iv.

[stephen_owling]

[Part of Nagi had already made the decision. Speaking with Olivier only sealed the deal. He knows he has nothing to fight for anymore, not since he woke up in this place. He has no hope; no reason to live; no reason to fight

Comments

[expiatrice]

Your will may be commendable, but what makes you believe that you will stand a chance of success?

[stephen_owling]

Nothing whatsoever. It may very well be that we fail miserably, and all our efforts will be for naught.

However, as long as we have even the smallest chance of success, I intend to fight. Simply giving up is not an option.

[expiatrice]

Of course; "there may only be defeat if one gives in before the fight even begins". Have you, however, also heard of the saying, "thoughtless good intentions only result in tragedy"? I confess to prefer following than leading, but a leader would be expected to have a goal in mind and a way to reach it before they begin recruiting, or at least, a tentative one that could reach the desired ends. You do not need to tell me what it is, but do you have something like that, Nagi-san?

[stephen_owling]

The goal? Yes. The way to reach it? Not quite. Reality-warping is a bit beyond what I'm used to, but I don't intend to stop searching for that way.

[expiatrice]

I see... Then I will try asking this another way. I would appreciate it if you could answer, but if you cannot, it's fine too. Either way, once you've recruited enough men, what will you do?

[stephen_owling]

Investigate. I want to know everything there is to know about this place. Information has been gathered in the past, and I'd like to compile it somehow.

[expiatrice]

...Hm, that's understandable. Major Armstrong, however, as you probably already know, has also made a similar call to arms. She seems very well informed - or at least, as well as one can be, in a place like this. Your goals are the same, though, so why the division?

[stephen_owling]

We decided, at my suggestion, that placing too much faith in a single group could lead to disaster. A unified assault from a single group is a romantic notion, but the odds are against its success- especially considering only a few traitors would be sufficient to bring even the best group down.

Rather than one enemy, let us provide Mayfield with two. Or three. Or ten, or a hundred. However many we need. A multitude of small groups working independently, yet with the same goal in mind. If my own experience is any indication, they'll have a hard time keeping track of us all. And a success for one group, no matter how small, is a success for all of them.

[expiatrice]

Aah, so you are already united. [She sounds pleased.] That is tactically sound! Both of you offer different approaches, so it may appeal to a wider range of people as well. I'm glad to hear that, Nagi-san, so thank you very much for doing this.

I am, however, someone whose style fits better with a different approach, so I'm afraid that I can't join your fraction. I do wish you and yours success, though, so best of luck to you, too!