animus_network

[Diarmuid shuts his eyes, taking a deep breath before answering. It is an answer he is obviously having difficulty giving her.]

They are sent back to whatever remains of their worlds. Left to wander alone in the ruins of what once was. At least, that is what those who have left and then returned have said.

You're lying!

[This is the first thing out of her mouth. It is such a horrible concept that she does not even want to consider that it might be true.]

I am sorry. I didn't want to tell you. Believe me. I have seen what it can do to a person. It is not a pretty thing.

[He remembers very well just how shaken Kain had been after his return and how speaking of that time alone on his world still makes him upset. It is a fate he would not wish on anyone let along the girl who would have been his sister.

It is why he is also not upset when she accuses him of lying. If he had been in her shoes, he would have reacted in a similar manner.

If fact, he once had.]

I wish I could give you better news, but I cannot because then I would be lying.

[Her mind blanks out for a second. Her body sways and she has to hold on to the edge of the terminal to steady herself.]

Why...? How...? What did she do?

[His expression softens. While they might not agree on a lot, the last thing Diarmuid wants is to see her in so much pain.]

She did nothing. Nothing at all. If what we know is to be believed, this sending away is completely random. It could happen to any one of us at anytime. It is rare, but it does unfortunately happen.

Why?

[In spite of herself, a tear slides down her cheek.]

Why does it work so...so...senselessly? Why can't they fix the system?

[Why did she have to stay while her daughter was exiled to some dead world?]

I don't know, Lady Sola-Ui.

[In his concern for her, Diarmuid accidentally slips back into his old methods of addressing her.]

I don't know if the administrators know either. I think Dax was working on something to do with that along with everything else, but...he's gone now.

[She bites her lip and wipes at her eyes. This is not proper behavior for a lady of her station.]

And now Dax is gone, who runs the project?

[Diarmuid shuts his eyes a moment and then shakes his head.]

I don't know. Dax was working on a great many things when he...passed. As far as I know, those things have likely been abandoned. At least, I cannot imagine any of the other administrators picking up where he left off.

[That is only a half-truth at best, but it is not safe to talk about resistance activities over the Network even if the posts are locked, and so he can tell her no more than that.]

Then...there is nothing that can be done to reverse this.

[Her voice sounds resigned and hollow. But, even in the depth of her despair, she can remember something Diarmuid said earlier. Now, she clings to it.]

But...you said those who are lost can come back?

Nothing I know of and for that I am sorry.

[His face lights up slightly when she shifts her attention from her loss to something better.]

Yes! There is hope. People have come back after being sent away. Instead of focusing on her having left, I would suggest focusing on keeping yourself strong so when she comes back you can be ready to support her. She will likely need it after being alone for so long.

[She nods. She knows this is what she has to do...]

[But right now, she doesn't know if she can even support herself.]

I will...watch and wait. Until I see her again. Can you help me look as well?

Of course I will. While you and I might have our differences, I was prepared to protect her just as her brother would have.

[For a moment, a deeper sadness than has been in his eyes up until now appears.]

I...would not have minded having a sister here...

[He turns her face away from the screen. At this rate, she would burst out crying again.]

I know...she must have liked you...

[That was part of the reason she hadn't wanted them talking together. Waver would take his advice seriously. Not just because she agreed, but because he was too much like Derry.]

Maybe even...like her real brother.

[He shakes his head.]

No, I made sure she understood I was not her brother. I didn't want her to replace him with me. She loved him too much. Perhaps if we'd had the time I might have become another brother to her, but not a replacement. Never that. It would not have been right.

[She is silent. She wishes, so very hard, that Diarmuid could be her actual family. If only so she wouldn't be alone.]

...I'm sorry. For telling you to stay away from her.

[Diarmuid gives her a gentle smile.]

It's not your fault. As much as I dislike your views on some things, you do love her. That much is obvious. It is just hard when ideologies and beliefs between people who care for the same person clash.

She is strong, Mrs. Archibald. She will be all right. You know your daughter. Believe in her like she believes in you.

...Do you honestly believe that?

[She wants to believe it, but she can't. Not from the description of the ruined world that Diarmuid had given her.]

[Diarmuid continues smiling, though his expression grows slightly more serious.]

She's your daughter, isn't she? I won't lie and say that it won't be hard for her and she may be changed once she returns, but she will survive. I know she will.

Then I will believe it. After all, you know about matters of death and survival better than I do.

[Diarmuid looks a little embarrassed suddenly.]

Now I don't know everything, but I think I am right on this one. Just hold onto your belief in her.

I will. Thank you for everything you have told me. But...now...can I have some time to myself?

[She doesn't want him to see her cry and rage.]

Of course.

[He bows his head toward her slightly.]

If you need me, you know where I am. Please take care of yourself.

[She shuts the feed off. The next second, she's dashing back to her room, her face hidden in her hands.]

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