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Post by Allen Silva on Feb 1, 2023 6:49:04 GMT -5
Allen was more interested in knowing what in the hell Petra did and said to Noland than anything else right now. He was tempted to remind her that she's the ex-girlfriend here. It wouldn't be out of spite, but for necessity since Noland's happiness in the long run depends on her going back to where she was before all of this started: the Seven Angels and out of the Resistors' hair. Since she hasn't done anything to him personally, he kept his mouth shut, but that didn't stop him from wishing he could say it out loud.
"You good?" Allen asked Noland upfront. "Knew you'd pull through, but - well, you know." Allen didn't want to mention the obvious to Noland, but he should get the idea.
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Post by Noland Hardy on Feb 1, 2023 7:38:34 GMT -5
"No... At least right now. If that scared some or all of you, it scared me a lot more," Noland answered with surprising honesty. "Sorry if I'm coming across as overprotective or being a glory hog... I called you here, but turned your help away when you came... I guess...seeing Skystar get corrupted made me think about what could happen to us if either Gargulion or Ahio turned evil. I trust you all. I was just...afraid of what might happen to you once you've been corrupted once...what might happen to us or an innocent with the powers we have..."
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Post by Tracy White on Feb 4, 2023 10:21:54 GMT -5
"No need to be sorry. You did what you thought was best with what you knew he was capable of doing at the time. We survived. That's what matters," Tracy rationalized. "With that said...thank God you survived that... It sounded like you were expecting to die there, so... If you don't scare any of us like that again, I'd really appreciate it..."
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Post by Alana Cortese on Feb 4, 2023 10:34:32 GMT -5
Alana let out a loud sigh of relief after hearing that. She was still trying to calm her nerves. As she did, she locked herself into a deep staring contest with Noland. She saw a faint dark color flash on and off in his pupils. That's how she could tell that Noland was being very honest about his state of mind right now. He definitely wasn't okay.
"As long as you're done fighting for now, then fine," Alana decided. "You should rest... Do that for your sake, okay?"
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Post by Noland Hardy on Feb 4, 2023 10:57:01 GMT -5
"..." Knowing he already worried Alana enough, Noland knew doing anything else was going to push her far past her limits of tolerance for his antics. At this point, he felt like he would have to rest for her sake as well.
"Okay," Noland complied without resistance. He dialed a number on his BrawlX to call someone and closed his eyes at the same time. He seemed to be searching for someone specific. That someone answered up.
"You still alive, Ken?" Noland asked.
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Post by Kendrick Hardy on Feb 23, 2023 17:03:39 GMT -5
Several sighs of relief were heard coming through Noland's BrawlX before Kendrick said anything.
"He's alive... Thank you, Lord..." Sandra sighed.
"Grandma's panicking scared me more than seeing you go into the Doom Dimension with that...'thing'," Kendrick expressed. "But yes, I'm alive. Everyone else is too. Well...the Secret Service agents probably won't be. Their boss is being a dickhead over letting you out of the house despite no one here being at fault for that."
"...I'll let that slide for now since it's true..." Sandra excused.
"How about you? I take that back. Obviously, you're alive. You should probably-"
"Get back here so he could explain to this idiot how we didn't just throw him to New York City!" one of the Secret Service agents yelled from the other room. He was loud enough to where even the BrawlX picked it up.
"Well...what he said..." Kendrick finished.
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 6, 2023 18:40:39 GMT -5
"Noted," Noland accepted. "We'll be there shortly. I'll keep the line open until we do."
After saying that, ambulances showed up behind them. The vehicles had an antenna-like device on their roofs that allowed the occupants inside to monitor everyone's vitals. Medical personnel exited the vehicles and converged on them before going to the scene.
"Master Blaze, are you feeling okay?" one of them immediately asked.
"No, but medical attention won't fix it, so don't worry about me," Noland answered.
Suddenly, Noland looked to his left as a pillar of golden light appeared near him to drop off Asuka. "The Knights and Angels are my responsibility," she took charge. "You can focus all of your resources on Calvin."
