For the Innocent (Part 3-Thanks)

    The lift whirred as Anmoku and Nagusami were carried to the carrier's debriefing room.  Both were silent at first, having already gone though the same situation many times.  There wouldn't be much time for the two to speak in private, so Nagusami took the first step.

    Nagusami sighed, "Every time this happens, it gets harder to explain in a way the men will understand.  Did you really have to fire your pistol past the executioner's head?  If you weren't so mute then maybe instead you could've simply shouted 'No!'"

    He studied Anmoku's face with his peripheral vision, trying to detect any change in his expression.  It never did change, but he looked every time.  He instead took a deep breath.

    I see, so he did regret resorting to that method at least.  He probably didn't have enough time for anything else Nagusame thought to himself.  "It's regular procedure for the military to quell any resistance, by any methods required.  What I'm trying to say is, you can't save them all."

     Anmoku turned his head to look straight into the eyes of his companion.  He knew, but knowing that didn't mean he had to accept it.  The lift began to slow until finally stopping at their destination.

     Before queuing the door to open, Nagusami turned to face Anmoku.  "I hope you forgive me but I will have to yell at you some more during the debriefing."  A nod in reply.  "I suppose I'll end up telling the men that...it was a waste of resources to spend effort on defenseless foes and hopeless revolutionaries."

     Anmoku pressed the panel to open the lift door himself.  He began to walk out past Nagusami but stopped right before passing him.  Without so much as a glance, Anmoku placed his hand on Nagusami's shoulder.  It lasted only a second before he removed it and walked onward to the debriefing room.

     Just barely in his hearing range as he walked off, Nagusami quipped: "That probably would've been a hug from anyone else."  Though Anmoku didn't stop, Nagusami could swear that he heard the faintest trace of a chuckle.