#delighted weyoun voice *oh my that's quite toxic*

[the-lady-general]

I think by the end of the game Harry is about another week or one drunken all-night heart-to-heart away from an ugly make out session slash fist fight with Titus on the tables in the union booth and I think that's a big part of why he tries to recruit him. Showing my work:

The Hardie Boys as an organisation are familiar to him. Titus is "the highest rank that still does field work", so basically a lieutenant. He knows *he* could fit in with them as much as Titus could fit in with the RCM. Their outlooks are similar enough, they want to be the good guys and that excuses their various evils. The skills fawn over the Hardie Boys with "familiarity" the same way they fawn over Kim with "coolness" and Klaasje with "mystery" (and Dora with "divinity", but I'm reluctant to count her considering the everything).

Harry is not immune to bicep girth. Look at Titus. The posture, the physical strength, the support from the other Hardie Boys, the ridiculous Authority - Titus is the kind of person who can make Harry feel safe. A lot of what he sees in Kim is also there in Titus.

Harry is susceptible to bröderbund nonsense, as in, he will turn a blind eye to a lot of bad things once he decides he likes someone. That awesomely high body count in the 41st has to come from *someone*, and Harry has worked with and befriended those people for almost two decades.

Being close with Titus fits in pretty well with Harry's other habits of harming himself - the bender, the long-term alcohol/speed use, how he dealt with the breakup, throwing himself into the tribunal, the suicidal thoughts. Trying to buddy up with the guy who would shoot him and his partner and leave them floating in the canal seems like a logical next step.

Regardless of my wishes for Titus/Harry: Recruiting Titus fits with Harry's divide and conquer tactic. He split Cuno from C, maybe with the best intentions, but recruiting Cuno is one more person that Harry sees as dangerous under the control of the RCM. Titus (and Theo, his "second") likewise is quite an asset to lose for Evrart and the Union. Evrart may have an army, but when the first bullets started flying he sent the Hardie Boys to get the situation under control. Someone that reliable is what the 41st need (and part of why he recruits Kim, I suspect). Plus, right after the tribunal when Titus is still grieving is the only time the recruitment is likely to work.

A minor reason, but if Harry faked the signatures, separating Titus and Evrart is just a sensible healthcare choice. Especially if the powers that be assign Martinaise to the 41st.

Personal beef with one aspect of the game only: confused why the game seems to want you to gain Titus’ approval. It threw me for a loop when you’re given the option to invite him to be a cop.

This guy and his whole posse cold blood murder Harry and Kim both just for interrogating them. They admit to letting the pretty women go for crimes. They almost start a war because Titus has a thing for Klassje.

Like?? And I’m supposed to invite this dude to kick it with my organization? Hell no! I almost didn’t shake his hand, but thought it would be needlessly impolite in the circumstance. I think that guy is a loose canon.

I have a hard time reconciling the way Harry seems a little…fond? of him at the end.

Love to hear some other takes on this.