fandomhigh | Ethics [Thursday, September 6]

Anakin walked into his classroom precisely on time and gave the students assembled there an appraising glance.

It wasn't possible to tell what he thought of them.

"I'm Master Skywalker," he said in a voice that was intended to carry, "this is Ethics, and we're going to skip the introductions--I'll figure out who you are--and move straight to our first discussion."

He paced around the room, cloak flaring out behind him, as he handed out the syllabus. "Today's topic," he said. "Self sacrifice: knowing the difference between saving people and being a pretentious twit."

"Any time I ask a a group of people what they would do to save someone they love, they all blither on about how they would set the world on fire, lie, cheat, steal, kill, die, et cetera, et cetera. I've been at this school too long to believe that half of you haven't already been put into this situation and I'm in no mood to hear adolescent ramblings about how wonderful you were or might hypothetically be. We're going to ground it in reality.

"A month ago there was a woman who was in charge of this school. She had been placed in power legitimately, was allowed to punish in accordance with that power, and began pushing the boundaries of her authority almost immediately. She called students to her office, punished them for slights genuine or imagined, and began escalating the severity and frequency of her punishments, going over the line into what was no longer acceptable."

Anakin crossed his arms over his chest, the scar across his face very evident in the light coming through the window. "It eventually took a team of highly qualified adults to take her out. Today's topic: when do you draw the line? When do you admit to yourself that a problem cannot be solved, that to sacrifice yourself isn't a statement, it's merely pointless? How long does it take for you to check your ego?"

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"So, what should a soldier do if he's given bad orders and knows it?" John asked.

"Say no," Anakin said. "You've joined an organization. You haven't sold your soul or given away your ability to use your brain. If it's wrong, say it's wrong."

"And when no one listens," he started, because no one ever did. "Does what you know give you the right to break rank and risk yourself and others to do what's right?" John was obviously conflicted about this issue.

"I always did," Anakin said quietly. "Do what you must, but be prepared for the blowback."

John nodded, "I'll keep that in mind."

Anakin leaned in close and dropped his voice. "And you touch a hair on her head before she gives you permission to do it and they'll never find your body. Got it?"

"I take it we're not talking about the discussion question anymore?" John knew they weren't but couldn't seem to help himself.

"Do try to keep up, Mister Sheppard. I'd like to believe my granddaughter looks for intelligence somewhere under all of your hair."

"Yes sir," John replied, trying to control his sarcasm. "No hair touching." And possibly failing.

Anakin glared. "Don't push me."

"You have nothing to worry about, sir," John assured him. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt your granddaughter."

Anakin bared his teeth. It could look like a smile if you were really, really stupid.

"It'd be the last thing you'd ever do," he said, then moved on to the next student.

Fun guy.

Wow, that was not a happy grin, he thought, watching his teacher walk away.

Getting the impression Anakin didn't like him very much, John decided Ethics was going to be an interesting class.

Ethics [Thursday, September 6]

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