"Copy that," one of the medical people acknowledged. "We got our New York counterparts in the city right now, so if anything changes, let us know."
Asuka turned to face Noland. She lightly nodded in approval for what he was able to do. "A deal's a deal. I will be in contact just like last time. Until then..." The Knights and Angels were bathed in a golden aura before disappearing in the same pillar of light that Asuka arrived in. Asuka followed shortly after that. All Noland could do was shake his head.
"I'll believe that when I see it..." Noland remarked on Asuka holding up her end of the deal they agreed to.
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Post by Andrew Bullock on Mar 7, 2023 19:49:31 GMT -5
Andrew took Calvin to an undisclosed location for medical treatment. He stood outside of Calvin's room while the medical professionals did their jobs. As he did, he was in deep thought about what happened with Montai earlier. He thought about it for a bit, but then smiled and let out a sigh of relief. It appeared he was glad to be done with her. However, he wouldn't get to celebrate too long, because she decided to show up unannounced...
"You were right," Montai vaguely admitted.
"About what?" Andrew wondered.
"'Us' was a mistake, so...thanks for helping me realize that."
"..." He didn't expect her to admit this so confidently. ”Okay?”
"Fortunately for you, I've done so much covering up for how you've been treating certain suspects that I would implicate myself if I were to take action against you. Plus, we were in a relationship, so I can't do anything to you that would look like retribution."
"Your point is?"
"You'll have a month as a courtesy to get whatever you're about out of your system. Then, whatever happens after that, it's fair game."
"What do you mean by that?”
”You’re a smart man. What do you think I mean?”
”If you’re implying reassignment or firing me, then do so without stating the reasoning behind it.”
”Better idea: OIG for every agency involved in there.”
”Please don’t do that.”
”Ohhhhh… And why’s that? Too afraid to look back at all of your dark decisions?”
”I said this before. I am what I am and I’ve made peace with that. Involving any OIG’s will be the last mistake you’ll ever make if you do it.”
”...Excuse me?”
”You can believe what you want about me, but I will draw the line in certain scenarios. There are many in this network who do not and will not. Many of the worst criminals ever brought to justice by the federal government and the military who could not be captured due to this country's laws...you playing the 'hero' would have them released, and then they will be free to scam, hurt, and kill to their hearts content. Many will gladly go to prison or die before they allow you or those like you to ruin everything. There are even people in this building that will tell you that...from experience...”
"Then why let me go in there in the first place? You knew how I was going to react."
"I'll keep that to myself."
"...Are you planning something...?"
"You're a smart woman. I'm sure you'll figure it eventually."
"...Alright...I...I'm done...Nero. I guess that's who you'll always be then..."
"..." Andrew didn't pay any mind to Montai storming off in a hissy fit. He returned his focus onto Calvin, thinking of all of the possible ways to get the information he wants out of the former hero.
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 8, 2023 14:04:28 GMT -5
Andrew and Montai's relationship wasn't the only relationship getting broken down. Asuka and Alex may get into it soon.
The Silver Knights called an emergency meeting with its leadership: the Round Table. It was not named due to the obvious 'Knights of the Round Table' with the Silver Knights being labeled 'knights'. It was named this way because it's a council of members from Silver Knight branches from all over the world. The members' identities are hidden so well that only a Marshall, the leader of a Silver Knight branch - may know who they are. Anytime someone speaks with them, their faces are never shown and their voices are masked using voice-changing technology.
Asuka, Alex, and Daniel were sitting in a conference room by themselves after receiving minor medical attention. Daniel and Alex sat across from Asuka, but they paid her no mind. Alex was in deep thought over what he saw and heard during the battle. What did Betadron mean by saying Ares wanted to reset everyone's minds? Why was there 'friendly fire' from Ares to Drago at all? This never happened when she fought alongside Maria. Even if her and Noland are not compatible as partners, Asuka is usually more careful. So...what the hell is going on? Could this behavior be linked to Eden's aggressive behavior towards Noland?
"Something on your mind?" Asuka wondered as she could see something was bothering them.
"Plenty. You're dangerous to us, and with what happened out there, I no longer feel safe working with you or the Angels," Daniel spoke up.
