[ Wash has his moments of idealism, surprisingly, bogged down in cynicism as he is. But sometimes the only reason he's a cynic is because of how much he wants the ideal to be true, of how clearly he sees not only the goal but the gaping chasm inbetween. There might not always be an option where everyone makes it out alive, but not only does this not seem quite that grave to him just yet -- there's no reason not to aim for it. There's no reason not to try.
It might be setting himself up for tragedy, most times, but it's tragedy either way and he'd be damned if he doesn't do his best to get all his people out alive. The first altercation of many he'd had with the UNSC was when he'd decided he'd rather assault a commanding officer than take the orders of sending a platoon into certain death. He hasn't exactly learned his lesson, since then. If anything, he's more that man than he ever was before.
Wash might smile, shrug a little helplessly. He is sentimental, he knows he is. Trying to reject that has caused him more problems in his life than anything else. ]
Of course it's not always that easy. But to me, the mission objective is still clear -- not just Sonia, but all three of you safe. It doesn't matter how difficult it'll be, or how willing you are to die. Any loss won't be acceptable to me, so I'm going to do my best to prevent it.
[ And Natasha can't stop him from that. Neither can Byerly, for that matter. All terribly stubborn fools, but at least working on the same goals, more or less -- Wash just hopes that his own drive to keep them alive will do enough to counterbalance their own drives to give up anything for Sonia. ]
You're compromised. [ Blunt, honest, but there's no need to talk around it. They both know it. ] I know there's no such thing as a risk-free operation, but I don't think I can trust you to not put yourself at unnecessary risk, not around Sonia. I can't trust Byerly with that, either, which means my job aside from getting her out of there is to keep both of you from getting yourselves killed.
If nothing else? We need information more than ever. Keep your cover and you'll be helping more in the long run. And Sonia . . . [ A sigh. He looks back at Natasha, a quiet understanding in his eyes. ] Please. Stay away from her.
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It might be setting himself up for tragedy, most times, but it's tragedy either way and he'd be damned if he doesn't do his best to get all his people out alive. The first altercation of many he'd had with the UNSC was when he'd decided he'd rather assault a commanding officer than take the orders of sending a platoon into certain death. He hasn't exactly learned his lesson, since then. If anything, he's more that man than he ever was before.
Wash might smile, shrug a little helplessly. He is sentimental, he knows he is. Trying to reject that has caused him more problems in his life than anything else. ]
Of course it's not always that easy. But to me, the mission objective is still clear -- not just Sonia, but all three of you safe. It doesn't matter how difficult it'll be, or how willing you are to die. Any loss won't be acceptable to me, so I'm going to do my best to prevent it.
[ And Natasha can't stop him from that. Neither can Byerly, for that matter. All terribly stubborn fools, but at least working on the same goals, more or less -- Wash just hopes that his own drive to keep them alive will do enough to counterbalance their own drives to give up anything for Sonia. ]
You're compromised. [ Blunt, honest, but there's no need to talk around it. They both know it. ] I know there's no such thing as a risk-free operation, but I don't think I can trust you to not put yourself at unnecessary risk, not around Sonia. I can't trust Byerly with that, either, which means my job aside from getting her out of there is to keep both of you from getting yourselves killed.
If nothing else? We need information more than ever. Keep your cover and you'll be helping more in the long run. And Sonia . . . [ A sigh. He looks back at Natasha, a quiet understanding in his eyes. ] Please. Stay away from her.