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Questions/Question 216

re: the Outer Defectors

If gently wheedled or pressed, would any of them mention family that they wish they could see/talk to? Someone that should be notified when they die in the following days? Obviously they feel abandoned but, for instance, if they had a young kid once upon a time or someone they cared for that they haven't been able to see... Or are they pretty much all in the mindset that even those people have abandoned them?

Most of the defectors are of the conviction that they've been abandoned- or are proud (bitter) about doing the abandoning themselves. No one cares about them, they don't need anyone, they know the truth, etc., it's as exhausting as it is sad. The mental deterioration due to arcane radiation isn't doing them any favors when it comes to a steady lucidity.

It's still possible to hit upon a moment of weakness and regret in some of them, and be given a name, some direction. They won't ask for anyone to be located, but if an Augmented were to persevere anyway...

Most of the time there's nothing to find- either because no one remembers who they're talking about, or because the information they gave was incorrect, jumbled up with something else. In some cases, it's possible to get an indirect hit, locating an old neighbor, or a friend who recognizes the description. Some will pass along the news that the person has already died. Others will become defensive, upset if it's made clear on whose behalf the Augmented is looking, and refuse to connect them further. 'Good riddance,' is the common sentiment. 'I hope they stay out there. Leaving is the only good thing they've ever done.'

But the defectors are not, unfortunately, wrong about being alone out there. Apart from the vague 'community' they keep outside the city, no one else would notice if they were gone.