2023-01-03: Integrity and Disgrace

• Cutscene: Integrity and Disgrace
• Cast: Enba Rezza, Kathras Fari, Eight York
• Where: The Ra Mari
• Date: Jan 03, 0097
• Summary: Enba Rezza confronts Kathras Fari. A change ensues.

"Mr. Fari." Enba Rezza's androgynous voice cuts through the hallway, chilly. They are in a corridor on the Ra Mari, regarding a black-haired man a little bit ahead–right by his quarters.

"...Mx. Rezza?" The man is surprised–he turns, blinks at them, and opens his mouth before he closes it. It takes just a moment for Kathras Fari to get his composure.

"We need to have a conversation," Rezza says firmly.

"Do we?" he asks. He tries to play it cool, but…

"We do, and you are aware as to why." Rezza meets Fari's eyes with their own. Their gaze is steel.

"...All right." Fari lifts his hands as if to say 'you win', and depresses the button to open the door to his quarters. He leads in, and Rezza follows.

It is a reasonably-sized room, with its own shower, a bed/desk combination, and a small table with a chair.. There are other things in it; posters of schematics for historical weapons, some photographs. A globe, with markers in it indicating where he would like to visit. Fari sinks into one of the chairs, leaving the other to Rezza.

Rezza looks around only briefly, and gets to business in short order. They say, "I have been monitoring your database usage and messages." They wait a moment for the inevitable:

"What!? You can't–" He doesn't much like where this is going.

"I can," they say. "And I have. It is within my rights on a military ship."

"But… why?" Fari has a feeling he knows. But he doesn't want to be right.

"Because I know that the rumors about the Captain spread in earnest only after your leave in Londenion." Rezza is stony, their expression calm and even; no anger, no emotion at all.

"..." Fari is silent. His expression grows grave.

"Yes. …I am also aware that you have been researching Cyber Newtypes, as well as looking into Blue Cosmos's opinions on them. Furthermore, I am aware of more recent communications regarding both… However."

"...Gh. However, what?"

"I am also aware that your communications were primarily for information, and out of confusion. I can find no evidence that you intentionally undermined the Captain… But that your indiscretions made her life harder is true." Rezza's eyes bore into Fari's, until the latter looks away.

"I didn't mean… I was only… I mean, to think that our Captain was Zeon?" He sounds hesitant. He is.

"...The truth is that the Captain wanted those rumors spread, if not so quickly as you ensured that they were. And not to all of the people to whom you sent them. Between that, and the connections I've found with you and these groups…" Rezza pauses. "It's a problem. But one that has a solution."

Fari's shoulders sag. "What solution is that?"

"I can think of a number. But it is your mess. I want you to think of what you can do, to make this right. For me to decide it for you would be a statement that I believe that you have no hope as an officer. …But you were one of those who helped us to save Winter Wonderland. For our history, I will give you this chance."

"A chance…" Fari looks down. "I wanted to be a hero," he says quietly. "To stand against injustice, to improve the Federation… and yes, to oppose PLANT."

"You can do the last. But you have not stood against injustice. You have furthered it."

"...You're right," Fari says. "I'm not acting like my heroes. But I was so… devastated, to learn about… all these… that these people I care about have such unnatural histories. I don't know how to reconcile it."

"That is an argument of emotion. It will not succeed here. 'Unnatural' is true of many things that are worth pursuing. …These sentiments will endear you to no one in the crew, Fari. But you can choose. Do you choose these people you care for? Or these beliefs?"

"...I'm not sure," he admits. "I was raised with them. But… No. No, if I want to be what I want to be, there's only one thing to do." He starts to rise from his seat, but then thinks better of it upon looking at Rezza–and sinks into it again. His shoulders don't rise–but he does look up to their eyes.

"Yes?" They wait.

"...I will tell the Captain about my role in this. And I will request a transfer to another ship."

"And you are sure?" Rezza is careful.

"No. But I think it's the right thing to do. What I believe… I can figure that out on my own. But I haven't lived up to my other ideals, and that requires me to act."

"Very well. …Should you tell the Captain the truth, I will dispose of my findings. No one but me needs to know the rest. You can decide how to use that chance. If you lean back on those Natural beliefs… Then don't return to us. I have no use for such a person."

"...And if I don't?"

"Then you still will have to leave. But perhaps you can look back one day without hanging your head. …Or, if you do truly believe that the Captain is 'lesser' for her history… that Astelian is 'lesser' for his–"

"Leave Tempo out of this!" Fari's resolve shifts into a hot defensiveness.

"I will. Provided that you do as you have agreed."

"...All right. That's fair. Just… don't tell him, all right?" This is quiet.

"I won't. You have my word."

"...then I'll do it. I'll tell the Captain, like I said. And request a transfer."

"Very well. You have three days, Lieutenant. And I will be monitoring your transmissions."

"...Noted." He hesitates, and shakes his head. "I'll… get my things ready."

Kathras Fari sighs. He is resigned… but perhaps this is better.

__

"...In short, Captain," Kathras Fari says, standing at attention. "I have failed you, and I accept full responsibility. I will accept punishment."

Eight York's expression is–well, it's hurt. She can't entirely keep it out of her face, not being a total stoic like some among the crew. But she keeps her posture straight, her mouth a line, and her eyes on Fari.

"I see," Eight answers him. "...Then," she continues, "You must be aware that if I come down hard on you, then it will give the appearance that I'm punishing you for slighting me. For taking issue with my history."

"W-what?" Fari blinks. "No, I…"

"And further you must be aware that if I come down on you for having problems with that, it weakens my position in the autonomous corps."

"I didn't…"

"...So, with that in mind," Eight says, "What would you expect as punishment?" Her voice is firm. Her gaze is set on him.

"...Ma'am, I…" Fari hesitates, and starts to look away–but stops himself, meeting Eight's eyes again. "...I understand. I believe that it would be appropriate to transfer me to another ship."

"...Yes," Eight says, "I agree. You've broken my trust. I can't rely on you any longer. But…" She pauses, and shakes her head, closing her eyes a moment. "I don't blame you for having doubts. It's difficult to hear, especially when you have people who've died in these wars… like your father."

Fari's lips press together, but he stops himself talking.

"...So that's all it's going to be. All that about my 'position' gives me a good excuse… But we were friends, too. I hope you'll see what I do, in every member of this crew. And if not…"

Eight opens her eyes. "Then I don't want to see you again."

"...Yes, ma'am." Fari inclines his head. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Dismissed."

And so he is. For now.

Enba Rezza watches, in silence, from their position at the Captain's flank.