Perhaps the admiral does not understand the difference between a diplomat and a terrorist, or perhaps his has little time, or resource, to give the matter much thought. Certainly though, he has enough strength of arms to negotiate his own tortuous course through matters of honour and principal - and to threaten the courses of others. But while that is so, some negotiations are unavoidable, even in the small arena that encompasses the aspirations of warlike persons... isn't that the case, senator, especially when dealing with the young and inexperienced?
All of that having been said, it must be the time by now to forget old assaults, and to look to the future - and to the present. Whatever the courses laid before us, there stands always a void upon the edges of our various intrigues and wars, and no one knows what terrible chance may suddenly break upon us out of that endless dark.