[Ash opens his mouth to mention the music, but stops himself. He can't recall the last time those background sounds registered consciously in his mind.]

...Well, it shouldn't. If even the veterans can make mistakes that cost lives, I don't want to imagine what the dumb kids can do when given that kind of power or responsibility.

[Not that he needs to; he remembers Romary, shielding the enemy commander (keeping their best friend safe) from his gun against all common sense. He remembers himself, charging into battle without a plan, over and over until someone finally-]