Comeuppance
You know, I've spent considerable time wishing all kind of things on those individuals from Department Sigma who handed me and the others over to the Shadows. A telepath can do horrible things, especially to another telepath, and I have a pretty dark imagination.
At the same time, a part of me was glad they were out of my reach. I don't know what I would become if I ever managed to go through with some of the things I imagine. In a way, that would give them the final victory. They would have managed to transform me into themselves. So no. I'm still not a saint, but all I want for these people is a due trial, with testimony, and then a lifetime in jail. With the sleepers. I'm vengeful enough for that, but it's also a practical consideration - the only other way you can keep a powerful telepath in jail is by trusting his or her word, and I wouldn't trust anyone who sold their own people to the Shadows.
On a lighter note: someone has pointed out that "comeuppance" can also mean "deserved fate" in a positive sense. I'd like to see my friends from Neskaya Tower live in a time where the pact Varzil formulated is universally accepted. Michael already seems to have found the happy life he dreamed of. I want Roger and Dorothy to be free from any lingering pursuits by unstable or insane people.
As for Al... you know, the first time I ever talked with Michael happened in anger. Because when some fantasizes out loud about the death of the man you love and claims it's what he deserves, it kind of gets your attention. Now I do know Al isn't an innocent; I'm not naive. But he is not a criminal, either. There is so much more to him, and I'm not referring to our relationship. What I would like for Al is a fresh start. In a world where he can live without any pre-judgments, either those of others or his own. That's what I want most of all.
At the same time, a part of me was glad they were out of my reach. I don't know what I would become if I ever managed to go through with some of the things I imagine. In a way, that would give them the final victory. They would have managed to transform me into themselves. So no. I'm still not a saint, but all I want for these people is a due trial, with testimony, and then a lifetime in jail. With the sleepers. I'm vengeful enough for that, but it's also a practical consideration - the only other way you can keep a powerful telepath in jail is by trusting his or her word, and I wouldn't trust anyone who sold their own people to the Shadows.
On a lighter note: someone has pointed out that "comeuppance" can also mean "deserved fate" in a positive sense. I'd like to see my friends from Neskaya Tower live in a time where the pact Varzil formulated is universally accepted. Michael already seems to have found the happy life he dreamed of. I want Roger and Dorothy to be free from any lingering pursuits by unstable or insane people.
As for Al... you know, the first time I ever talked with Michael happened in anger. Because when some fantasizes out loud about the death of the man you love and claims it's what he deserves, it kind of gets your attention. Now I do know Al isn't an innocent; I'm not naive. But he is not a criminal, either. There is so much more to him, and I'm not referring to our relationship. What I would like for Al is a fresh start. In a world where he can live without any pre-judgments, either those of others or his own. That's what I want most of all.