Alice followed Ari and the others to their squad room. While it wasn’t completely necessary, out of courtesy she held her body close to herself to allow her team mates more room in the rather cramped interior of the Lincoln. From there, she found her spot in the squad room and stayed there as the group listened to Trapp and his after action report. He began with standard statistics, kill counts and the such before taking out a box. From the box he produced a number of dog tags.

One by one, he listed the former owners of each tag. Their age, identification number, and for many, their cause of death. It was clear he personally and deeply knew each and every one of these men and women before they died. This was a stark reminder to the 7th of everyone who had given their lives so they could have the chance to continue fighting in this war. People died and will continue to die for them so they can go on to win. Again, war protected no one, no matter how good or bad, or even winners and losers. 

She froze when Trapp mentioned Tori. He was right. Tori believed in each and every one of them; she was in a sense, the team’s mother. Tori truly understood Alice, even as she matured and newer emotions and behaviors emerged. She didn’t presume that these emotions were evident of humanity in Alice, but instead that Alice herself was growing into her own individual person. And now, Alice was not only endangering herself, but her friends by surrendering to her anger. If Tori were still here to witness this kind of behavior from her, she would most certainly be disappointed.

Even more shame and embarrassment filled Alice, and she began trembling slightly. Trapp finished his report with an invitation for the 7th to partake in alcohol. But Alice was a machine, and of course wasn’t affected by the intoxicating effects of alcohol and other recreational drugs, so that really wasn’t going to work. She wasn’t able to escape her anxiety like her organic counterparts by drinking. Instead, she had to suffer through it all with full mental capacity and awareness.

When Gerard put forth his confession, she couldn’t help but frown. There was no denying that those among the Coalition ranks were people too. They had families, friends, and dreams. But the issue was whether that mattered when they were shooting at Alice and her own “family” with intent to kill. To consider that their personhood in the battlefield would only serve to foster sympathy with the enemy. And feeling compassion and kinship, if even for a second, towards those that would show no mercy to you or anyone you loved, would lead to your own death. That was the price of valuing honor over reason. 

Alice had seen how Gerard spared the lives of Coalition pilots. Pilots that would only return to fight them again in the future. The 7th’s allies gave their lives to give them more opportunities to succeed against the Coalition. And still, Gerard would spare the lives of their enemies, in turn, giving the Coalition pilots and soldiers more opportunities to try to kill them again, and maybe they would even succeed. This was a weakness, and while Gerard was strong, but Alice couldn’t help but feel that one day this weakness would get him killed. And she wouldn’t be able to do anything about it, just like with Tori.

She didn't want to fail again. She wasn’t going to be useless.

[color=7ea7d8]“Mr. Delacroix, I apologize if I seem cruel, but who the enemy is doesn't matter. There is no doubt that they are people like us. But in combat, they would still waste no opportunity to kill you, me, or any of us. By sparing the Coalition, you are giving them these opportunities. Countless members of the UEE, from the owners of those dog tags to..."[/color] Alice's voice shook and wobbled with distress. If she had tear ducts, she'd be using them now. [color=7ea7d8]"...To Tori Astelion...they gave their lives fighting the Coalition so we could have the chance to win. One of my directives is to protect my team mates, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure your survival.”[/color]

With a small huff, Alice left the squad room. So many things on her mind, and she just wanted to be alone to think about them. Maybe she’d find something to do to take her mind off of them, or maybe she wouldn't. But for now, she just needed to think.