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Hello, fellow abductees,

It has come to my attention that a number of you do not like Dr. Sweets. I did not like him either when I first met him, so this is understandable.

In an effort to help strengthen his standing within the community, I am requesting that you please state if you do or do not like Dr. Sweets, and why. Please also respond if you are indifferent on him, as more data will allow me to form a more complete and accurate conclusion.

Thank you for your assistance.

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That is only true for some of us. There are still large numbers of people who are born in war zones. There are countries where the national military trains child soldiers to commit atrocities on behalf of the nation. I have been to countries where I have identified the remains of young girls who were murdered simply because they were receiving an education. Our world is hardly idyllic, but yes, for some of us, it is a matter of course. For others, the battle is emotional and mental.

[Sweets knows that even better than Brennan does. It's written on his skin, and on his bones.]

I'm afraid I would need a substantial amount of contextual information before I verbalize an opinion on that, and even then I may be incapable of it.

Yes, some are, and the ones who do become such tend to be remembered for generations after their death.

What does that mean, "child soldier"?

[She doesn't recognize the term. The Empire - and indeed almost any known military organization - always recruits young. Children are an asset when properly cultivated, with their training beginning at a young age.]

I see. I suppose I was in a position where such things were an expected reality. The last war did not end gently for anyone involved, and the civilians suffered. But the true problem ran much deeper. A result of warlords and slavers being allowed to operate as they pleased, with no oversight or punishment. All in the name of maintaining neutrally. I'm sure it was a lofty sentiment, once. It only served those with the power to bend armies to their will. Perhaps some of that is simply human nature.

Noted.

Correct. Even their enemies remember their names.

[Brennan takes a deep breath before starting to type out her response.]

Some militaries and governments believe in recruiting children to fight on their behalf, or to train in espionage, or to use as human shields. Their brains have far from fully developed at the time they are recruited, so they are malleable and impressionable. They can be more easily indoctrinated to hav blind faith and believe that their superiors and leaders, or a supposed cause, are infallible and worth dying for.

Where Dr. Sweets and I are from, it is considered a crime to recruit underage individuals for the military. Enlisting is a choice granted to adults. It is a heavy responsibility and often an honor to enlist. Some enlist in order to obtain an education, but it is not forced upon them. Not in our time, at least.

I am relatively familiar with such destruction and chaos. I am sorry that was your reality. It could not have been easy to survive into adulthood.

this is a crime in your world

[Maketh, quite honestly, isn't sure what to say to that. Part of her wants to type out rationale and excuses - it's simply utilizing available resources! - but part of her, the part that's grown and spread since coming to Hadriel, knows better. Her response takes longer than before and she retypes it several times.]

I see.

[At least it wasn't slavery. She repeats it in her head like a mantra. At least she was never a slave.]

I do not want your sorrow, Doctor Brennan. I have no use for it. Moving forward, I expect we will speak again.

I hope it shall be enlightening.

[That is an interesting response, considering Maketh had until just now been quite willing to share details.

...and now Brennan purses her lips. What a proud and prickly woman.]

Written communication does not correctly convey intent. I was not offering you sorrow. You have survived a terrible situation. That merits respect. What I meant was to acknowledge the circumstances of your youth and express a degree of awe for the strength and tenacity it must have taken to live in such a world.

Yes, we likely will. It will surely be mentally stimulating.

The circumstances of my upbringing are hardly a concern beyond the training and experience they imparted upon me, experience that I can bring to bear in this situation.

[She should not have said so much. It was a mistake.]

I would hope so, Doctor Brennan. I do not have many opportunities for such conversations.

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text; cw child soldiers, massacres of children, allusions to child abuse

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