She was clever. Risked everything for it. Without it, we may never have gotten free. Even though she knew it would piss a lot of people off. And she was brave enough to keep the names of those who were helping her to herself. Her entire team remained shielded, because of her.
[her words are still distant, but a little stronger. trying, trying to get this out and give shape to what's in her chest.]
I was on that team. I helped with sending out the beacon. And even though I questioned her, backed her into a corner several times, she never made me leave. She let me keep working on the project. Promised when we reunited that I wouldn't have to worry about any ill will that might have followed us here for it, even though the mission was over and done with.
[she exhales slow. no one gives a shit about that anymore - not when the results are here. no one has the energy to hold onto those grudges, those squabbles that were born of them eating each other alive to stay fractionally steady.]
no subject
[her words are still distant, but a little stronger. trying, trying to get this out and give shape to what's in her chest.]
I was on that team. I helped with sending out the beacon. And even though I questioned her, backed her into a corner several times, she never made me leave. She let me keep working on the project. Promised when we reunited that I wouldn't have to worry about any ill will that might have followed us here for it, even though the mission was over and done with.
[she exhales slow. no one gives a shit about that anymore - not when the results are here. no one has the energy to hold onto those grudges, those squabbles that were born of them eating each other alive to stay fractionally steady.]
I still think of her as our commander.