When she dies, it should be on her terms, not the CDC's. I want her to live to see her home again.
[Getting a bit aggravated and looser with his words. He's lost too much and she's important to him... he'll never see her again, most likely. But she's still alive, and the main thing keeping him level is the possibility that he can still do something for her.]
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FROM: dagger@cdc.org
She's not from your world. What's the issue?
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She has potential. I'd prefer to keep her alive.
[Even if he was good at articulating that he cares about someone, he's not stupid enough to admit it to Dagger.]
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FROM: dagger@cdc.org
Didn't you try to train her? She was a ball of angry, that girl.
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Yes, I trained her.
[No try.]
FROM: barnes.james@cdc.org
She is a lot of things.
[Vague because he wants to stay on track, and present tense because past tense feels too close to speaking about someone gone for good.]
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FROM: dagger@cdc.org
She was a smart girl.
FROM: dagger@cdc.org
Sorry about your protege loss.
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I'd be adequately comforted with some insurance.
[Using your words to get back to his original reason for this message. He's never been this persistent and difficult to derail before.]
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FROM: dagger@cdc.org
You're determined to get this on record, aren't you.
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I want her to stay alive. Whatever it will take, I'll do.
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FROM: dagger@cdc.org
She'll die at some point. Just so we're clear that you're aware.
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I'm aware. Where, when and how are what's important.
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FROM: dagger@cdc.org
You'd prolong her life, is what you're asking.
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When she dies, it should be on her terms, not the CDC's. I want her to live to see her home again.
[Getting a bit aggravated and looser with his words. He's lost too much and she's important to him... he'll never see her again, most likely. But she's still alive, and the main thing keeping him level is the possibility that he can still do something for her.]
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[ That's dangerous thinking, Barnes. Better get careful. ]
FROM: dagger@cdc.org
Fair enough. If she comes back.
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FROM: barnes.james@cdc.org
And if she doesn't?
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[ Everyone says that. Everyone fails. ]
FROM: dagger@cdc.org
Can't hold a bargain if the bargaining chip doesn't exist.
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FROM: barnes.james@cdc.org
Where is she now?
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[ Dagger will be right here to watch it happen. ]
FROM: dagger@cdc.org
Can't tell you. But you'll know if she gets back.
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....]
FROM: barnes.james@cdc.org
Understood.
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[ You want comforting, find a pillow. ]
FROM: dagger@cdc.org
Alright then. For both your sakes let's hope she doesn't get back.
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Why?
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FROM: dagger@cdc.org
Call it a hunch.
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FROM: barnes.james@cdc.org
Alright.