As you approach the navigation point several minutes later, your comms pick up a rather heated debate between the Huit officers. Unfortunately, only Ralph is able to follow what is being said (unless one of the other PCs speaks huit, but i don't remember anyone but ralph knowing it).
: [...Soldiers deserting by the squad, mass dissent in every city, slave uprisings plaguing the Empire, morale across the continent has never been lower! And those of us who still wish to take the fight to the enemy's door are being held back by the bureaucrats who insist on playing it safe! Well I say to hell with them! The Empire needs a victory, now more than ever before, and I will be the one to achieve it, with or without their approval!]
: [Then you and I are in agreement, but this, this is NOT the way to do it! By deploying nuclear weapons on enemy soil, you will be breaking the terms of our treaty with the Zentragoths! They'll rescind all support and leave us to fend for ourselves!]
: [Bah, and where has following this treaty got us? Where are our illustrious allies in our time of need? Off on the other side of the world butting heads with the Aesthians, or wasting their time smothering their little protectorates! No help for us, their closest allies.]
: [They haven't abandoned us, two of my squadmates
currently present are Zentragoths, and they-]
: [Two planes? Oh, how
magnanimous of them! Where was the Imperial Navy when the GTO butchered my fleet? Or when enemy troops began landing on our soil? All they have given us in aid is a pittance of supplies and support crew. All the bullets and shells in the world won't do us any good when our forces are too cowed to even bring their guns to bear! If the Zentragoths won't honor their end of this
MUTUAL Defense Pact, I don't see why we should! Tlacelel, you can either help the Empire or take your squadron and leave, but I am not turning back until my job is done!]
: [Your grievances are understandable, but this response is not. We cannot allow you to follow through with this course of action. Turn back and return to port at once, or you will be fired upon.]
A number of planes have been dispatched from a carrier currently outside radar range, and are flying directly at Tlacelel and his retinue. Neither faction seems to have noticed your presence yet, but you are in radar range of Tlacelel's flight.
Poll