[So filtered from Fletcher, Backdated to several hours after the destruction of the Clock]

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

I notice that everyone's gone back to normal rather quickly. Well, almost everyone. I hear people are making plans for parties already.

That's nice. For all of you, anyway.

Some of us won't be able to pretend everything's okay. And I'm not talking about people whose timelines look like they're permanently fucked up. I'm actually talking about a certain group of individuals that were unaffected, and were sent on what was supposed to be a mission to help another culture, and turned into something very different. I hope everyone was pleased with the result of that mission, because there are going to be some results of it that will never fade. They will be permanent. I've sunk to some very deep lows in my life, but this takes the fucking cake.

An eleven-year-old was forced to kill someone on that mission.

Eleven years old.

Are we all sure we want a computer making our personnel decisions for us? Because I want to make one thing crystal clear.

Fletcher goes on no missions. Period. I don't care if it's the computer, the Captain, or anyone else that thinks they have that right.

Fletcher goes nowhere, especially not without me.

If you'll excuse me, I have to figure out how he's going to deal with this now.

I hope you're all fucking happy.

Comments

[chosenlightchld.livejournal.com]

... I'm sorry to hear that he needed to that.

What was the mission that he was sent on supposed to be about?

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

I don't know and I don't care. There's more important things than that to me right now.

[chosenlightchld.livejournal.com]

Well, knowing that would help us know why they'd put him in that position in the first place...

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

It was to help these people, but they ended up turning on them to sacrifice them to their "god".

[chosenlightchld.livejournal.com]

It... what?

That, the fact they could've even thought of that was probably something that Stacy should've mentioned...

[colorfulworld]

I'm sorry.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

Too late for that.

[colorfulworld]

I know, but I'm still sorry.

[cow-abunga.livejournal.com]

So, you've got some big plan to stop Stacy from making him go on a mission? Because if Fletcher gets selected again, she's going to force the issue.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

I don't care. I won't have him going anywhere.

[notlewis]

As the one who was in charge of it, I'm sorry for what happened, but it was not something we could have foreseen or avoided.

But just so you know, your brother volunteered for that mission, Russel.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know. But that doesn't mean that it's always been that way. Or will be in the future.

[notlewis]

He was a big help down there, and he did a good job. If he volunteers in the future, you can't keep stepping in for him like this.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

You may be the boss of our section, but that doesn't mean you get to have anything to say about how I handle my brother. Only one man would ever be able to override me, and you ain't him.

[notlewis]

Your brother doesn't have a say of his own?

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

Something tells me he's not chomping at the bit to get put on another mission again either. Just a feeling.

[radiantcourage.livejournal.com]

First off, I'm sorry if my words anger or otherwise set you off.

But, the sad reality is that using children for war and other things is not new. It's been around for a while, and while I am very sorry for what he had to do, he did it to survive and make sure he came back to you.

... If it helps any, I know of a few children who have been dealing of the severity this multidimensional war in different kinds of ways. I'd recommend Fletcher talking to Sasami Masaki Jurai, my surrogate little sister who helped me out when I first got here. Or even Negi Springfield, too.

He, or you, doesn't have to go through this alone, either.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying it is. But where do we draw the fucking line? Eight? Six?

If some kids have those skills, fine. But Fletcher doesn't. He's as far from child soldier as you can get.

Answer me something. What are you fighting this war for?

[radiantcourage.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if it were up to me, no children of any kind would have to fight this war.

And, I can understand that. How can you expect a child to sully their hands? How can you expect someone that young to understand the severity of what they did?

I'm fighting this war for to hopefully see my family and my friends, of which that I haven't had any contact in months with. The fact that I haven't spoken or seen them scares the living daylights out of me because I don't know if they survived or are sleeping in the pod caverns. But, what helps me go by is the fact that I have others who are in the same boat as me who help ease my worries and give me the strength that maybe things are going to be okay.

The things we fight for may not be easy, but having others help. That's why I offered both Sasami and Negi up to help Fletcher out. Say what you will of it, but having a support system helps out a lot.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

I'm not here to listen to anyone's sob story. This message is primarily directed at Commmand and the Council, whatever they're worth.

[radiantcourage.livejournal.com]

Who says it's a sob story? You asked me a question, however hypothetical it was, and I gave you an answer.

But, very well. You may state whatever you feel your opinion is. The offer I gave is still open if you'd like to take those people up on it.

Have a wonderful day.

[thewunderkind]

Trying to overprotect whoever you're protecting won't help him in a war, genius.

Dunno what world you come from, but no one in mine would bat an eye at that statement. At least in Black Hole.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

You know, I really wouldn't really expect most of you ignorant assholes to get it, anyway.

He's not a soldier. The sooner everyone gets that, the less people I have to punch in the face.

[thewunderkind]

[No she won't.]

I'd like to see you try punching me, weirdo.

So then, what do you expect him to do in this war? Do you honestly think sheltering him is going to suddenly solve all your problems? Because that's just dumb.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

So I'm either a moron for protecting him, or I'd be the dick brother for letting him completely lose everything he has that makes him who he is in this war.

I guess I'll take the moron.

[icanhashat.livejournal.com]

That little farmboy kid had to kill someone?

He barely looks like he could kill bugs.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

Looks like someone finally gets my point.

[icanhashat.livejournal.com]

Ain't right...but it ain't his fault either.

And if it ever came down to it, do or die, him or them it better be him.

War ain't no place for a boy.

[chainedbyred.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, you get it. That's what I'm saying. And I don't want him running the risk of it getting worse.

[icanhashat.livejournal.com]

Never much cared for war myself, more of an...independent contractor.

You got a plan on how to take care of him then? Keep Stacy from sending him out again?

[not_the_philistine]

We have not spoken before, but I was on the mission you speak of.

In my peoples' tradition, it is not uncommon that a young person should have to kill in defense of himself or his family. But these are young soldiers, and your brother is not one such child.

For my part in that mission, I am sorry I did not prevent the actions that put him in the position to kill. I do not know if you will be able to stop him from being conscripted for future missions, or if to remove him from all missions is best, but I wish you success in your efforts to protect your family.