Chapter 82: Ethics. Or a crude attempt at ‘em

Chapter 82: Ethics. Or a crude attempt at ‘em

Becca tore her gaze from Bjrn to glare at James with such horror and shock and outrage that her voice shook from the intensity of her emotions. You murdered him.

James swung his leg over the Wings saddle and sat. I did.

The rest of the crew was staring at him in similar shock. All of them but Serenity. She spat on the floor and walked over to James. He had it coming.

I gave Bjrn one chance. James pitched his voice to carry. His heart was pounding, pounding, like a crazed man trying to knock down a door. Back at his place. He told me he wanted to start a new order. A new aristocracy. To use his power to control everyone and tell them what to do.

James gazed around the group. Denzel, Yadriel, Joanna, Jason - they were all frozen in horror. Olaf was frowning, his brow beetling down over his blue eyes, but of the group the most self-possessed.

I told him, out on the balcony, that he was never - ever - to use his power on us. I drew a line. He crossed it here and nearly got one of us killed.

You murdered him, Becca said again, her hands curling into claws. You think that makes you any better?

I dont know. James let the question hang in his mind, then dismissed it. But I gave Bjrn a chance. I made the stakes clear.

You coulda cut him loose, man, said Denzel, his voice tortured.

And what would he have done? Gone home to hide in his apartment with his tail between his legs? James raised his brow. No. Hed have made his own Blue Light. Ruled over it like some crazy medieval king. I saw it in his eyes. No regret but his failure to take control of us. This was going to happen, sooner or later. James tried to meet everyones eyes again. I gave him a chance.

Serenity crossed her arms. None of you felt his power like I did. Saw how much he enjoyed controlling me. The man was a monster. He had it coming.

Jason was slowly shaking his head. We dont do this in the army. We court martial folks, we give them a military trial. We dont execute them in the field.

This isnt the US military, said James softly. And with his powers, he was a threat to us all.

Olaf inhaled deeply, then gave a curt nod. Ja. Is hard but is right. Bjrn spoke to me a few times. Complained about James, about how we do things. I told him no. But I could see him testing.

Same here, said Denzel, tone still dazed. One time. He suggested things could be different. I just stared at him till he walked on.

Becca rose slowly to her feet. Bjrn never killed anyone in cold blood.

Not yet, said Serenity. And look, I know this is tough. But you saw what happened to Denzel. You know that wasnt right.

You murdered him! screamed Becca, her whole body curving with the strength of her emotion. Her cry echoed off the walls. Youre worse, a thousand times worse!

James met her stare. Im sorry. I gave him a chance. I told him not to fuck with any of us. We couldnt cut him loose. We couldnt put him jail. I couldnt trust him again. There was no other way.

Becca turned to the others. Youre OK with this? Youre fine with James killing people who disagree with him!?

Olaf crossed his arm. More than disagreement. Bjrn mind control.

Im so sorry, Becca, said Joanna. Im so sorry.

Beccas eyes filmed over with tears. She straightened, looked around the group again, then ran the back of her wrist over her eyes. Fuck you all. If you think this is OK, fuck you. Im out. No way in hell am I going to follow this monster.

James sat quietly.

You know in your heart what he was, said Serenity. What he wanted.

Becca grabbed her Bushmaster and strode to one of the Wings.

Where you going? asked Denzel.

To Nem3s. She swung her leg over the Wing. On my own.

Should we stop her? asked Serenity. James shook his head. Becca rose into the air, aimed her Wing north along Bedford, and sped away.

Fuck, said Denzel, rubbing the back of his head. Fuck fuck fuck.

Im sorry. James looked around the group. I didnt see another way.

Dont apologize. Serenity got on the back of the Wing. We all heard him mind-fuck you mid-battle. You took a harpoon to the face because of him.

What happened today was fucked. I own that. But I killed Bjrn to protect Blue Light, to protect our integrity, and our ability to defend the rest of humanity as equals, not as superiors. My own standing and humanity may take a hit for it, but Id rather be the one who is hurt than to watch Bjrn use his power for evil.

The crew exchanged wary glances.

I dont use that word lightly. I fully own that Ive made mistakes. I should have told everyone what he said that day on the balcony. I should have warned Hackworth, Jessica, everyone. But no. I wanted to give Bjrn a genuine second chance. For him to see he could step back from the ledge and fundamentally change his mind. I didnt think he would. Serenity and I talked about it after. But it was important to give him the chance.

Jason hesitated, then at Jamess nod spoke up. I hear what youre saying, sir. And I know this isnt the army. And that Bjrn could have done a lot of damage with his power. Maybe its because I didnt see him mind control you in the fight. But He shook his head. Im still having trouble with your just shooting him like that. What it means that you thought you had to.

It was practical, said Yadriel. Bjrn wasnt on our side. He was and only ever would be on his own side. Its a pity Becca didnt see that none, but hell, he was just using her, too.

We fight demons from hell, said Olaf softly. There is no room for demons in human form. It is wrong to control others.

Joanna crossed and uncrossed her arms. Its I think Im shocked horrified, even, by the fact that it happened at all. I was starting to think of us as I dont know, a family. Dysfunctional, maybe, but together. Against the bad guys. Now everything feels weird, like the grounds still moving under my feet.

I had two equally important goals, said James, trying to put his emotions into words even as he spoke. And that was to defeat the demons and maintain our humanity while doing so.

No longer? asked Serenity.

Just a little change. James smiled brokenly. Im still shooting to defeat the demons. But now I realize Im willing to take a hit when it comes to humanity if it means safeguarding the rest of you from that kind of evil.

Thats not fair, said Joanna immediately. Youre not a martyr. Were all in this together.

Maybe. But could you have stopped Bjrn in that moment?

Joanna hesitated.

The easiest thing would have been to let him go. But I know - in the depths of my soul, in the marrow of my fucking bones, that hed become a far greater problem in the long run. That was it. My one chance to safeguard us all against his corruption. I took it. Ill pay the price.

What price? asked Serenity.

Im going to tell Hackworth what happened.

Dont, said Jason immediately. The militarys clear on that being a major crime. Theres no excuse for killing your own soldiers in the field.

I dont need excuses. James drew himself up. If Im to lead Blue Light, if Im to lead you all, then I need to play this straight. Im not going to cover up what happened or ask you all to lie. Im going to tell Hackworth what happened and why I did what I did. And then Ill pay the devil his due if thats whats called for.

Bullshit, said Serenity. Bjrn was right about one thing: the worlds changed. You dont need to -

Serenity. James smiled sadly. We need to be accountable to each other. Thats the main difference between the world Bjrn wanted and the one I want to save.

Serenity opened her mouth to protest, then fell silent.

James looked around the group. Everyone was weary, scared, confused. But already the mood had shifted slightly.

He could tell why.

His willingness to confess to Hackworth had lifted a weight from their shoulders.

Youre good people. Im proud to be working with you. I hope you never feel differently about me.

And before they could answer, James opened the door and stepped back outside. He strode swiftly down the broad hallway, the Animus floating along behind.

This is all very confusing, said the Animus. I thought wed simply be killing demons.

I aim to make that my focus, said James. But right now I got some house cleaning to do.

Most interesting. Ethics.

Or a crude attempt at em.

James entered the large ballroom and strode over to where Hackworth was conferring with Duffy, both of them staring at a screen covered in moving blips.

Sir? James paused till Hackworth looked up. I need to talk to you.