"Daniel," Alex called to signal him to stop.
"What happened with the Angels was unacceptable," Daniel continued anyway.
"I agree," Asuka surprisingly concurred.
"They asked for backup many times before we fought Calvin and Drake. Where were they?"
"I'm not sure."
"Really?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Daniel, that's enough," Alex called out again.
"You and Victoria are practically best friends with how often you two interact, and you know nothing about what's going on over there? Bullshit. Also, I heard what Betadron said. You're planning something. Whether or not that has anything to do with why Eden is refusing to backup Petra and Sydney, I don't know yet, but I know this. You're a shady motherfucker. Ares attacked Drago twice ON PURPOSE. You knew full well what your abilities do more than anyone in this org, and you used them anyway. You REPRIMANDED people for doing exactly what you did. You along with people from Eden came to our roll calls and spouted, 'Team work this and team work that,' but you attack our help and the Angels are left out there to die. This is why we aren't trusted. Why do you think people avoid teaming up with you whenever possible? How should I trust you have our best interests when you'll just as easily attack allies without provocation?"
"That's enough!" Alex yelled out as he finally had enough.
"..."
"Now I'm done. And just so you're not confused, my cooperation with you on your little 'missions' is over until I see a justifiable reason why these things are happening." Daniel was only so brave to say all of that since Asuka has no authority to get rid of him. The Grim Reapers fall under the control of the Admiral of Ruin, so he could say whatever he wanted and avoid punishment. Now, when Maria finds out about this...
"..." Alex didn't want Daniel to say anything about that out of fear of retaliation, which may put his intel on what's really going on at risk. However...these were glaring safety issues that they can't ignore.
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 10, 2023 11:01:57 GMT -5
Somehow, a monitor in the room turned on and displayed a Zoom-like interface that showed the heavily distorted faces of multiple individuals.
"We'll get to that in a moment," one of them said as if they heard everything that Daniel said. It was impossible to know which one of the many people asked it due to the voice changers. "Don't worry. We won't be criticizing your performance in that battle. We heard that Trinity interfered, so we understand that things would naturally get dicey over there. Furthermore, the Resistors mitigated a lot of the potential damage, so things are mostly okay... Mostly..."
"We've talked with your Marshal. This Branch has been in the epicenter of various world-threatening events, and you are still recovering from what happened with the Hurranians. We understand that and hope you're all doing okay, whatever that looks like. With that said, your recovery doesn't stop you all from using your brains."
"So, Admiral, we have a couple of questions to ask you. Our first question: do you consider what happened in New York City to be Silver Knight jurisdiction?"
"Yes."
"Was this situation given a priority since the attackers were actively destroying the place?"
"Yes."
"Explain what your plans were for that then."
"Containment. Initially, threats of violence were issued instead of violence itself. Due to the high volume of civilians in the area who have not been evacuated, engaging them at all would bring unnecessary loss. Standard procedure was followed."
"So, we'll skip over the finer details since that bought you all some time to get people out. Trinity is now on scene after throwing Gungnir. First of all, did you know she was in the area? Why or why not?"
"I did not. We have not developed a solution to keeping track of her. We have attempted to work with the CIA to know her whereabouts as best as we could. However, they have not returned our calls."
"When did this start?"
"Shortly after Markus and Tank were imprisoned at Raiden."
"Did anything happen in there?"
"Victoria told them that Eden was tracking Noland due to the ring I gave him after meeting with me."
"Did you report this meeting?"
"No."
"Is the ring dangerous?"
"No."
"Have you done this before?"
"Yes."
"With more civilians?"
"Lydia."
"You of all people understand why there's a paper trail for contacts with civilians? So that situations like these are avoided?"
"I do, and I apologize for that error."
"We'll be investigating what transpired in these 'meetings' young lady. Understood?"
"Yes."
"The CIA seemingly cuts off contact after two Resistors are told a reason why Eden is tracking Noland. We're going to now assume that you're on their radar. It's also possible that the FBI might be looking at you as well. While our battle power is higher than theirs, our investigative capabilities are not, and if they are allied with the Resistors, it's possible that they can detain you if it comes to that. You do understand this, right?"
