134 [video]

[batmanschmatman]

[Dick turns on the camera feed and smiles sort of sheepishly,]

So, I'm back. Checked on a few things at home, dropped in to say hi to some friends, Kirk says hi back. Doesn't sound like I missed anything too awful on this end.

[He hesitates, like he's considering just leaving it at that, because he's got a pretty good idea by now how some people take this sort of thing, but. Hey. Sometimes it's good, to remember it's actually worth it sometimes.]

I came here two years ago to save the lives of one hundred thousand and sixty eight people who were killed when a living chemical bomb was dropped on the city I'd spent years trying to protect. Part of the reason I went home was to make sure the Admiral followed through on our deal, because that's a pretty big thing to ask for, even for this place.

The city's still a radioactive wasteland, but everyone got out okay.

[One corner of his mouth ticks up in a small smile, almost embarrassed, or maybe just disbelieving, because he can still remember what it had been like, to watch it happen and run back to try and help, passing out in the wreckage of the city from the radiation, honestly not expecting anyone to get him out and maybe not even wanting them to.] You can tell me this place is awful and I'm crazy for being here all you want, but I don't care what crap the Admiral puts us through on a day to day basis. If this place helps one person - and it's done way more than that over the years - then it's worth it, and I'm not sorry I agreed to work here.

[Private to Tim]

Thanks for looking after Jinks for me.

[Private to Sara]

Hey.

Comments

Private

[strangehistorian]

He really did it?

Private

[batmanschmatman]

Yeah.

Private

[strangehistorian]

...Congratulations, obviously. That is an amazing thing you have accomplished.

I had heard that the Admiral fulfilled his promises, but no one had been able to give me a specific example before.

Private

[batmanschmatman]

Well, I'm glad I decided to say something, then.

Private

[strangehistorian]

Yes. It's much appreciated, even if I know it wasn't meant for me in particular. Knowing that there is a real possibility to save people on our own worlds makes this place worth staying in. I was beginning to give up hope.

Private

[batmanschmatman]

I can't say I blame you, this place is like a meat grinder for the psyche.

Re: Private

[strangehistorian]

That's very apt.

[Sigh.]

I... suppose I'm going to consider on what this means for my own future here. I wish you and your people only the best.

Private

[batmanschmatman]

Thanks. And, you know Chromie, it's okay to need a break or to struggle. We all do.

Private

[strangehistorian]

Thank you. I'll try to remember that.