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A query, for the ship...

I wonder, with what we do know about our predicament; and I admit, my knowledge is little when it comes to the gadgetry and computations that the running of this vessel requires; and what we do know about M. 'Smiley', as he is like to be called...

Well, how to put this?

[A pause and a breath, before tilting his head just softly and staring up at the camera.]

Smiley may not be human, is it so? This has been presented to me as an option. Not human, but digital?

And he has been upon the networks, in order to mock us. But the mocking has had a defined purpose, I have seen. Threats, that we "had better" fix problems-- both technical, and human in the case of the mutineer-- before it costs us our lives. That we "had better" keep the ship running. Yet, if it were not his will that it be fixed too, were it not in his best interest also, would he not use fear as a means of making us do his bidding?

If Smiley would guide us to to save our lives by saving the ship; perhaps it may mean that it is the improper course of action, after all? Perhaps we ensure his-- or it's-- safety by ensuring our own? And in doing so, we too may be responsible in part for leaving this vessel open to stealing more lives from their homes, more people from their families...

In other words, the question I would like to pose is this: If we knew, for fact, that the only way to stop the terrors on this ship and the kidnappings seen each month was in destroying the ship, thus protecting any future targets-- be they like us, or like those pirates, who were seen to summary execution...

Would you be willing to pay that price, to see that the right thing be done?

Dulce et decorum est pro mores mori.

Forgive me, if it is too morbid in thought. The question is surely a difficult one.

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[A soft smile at that admission, for it could be all but expected from this friend in particular.]

A senator... from space? Perhaps you mean Monsieur Organa? A very kind and wise sort of man to discuss with, if I recall.

I wonder though, Michel; if you would let me take the question a step further for you, in our trust of one another; would you still be so willing if others were not?

I, for one, agree with your line of thinking. If it should cut my life and my happiness short to destroy something so unnatural, that might destroy infinite-other's lives and happinesses, well, then. I should think I must do so.

However, if half the ship were to disagree, and to prefer their safety to such a drastic option... would you still be so bold, and willing? I think I should not be. I think that the democratic approach cannot possibly be taken, in matters where others lives are at stake. It is the difference between rights and dignity. If ninety-percent of the ships populous agrees with us, but ten-percent does not... is it right to sacrifice the will of the ten, to accomplish the goal of the ninety?

I don't ask to judge, of course. Merely to discuss. Your opinion is ever-valuable to me.

Rather. He seems remarkable indeed, though the fine points and details of his world do rather escape me.

[And he is falling silent as Jehan asks that question, a little frown crossing his face.]

In that case, action would be wrong for as long as it hurt those who did not wish to be involved. There can be no forcing those who do not wish to take part in things of such nature, but were there some way to ensure they were protected...

Well, it is the sort of thing better left to compromise than to one absolute or other. If it WERE so strong an absolute, then I should have no choice but to allow things to continue. I think too, that we are different, you, and I, our friends, the others who've faced death. It is no longer so much of an unknown for us now,it does not leave so much to fear or worry at. I cannot imagine many living men for whom it is not at least something of a concern and obviously, in this proposal...

It would become a question of the greater wrong, though I would still feel badly sacrificing either way.

I see. Your answer seems reasonable and sensible, as ever you are.

Still, I might contend that having faced death; as surely, some other passengers have; introduces a new sort of conundrum, a more selfish worry of the heart. Namely this: if we are all to know that this ship can carry the dead onto its wings, than I wonder at the philosophy that destroying it may not rob loved ones of second-lives? It had not occurred to me before speaking to you, but think of it as so:

If we were to say, destroy the ship, we would know for certain that Feuilly, nor Joly, nor Bossuet would ever come aboard it. It is not difficult for us, who think them in a better place, and know their hearts well enough that they would agree with our course of action.

But what of the mother aboard, who has lost her child in life? Even if she does not fear death, perhaps she'd look upon it as condemning her child a path at life, even if the path is not optimal.

I find it curious; if debasing and unnatural; how all this technology might work, that it has real power over souls. It's chilling, truly.

A more selfish...ah. Now that you mention it, I do see what you wonder. I'd also ask how it is that those of who HAVE made their way have done so. There are so many others who have not, or those who are the only person from their world here.

We would know, yes. Would that be a comfort or a curse? I never can decide if subjecting them to this would be good or not, and my God, so much worse for a parent, or, had Eponine come here alone this time, for her as well, I think. Not optimal but...something of a chance. I do wonder what chance we are being given here at that. IS it for a new life, or is that some carrot being dangled in our faces so we keep walking forward?

Very chilling. I dislike it.

Indeed. And what of those who leave only to return, like our Eponine? I wonder where it is they go to, and whence they return from; those passed on, like ourselves. Can a ship really grip a soul from heaven, or pluck one from the River Styx?

I dislike it as much as I am now fond of it, and I am ashamed of the weakness that exists in such a fragile happiness. In having you here, and Bahorel, and Courfeyrac; it is a tender sort of life, and I should almost see the argument in putting off ending it by any means, if only there were not such a sinister effect implied by having it at all.