"I understand."
"So, going back to the part where Trinity is on scene. Was backup requested considering that an extremely dangerous enemy just showed up?"
"Yes."
"Who did?"
"Daniel."
"Daniel, did this backup show up?"
"No. The only backup we got was the Admiral and the Master Blaze, but they were summoned to the battle by our enemy."
"Admiral, why were you the only backup available from the Knights?"
"I am not sure."
"You should be. You're an Admiral. You're in that position so you can be sure."
"I understand."
"No...you don't. This happened with the Pack and the Hurranians as well. While the Pack overran the country, it was the Infernal Order preventing you from responding. When the Hurranians are about to wipe out all life on the planet, it was Chrono Elite. Now what's the excuse? Crimson being bad again? Eden? How about Noland's grandmother secretly plotting to destroy the world? You admitted to us that there was nothing stopping this situation from being the priority. Surely, you have a justifiable reason why more Knights weren't on the scene this time. That would make sense, wouldn't it?"
"It would. We failed in that regard."
"You failed again! And we're beyond sick of it!"
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 16, 2023 17:56:02 GMT -5
There was a concerning silence in the room after that outburst. That outburst's first sentence contained so much facts that there were no excuses that could be made to counter it.
"This is why the Resistors should've been forced to join us from the start... All this talk about 'reckless' behavior from certain Knights is laughable. Their results say all that needs to be said. They succeed. We fail. It's that simple. We had the perfect opportunity to knight them when Noland did what he did at FedEx Field... It was a clear choice: either join us or get arrested. But someone's 'moral compass' allowed them all to have an escape."
"That's irrelevant and we shouldn't be blaming Alex's decision for what's going on now."
"And why not? Wasn't this welp the one who left Dr. Kyuki - excuse me, PROFESSOR DOCTOR Kyuki - alive after defeating him, leaving the Resistors to kill him and take his soul? And then, as a thank you for saving his career, he attempts to severely injure or KILL Markus? Everything that has transpired up until now involves a decision he made! Imagine how many battles we would've ended if they were completely on our side!"
"What's your point?"
"From the moment Noland did what he did, a pattern started, a pattern of people making the wrong decisions in this branch! And many of these decisions deprived us from having the Resistors under our watch! They deprived us from having to sit here and wonder if we're capable of protecting this planet! This situation - among many others - could've been avoided if they were Silver Knights and you all know it!"
"...He or she isn't wrong... A bit...abrasive...but not wrong...."
"And why would that change anything? There's still the issue of the decision-making. Having the Resistors with us wouldn't have changed the fact that people here think not being there when it counts is okay."
"...Also not wrong..."
"We can argue those points at a later time. Right now, we're focused on what happened in New York City, because that's what's important NOW. We need to figure out why this keeps happening instead of worrying about who could've - or should've - been Silver Knights from the start."
"Fine, but I'm telling you right now. I'm not through with this. Someone will answer for it. I promise you all that!"
"I have an idea that'll address the poor decision-making and the decisions that may or have led to the Resistors' distrust of us AND Eden. Have the Marshal activate the Lost Generals. It's clear that we're in times when the strongest brawler in this branch is getting overpowered by the enemies, and she's proven incapable of leading these Knights properly. The Generals will take over how everything's allocated and be the main fighting force of the Knights in that area. In the meantime, investigate Asuka, Alexander, and Maria; bench them until the process is complete. With this, we'll address the deficiencies in battle power, decision-making, and resource allocation while investigating everything that led up to where we are now. Fair enough?"
"...I'm fine with that. Any objections?"
"That sounds very reasonable to me. Go ahead."
"Agreed." A bunch of 'agreed' comments flooded the comms.
"Good. Then it's settled then. Check your emails for the next steps. The Lost Generals will now be activated. That is all."
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 16, 2023 18:15:32 GMT -5
The monitor turned off. Asuka was largely unbothered, but both Alex and Daniel were stunned.
