Quoted By:
<span class="mu-b">”Unarmed? You're kidding right?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”Energy signs show, no, it is not a weapons platform. Or even a defensive structure.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”Esaal janitors are more heavily armed then our Enforcers for fuck's sake. What is it then?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”It appears to be a civilian base- likely a port or containing support staff for the nearby fleet activity.”</span>
It makes sense. Early colonization effort, a nearby place for soldiers to unwind or have their families close at hand. But totally undefended like this? It seems strange. Or were the patrolling ships meant to be all the protection it needed?
<span class="mu-r">”Your Majesty, if I may...”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”What is it, Jale?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">”This base will detect us if we come any closer to the system- we can't get our samples without it getting in the way. You and I both know that they will obey their instructions- and raise the alarm. Threatening them won't work- We can't afford to draw any more of the attention of the Esaal's military fleet-”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”So-”</span>
<span class="mu-r">”Destroy them! This is about survival- we have bombing capabilities in this fleet- we can flatten that installation. Your Majesty- I learned all about the Esaal's culture while studying espionage- the <span class="mu-i">Esaal don't believe in civilians</span>. All enemies are combatants- this is what they believe, turn it back on them!”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”Enough.”</span>
The truth that Jale did not mention is that this isn't a belief of the Esaal- the belief that there are no civilians in war. It is a belief <span class="mu-i">both</span> your nations share. The Hegemony <span class="mu-i">does not believe</span> in civilians in warfare either. <span class="mu-i">There is no such thing as a noncombatant.</span>
