Next, Behar finally decided to approach his seat. Placing his glass down, he then pulled his coat jacket free and left it draping over the back of his chair. He then stood with two hands on it, calm eyes going between first Marlene, then to Kesslee and back. “I think it shouldn’t have to be restated that the Apparatus function of ALIRBAD was due to the previous government’s … inability to abide by the peace amongst the states of the Local Region that the Apparatus, for all their faults, worked hard to achieve,” As he began, the Artifex tilted his chin just slightly and dug a finger into the center of his tie, beginning to work it loose just slightly. He always preferred to have a bit more to breath when diplomacy turned to subjects like this.
“I need you to fully understand, and properly convey the message to Prince - if he is indeed still in control of your government as I believe - that I am here with the full intention of preventing another such conflict - as well, steering away the possibilities of a different, much worse one for those still residing in the Aschen Home States. It was at my behest that the Apparatus abide by the Righteous Protocol. We alerted those who sat in positions of power where, and how, the Apparatus would strike. Suffice it to say, while few in the military agreed with me, someone in your chambers of power took the message to heart. I carry the cost of your previous government’s war close, as do many in the Bureau here, and every war that a free people have been forced to fight against enemies that look very much like your government does now. I do not owe this service to the government in Wing City of the Terrans, or of the Edenites in the Federation, or even the Coalition in New Empyrea. I owe it to the people of these states - and especially, the people of the Aschen realms. It will be the decision of your government, if the duty is truly to move the Aschen people forward or, merely move the interests of your 'empire' forward. And that, Grand Confessor, can be a very difficult question to answer - it was for me.”