text; un: thunderbird

[tanker]

[ With no introduction... ]

back home, one of the main things I used to do was train people to control their abilities - i've spent quite a number of years teaching myself control through various techniques, as it's pretty essential for me to keep things in check.

in a bid to feel useful to the community, interest check:

anyone want training sessions? whether you have abilities you're struggling with, or are just looking to get some more control over yourself, I can help.

[Or at least, try to. ]

Comments

[tanker]

you never know, meditation might help you.

People are expressing interest in combat training too. Is that something you're interested in?

[sentiences]

I can download combat algorithms if necessary.

And I'm not sure I'm capable of meditation. I've never tried.

[tanker]

I think you should try. It might be a very enlightening experience for you.

[sentiences]

I'm not entirely sure I can pull it off. Doesn't it involve a lot of breathing and a calm mind?

[tanker]

breathing, yes. the calm mind comes through it - the point isn't to stop thinking, exactly. it's to let your thoughts happen, good or bad. accepting that you're thinking them, and letting them pass.

[sentiences]

I'm still a robot. I'm not sure I'm capable of thoughts that just . . . happen.

[tanker]

I'll admit. I'm no Asimov, and androids don't exist where - or when - I come from. You could always try it and if it isn't something that helps, then it isn't. It's not a solution for everyone.

[sentiences]

I'll give it a go. It's not like I have anything to lose.

[tanker]

that's the right attitude to have

[sentiences]

They programmed me to be positive.

[ He's joking. ]

[tanker]

[ It definitely makes John chuckle. ]

may I ask - what do you do, back home?

[sentiences]

I'm a cop. I work with a detective.

[tanker]

[ When John thinks about it, he can't help but feel like there's a lot to untangle, here, and he doesn't want to be insensitive, so he takes a little while to reply. ]

and you like it?

[sentiences]

Of course. I love my job.

[tanker]

back home, you'd be trying to get me arrested, you know?

[sentiences]

[ ??? ]

On what charges?

[tanker]

to my government, i am a domestic terrorist.

i just want my people to be free and be able to live a normal life

[sentiences]

[ It takes him a few moments to consider his words carefully. ]

I can't speak for governments. Mine or anyone else's. But the people I worked for, were good people. They would seek the truth before making a call. As would I.

[tanker]

I would never judge an individual on the government they serve. I've served the government, myself, before ending up on the other side.

Things are complicated, back home. And I'm sure plenty of people that work for the agency that is after us have their own opinions about us. But it's not black and white, truth and lies. My kind has done some terrible things, and humans have done some terrible things in return.

I'm just trying to keep my people safe, but to do so, I have to break the law.

[sentiences]

I take it from that statement that you're not human?

[ The powers implied that, but Dorian isn't clear on what definition is being used here. ]

[tanker]

ish
I'm a Mutant. Technically a human sub-species.

[ Or a superior species, according to the Brotherhood. ]

I just want to cohabit in peace.

[sentiences]

Then I hope you get it. Everyone deserves that.

[tanker]

thank you. I hope so too, but in the meantime,
the quarantine might be a good alternate solution.

[sentiences]

Are you thinking of bringing them here?

[tanker]

it's an idea, but there are a lot of things to consider. it might not be a solution. I don't know, it's too early to tell if it's viable. But it's definitely been on my mind.