Starfield:Companion - Sarah Morgan/Story SG03

Quest:	COM_Companion_SarahMorgan
Scene:	COM_SarahMorgan_Story_SG03

Sarah Morgan:

"Thanks for taking time to chat. I... I really need a friendly ear right about now."

"I received a message from Constellation, and it's given me a lot to think about."

...	Player	Response	Reaction
	[+Starborn?] If it's some sort of "to-do list," I wouldn't worry so much.	Well, yes. That's precisely what I'm talking about. Are you peeking at my messages?	Well, anyway, this particular list concerns me.
	If it's an emergency of some kind, we can head there right away.	No, no... it's nothing like that.	It's just a list of requests... things I would normally handle if I was there. But I'm not. I'm out here instead, with you.
	I hope it isn't bad news.	Not at all.	It's just a list of requests, but when you read between the lines, it's obvious my absence is causing issues.
▲	[+ Back to Vectera?] Don't tell me Barrett has sent you another one of his dirty jokes.	*Light Chuckle* No, no. I wish it was that simple.	It's not from Barrett specifically, it's a line list of questions they need answered... only I'm not there to answer them.

...	Player	Response
	You feel like you're ignoring your responsibilities.	Something like that... it's difficult to explain.
	It's not so much the message itself, it's what it represents.	Exactly... but let me back up a bit so I can explain.
	Are you upset that I'm keeping you away from the Lodge?	You're not keeping me out here, I am. Just... here, let me explain.
🗣︎	Are you receiving these messages often?	No, it's the first time... but the fact that they're reaching out, well, it's given me a lot to think about.

"Before I joined Constellation, I served for eight years as the head of the Navigator Corps, until the UC decided to axe the department."

...	Player	Response
	Government cuts take their toll on everyone.	Yeah, sure... some more than others.
	Must have been painful, considering that was your department.	Yeah, I suppose "painful" is an appropriate way to put it.
	Eight years isn't a bad run for anything government-related.	Had we notched some significant achievements, I'd agree with you.
🗣︎	What exactly was the Navigator Corps?	It was a branch of the United Colonies Navy, a small fleet of ships outfitted for galactic exploration. Basically, a military version of Constellation.
🗣︎	What does this have to do with the message from the Lodge?	If you want to help, I feel like I need to give you some background. Just bear with me.

"You see, the top brass demanded press-worthy discoveries to justify the spending, and money was tight after the war. Shutdown was inevitable."

"At the end of the day, I was in charge, so the blame obviously fell on my shoulders."

...	Player	Response
	[+Explorer?] That sort of bureaucratic nonsense is exactly why I left it all behind.	Well, perhaps it was easy for you, but my obligations to the UC didn't allow me to simply pick up and leave. Sorry, I'm just... things are tough for me right now, and I need you to listen.
	It's ridiculous to accept all of the blame.	Like hell I can't.
	You were clearly fighting some impossible odds.	Yeah?
🗣︎	Which war are you talking about?	Seriously? The Colony War, of course. You know, that little incident that caused the death of thousands of decent men and women as they squabbled over border disputes? THAT war.

• [Q+205?]

"You once told me that you favored the journey over the destination, so I'm hoping you'll understand what I'm trying to say."

• [Q+215?]

"You told me that roaming the starfield allowed you to favor the journey over the destination, so I'm hoping you'll understand what I'm trying to say."

• [Q+210?]

"You once told me that you found the journey boring, so I don't expect you to fully understand what I'm saying."

--

"I failed because I was more concerned about exploring the stars than pushing a pencil."

Delayed Reaction
...
If I had fought harder, I'm convinced our division may have had a chance to prove its value.
Because of my lack of foresight, all I ended up with was a shuttered division and a bunch of excuses.
...

...	Player	Response	Reaction
	Nonsense, no one would have pushed harder than you.	[QB305] That's just it though.	Did I push too hard? Did they shut us down because I wasn't quietly sitting at my desk approving meaningless memos? We'll never know.
	No matter how hard you fight, there are some battles you can't win.	[QB310] That's just it, though.	They left me to my own devices, and yet I somehow screwed everything up!
	It's obvious the military wasn't your calling.	[QB315] That's just it, though.	This was as far from the military as you could get. Ships built for exploration, not war. And I still screwed it all up!
🗣︎	Your division never had a single significant discovery?	That depends on your definition of "significant." Discover a rare neutron star, and no one cares... but slap a picture of a kooky alien lifeform on SSNN and suddenly you're a goddamn rock star. It's all about the propaganda, what gets the people excited. That's what the United Colonies was focused on at the time.

...	Player	Response
▲	At least Constellation has been a great success.	Well, that brings us to this message now, doesn't it.
▼	Calm down, Sarah.	No, damn it. For once I'm going to say what's on my mind instead of pretending that everything's okay.
	So this message, you're taking it as a sign of things to come.	Yes? Maybe?

"Call it whatever you want, my drive, my initiative... my optimism, it's been my greatest strength and my worst nightmare."

"It elevates me to these positions of authority, but all I want to do is explore, not sit and make sure all the accounts are balanced."

...	Player	Response	Reaction
	You're afraid that your absence will cause Constellation to collapse.	Yes! Exactly!	If it's obvious to you, imagine how obvious it is to someone like Barrett or Matteo... they must be itching to replace me by now. Goddamn it.
	Maybe you should resign your position as Chair and just... explore.	You have no idea how tempting that sounds.	But then dumping everything I've worked so hard to achieve, it's like I've wasted another decade of my life. I can't do that. Argh, so frustrating.
	We should put this aside for now and concentrate on our mission.	Sure, just ignore the problem and hope it goes away.	Then, when Constellation goes belly-up because of my lack of action, I'll just dust myself off and put in a resume somewhere else. Great idea!

...	Player	Response
▲	Don't worry, Sarah. We'll figure this out together.	Oh my god, I am so sorry. Here you are trying to help me and I'm yelling at you.
	I'm sorry I pushed so hard.	No... no, I'm the one that should be apologizing.
	Hey, you're the one who wanted to talk.	Oh my god. You're right. I'm... I'm so sorry.

"You have to undertstand [sic], once Aja retired, I lost the only person that gave a damn."

...	Player	Response	Reaction
	I give a damn.	Of course you do. I'm just not thinking straight right now.	Whew. This has taken a lot out of me, so maybe we should leave things right here.
	I guess I'm nobody?	Of course you aren't. Just the fact that you took time to listen means a lot.	Look, um... I've already taken up too much of your time and honestly, I'm exhausted.
▲	Ouch. And right to my face, too.	*Chuckle* You'd think I'd realize by now that I can always depend on you to lighten the mood.	Wow, that was a hell of a ride wasn't it? I'm sorry to put you through all that.
	[Flirt] I'll always be here for you, Sarah.	Look, it's clear that you have... feelings for me. It's just... I've never had time for this sort of thing in my life.	Please... it's not you. It's me. I'm just not ready to get that close. I can't. Not now.

"But thank you for being there and listening. It helped, it really did."

[QE350]