Quoted By:
“We were wrong to come into your territory- great one.”
“Thank you for sparing our lives- you are a merciful ruler.”
“Please forgive us, your omnipotence!”
The surviving captains of the various ships and fleet-groups are brought before you and coached on how to properly display their humility and gratitude. Within the throneroom, they throw themselves down and bow. You have no need for them to sign a confessional; you didn't intend to try them with a crime, nor punish any of them beyond what they have already suffered. After all, sending them back in one piece will be beneficial enough. Perhaps it may win you some supporters among the Consortium- as unlikely it may be.
The captains do seem truly grateful, at least. They were not expected to be spared if they were captured- and not expecting such a gentle treatment. Considering the normal punishment for captured spies was quite grisly indeed.
“Unfortunately, I do not foresee the Consortium ceasing their aggression, nor will this improve your standing among their ruling class. At least those at the lower levels will be more likely to surrender...”
<span class="mu-b">”Shouldn't the Consortium be happy its getting some of its own people back? The Esaal were quite pleased when we brought back their defeated warriors.”</span>
“That was the Esaal. They are a racial and cultural polity. One could argue they are more advanced then the Consortium's degenerate capitalist-democracy, or you could argue they never had the social intelligence to move into the <span class="mu-i">realpolitik</span> stage of thinking.”
<span class="mu-b">”That doesn't explain anything, Threes.”</span>
