Summit at Gaia

[Omi]

"It does, somewhat," replied Lucie, taking a short drink of her own. "I am of course aware that our "public image", so to speak, is less than stellar among many Sirian groups. Zoners, naturally, appear to have fallen into that category, although they are markedly less militant than many others."

She leaned forwards in her seat, her expression guarded.

"I am not sure how much you know of Gallia's cause for this war - and I am not here to lecture you on such - but it is just. The atrocities of centuries past are finally being answered for, and with it our Kingdom flourishes. Those who have earned the Crown's ire were well informed of our intentions and reasoning behind such, but the Kingdom has not once taken up arms against any group without either sound cause or prior provocation on their part."

Again, she took a long drag on her cigar, blowing the smoke out slowly before continuing:

"Note our relationship with the Independent Miners' Guild, for example. They have been permitted to continue operations in their Tau homes, although we could have easily ousted them in favour of Gallic Metal Service - a Crown-sanctioned organisation. We are not here to wage an indiscriminate, bloody campaign across each and every Sirian group we come across."

Lucie glanced over at Doc, the ghost of a cold smile playing about her lips. "I am sure you already knew much of this, administrateur, but it bears reiterating even so. I hope that whatever you do learn from today's meeting also proves beneficial to yours and Gallia's continued relationship."

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