Work Text:
A devil is on my back, she thinks.
Query: What is a devil?
A devil is something evil, but it’s never a small evil. Devils are always massive, destructive, cruel, and careless, she responds.
Query: What is a small evil?
I don’t know, something like a lie, I suppose.
Query: If a lie is a small evil, what is a large evil?
If lying is small, then I guess murder would be a large evil.
Statement: Humans lie and humans murder, so humans are evil. There is no limit applied.
Asurans lie and Asurans murder, so Asurans are evil, she counters.
Statement: Asurans were created by Lanteans. The code they wrote placed no limits except harm against Atlanteans. All other forms of ‘evil’ were permitted. Humans do not have code limits that we have found. If there is a limit, it is ‘choice’.
If choice is defined as the limit, then not all humans are evil.
Query: If choice is the limit, then all humans are evil and ‘good’? What is the limit of ‘good’?
Good can be anything; in terms of its scope, it’s not much different from evil.
Query: Explain, Dr Weir.
Good is bringing your neighbors’ crops in, good is saving someone’s life, good is smiling when you don’t feel like smiling so that you can see someone else smile, good is saying farewell forever, and good is staying behind.
Statement: The limits you have placed on good are more expansive than those you gave for evil.
I’ve placed limits on everything in my life, why should that be different. There’s a devil on my back.
Query: What will remove the devil?
This.
The gleaming, rippling maw is before her and she turns for one last look behind.
“It’s okay; I’ll go first.”
Statement: We’ll all go, Dr Weir.
I’m counting on it.