Closed Network: Decisions

[ambitious_muse]

Dear friends and family,

I owe you an apology. Many apologies, actually, and more gratitude than I could ever express.

It's been two weeks since... well. Since everything happened. I'm back in school now, mostly. Except for Tuesdays and Thursdays, because those were the days when F-- when H--

Let me try this again.

You're hearing this message because I don't know how to say any of this to everyone, other than to make a post like this. I want you all to know that I refuse to give up. I'm moving forward in school and pursuing my dream of studying plague science.

But there is a price to that dream. One that I've discovered will either have to be paid to Charon Industries and its subsidiaries, or risked to the mercenaries of Adaptive. Yes, Omega, I can get you data if you'd like. The bottom line is, the things I want to study could cost me my life. Or worse, they could cost me any of you. I'm not going to risk that ever again. So, I'm taking some new precautions.

By the time you get this message, I will working a new part-time job. One that will not only allow me to pay my bills and save for graduate school, one that will help me to keep myself safe, and you all safer. Effective immediately, I'm now a data analyst for the International Fixer Federation. My primary job is interpreting scientific data for use and redistribution to clients. Basically, it's my job to take what Charon and their cronies do and help to make it public. Hopefully, this will earn me the friends and contacts that I--or my identity under my current false name--will need to be a successful independent researcher someday.

My mercenary status has changed. Instead of Felix being my sponsor, Louisiana's name is now on my paperwork. I'd like to keep it that way. When--yes, when--she comes back, I will continue to train with her. Because working with mercenaries isn't enough if I don't know how to defend myself.

I love you. And if you're disappointed...I'm sorry. But this is what I need to do.

Wish me luck.

Comments

[protective_logic]

No. You're not doing this. There are two mercenaries in our family, and that number is already a mistake.

[ambitious_muse]

Mercenaries will be a danger to me, and to our family, regardless of my doing this. My career choice--my studies and my research--are a danger in and of themselves. I'm doing this to minimize that danger.

[protective_logic]

Working for Charon is far more reasonable. And no, you're not minimizing danger. It's all these damn mercenaries that have put us in danger!

[ambitious_muse]

Charon Industries is not reasonable. Their ethics are terrible, their science distrustful, their monopolies despicable.

Somebody's got to fight corporations like them. How could I live with myself if I rolled over and gave into them instead?

[baruthumos]

I can't argue with that logic. Call me if you need medical attention. Or if you need someone else to need medical attention.

[protective_logic]

This irrational decision is the ONE THING you're okay with from him!?

[baruthumos]

It's not irrational. Plague research is dangerous. This way he'll be able to protect himself. It's not like he's going out in the field. Do you have another way for him to pay for school?

[protective_logic]

Working while he's in school. Us helping to pay for it. He's already paying for school. I don't see why he has to put himself into a risky position working for mercenaries AS a mercenary. This is completely ridiculous and unreasonable. At least his getting an apartment had some basis in REALITY!

[ambitious_muse]

...I...

[This from Omega, of all people? It's the last thing he had expected. No, he shouldn't cry at his desk.]

Thank you. For understanding.

[baruthumos]

[He made a convincing argument and picked a good time to present it.]

I hope it's boring as hell. And if anyone gives you grief over it, send them to me. What name are you using?

Private/direct message

[ambitious_muse]

The best kind of boring, right?

If you need me, ask for Oliver Mij.

[depthlesslock]

Got your back, love.

[ambitious_muse]

Thanks, my Thief.

[depthlesslock]

Your welcome. Is everything sorted yet? Has it all come through?

[soldierinblack]

You're not becoming a mercenary. Tell Louisiana she better steer clear of me if she's planning on steering you into this bullshit.

[protective_logic]

Thank you. Someone reasonable.

[soldierinblack]

We don't need more people signing up for deadly jobs.

[ambitious_muse]

She didn't steer me into this. She's the one who pulled me out of Control.

Staying away from mercenaries isn't going to keep me safe. If I make contacts now, make myself useful now, I can hopefully lessen the danger later. To me, and to my family.

[soldierinblack]

She's not pulling you out of Control if she's sponsoring you. Who do you think she still works for?

You don't need to network with mercenaries. Do it wrong and you'll end up dead. Leave that to those of us that know how to do it.

[trustandfireworks]

...Are you going to be okay? You're not going away, are you?

[ambitious_muse]

I'm not going anywhere. As long as I can, I'm staying in Gulch. At least until I graduate.

[trustandfireworks]

And... what happens then?

[wanderingmemory]

Sigma, you're learning something I figured out a while back. Sometimes... We need to do things. They aren't always the easy thing, and some people will get on your ass about this...

But doing what you feel you need to do is important. Risks or no. I wandered for a reason, and it was a good one to me. Regardless of what others might have thought.

And whatever happens, I have your back.

[ambitious_muse]

Thank you, Epsilon.

Hey. We can do this. You taught me that.

[wanderingmemory]

You can do anything you put your mind to. And it will work out. Now, I've probably painted a giant bullseye on myself for the ones that don't like this... But I don't care.