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The intrinsic truth was ubiquitous. It was ever present, and never hidden. The truth has always been out there. So why were there still deniers? Why were there still unbelievers? Why was there an opposition.

Daimyon, Faith, Jezebel, Lucy, Noah, Zach, George, Denis…

There was a pattern to these individuals.

That’s right. Thomas was surrounded by the foundations on which the future grew. Each of the infinite’s here, they were all forged in tragedy. Some event that shaped them. All of them had bloomed already, and had grown so much. All of them, like the hands of a gentleman forced to work a field, calloused and hardened but stronger than they once were.

An opposition by aptitude. It wasn’t a truth they were struggling against. Faith’s comment made it clear. They were struggling for rationality, against what was perceived as an irrational thesis. They had all learned to oppose something because they knew that they would be stronger for it. Each of them, like lights that flickered with the future, like engines fueled by their past. Their eyes would never settle on something directly in front of them. They could only search for truth where it could be found, so for them to struggle against this truth was simply impossible.

The fact that not one of them had succumbed to Thomas’s plight, that they still sought a future where their perceived enemy was bested, that Daimyon still didn’t offer the handbook to Thomas — it was a testament of something very familiar. The Infinite Biomechanic could barely contain his excitement, he knew exactly what these individuals possessed.

Each one, a sample of an elusive sanctuary. A truth birthed from the hope and despair and lies that shaped them. A precipitate tracing as far back as the first humans, the crop de la creme, the one thing that had eluded the avarice of the hands of those who didn’t possess it. The basis on which the Initiative and Hope’s Peak before it operated. The lure which goaded the letter into its own destruction, which tantalized a student who discerned himself to be imperfect, which the Biomechanic was taught was more valuable than his own rationality.

A glimmer of true talent. 

The Infinite Biomechanic wanted all of it.

[hr]

[color=Orange]”H-Hold on! Jez… Isn’t it a little, I don’t know, dishonorable to take a hostage? I mean, I know why we’re here. We all want to stop people from [i]dying[/i], but where do we draw the line? I mean, look at us! After [i]this[/i], which is already a total mess thanks Thomas, everyone's going to think we’re the baddies. Do we really want to exacerbate this issue?”[/color] Lucy looked worried, and there was a twinge of irritation in her voice.

[color=ADD278]He[/color], who was currently ignoring the advances of Noah, spoke out against this.  However, the moment his mouth opened to speak, Lucy loudly cut him off.

[color=Orange]”Shut [i]up.[/i] I don’t want to hear anything from you. Seriously. Have you ever heard of introspection? I doubt it, considering the position you’re in. I mean, jesus. You’re holding a woman hostage right now! How the hell does any of this make sense to you? You too, Jezebel! I mean, this situation hasn’t even diffused. If anything, it’s still escalating! Aren’t we supposed to be logical, rational thinkers. We’re supposed to pull the strings for the greater good. That’s why I came to this meeting. But right now, you’re both just making us look like goddamned brats. It’s like you have the constitution of two year olds.”[/color] Lucy got up, and began to walk towards the door. On her way out, she brushed past Daimyon. She looked him up and down, and huffed.

[color=Orange]”I quit. My future is too important to soil with the thoughts of people like you two. And Daimyon -- You should just leave. It’s all just a game to these jackasses. I can guarantee that you’ll be sorry if you give that handbook to Thomas, so it’s best that you just don’t play along with them.”[/color] Lucy rushed out the door.

...

[color=ADD278]He[/color] was still staring at Faith intently, but he carefully listened to the full exchange. If someone was paying close attention to him, they may have noticed that color was slowly draining from his face. It could not be said whether it was because of Lucy, or because of the injuries he suffered. [color=ADD278]”That’s unfortunate. I think your plan is excellent, Trickster.”[/color]

[color=ADD278]”I cannot say the same for you though, Poet. I do not know what you’re getting at, but your hesitation drives me to irritation. I wish not to discount the abilities or efforts of this courteous Biologist, but you're indecisiveness will ultimately result in a unfavorable outcome. Give me the handbook, [i]now[/i].”[/color]