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]

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!

[baruthumos]

And when he's out of school? Doing actual research? What will keep him safe then? It's not even dangerous. It's data analysis. You have a greater chance of getting hurt if someone robbed Smithson's.

[protective_logic]

He can work for Charon, which is even more secure.

And no one would rob Smithson's.

[baruthumos]

You ever hear of Gerald Bull? Charon is not safe.

[protective_logic]

Another one of your damn conspiracy theories?

[baruthumos]

His murderers were convicted in open court! It's a matter of public record they were paid by Sandicorp to kill him!

[protective_logic]

You know SIGMA could get killed by a mercenary for any fucking reason at all? He's creating more of a reason to be a target. This is bullshit.

[baruthumos]

He's already a target twice over. This is smart.

[protective_logic]

He paints an even LARGER target on us. On the children.

[baruthumos]

If they break his cover. If they care enough to break his cover. And he's not going out shooting people. Not even publishing his results. He's not in any more danger than you are for doing mercenary helmets. Less, because he's not working with them face to face.

[protective_logic]

When they break his cover, because it certainly seems like his point is to SHARE what he learns. Target bestowed. And I'm in no danger for merc helmets because a LOT of mercs go to Smithson, and they aren't about to burn that contact.

[baruthumos]

He's sharing it with people who are paying for it, not publishing it on the front page of the newspaper. He's not working independently, he's working for an establishment that a lot of mercs go to. Do you want to ask him how many data analysts have actually been hurt? I would like to hear that number.

[protective_logic]

As if they would share that data honestly.

[baruthumos]

I am trying to give you data, why do you reject it if the facts don't fit your theory!

[protective_logic]

And I'm asking how I trust that data.

[baruthumos]

Use my login. Look for jobs protecting those people. Those will have the true numbers.

[protective_logic]

Protecting those people. That tells you just who dangerous this is, having to contract safety.

[baruthumos]

You'll know the quality of the protection and the level of threat they estimate. You always say you want data. Here's the data.

[protective_logic]

Show me.