don't know these people well enough to know how safe it is, mission or not. their commanders, the others brought here. there was a lot of risk )
Participating just enough may lead us to some more answers. And if they were truthful it may also help the situation.
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I want to hope we’re on the right side, but—
[He trails off, the implication clear. He’s been burned before.]
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