Floating Feelings (Marcus)

[cassandra]

Abigail hadn’t been floated. But she’d been damn near close under Pops’ orders. But the chancellor stepped in and saved her life. But now things were extra complicated. Mom had begged Pops not to go through with it. Pops had said no. And now...Mom didn’t want to be anywhere near Pops. There was even talk of her moving out. No one wanted that. So..It was up to Cas to talk to Pops and try to sort this out.

She found him in his room, surprise surprise. When he needed to brood that was where he went. Cas hadn’t bothered to knock. She’d waltzed straight in.

“For the record, I get why you did it,” Cas said brazenly. “Those rules seem decent enough. No life should be valued that much more than all the rest. And there was a good chance he would have died anyways. To abstain from punishment would have been to condone her actions. Abigail took a gamble. It paid off; but, it was a gamble. And still there are complications with the chancellor. He’s sick and bedridden. I’m sure somewhere Mom gets it. But you know her and Abigail are thick as thieves. Of course she’s going to be upset. But she didn’t die. No one died. I know you can work this out.”

Pops looked so troubled that Cas broke her own rule and gave him a quick hug. “Really Pops, it’ll be alright. I don’t think you need to apologize. I’m sure she knows you were trying to do the right thing. You always do. But maybe you can say you were sorry it had to be Abigail but you couldn’t treat her differently just because she was Mom’s friend. Favoritism like that corrupts quickly.”

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

The Ark had rules for a reason. They were made based on the limited supplies, and limited ability to keep more then a certain number alive. The Ark was also dying. It had but months left. Half a year at most if they went through with the culling soon. He didn't want to do a population reduction, but if it meant saving the human race then he would push for it. Earth wasn't working. The bracelets showed the kids were dying. There was no other hope left.

His daughter walked in, and Marcus drew himself up to address her. She talked about how she saw things and thankfully it was looking at things from his point of view. He wasn't sure he could deal with anyone else disagreeing with him today. Cass didn't know that the Ark was dying. She couldn't know what drove his actions. "As much as I regret things, I cannot pardon friends. If we did there would be a rebellion. The people would be outraged." If they found out about this pardon, they still might be. He knew all too well the power of the rules. He had once been in love with a woman, and she had been floated. He had to arrest her. He had to watch. He loved his wife, and would not regret marrying her; but having done what he did before had taught him a valuable lesson. Rules would be followed. "It gives me no pleasure to fight with your mother. I love her. I don't wish to loose her."