Scorched Earth Policies

[rekindledtitan]

Blaze tends to treat the Plaza as one stop on her patrol route through the Nexus - and usually the last stop, at that. Today, however, she’s not going anywhere else. She didn’t even stop to repair the burns and blade-marks that mar her white armor before she showed up, and she doesn’t sit now. When her boots hit the paving stones she strides a little way further in and just stands there, metal face locked in a frown. Her tiny silver Ghost materializes beside her shoulder, shell spinning as he studies his troubled Guardian.

"If you found out someone erased part of your history from the records, how would you deal with that?” she blurts out, never one to hold back on her thoughts. Her helm’s gripped in her left hand, and she taps it against her leg uneasily. “You think there are any stories that just shouldn't be remembered?"

Comments

[rekindledtitan]

"It's a lot, yeah. Even for an upper estimate. Zavala did say they go way back, though. Back to before there was even a City. There used to be far more Guardians in the old days. They'd mass in hundreds for some battles. And I'd guess, if any new Titans were raised on Mars or Venus for the last few decades, they'd probably join the Sunbreakers before they got back to the City."

Now she's thinking about it, that puts a more sympathetic spin on at least some of them. What if the City's near-abandonment of the wider system angered them? It's hard not to sympathize with that.

"They might. I can try and talk to their Ghosts, at the very least. I'm sure the worst thing they'd do is ignore me." He looks between them. "You know, Zavala mentioned they were involved with a Warlock called Osiris. He... caused a lot of dissension, in the old days of the City. Maybe this is all just an old philosophical argument that's never been resolved."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia listens keenly to both her friends, the information they offer putting the situation into greater perspective. But while Blaze might now be viewing the Sunbreakers in a more sympathetic light, Adia only looks more nervous. A philosophical argument is still an argument, and several decades is more than long enough to build up a grudge into something vengeful.

Taking a deep breath, she tries to tamp down her worries. Blaze's world is not her own. And regardless of how the Sunbreakers feel towards the rest of the Guardians, they do not have the baggage that her own people are saddled with.

"I hope it works out for you," she tells Blaze sincerely. "And that you're able to learn their ability, at the very least. Your City needs all the help it can get."

[rekindledtitan]

"Thanks. Just from the things we've seen out there, every edge counts. Whatever they're doing out there, it's about time their fire came home. One way or another." Her voice is softer than usual, there, but she shakes off whatever thought is on her mind and looks back at Adia.

"Should've asked how you're holding up already. Are you all right? Any change in your situation?"

[chiron_survivor]

The softness in Blaze's voice doesn't go unnoticed, but before she can think to ask about it, the conversation has turned around to her and the subject of her own problems.

"Well..." She trails off, uncertain where to start. Technically, nothing has changed, but an awful lot has happened, and she'd rather not worry Blaze over events that are already over and done with.

She did ask, though.

"There was a mutiny. The vice president and one of Galactica's lieutenants attempted a coup and took control of Galactica for about 24 hours. Commander Adama and his crew regained control, but not before Zarek shot the Quorum. That's our legislative body. They wouldn't support the coup."

[rekindledtitan]

She can see Ghost's optic widen, Blaze's flaring brighter in concern. "Light! That's every damn thing you need. Everyone else all right? How many were in on the mutiny?" Ugh, that kind of schism in the ranks is like a nightmare to her. Especially given her current concerns about how her fellow Guardians handle conflict...

"It's a good thing you weren't stationed there," Ghost adds, just relieved their friend is safe.

[chiron_survivor]

"Everyone else is fine," she says, quick to reassure her friends after their understandable reaction. "The Cylon basestar blocked Galactica's access to the rest of the Fleet." As for how many sided with Zarek, she can't help but look a little disappointed. "About a hundred people? Civilians, mostly. President Roslin pardoned them all, except for Zarek and Gaeta. They were executed."

It's hard for her not to have mixed feelings over the fallout. In an ideal world, the ringleaders would serve life sentences, and the others punished according to the severity of their crimes. But even on the Colonies, treason was a capital offense. And what good would it really do to execute anyone else?

Hearing the relief in Ghost's voice, she smiles softly. "Yeah, good thing." And then she stands a little straighter, a determined expression on her face. "But I will be stationed there tomorrow. And after my shift, I'm meeting with Captain Agathon. I'm going to tell him about the Nexus. Jim offered to find an abandoned planet in Federation space that the Fleet can relocate to. I'll present my plan, and hopefully Commander Adama and President Roslin, too."

She's nervous. But hopeful, too. "I've been downloading some photos and blueprints onto my PINpoint to help support my case."

[rekindledtitan]

"Executed, huh? That's a viciously sharp line to draw." Blaze sounds troubled enough herself. What's done is done, and Adia had no hand in any of it, but surely that's a lot of open wounds left there.

Adia's other news is more immediate, though, something to catch her attention and move them on. "Now that's a real plan! You're going to single-handedly give your people a shot at a new home!" She laughs. "I just hope they can stop gaping long enough to listen to you!"

"That's huge!" Ghost zips a circle around her in excitement. "Good luck, Adia! Whatever happens, I'm sure in the end they'll be thrilled."

He's cautious, because the little bot can foresee emotions running... high, in that situation. Moreso than Blaze does. But this can only save her people now, and that's what matters.

[chiron_survivor]

"This war's been nothing but sharp lines," she murmurs, before catching the exhaustion in her voice. "On the bright side, the rebel Cylons have formally joined the Fleet. It's only the enemy Cylons that we have to watch out for now."

And hopefully not for much longer, if the plan to relocate works. She smiles again, relaxing a little when her friends shower her with enthusiasm. "That's what I'm most worried about, but honestly? At this point I'd teleport all three of them to the middle of the Plaza if that's what it takes to get them to believe me."

More soberly, she adds, "Captain Agathon is a good person. And open-minded. His wife's a Cylon, you know. The first Cylon to join the Fleet. If there's anyone who'd listen to an idea about jumping to a different universe, it'd be him."