heavenfang | Forty Fifth Star

Entry tags:

Forty Fifth Star

...

It's a no-win scenario... Mathiu hated these.

[Police Force Filter]

We need to find the two suspects. Arresting them is pointless, our only option is more death...

If no one else is willing to do this, then I will. All I need is a small unit to go with me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

...

If I am in immediate danger, then they would have escalated, and it would be justifiable homicide.

Call it what you will, it's still killing.

The difference is in the law.

Hmmm...

Well, at least this will make Kazuki happy. I guess... he's not too fond of either of us being in danger.

...Hm.

[Because once again she doesn't know how to respond to that.]

...He likes you, you know.

...As he should. We are friends.

Forty Fifth Star

[ police lock ]

[ police lock ]

[ police lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]

[ private lock ]