009 video; PSA

[cargojet]

[ Nathan (the hotter one) appears in the video feed looking, despite the last month, surprisingly better. There's exasperation in his tone, but warmth in his eyes. It's nice to have things vaguely back to normal. There is a long pause before he speaks. ]

To newcomers I would like to say welcome, to those of you who spent the last month sleeping while we were working our asses off out here, welcome back. Time for an update: as you may have heard, many of you have spent the duration of jump thirteen in the stasis pods. We are presently on jump fourteen, and spent the last thirty days with a malfunctioning network. Though certain childish individuals may want to make light of our situation, I feel myself tasked to inform you that Comms was not responsible for bringing the network back online, nor are any of us responsible for any of you waking up, though there was some discussion as to whether or not it was safe to enter the stasis pods at all.

Just last week we received a message through the emergency network. Now most of you will know that I'm not one to spread hysteria, and I'd appreciate it if any speculation on the matter was discreet, with attention to the fact that we are all confined here no matter our fears. We are stronger together. As usual, I would like to remind everyone not to go wandering off into unexplored corners of the ship, unlike certain people.

[ Now for a second Nathan just rubs at his eyes. The mask drops, and it's clear underneath it he's exhausted, but he slips back into his serious face before he speaks again. ]

Comms is down to almost nobody again. We need help down here, so if you feel like you could maybe lend a hand, report to 001. You'll find a sign up sheet on the door, that's how desperate things have gotten. People with skills in computers are the most useful down here, whether you were a hacker or created Facebook, whatever. But you know what? I didn't have a lick of skill with the things when I got here, and now I'm quite capable. If you want to learn something new, want to make your own encryptions or just spent a month or two getting to know the ship more intimately, then just show up.

In regard to learning something new, we've also once again lost our proposed teacher, so I'm drawing the line under all the debate over it. Starting tomorrow, and therefore three days of every week, I'll be running classes for kids under fifteen. We'll meet in the chapel in the oxygen gardens at 10am, and work things out from there. If anyone wants to offer their expertise, show up at the same time, interact with the kids, and we'll see how it goes from there.

So let me say that again: If you're under fifteen, you have the option of coming to classes three days a week. We'll be working on life skills, visiting the different areas of the ship, learning how to use the communicators, maybe even talking about self defense--and anything else you guys want to learn about.

Alright. I got one more question. [ A pause. ] Pet food. Who makes it?

[ Nathan disappears for a moment, but a second later he makes a quick addendum to this post. ]

Just reminding people that we have an electronic message board here that lets people know what's going on around here. I also, during the last month, had an opportunity to put a memorial book down in the chapel for people to leave messages to those who've been and gone. Feel free to fill either out if you have something to add.

Comments

[jurisimpudent]

[There's a pause; then he shakes his head.]

Forgive me; I don't think there are too many who would wish to work for me.

[cargojet]

What about this Wright guy?

[jurisimpudent]

[Far, far too fast - ]

Absolutely not.

[cargojet]

[ Have a curious little headtilt, Edgeworth. ]

What's that about, then?

[jurisimpudent]

I -

[He scowls, realizing how badly his tone incriminated him.]

Nothing. It's - Nothing. Defense attorneys. That is all.

[cargojet]

Defense attorneys--yeah, alright. I can roll with that. My father was one.

[jurisimpudent]

[An awkward pause.]

Oh. Apologies.

[cargojet]

Yeah, you don't have to apologise. His biggest client was a pretty bad guy. Mobster, dirty money. Tried to get me killed. Two members of my family had to try and kill my father before it stuck.

[jurisimpudent]

I - Ah -

What?

[cargojet]

[ Nathan lets out a burst of laughter. ]

You never fail to deliver, Miles, I give you that.

Remember we talked about how crazy my family is? Just write it off as a part of that whole mess.

[jurisimpudent]

But -

[There's no laughter in Edgeworth's voice.]

Does that mean that your...father tried to have you killed?

[cargojet]

[ He inclines his head, becomes gravely serious. ]

He did. My mother didn't like that. She tried to kill him, but he survived. Brainwashed the doctors into faking his death so he could take revenge.

Then he stole my brother's powers.

My Dad was a mean piece of work. The man he worked for--well, he was even worse.

Do yourself a favour; no matter what anyone tells you, it isn't brave or noble to follow in the footsteps of your father. You just end up making his mistakes all over again.

[jurisimpudent]

[There's a long, long pause. Then, very quietly, too quietly to be able to distinguish his tone:]

I will thank you not to say that without knowing my father.

[cargojet]

Sure. [ Then more solidly. ] Sure. My Pop's probably the exception to the rule rather than the rule. It's just... It's your life, you know? I spent my whole life following in his footsteps. I joined the Navy, went to law school, fought abroad, had a wife, two sons, came back to practice in New York. It took all the effort I had in me not to follow him into his company, and becoming a prosecutor was probably the best thing I ever did. Fighting him.

My parents... They weren't good people. You're good people, though, Miles. So maybe your parents were different. Better.

It doesn't make making your own choices in life less important. Shaping who you are--that should be up to you.

[jurisimpudent]

[Again, there's a pause. Then, a bit louder:]

I am not a good person. My parents were, but I'm not. Is that understood?

[cargojet]

You're not a good person? What'd you do, kill a puppy?

[jurisimpudent]

Sir, I am not joking. And I don't appreciate humor.

[cargojet]

Sure as a man's actions here represent whether or not he's a criminal, I reckon they represent whether he's a good man or not. And you, Miles Edgeworth, are a good man.

It's like whether you're attractive or not isn't a question you're allowed to answer. It's the sort that goes to the popular vote.

[jurisimpudent]

[There's a moment of fuming silence. Then:]

My father was a defense attorney as well. Renowned and respected. Do you wish to know why I became a prosecutor?

[cargojet]

Please.

[jurisimpudent]

[That fury is already ebbing away, though, and he answers in a half-mutter.]

Because I hated - hate - criminals that much, that I want to inflict suffering upon them.

That's not what a good person does.

[cargojet]

[ He softens a little. ]

Isn't it? When I see someone hurting someone else, I sure as hell want to see that person pay. I want to hurt them. With my own fists, if I could, because God knows it'd feel good to break my knuckles on their face.

You used the law as your weapon rather than your fists. Honestly, Miles. A bad person? You brandished the law, that's all. That's what it's there for.

Choosing to become a prosecutor doesn't make you a bad guy.

[jurisimpudent]

[And, quietly:]

Not if you...do it for the reasons that you did it. It is if you do it for revenge.

[cargojet]

No reasons are entirely noble. Not mine, either.

We discussed before, the possibility of killing point seven percent of the population in order to save the world, to bring unity and peace. You can't paint me as a good man knowing what you know about me, Miles, not in regard to my whole past.

But in regard to who I am before you--I hope you would say this is the only moment that really counts. Does it count?

[jurisimpudent]

[A pause. Finally:]

Yes.