It’s stupid. This whole argument is stupid. But Sulen’s distressed, and if they’re ever on anyone’s side, it’s Sulens. Still, even now, they can’t quite bring themself to care about all the ethical implications. They just want to live, comfortably and without having to worry about anyone breathing down their neck.
Ashari walks over and puts a gentle hand on Sulen’s shoulder, but they’re not looking at them. Instead, their eyes bore into Sasha.
“Transdimensional aliens...” they drawl out. “Civilizations... Morals... Let me be frank. The Heptarchate hasn’t done me any favors. Neither have these moths. Dragging... dead weight... around against their will is no favor. We can stand here debating the ethical and moral implications till the heat death of the universe. So. What, my dearest Sasha, do you want us to do with this information? And. What’s in it for us? For me? The rebellion’s promised us all something, I’m sure, for our involvement. We all get something out of it. Whether it’s the chance to live, or to fulfill our sense of duty, or simply to make a lot of money.”
They lean in closer to Sulen. Their gaze is searching and their voice turns a little softer, a little less theatric. “There are billions upon billions of people, aliens, civilizations, out there, risings and falling and singing with joy and suffering. No matter which way you turn, there’s a change you can make, a helping hand you can lend. So. Why the Heptarchate? Why the moths? Why any of this? What would freeing one, even ten, moths do, when there’s thousands more enslaved across time and space? And what can even one rebellion hope to accomplish in the face of sheer scope of what this damn empire is? Do we really think there’s something we can do, or is this just to ease the weight on our consciences?”
They look back up at Sasha, and they’re tired. They’ve been tired for longer than they care to admit. “You’re right. This is about what we’re willing to risk. We’re all here, I think, because we have more to gain than lose. But what’s the point? What is it that you want? And why should we risk anything?”
Ashari is terrible as always
Ashari walks over and puts a gentle hand on Sulen’s shoulder, but they’re not looking at them. Instead, their eyes bore into Sasha.
“Transdimensional aliens...” they drawl out. “Civilizations... Morals... Let me be frank. The Heptarchate hasn’t done me any favors. Neither have these moths. Dragging... dead weight... around against their will is no favor. We can stand here debating the ethical and moral implications till the heat death of the universe. So. What, my dearest Sasha, do you want us to do with this information? And. What’s in it for us? For me? The rebellion’s promised us all something, I’m sure, for our involvement. We all get something out of it. Whether it’s the chance to live, or to fulfill our sense of duty, or simply to make a lot of money.”
They lean in closer to Sulen. Their gaze is searching and their voice turns a little softer, a little less theatric. “There are billions upon billions of people, aliens, civilizations, out there, risings and falling and singing with joy and suffering. No matter which way you turn, there’s a change you can make, a helping hand you can lend. So. Why the Heptarchate? Why the moths? Why any of this? What would freeing one, even ten, moths do, when there’s thousands more enslaved across time and space? And what can even one rebellion hope to accomplish in the face of sheer scope of what this damn empire is? Do we really think there’s something we can do, or is this just to ease the weight on our consciences?”
They look back up at Sasha, and they’re tired. They’ve been tired for longer than they care to admit. “You’re right. This is about what we’re willing to risk. We’re all here, I think, because we have more to gain than lose. But what’s the point? What is it that you want? And why should we risk anything?”