In the Bretonian Parliament

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Lord Elliot Humphrey had been puffing thoughtfully on his pipe through Marlborough's and Grey's comments, giving vent to his irritation at their shortsightedness. Humphrey had followed IMG's fortunes for some time. Intrigued by their spirit and ingenuity - and frustrated with his own government's apparent ineptitude, his patience with his more obstinate colleagues had finally worn too thin. He stood up switfly, ashes falling to his feet.

Well, I would think with his workload, Lord Grey would have better things to do than to issue in speculation and alarmism here. And Lord Marlborough would actually have us believe that our brilliant defeat in Leeds was the strategic coup of the year? That we finally have the enemy where we want them? Nonsense! If anyone's head is in the noose, gentlemen, it is ours!

We are in the position we're in right now because of thinking like that, let me tell you. We have overreached our boundaries, we have. Surrender the Taus? How can we surrender what we never had? How can we grouse about compromising something we only still hold but by the thinnest thread?

It is past time for the hard line, my friends. It is now time to be smart, to be shrewd, to be willing to let go of grand strategy for the sake of sound strategy. It is time to take advantage of a natural and cultural ally in the Taus, and that would be the IMG. Lord Grey calls IMG "loosely branded rabble." I ask you, does such "rabble" design and successfully market some of the highest quality vessels in Sirius? Does such "rabble" continue to grow in size and scope of operation, build new bases - including a shipyard in the Omegas - establish programmes for exploration, or perfect and expand its mining operations even while those of this empire wane?! Bah! Give up your snobbery, gentlemen. We have no time for such foolishness.

IMG has indicated an affinity for Bretonia already, has already and of its own volition both entered into diplomatic rapprochment with our government and distanced itself from that truly and certifiably loose rabble, the Colonial Remnant. Do we think it hasn't occurred to IMG to ally itself with the enemy, especially now when the Remnant overtly has, and when IMG finds more of its operational area under Kusari occupation? Think, gentlemen! IMG has demonstrated its intelligence, its foresight, its willingness to be prudent in the face of almost certain temptation to be overly bold and expansive. Perhaps it is time to learn from their example.

We have much to gain from a strong relationship with the Guild. If that means that we pay a little rent to harvest resources in a few places, so be it. If we are not in a position to do so ourselves, then we have little to complain about. Let go our shortsightedness, our prejudice, our foolishness, our idyllic delusions of grandeur. The time to rein in our ambition and to expand our innovativeness has long since come. We meet this great trial with our proper allies, or we fall alone. It is that simple.

With that, Humphrey took his seat and resumed puffing.

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Sir Alisdair Buchanan, KBE ~ Gateway)Trafalgar