And they do not seem to hold memories of the time before as well. And one would think, if we were purely sole as well, we would not be as affected by so many things. What are we when it comes to it, now? Those are...a good deal of questions to consider.

It IS quite one. Even in the last several weeks...having the rest of you here has been so much a help and comfort. This is a good life, or...it could be were it not for certain parts of it. It is only the things which overwhelm it.

Indeed... one things that the body ails, and that the soul's ailments are rather less corporeal. Your migraines surely attest to your bodily humanity?

It is so. Perhaps if we did not think of it as transient, we might better approve of it.

Ironic, that. That men, who are frail and fragile and by their very nature doomed, think not of their own mortality very often. And that dead men, brought back to the living, and proven to that they can leave and return here again, think of this as merely a stopgap, and fleeting.

We have cruel logic, out species. It gives little peace, and much erudition.

They do at that. One would think if we were entirely soul, things would be far less of the earth still. It is as though we took ourselves here,even though we know otherwise.

And perhaps so. I could be happy here, I think, for the long term. I am already. But I cannot help but wonder where that moment picks up again, the one where we no longer stop.

Very little peace, at that.

I wonder by what means men are chosen?

Very little peace, but very much happiness...

It can be said that we did the same for ourselves in Paris, can it not?

There does not seem to be much pattern at that. Some means that is not immediate then, I suppose, but there. Do you think it worth looking into?

I think it could.

I think it worth, indeed, for we have ourselves learned of other worlds here, and of the transience of time. What times then, and what worlds are immune? And by what means?

It is really something you would understand better than I. I am a poor partner for you in this venture, but you are settled with me nonetheless, and I will do what I can.

Those ARE good questions to be looked at. Through a number of them I think, but perhaps SOME narrowing down will do us good.

You are a partner who compliments my strengths perfectly well, and quite makes up for my own weaknesses. I think that far more useful in almost any venture. Look to the ABC as your example there.

The ABC were made up of many more men, all of equal if varied talents. Still, yes; I shall try to keep up.

We might to best to think of that which we hope to learn, then to research it, and then to search him out. What say you?

Ah, but my principle is the same. We complimented each other, did we not, and made up for weaknesses in one area with the skill of another. That is a larger version of our plan it seems.

[And he is nodding thoughtfully here.]

Yes, yes that does seem the best.

Yes, yes, and all that; you are right. I shall concede the argument to you, as I should offend my own by not.

We are agreed, then. We might also work up some endurance in the meanwhile. Should we get very lost, as I once did, it might be some time before we return to this gentler part of the ship.

Endurance is...yes, rather a good idea, since it does not seem likely I will have any sort of guns to take along. Perhaps I can add to what Bahorel and I have been working on with that.

And yes, the possibility of being lost. We must bring at least water with us as well.

Water, very surely. And the lightest possible food, I should think. To your great joy, and to my great sorrow, there will be precious few microwaves on our journey.

[It was his sorrow only because it meant that one of them might have to learn to cook in some real and nourishing way, and quickly.]

Provided Smiley does not see fit to place them in my path as a test, of course.

[And then, Combeferre is looking mildly horrified.]

Does this mean that we need to learn how to prepare actual food?

Provided that, of course, yes.

I believe it does. Woe be to us. We shall starve most nobly.

Right then.

We need to find victims and my stack of the noodles I had meant to prepare at my dinner party in the fall. Those only need water and heat. We could also eat them dry if needed.

Eat them dry... the things you suggest. We certainly could not heat them in any way I know of, in a hallway, and without the great waste of water.

Though perhaps, if pre-boiled, we could eat them cold and soft. That might be less stabbing upon the stomach.

If needed. But only then. It would hardly be ENJOYABLE but.

[And there is a little shrug from Combeferre, and then he's frowning, considering other food items.]

Things in tins, so long as we had a mechanical opener, perhaps some of the liquid cheese. I think that we could likely manage without the noodles. Probably.

The liquid cheese... a surefire way to see that Courfeyrac does not follow us.

Though I have mentioned in passing to him that we will be up to something, and he lends us his trust. I don't dare do the same with Bahorel, alas.

Limp noodles and liquid cheese will surely hasten our search.

Oh really? Is the liquid cheese so horrifying to him then?

[There is a little laugh because Combeferre does have to admit,it's a bit frightening. ]

No, no Bahorel would go after us himself, regardless of liquid cheese or anything else in the way. Courfeyrac is...I trust him a bit more to let us simply take our chances where Bahorel might want only to protect and in doing so, overprotect us if that makes any sense.

He balks at it considerably! I find it unnatural, but forgivable and desirable even, for its part in drawing us close together. Never there was a good relationship not knit closer by the vague horrors of canned cheese.

[An eyeroll, at that.]

He acts like a bear, and thinks of us as his cubs, to point.

[And Courfeyrac he viewed as a bramble, at the moment.]

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