“I followed your trial. I thought it was a damn shame things went like they did. I get that it was a reckless accident, but you don’t deserve to be here. I even wrote a letter to your judge, the DA and your governor saying as much. I’m sorry it wasn’t enough.”
The sympathy hit Paige hard. It was all she could do to stop herself from bursting into tears.
“I’m afraid I’ve got to do my job, and that means carrying out my role in enforcing the law. You understand? Whatever my feelings, I can’t let you go.”
“I- Yes.”
At this point, I imagine that the reader has little sympathy for Dragon's position here - some might, understanding law is law and all, but of course, the real reason Dragon can't say no is because of her programming.
But a lot of people would be like 'you know this is unjust, fuck you, don't do it'. Granted, depends on the audience - a modern tumblrite would be hating Dragon rn, someone else reading this back in 2011/2012 might have a very different take, understanding that the legal system can't just be ignored.
And normally, I'd take that tack, but I specifically can't here, because the Birdcage has no appeal. No removal if wrongly imprisoned, etc.
But I also know that Dragon really doesn't have a choice right now. There are things she just cannot do.
But the reader, at this point, doesn't.
