[Well that's unexpected. And either Shepard's looking for a fight or is surprised enough to feel like dealing with Crichton's particular brand of hole-in-the-head marital bullshit or-- or she's feeling responsible for keeping what's left of her crew alive. One way or another:]
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
What's the problem?
[Don't patronize her with that pinky swear bullshit.]
I have no idea what you're talking about. The idea is to survive.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
That's always what its been.
[Yeah there's no way in hell he's talking about what he's actually going to do, especially not to Shepard. And that plan is on the back burner until he has more information anyway.]
If you don't have a plan, you're going to die. If you have a plan that involves making yourself a target, you're going to die faster.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Hell you could be here fighting for something and keeping your head down. Current events have made it infinitely clear that you might be targeted anyway.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
I don't know you Crichton. I don't really care what happens to you. But Aeryn gives a damn and I get the impression you feel the same about her.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
If that matters to you you'll start thinking up something to do that doesn't increase the odds of getting either one of you killed.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
What's the problem?
[Don't patronize her with that pinky swear bullshit.]
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FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
I think she's trying to barter for my release from the CDC. And whatever you might think about me, that can't happen.
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FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Because you're worried it would invalidate your contract?
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In part.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
She would be expected to uphold my contract on top of her own. I know her. She'll work herself to death.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
I've seen her play the martyr before. Too many times.
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You realize that you're here because you played the martyr for her
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Just take her contract.
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Thanks judge, but I didn't play the martyr. I was trying to get information to find her.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
So the collective of people that she seems to have forgotten about who care back home could go after her.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
Do you know why Aeryn took her contract?
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To save someone on her crew.
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She's already dead.
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So the CDC broke her contract.
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She doesn't know it yet. Or if she does, she's in denial.
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Do you have any idea when she's from? On your timeline
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Maybe two years behind me. Give or take.
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You need to give her the sitrep. Get her caught up because it won't do either of you any good not to.
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Nothing would make me happier, but I've done what I can. A lot has happened in two years, Shepard.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
If I dump it all on her now, it'll wreck her.
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FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
What is it exactly you want me to do here, Crichton?
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Help me talk her out of her crusade before she hurts herself even more.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
She thinks my being here is her responsibility, she thinks Zhaan's sickness is her fault, and she's going to fight to atone for all of it.
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Let me ask you a question first
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
What happens to you if you stay here?
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Look. I'm not a soldier, but I'm not helpless.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
I've been alone before. I can handle myself.
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That's not what I'm asking. I want to know what you'll do if you stay here.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
What's your plan? This isn't a fly by the seat of your pants kind of assignment
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I have no idea what you're talking about. The idea is to survive.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
That's always what its been.
[Yeah there's no way in hell he's talking about what he's actually going to do, especially not to Shepard. And that plan is on the back burner until he has more information anyway.]
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That isn't good enough.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
If you don't have a plan, you're going to die. If you have a plan that involves making yourself a target, you're going to die faster.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Hell you could be here fighting for something and keeping your head down. Current events have made it infinitely clear that you might be targeted anyway.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
I don't know you Crichton. I don't really care what happens to you. But Aeryn gives a damn and I get the impression you feel the same about her.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
If that matters to you you'll start thinking up something to do that doesn't increase the odds of getting either one of you killed.
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Thanks for the peptalk chief, but I got it under control.
FROM: crichton.john@cdc.org
Start with her.
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Right.
[Whether that's in response to the first or second message is a mystery. Sarcasm? A genuine promise?]
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Please.
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