"...Well...shit..." Daniel sighed.
"..." Alex walked out of the room without saying a word. Daniel watched him leave with some concern for him. That concern quickly disappeared when he returned his attention to Asuka. He saw the 'I don't care' look on her face. Being investigated by the Round Table was one of the worst things that can happen to anyone in this organization. That's because they can do whatever the hell they want since the Silver Knights are tasked with protecting the world. There are specific guidelines though. For example, people can be imprisoned or killed just to get information, but only to prevent the person being investigated from learning about it. Such guidelines were agreed upon by lawmakers around the world. Such lawmakers could potentially be members of the Round Table...
"I wish it was just you in this situation and not Alex and Maria, but...whatever comes out of this investigation will be very interesting," Daniel commented. "Well then...you have fun with that."
Asuka groaned as she watched Daniel leave. Then, once he did, she cracked a sly smile...
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 20, 2023 7:38:45 GMT -5
Alex walked towards an area where many medics were walking around and promptly moving out of his way when he approached. He went into a room where Lydia was tending to Sydney who was laid out on the standard hospital bed.
”What happened?” Lydia wondered.
”Asuka was benched. Maria and I as well. The three of us are about to be investigated. Whatever happens to us during or after that...I don’t know,” Alex kept simple.
”...” Lydia was so shocked by this that she looked away from Sydney and looked right at him. Even Sydney poked her head up so he could see the shock and awe on her face. ”That doesn’t make any sense......Why Maria if she wasn’t there? And why not Daniel if he was…?”
”It’s not just about what happened at New York. They want to know everything: the Pack, the Hurranians, and Betadron… They want to know why the Resistors succeeded where we failed, why they showed up to fight when we didn’t…and why they don’t trust us or Eden… They’re sending the Lost Generals here as we speak.”
”…”
”...I’m sorry...” Sydney apologized.
”Sorry for what?” Alex wondered.
”What’s happening is all my fault…”
”You did what you had to do. I don’t blame you for that.”
”That doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things though… I still did it...and what did I become because of it…?”
”...” That question disturbed Alex a little.
”I’m the reason why the Resistors don’t trust Eden… I doubt Petra trusts me either… I think the only reason she puts up with me is to stop whoever did this to us… She was my best friend...and I treated her so bad… My responsibilities made people feel horrible who didn’t deserve it… I don’t know what to do with that...”
Hearing Sydney say this made Alex think about Markus. What was Markus thinking after he did what he did? Alex remembers being too pissed off to consider what Markus was truly saying to him when the confrontation happened. Perhaps if Alex could ask Markus what his thoughts are, he can better understand why Sydney is taking so much personal responsibility for doing what she did while under duress.
”Please...don’t hold yourself solely responsible… We all played a part in this...” Lydia admitted. It was both a confession and a way to get Sydney to feel like she wasn’t in this alone.
”...” Sydney groaned and laid back down. Tears flowed down her face like a waterfall.
”See if you can find Petra… I’ll take care of Syd...” Lydia assured Alex.
”...Okay...”
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 20, 2023 7:39:45 GMT -5
Petra was already being talked to by Daniel in a separate conference room from the one where the Round Table made their intentions known.
”You should talk to someone, preferably Lydia. You’ve been through a lot, so it’s understandable you’re saying things that you wouldn’t normally say,” Daniel stated.
”And how’s that supposed to help me?” Petra wondered.
”So you can explain what you’re feeling. We’ve been hit with something far worse than anything we’ve encountered.”
”So you think being hit by a wave of darkness is making me say these things? That I can’t say them naturally?”
”I’m being sensitive to the fact that, prior to being hit by that, you were your usual self. You were confident in your strength, didn’t show affection as openly as you did when the Master Blaze came back, and – most importantly – you never expressed what you just said to me a moment ago.”
”I’m sorry for falling in love then!”
”...You don’t have to be sorry about that.”
”Well, I am! Because – outside of the Betadron attack - maybe none of this would’ve happened!” This time, Petra said that in an evil-sounding voice.
