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

[ambitious_muse]

...I don't need a sponsor anymore?

[soldierinblack]

Then why are you talking about changing your sponsor to me and how Louisiana is going to handle all your training?

[ambitious_muse]

I'm...

Just surprised. Training? You'd train me? Really?

I thought... I thought you'd hate this idea.

[soldierinblack]

I do hate the idea. You don't need to be a mercenary.

But if it's between training with that dumbass that's been stuck with Control for years now or me, I'd rather you train with me.

[ambitious_muse]

I'd be glad to train with you.

But Louisiana's my friend. I'm not going to cut her off entirely.

[soldierinblack]

You're going to have to do something. She's in Control, Sigma. I've been telling you that from the start that it'd cause problems and you both swore up and down you were being careful.

How careful were you to end up in that mess?

[ambitious_muse]

She came for me. That's more than I can say for any other "friend" I had before I met her.

[soldierinblack]

I didn't say she wasn't a friend. That doesn't make her any less of a danger or her connection to control weaker.

You want to be a merc, then welcome to making tough choices like one.

[ambitious_muse]

...yeah. I have a lot to learn. And I need all the help I can get.

[soldierinblack]

You're not going to get it from Control and whether you like it or not, that's what she is.

[ambitious_muse]

That's something I'll take up with her. I promise.

[soldierinblack]

And what? Talk to her once about it and then ignore it as you continue to be best friends? That's not how this business works.

[ambitious_muse]

I know. ...I mean. I don't. And I get that.

But that's something I'd rather discuss with her when she comes back.

[soldierinblack]

Discuss it all you want, but you do have to make some choices, Sigma.

If you want to train with me, we can. But you better be ready for the life this leads to.

[ambitious_muse]

I want to. Please.

[soldierinblack]

Then fine. But if there's a way to get you out of this bullshit, I'm finding it and taking it.

[ambitious_muse]

I mean. I can't ask you to fix the research programs on this planet. But I don't doubt you could do it.

[soldierinblack]

Mercenary work isn't the safe haven you think it is either.

[ambitious_muse]

I'm not looking for a haven. I'm looking for something that will help me to protect myself.

[soldierinblack]

Diving down another dangerous career path isn't the way to find protection, but we're just going in circles at this point.

[ambitious_muse]

Yeah... I guess we are.

[soldierinblack]

It's not going to change anything. Come find me in person when you're ready to set up a schedule.

[ambitious_muse]

Thanks. See you soon.