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?

[protective_logic]

Charon's ethics are only questionable to people who accuse them of price gouging. Their science keeps you alive on a daily basis. And they do not hold a single monopoly.

Corporations like them allow for life on this planet and are far more safe for the completely ethically gray, at BEST, behaviors of mercenaries. Literally men and women who kill for money!

[ambitious_muse]

Charon's reputation in the scientific community is absolutely atrocious. They don't allow their scientists to publish in journals. It's all for themselves. And if they're working on something to permanently get rid of these plague clouds, it's news to me. And every researcher I've spoken to. Including the professors I had planned to conference with in Armonia.

They may be fair with their tech, but the science behind it? Never. And that needs to change.

[protective_logic]

Most employers possess contracts that ideas and work developed while working for them is theirs. It's common practice. It's proprietary. But if you have a problem with them, work with a research institution.

[ambitious_muse]

There is no market for plague science at research institutions. Not at ones that are allowed to publish their findings. Charon has that information on lockdown. And anyone who tries to do independent research and publish it ends up dead.

[protective_logic]

You're crediting far too much malicious intent to the company. And if Charon's not acceptable, pick another corp that studies it. But THIS, what you're doing right now, is completely unreasonable.

[ambitious_muse]

Look at the research. I'll send it to you.

I don't trust the corporations to use my work to help the people of this planet. The people I love. Why would I ever want to work for them?

[protective_logic]

So you're going to make yourself an ACTIVE enemy of these corps.

[ambitious_muse]

If I have to.

Somebody has to take a stand.

[protective_logic]

You realize that makes us an even BIGGER target, yeah?

[ambitious_muse]

Which is why I'm starting now to take precautions.

I can't not do what I love because I'm afraid.

[protective_logic]

You're going to make what you do a hundred times more dangerous for yourself and for us. And for what? If Charon is what you think it is, won't they get suspicious that someone is fucking with their work AND there is a student that hasn't joined them?

[ambitious_muse]

And you're making this a hundred times worse than it has to be because you are freaking out. I'm afraid too, but I can't let that fear stop me from doing what's important.

[protective_logic]

Fear is the body telling you that you're doing something stupid.

[ambitious_muse]

Actually, fear is a physiological response to general changes in your environment. Not only stupid ones. Sometimes the fear itself is what's stupid.