Allenby didn't think it was something silly. It was a problem she'd struggled with since learning about the mission she'd found herself in on Stacy. She tossed her jacks from hand to hand as she thought. "Yeah, I mean... it doesn't feel like they're givin' us a choice. They trashed our worlds and they're out to trash more, and they're sure real violent towards us."

Still, ever since the battle and talking out these feelings with others, she'd been more uncertain of her choice that day. She remembered how she'd shouted taunts at the Shrikes like they'd been normal opponents, but they weren't--she'd killed them. They were using dirty tactics and abandoning their teammates, but they were still people and she hadn't been thinking about them that way. Maybe that was what Setsuna meant when he said I'd change--not that I'd feel bad all the time, but that I'd just stop feeling.

"But we are gettin' closer to understanding them. Your pal Setsuna and--uh--Councilor Yunos contacted them. Maybe we can find a way to settle with them, at least find out why they fight and get 'em to knock it off."