heavenfang | Forty Fifth Star

How many people, Naoto? You're not answering the goddamn question!

That procedure works, in theory. But you KNOW they're going to resist and you KNOW they are going to take as many of us down in the process as they can! So how many people, Naoto? How many people are you going to let die because of this?

This is hardly a lynch mob. That's just as bad. All I want is a small unit, maybe two or three, to help me do what clearly needs to be done, but no one else seems willing to accomplish. My hands are already stained... let me take the burden.

You mean that you are already a murderer.

This situation is bad enough already; there is no need to make it worse by forming, yes, a mob intending to kill the suspects. If they were to be killed in the process of an arrest, that would be different. But you are not suggesting that! And if that word gets out—if they speak on their return of your charging in to kill them, then you would need to be arrested again. And the police force's reputation would suffer the more.

I would not have you lecturing me about the protection of others and the prevention of their deaths. Not when you are proposing the same thing. If they fight, so shall I, but my goal is to reduce the deaths to the absolute minimum. Even the life of a murderer should be, if possible, protected.

Yes, Naoto. A murderer. A soldier. A leader. I've had to kill, send people to kill, and send people to BE killed.

Your talk of reducing death is contradictory. By not immediately using the necessary force to end this, you're already damning yourself and others to more of that death. Two lives versus a possible greater amount. That's not reducing death, that's a fight to stay on the side of morality.

They have not acted directly, as far as I can tell, since 'kissing' the victims, which seems to have started at roughly the same time—in one batch, as it were. They have not continued to inflict malice, not have they threatened to. They are less of a threat than their victims, at this moment.

Based on Mr. Garland's report, they're capable of more than that. They've been playing with kid gloves this entire time.

And unfortunately, in accordance to the law, until they escalate, we are bound not to.

You are a solider, back home. I am a detective. I have worked with law enforcement for years.

Then whose idea was it to round up the infected and "mercy" kill them?

Justifiable homicides will be treated as any other homicide, right?

We're already in the darkness, here...

In that instance, it is to prevent the victims from more pain than they have already inflicted—as well as the citizens on a whole. I take and plan to take full responsibility for my actions. I will not allow you to worsen things for yourself—and us all.

....

I want there to be a better way, but I don't want any more people to die. I don't know how else this will work. I want to believe that we can arrest them without casualties, but my experiences have taught me better...

It does not matter what you believe or doubt. You must follow the law.

...

I'm not going to let you walk to your death just trying to apprehend these people. Kazuki cares about you and... I can't just let you do something I know is going to get you killed.

Let someone who has already been damned in the eyes of the public take the fall for this. Let me end this and keep you alive.

[she has NO IDEA how to react to that. Give her a few minutes.

...Yeah.] I can take care of myself. You are the only to worry about.

...To be honest, I'm still not sure I could go through with it. I don't have any special powers to counteract them. All I have is Heaven Fang. But I had hoped that... well, SHOULD I succeed, then the police force could easily vilify me in the eyes of the public. They already look at me as a criminal, after all.

And if I hadn't succeeded... well, it would have proved you right, at least. And kept you safe. Naoto, I don't doubt your strength, but I also know Kazuki. I know how he gets around... someone he's close to. I don't want him to have to go through losing both of us. So... just one should do, and it should be me.

Quit the force. Resign. Immediately.

It is the same end, without the additional mess and failure. [...] You are far closer to Kazuki-san than I, and I won't argue something this pointless with you.

I guess what really matters, in the end, is Minato's decision. Elimination or arrest...

If things go south, I guess I really won't have a choice but to resign.

Considering how little regard you have for the force, you may as well not wait.

Why do you feel like I have little regard for the force? Is it really that, or are you just upset that our senses of justice differ so greatly?

At least I don't try to pretend I'm above killing.

Because you continue to show an utter lack of regard for law—

What?

Yes! I said it! The law you are accusing me of disregarding says that even justifiable homicide will still be treated as homicide! You were honestly suggesting KILLING the infected out of mercy! And you know what? I AGREED with your idea. It would minimize the number of lives lost.

But the moment I say that we should kill those responsible, therefore replacing their chips, so that this will end outright, I'm suddenly a horrible person? Do you realize how much of a hypocrite you sound like?

If left alone, the monsters will hurt and kill their friends, loved ones, any in their paths. That is the definition of a justifiable homicide. To kill a suspect simply because it is easier is entirely different, and I will not have you calling me a hypocrite because I dare give a suspect the right to fair treatment.

If that is too difficult for you to understand, consider this: the monsters would or can legally be assumed to want to be killed, rather than kill their loved ones. To kill them is likely—if not their wish—not something they would object to. To kill a suspect is against their wish. And even they have rights, much as I am loathe to admit it.

Do you honestly think I care about the suspects? I would have them dead as well! But I will not break the law for their sakes. You would because you find it easier.

You're cheapening it. I'm not doing this because it's easy. It is the furthest thing from simple to take a life. Even beings like them...

But I also know that, in reality, they have displayed a power far greater than we're equipped to handle. How would we detain them? What are the chances of the scientists agreeing to replace their chips? Your plan contains too many variables that allow the suspects changes to cause more chaos...

I want this to be done right. I want to be able to just arrest them and remain on the side of presumed righteousness. But... I know that will just end up with more dead.

You only know that because the only reaction you ever have is to kill. I refuse to argue this with you.

...that... that's not true. Is that how you really think of me?

[No, it's not, but you've gotten her mad.] Prove it wrong.

...

Alright. If that's what it takes, then we'll do this your way. But I make no promises if you're in immediate danger.

Forty Fifth Star

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