[His brow knits tighter as he steels himself against that gnawing sense of despondence at the back of his mind.]
They haven't exactly explained what kind of weapons they'll be handing out yet, but these Null seem pretty confident they've got something that'll work. All they need is someone from here to pull the trigger. And after the last couple of months, it's no surprise people are willing to hear them out, even without what they're promising as a reward.
[But Nick has a point, as brutal as his point may be.]
We've been unkind. But we've been desperate- there is only so much to be gained by compromise. I'm sure that doesn't matter to those who would turn against us... I suppose it's time we start taking countermeasures to protect ourselves from you.
It's not like we can listen to the direction of a hundred of you at once. At best, we can have you help us agree on a course of action- which is what we've been trying to do.
[He says that single word with just a hint of doubt. It's hard for him to keep his temper and fight the melancholy starting to edge into his mind. After all he's been through lately, especially with the ghosts and what he had to do Rey's mother just to keep his family safe, he's got a lot weighing on his conscience.
But hell, at least he's got one. That's more than he can say for the Null.]
Look, I know it's hard for us to get on the same page, but we have to with this. The Null are getting a lot of attention,and now they're talking about getting people home with the Door the second they get their hands on it. That's real tempting for some people, especially those who don't think about the greater consequences of all this.
Have you thought about letting us know what's coming before you go trying to force emotions out of us? Hell, some folks would volunteer to help if it meant keeping this place going. They already do when they make bargains with you, don't they?
[He says that flatly. Sorrow is practical -- maybe too much so, at times. Nick doesn't give up on making him see reason just yet, but he struggles to keep the terseness out of his voice as he continues.]
I understand that you've gotta do what you've gotta do to get by, but what's 'satisfying results' for you is sheer torture for some of us. That business with the ghosts? That was too far.
[Being morbid was the point, as it seems to take straightforward ones to get through to the gods.]
For some folks, those are just as bad. What you deem as making them happy might just make them want to go home even more, and hate the people who are keeping them here all the while.
This isn't about winning. It's about the fact that we need each other to survive this, and if you aren't even willing to compromise, you'll find people will be more than happy to turn against you, survival or not. It's not logical, but that's just how people are.
If I compromise, there's a very likely chance that we all die.
[He restates.]
In this scenario, all of our survival and your happiness appear to be on parallel and separate paths. The sooner your kind will understand this, the less likely they are to get us all killed.
[There's a pause, and then, he grits out through his teeth:]
I don't like this either. It's crude and it's cruel and I would not endorse this under normal circumstances. But I am willing to do what needs to be done. I would do far worse to keep my species intact.
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They haven't exactly explained what kind of weapons they'll be handing out yet, but these Null seem pretty confident they've got something that'll work. All they need is someone from here to pull the trigger. And after the last couple of months, it's no surprise people are willing to hear them out, even without what they're promising as a reward.
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[But Nick has a point, as brutal as his point may be.]
We've been unkind. But we've been desperate- there is only so much to be gained by compromise. I'm sure that doesn't matter to those who would turn against us... I suppose it's time we start taking countermeasures to protect ourselves from you.
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[He sighs, something a machine like him ought not do. It lends to his humanity, as does his softer tone as he continues.]
I know there's only so much to be gained by compromise, but if we keep going the way we are, we're all going to be in a lot of trouble.
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[Bluntly.]
It's not like we can listen to the direction of a hundred of you at once. At best, we can have you help us agree on a course of action- which is what we've been trying to do.
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[He says that single word with just a hint of doubt. It's hard for him to keep his temper and fight the melancholy starting to edge into his mind. After all he's been through lately, especially with the ghosts and what he had to do Rey's mother just to keep his family safe, he's got a lot weighing on his conscience.
But hell, at least he's got one. That's more than he can say for the Null.]
Look, I know it's hard for us to get on the same page, but we have to with this. The Null are getting a lot of attention,and now they're talking about getting people home with the Door the second they get their hands on it. That's real tempting for some people, especially those who don't think about the greater consequences of all this.
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[Curtly.]
What would you suggest? And please, I'd like direct suggestions, not just a vague "work with us more" or "be nicer".
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[He considers it.]
Maybe from time to time. But I find that the unexpected tends to yield more satisfying results.
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[He says that flatly. Sorrow is practical -- maybe too much so, at times. Nick doesn't give up on making him see reason just yet, but he struggles to keep the terseness out of his voice as he continues.]
I understand that you've gotta do what you've gotta do to get by, but what's 'satisfying results' for you is sheer torture for some of us. That business with the ghosts? That was too far.
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[That was a pretty rough one, he'll admit.]
But ultimately, all of you are alive again. Would that be the case if I truly did go 'too far'?
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We're alive, but we're still living with the aftermath. For some, that's making them wish they hadn't pulled through at all.
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[Frankly.]
Are there not good events, too? Things that make you happy to... 'pull through'?
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For some folks, those are just as bad. What you deem as making them happy might just make them want to go home even more, and hate the people who are keeping them here all the while.
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[Frankly.]
We'll keep doing as we've been doing, as that is the only thing to achieve desired results. We cannot afford regret or hesitation or we may all die.
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[He restates.]
In this scenario, all of our survival and your happiness appear to be on parallel and separate paths. The sooner your kind will understand this, the less likely they are to get us all killed.
[There's a pause, and then, he grits out through his teeth:]
I don't like this either. It's crude and it's cruel and I would not endorse this under normal circumstances. But I am willing to do what needs to be done. I would do far worse to keep my species intact.