[But if that noncommittal answer says anything, it's that he, too, doesn't know if they should be eaten - if they could sustain him, or if it'd be a losing battle, one he's not willing to fight because it goes against his principles, against what he considers good.]
You think Patho-Gen has dealt with a problem like this before?
[ Though that makes her aware of something else, though it's been months since she considered it... ]
I heard a voice down in the underground, likely when I got the wolf soul. Two people speaking about cattle and culling. Likely Patho-Gen is aware of the danger of having too many of us around.
[He heard voices about faulty implants and there being 'so many,' Mel got something about 'cattle and culling.' Neither of those makes Pom optimistic regarding his dilemma.]
You think they would ever use some of us to cull others? They clearly aren't above using Augmented for food.
If they believe it will be of use to them, yes. If we are too rowdy or uncontrolled. But so far, as near as I can tell, the Augmenters going haywire is the more likely cause.
We are under one hundred in number. We aren't putting a dent into their food population. But it wouldn't shock me if we weren't here — all of us, not only Carnivora souls — to keep the Karterian population in check.
[His phone doesn't pick up the hn he lets out on his end. At least Mel is always honest with him, even when the topic is grim. Maybe he should do the same, spot beating around the proverbial bush.]
You think there's anything they could do about me? If I asked?
[ She hates that the answer is likely 'yes'. Patho-Gen will help the Augmented if it means getting something in return, like trust. That's how things were with Viktor... But that was so many months ago and Patho-Gen has been none-too-pleased with them lately. ]
They could, but likely for a price. And they may not be able to help you right this moment with that wall of meat around.
[And he hates that idea, but does he hate it more than the thought of him hurting his friends? Of becoming a monster?]
I don't trust them, but I can't live like this. I can't put people at risk. Can't put all people have been working toward at risk, either. All the goodwill in the world ain't going to matter if even one of us ruins it. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
[ For now, Pom is the only one she's hearing is struggling with as much hunger as he is...but he isn't likely to be the last either. Some kind of solution has to be found. Mel simply despises that he's the one who will need to be the first and Patho-Gen can do anything to him. ]
I would tell you to go to Celia but I don't believe she's been found. Of the employees there, she's the only one I'd trust to do her best for you.
Guess I ought to start looking for her, then. Or anyone who's met her.
[He's not confident in much he does these days, but tracking? That's a specialty. Until then, he needs another plan, something just to get him by.
He can figure it out later. He thinks to let Mel go, but... he's missed talking to her. Missed conversation, missed her honesty. It seems unlike him, but maybe he's changed in more ways than just monstrous ones. That feels good, in a way.
So he changes the topic after a moment of silence.]
I brought Jayce and Viktor some things a while back, pieces to expand their wardrobes. They wear any of them yet?
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no subject
[But if that noncommittal answer says anything, it's that he, too, doesn't know if they should be eaten - if they could sustain him, or if it'd be a losing battle, one he's not willing to fight because it goes against his principles, against what he considers good.]
You think Patho-Gen has dealt with a problem like this before?
no subject
[ Though that makes her aware of something else, though it's been months since she considered it... ]
I heard a voice down in the underground, likely when I got the wolf soul. Two people speaking about cattle and culling. Likely Patho-Gen is aware of the danger of having too many of us around.
no subject
You think they would ever use some of us to cull others? They clearly aren't above using Augmented for food.
no subject
We are under one hundred in number. We aren't putting a dent into their food population. But it wouldn't shock me if we weren't here — all of us, not only Carnivora souls — to keep the Karterian population in check.
[ The Spectrals, too. ]
no subject
You think there's anything they could do about me? If I asked?
no subject
They could, but likely for a price. And they may not be able to help you right this moment with that wall of meat around.
They might also see it as a way of leashing you.
no subject
[And he hates that idea, but does he hate it more than the thought of him hurting his friends? Of becoming a monster?]
I don't trust them, but I can't live like this. I can't put people at risk. Can't put all people have been working toward at risk, either. All the goodwill in the world ain't going to matter if even one of us ruins it. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
no subject
[ For now, Pom is the only one she's hearing is struggling with as much hunger as he is...but he isn't likely to be the last either. Some kind of solution has to be found. Mel simply despises that he's the one who will need to be the first and Patho-Gen can do anything to him. ]
I would tell you to go to Celia but I don't believe she's been found. Of the employees there, she's the only one I'd trust to do her best for you.
no subject
[He's not confident in much he does these days, but tracking? That's a specialty. Until then, he needs another plan, something just to get him by.
He can figure it out later. He thinks to let Mel go, but... he's missed talking to her. Missed conversation, missed her honesty. It seems unlike him, but maybe he's changed in more ways than just monstrous ones. That feels good, in a way.
So he changes the topic after a moment of silence.]
I brought Jayce and Viktor some things a while back, pieces to expand their wardrobes. They wear any of them yet?