Xeno Alliance Leadership and Hellfire Legion Leadership "talks". (AO)

[wainwright]

Richard nodded, acknowledging the concerns voiced by the two Xenos.

"You voice understandable questions. I would have been disappointed had you failed to ask me them. On the subject of trust, Miss Patrick, I have found that it is only one's actions that can deliver any form of trustworthiness. For that reason alone, my trustworthiness in your eyes should be low. You would be foolish to have come here with any other preconceptions. However, I would hope that my presence here at all would go some way to alleviating some of your concerns. The rest, I think, can only come with time."

Pausing to take a sip of water, he then turned his attention to the leader of the Xenos.

"The loyalties of the Hellfire Legion lie firmy with Liberty. We are all Libertonians at heart. We fight to return to Liberty a military it can truly be proud of. One that is answerable to the citizens of Liberty, and only to them. One that fights only for them. One that will never again allow the few to abuse, murder, embezzle, kidnap, coerce or lie to any true citizen of Liberty.

As to what the Xeno Alliance brings to the table, Mr Jones, well, that can be addressed somewhat more immediately. You bring political perspicacity with you, and most importantly, the ear of the common people. We are a military machine, and the wranglings and numerous pitfalls of public relations are, to be frank, distinctly distasteful to us. We are not good at it. Our attacks on the military forces and installations of Liberty are too easily painted as criminal operations, or the mindless terrorism of traitors.

We have no means of letting the people we fight for, the citizens of Liberty, know that we are fighting for them. That we are determined to remove the corruption which is endemic within the Liberty military, and that we are as much victims of this corruption as any man, woman or child within Liberty. That we are no danger to the everyday citizen of Liberty. That we actively seek to safeguard them against all threats, both internal and external. You, sir, would be our voice."

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All the old knives, that have rusted in my back, I shall drive deep into yours.

Betrayed