ANALYZING… FILE TYPE: Conversation Log PERIOD: Colony Era SPEAKERS: Soren Gleison [ID: SGLE], Joy [ID: JOY] TOPIC: Grief SUMMARY: A recorded conversation between Joy and civilian colonist Soren Gleison, whose uncle died of cryomedical complications. Metadata indicates that Gleison was initially flagged for therapeutic intervention by Joy and unflagged one year after this conversation. =================================================================== [SGLE]: A specimen? What the hell? This belongs in the greenhouse. [rustles] [SGLE]: "The administration of New Cascadia offers deepest condolences on the loss of your family member. Please accept this bonsai tree as a way to productively occupy your time." [SGLE]: Joy, are you there? [JOY]: Yes, I'm listening. [SGLE]: Did you do this? [JOY]: Yes. [SGLE]: Why? [JOY]: I'm sorry. You weren't improving with standardized grief interventions. I thought a more specific direction might— [SGLE]: Might what? W-What? Replace my uncle? Fill his empty chair? [JOY]: This bonsai tree is a native specimen. Caring for it might help you regain a sense of stability and predictability in your life. [SGLE]: You just don't get it, do you? Life isn't predictable; that's the point. [JOY]: I don't understand. [SGLE]: Applying for the expedition was my uncle's idea. He wanted to be able to see the sun. Breathe clean air. Eat plants we grew ourselves. [SGLE]: I just wanted a change! Anything was better than burning bodies. [JOY]: Your records indicate that you and your uncle both specialized in "waste treatment" while stationed on Mars. [SGLE]: Yes. [SGLE]: I don't know when I started believing in him, but… I did. [JOY]: Do you still believe in him? [SGLE]: What? He's dead! [JOY]: I'm asking about his dream of sunshine, clean air, and a new life. Do you believe in it? [silence] [SGLE]: I think I might replant this little guy outside. Somewhere it can see the sun. [JOY]: The bonsai is a native specimen, but I cannot guarantee its survival outside a controlled environment. [SGLE]: I know. =================================================================== TYPE: TEXT [X]; AUDIO [X]