( 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.]
[He offers a shrug--Jack only knows the broad strokes, himself. The nature of his job had required him to be well-read and knowledgeable on a great many things, not the least of which was military history, but it's another thing entirely to be in the thick of it. He certainly understands Angela's trepidation, but if she's at all flying blind, well--]
Wouldn't mind going home, if that's what you mean.
[There's far too much to do. Even presuming that time travel can take him right back to the moment he left, just the thought of everything he should be doing has him anxious.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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( she worries about the people they're fighting, and saving. any of those people could change something, and if they changed history accidentally-- )
I wish we knew more about the times we go to.
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[It’s a weak joke, and Jack seems to know it, a sort of halfheartedness to the lopsided smile he offers.]
There might be a dossier if you ask.
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( jack, your paranoid is rubbing off )
You should also know how informative dossiers are. Different people would like to know different things.
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[He offers a shrug--Jack only knows the broad strokes, himself. The nature of his job had required him to be well-read and knowledgeable on a great many things, not the least of which was military history, but it's another thing entirely to be in the thick of it. He certainly understands Angela's trepidation, but if she's at all flying blind, well--]
Can't hurt.
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( it would tell them what cost wants to know, whether or not it's truthful )
Maybe one day we'll actually get to where we're supposed to be.
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[There's far too much to do. Even presuming that time travel can take him right back to the moment he left, just the thought of everything he should be doing has him anxious.]
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( who knew how much of this mission they'd have to complete, and if they even would be sent home )
Though getting to their base may be a start.
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