act4d0

And as such, it would be a truly grave mistake for us to ask Dr. {@nickname} to march into battle.

The Doctor should not command even one more battle. For Rhodes Island's sake, and for the Doctor's own sake.

...Forgive my naiveté.

I recognize that my ideas are rather juvenile... and have therefore thus far been unwilling to disclose them.

I can only imagine how the others would laugh at me. I do not like being laughed at. And I had planned to carry these thoughts with me to my grave.

But then it came down to this. And I found the hope that someone might join me in taking up this idea...

I want the Doctor to begin anew.

If the Doctor could live without any connection to Rhodes Island, if the Doctor could stand again, having no memory of these preceding events...

If the Doctor could avoid walking once more the path of war, then all would be well.

I bear only this unrealistic hope

Forgive my verbosity. If you have no interest, then simply forget these words altogether.

Right. There are three things you may not forget.

First: Say to Dr. {@nickname} the following,

'I will never forget fighting side by side with you, Doctor.'

Second: my squad.

Slink, Pter, Scorpion, Leafa, Milim, Tipsy, Slanna, Mimi, Mary, Thumbtack, Mudflower, and Macron.

My squad, twelve of them.

They broke through the enemy lines and held off their reinforcements. Were it not for them, I would never have been able to neutralize their mercenary commander.

However, we lost all twelve of these exemplary operators in the course of their duties.

I beg you, bear witness to their actions.

Should one ask, you must tell them for me:

While no one will remember the names of my squadmates, they must remember that they died with honor. They did not shrink in the face of death.

Of course, I know many have given their lives in service of the project that is Rhodes Island. No one's death is unique.

We do not fight for any one individual life. To do so would dishonor their deaths.

Tell the one who asks: they gave their lives for what they believed in.

Finally:

You must go on living for yourself. My Rhodes Island brother whose name I do not know, I have said so much to you, not that you should go off and die.

Life is precious. You must live to pursue that bright future.

That is all, my brother.

Treasure your life.

Why...

The Doctor... Rhodes Island...

Warrior!

You can hear, my voice.

You have a chance, to escape. Wait, until nightfall.

Head south. Avoid the light. You have one chance. Tonight.

——or——

There are many, in Chernobog, who need help. You can, see them.

The choice. Is yours.

Boss, Scout, our brothers...

I'll do it.