[Answers only lead to more questions, he thought while waiting patiently, eyes closed, his features soft, and his breathing slow and deep and even, as if he were at rest.
Why.
The Buddhist in him was inclined to believe that every event that occurred, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, had some purpose, some reason, some meaning, even if it was not readily apparent. Perhaps he would never come to learn why the Malnosso studied and experimented on those they imprisoned, but he could at least offer Lupin his own theory.]
Because they can.
[The words hung heavily in the are before he spoke again, approaching the question differently.]
There are them - the Malnosso, and the Third Party – and then there are us, numerous and exploitable, caught in the midst of a war that may have been waged for as long as centuries.
[Narrowing his eyes, he pressed on, fiercely grim, a thread of indignation running through his voice.]
We are forced to fight the Malnosso’s battles, encouraged to serve their interests by participating in missions in exchange for superficial goods, and are subjected to endless experiments. Every week, it seems someone is abducted or another is returned suffering grave injuries or some unusual affliction. …It is unforgivable.
[The line of his jaw hardened as he lapsed into silence. He didn’t wish to say that this was the way it had to be, that they had to accept this as their fate for as long as they found themselves within this invisible bubble... but a successful rebellion against a force of great power seemed unlikely. At least, at present.
When the moon had shattered through the barrier, he had thought himself ready and capable, as he felt he should have been after years of rigorous self-discipline and striving to live by the sword; it had been a situation where lives were at stake and only through swift, decisive, fearless action could he have been of service and protected the defenseless. And he had not only failed, but had witnessed the efforts of others failing – some of whom seemed to possess a strength greater than his own.
He lacked discipline. He lacked many things.
Overthrowing the Malnosso was ideal to many, but the fact of the matter was that some of Luceti’s inhabitants had spent entire years confined to this place, no doubt struggling (so he felt) with feelings of helpless resignation and impotent, frustrated anger; he could not imagine someone lingering if given the freedom to leave.
Alas, even if the Malnosso were in some way subdued, their troubles surely would not end given the presence of the Third Party...]
It is my belief that the Malnosso will not be satisfied even if the Third Party is vanquished.
Action
Why.
The Buddhist in him was inclined to believe that every event that occurred, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, had some purpose, some reason, some meaning, even if it was not readily apparent. Perhaps he would never come to learn why the Malnosso studied and experimented on those they imprisoned, but he could at least offer Lupin his own theory.]
Because they can.
[The words hung heavily in the are before he spoke again, approaching the question differently.]
There are them - the Malnosso, and the Third Party – and then there are us, numerous and exploitable, caught in the midst of a war that may have been waged for as long as centuries.
[Narrowing his eyes, he pressed on, fiercely grim, a thread of indignation running through his voice.]
We are forced to fight the Malnosso’s battles, encouraged to serve their interests by participating in missions in exchange for superficial goods, and are subjected to endless experiments. Every week, it seems someone is abducted or another is returned suffering grave injuries or some unusual affliction. …It is unforgivable.
[The line of his jaw hardened as he lapsed into silence. He didn’t wish to say that this was the way it had to be, that they had to accept this as their fate for as long as they found themselves within this invisible bubble... but a successful rebellion against a force of great power seemed unlikely. At least, at present.
When the moon had shattered through the barrier, he had thought himself ready and capable, as he felt he should have been after years of rigorous self-discipline and striving to live by the sword; it had been a situation where lives were at stake and only through swift, decisive, fearless action could he have been of service and protected the defenseless. And he had not only failed, but had witnessed the efforts of others failing – some of whom seemed to possess a strength greater than his own.
He lacked discipline. He lacked many things.
Overthrowing the Malnosso was ideal to many, but the fact of the matter was that some of Luceti’s inhabitants had spent entire years confined to this place, no doubt struggling (so he felt) with feelings of helpless resignation and impotent, frustrated anger; he could not imagine someone lingering if given the freedom to leave.
Alas, even if the Malnosso were in some way subdued, their troubles surely would not end given the presence of the Third Party...]
It is my belief that the Malnosso will not be satisfied even if the Third Party is vanquished.