0. Hey, Claude. Looks like you had another one of those [cdb]meetings. Finally finished?
1. For today, yeah. But we're picking up right where we [cdb]left off tomorrow.
2. Ugh, that's a lot of talking. What could possibly call [cdb]for that much discussion?
3. Well first, we need to settle on a direction for the Alliance. And then come all the pesky little details.
4. All responsibilities need to be doled out fairly, [cdb]but each territory has different resources and [cdb]different circumstances, you know?
5. So it's tricky to figure out what's really fair. There's [cdb]no one answer that works across the board.
6. But you're their leader. Can't you just make a bunch [cdb]of decisions and get it over with?
7. No can do, I'm afraid. I may be the leader, [cdb]but I'm still just one of the Five Great Lords.
8. Sure, I may be the idea man, but I don't have the [cdb]authority to enforce anything on my own.
9. On top of all that, most nobles are experts at focusing [cdb]on what's good for their own territory instead of what [cdb]would benefit the Alliance as a whole.
10. When priorities clash, the debates just go around and [cdb]around in endless circles. Makes me wonder if we'll [cdb]ever reach a consensus on anything.
11. Hold on. Do you really think you'll win the war like [cdb]this? You'll always be on the defensive if you can't act [cdb]decisively.
12. I hear you, believe me. The process works much [cdb]better in times of peace, but since we're at war... It's frustrating, to say the least.
13. What's worse is that it's near impossible to get a read [cdb]on the situation. I don't have the foggiest idea how [cdb]we're going to overcome this.
14. Say... Mind if I pick your brain? What would you do [cdb]in my shoes?
15. What, me? Well, I guess I'd...
16. Give 'em the old ba-bam.
17. Skirt round them with a nice whoosh.
18. Just hit 'em with the old ba-bam! Y'know? That's the way.
19. Ba-bam. Right. Think you could elaborate on that [cdb]a little?
20. You gotta just give 'em a nice whoosh! Deal with [cdb]them that way.
21. Uh-huh. Whoosh. Care to spell that one out for me?
22. What I'm saying is, why not just get rid of all the [cdb]talking?
23. You mean get rid of the Alliance's council altogether?
24. Exactly. If you give yourself more authority, then it [cdb]won't take as long to make decisions.
25. It doesn't even have to be permanent. You could [cdb]go back to the old way once things are peaceful again.
26. But I guess that wouldn't go over too well with the [cdb]other nobles, huh?
27. Actually, I think you're on to something. Can't say it [cdb]hasn't crossed my mind before.
28. If folks at the roundtable just keep looking out for [cdb]their own territory's interests, we'll be in a world of [cdb]hurt if the Alliance is ever invaded.
29. I just wish they could see that.
30. Whoa, are you seriously considering it, Claude?
31. Of course. Unfortunately, the possibility of it actually [cdb]happening right now is basically zero.
32. But you've given me a lot to chew on. Let's do this [cdb]again sometime.
33. Just say the word.