[ Impatience is a hard ball in the lower half of his gut. In taking three beats to speak, it recedes to a manageable calm. Kaji will keep this short; for his sake, not theirs. ]

( If we fall asleep, don't let them take us back to the Station. We'd rather pass peacefully. I hope you all respect our wishes. )

[ Rust's mental presence is peripheral, an averted glance. Tinged with shame: ] ( Doesn't have to be peaceful, not for me. ) [ For a moment, a landscape stretches out—choked with green, night falling fast. Swallowing it up. The ground underfoot earth, asphalt, ice. ]

( So long as it's final. )

CHARACTERS: Sam and Bucky; closed
WHERE: The Red Coast
WHEN: DAY 040 night
SUMMARY: The programming tells Bucky to poison himself, so he does.
WARNINGS: self-poisoning (non-SI), blood, violence, drowning


( that this would all be a dream )