[center][IMG]http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63/NMShape/cooltext144780013872306_zps19b2ujwe.png[/IMG][/center] [quote=@NeutralNexus] The merc sighed, crossing his arms as he spoke.[color=0054a6] “Look, here me out, between you and me, that’s one hell of a move. It was ballsy and cutthroat, one hell of a shot in the dark in an attempt to put me down. Sure, it didn’t work, but you wouldn’t have known unless you tried, right? So while others are judging you for it, I’m just impressed you had the gumption to try such a move. That’s the kind of ‘never say die’ potential I rarely see. However, here’s the flipside of this conversation, and subsequently the point I want to make. If it’s not clear to you by this point; I’m kind of a piece of shit, and due to my past track record, I don’t think you’ll find many who don’t agree with that statement. My morals are screwy as hell, I take whoever gives me money to do literally whatever...Hell, before I was hired to rescue you I tried to poison the city with something that I now entirely regret doing, and you know what? I don’t hold it against anyone that they’re going to probably blame me for it. But that’s something I’m going to deal with later, and I’ll own up to it when the time comes. That’s not the point…the point is if someone like me is agreeing with an action like the one you took, then what does it say about what you did? Bah...Chances are you aren’t even listening to me, it’s not like I can tell behind that bucket of bolts… Whatever, thought I'd just say my piece, damned if you care or not. Still...take it from someone who threw his ethical judgement away far too long ago. Stand by your actions, but let your actions stand for who you are and what you believe...or else you end up without a moral to stand on when the finger is pointed your way.”[/color] [/quote] Angel kept silent during the other man's speech. His words... they cut him to the core. He made several points that should've been obvious to Angel all along. The young man searched his thoughts, wondering why he never thought of it this way before. His thoughts a jumble, he waited for Trent to stop speaking. Why... why didn't he think of it that way? If his actions didn't stand for what he believed in, then what purpose did they serve? Furthermore, what [i]did[/i] he believe in? What exactly was he fighting for? Why did he end the lives of three bystanders pointlessly? Who said that he was allowed to kill anyone, to get an edge in a pointless battle? When did his life get so messed up? ... ... ... No. He couldn't get distracted. Three lives were worth ending the misery of many more. .... Weren't they? Angel was so confused. As the city approached, Angel stared dully at the lights blaring upward towards the dark, dark night, seeming, for all the world, to represent all the lives in the city, to scream "we are here" into the void of space. And the void above stared with its many twinkling eyes, indifferent. Pulling out of the flight, and angling towards the abandoned part of town where his garage was, Angel landed on the cracked asphalt which seemed to have been abandoned for years, and looked towards Trent. Opening the cockpit, and looking at the merc with eyes that barely began to express his inner turmoil, he spoke, not over the comms, not in the booming power of the suit's system, but in a thick, husky voice. [color=Silver]"Trent... Call me Angel. That's my real name. And.... what you said... you're right. If I betray what I'm fighting for, then what good is my cause?"[/color] Mulling this over for a second, he continued. [color=Silver]"But then again, if my purpose is confused by my feelings, then how am I supposed to accomplish my goal? You remember our fight. To be honest; you terrify me. I've always had a great power, and my suit is one of a kind, but you? You beat me and my ATD within a matter of minutes. That kind of ability can't be overcome without some sacrifices. I guess the question I'm really asking is, should I take the burden of protecting everyone upon myself, or should I follow my goal to its end, and act as the scalpel to this city's infested underbelly? I lived on the streets here as a kid. I know how terrible it can get. If I can just... excise the infection of human scum, get justice, restore.... equilibrium, then everything would be worth it, right?"[/color] The pain showed on Angel's face, and it was clear that he looked to Trent for guidance. [color=Silver]"I need to know what I should do! I'm wandering around with a general goal, but I have no real [i]purpose[/i]! I heard whispers of a group, but then all this crazy shit happened, and-and [i]now I don't know what to do![/i]"[/color] Angel's voice revealed a mixture of emotions; anger, sadness, confusion, regret, and remorse.