079

[truth_is_cold]

[Private to Dylan | Audio]

I would like to discuss something with you. It relates to Harper, and what just happened to the ship. I've been reminded of it lately and I've been slightly distracted by spiders until now.

[Private to Toshiko | Audio]

I would like to ask you some questions about what happened with the ship. I'm curious about how it might share similarities to an incident that happened aboard the Andromeda.

[Private to Ben | Audio]

I need to speak to you about something. It has to do with Ladd. [Because he hates when the universe rewards bad behavior for some and tells others that they're only good dead.]

Comments

[ Private : Voice ]

[warisart]

[Ben has been... strange, since the incident. He's more detached, certainly, though Rhade has managed to keep him from completely disengaging through close attention and by encouraging him to stay connected to the things he'd been learning to like. He doesn't respond to X5-493, at least, though he does still insist on Sirs and Ma'ams and sticks to his routine like clockwork. But he trusts Rhade implicitly and that's why when Anya takes refuge in his room he comes to his warden, perplexed and angry, though not at the girl; it's because he trusts Rhade that his warden gets to see the flashes of anger, personal and undesirable in a good, mindless soldier who will follow orders blindly.

It's because they're something approaching friends that he doesn't get a blank, hollow answer. He gets a slightly petulant edge, though it takes longer than usual for Ben to reply.]

I had nothing to do with his disappearance.

[ Private : Voice ]

[truth_is_cold]

I didn't think you did. He disappeared on his own. His door returned to normal.

I wanted to ask how you were feeling about it. [Rhade is actually glad, but he's not going to say so. Ben barely knew Ladd; just enough to dislike him.]

[ Private : Voice ]

[warisart]

[Another long delayed reply, although the petulance is gone when he comes back. Not blank-gone, just gone.]

I have been otherwise occupied. I have not allotted much energy to concerning myself with Ladd Russo's status as long as he's been avoiding causing disruption.

[But he sure did notice pretty much immediately when he stopped seeing the other inmate, and then the door.]