”…”
”The guy who one-shotted Leon beat the guy who one-shotted all of us… Of course I’m going to feel like I’m weak! But that isn’t the worst part. You all expect me to work with people who treated me like a disease all because I was with someone!”
”No...we don’t...”
”She treated me like a disease!”
”We talked about that.”
”It doesn't matter! And what about Vergilius!?”
”...”
”He called Noland a monster… He knew what was going on this entire time… He meant what he said…and I don’t think his feelings were exclusive just to him… She felt this way herself…”
”Okay… I hear you… We don't have to talk about this anymore...”
”Then tell that bitch to go to hell before I send her there myself.” With that said, Petra stormed off. Alex walked inside of the room just as she was leaving. She shoved him out of the way. Alex looked back at her with a confused look on his face. He couldn’t believe that she had the audacity to do such a thing. Daniel did believe it after hearing what she said, which is why he summoned a red circle underneath Petra. This circle smothered her in darkness, knocking her unconscious almost immediately.
"Alex, we need to talk," Daniel prefaced before going any further.
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Post by Noland Hardy on Mar 22, 2023 3:09:48 GMT -5
Daniel placed Petra's unconscious body in the corner of the room while he addressed something disturbing he heard.
"Were you aware that Vergilius said that about him?" Daniel asked Alex.
"Vaguely," Alex admitted.
"...What do you mean 'vaguely'?"
"When the 'situation' happened, Noland said Vergilius' words confirmed something along the lines of people wishing for his death."
"And no one reprimanded him for saying that? Or, at the very least, questioning his partner and your girlfriend, Sydney, about it?"
"At the time, it was less important than the fact that, if I hadn't stopped it, someone would've died. And judging from what we've been experiencing time and time again, that someone would've been Vergilius, and Sydney too if she pushed Noland any further."
"What about afterwards? Did you tell her AT ALL that what happened was not okay? Does Petra know if anything was done about it?"
"Never got around to it."
"..." Daniel was flabbergasted. He couldn't believe that he was surrounded by...well, for the lack of a better word, idiots. Alex was still his brother though... "We need to keep Petra and Sydney separated at all costs. Also, make sure Vergilius doesn't see Noland or Drago."
"What?"
"The consequences of being hit by Betadron's attack are lingering just as Nero said. Petra is threatening violence against Sydney for what Vergilius said, and she believes that Sydney could've had similar thoughts. She's also far from happy that, during the time her and Noland were together, she was treated as if she was a disease. And from what I've learned of the situation, I understand exactly what she's saying."
"..."
"Also, whatever caused Vergilius to say that could be amped by what happened to us. There's a possibility he could try to go after Noland or Drago again. And if he does...well...that'll be his final battle. We're lucky that, by some miracle, that didn't happen yet. But, aside from that and just as important, you need to speak with a professional immediately."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"Despite me wanting to defend your decisions and refute the claims made by the Round Table, I cannot, especially with what I've heard about this incident here. With that statement Vergilius made, that would've been his last if no one was around to calm Noland down. And now with us suffering from this hate spell or whatever it is, we're lucky that Petra revealed what was she was thinking in a more controlled environment versus being near Sydney, possibly on her own. She could've killed someone and we wouldn't have known why."
"The point is, you've made a number of decisions I find questionable. As much as I want to criticize every single one, I would rather know what's going through your head when you make these decisions instead of beating you down. So, that's why you should talk to someone who has experience with this. Get a better perspective on things, because I know you and a couple of others enjoy talking down to the Resistors in terms of their ability to listen or follow instructions, but things lately have shown that we're not as squared away as we think we are."
"..."
"As for me...I'm going on a self-imposed exile. Perhaps I'll figure out what would make me tick. I hate a lot of things, so... For the safety of everyone else and out of fear I could become the Resistors' enemy again, I'll stay out of the way and will take Petra with me until Lydia decides she wants to see her. Until next time, brother. Be well."
Daniel started walkng out of the room with Petra's unconscious body floating right behind him. This left Alex to really think about everything that Daniel said to him. He was speechless.
"...Now that you put things that way, you...you're right..." Alex admitted to himself out loud.
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