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[notimpervious]

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.

Comments

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[notimpervious]

[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.

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[mismanagement]

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.

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[notimpervious]

[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.

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[mismanagement]

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.