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‘Ah. The Dulvani. Hmm. The Dulvani and the Mendocava. Never knew of a connection between them.’

‘I do not know if there is one,’ said Dozer. ‘I’ve not uncovered any communication between them, but admittedly, matters are still unclear.’

‘Sounds like some interrogations are in order.’

‘Indeed. I was hoping to employ a softer touch with the Dulvani, but if you kill Germal, that option may become untenable.’

‘Softer touch? You mean like asking them nicely for information? Saying “pretty please?”’

‘Better than wasting resources on a needless fight.’

‘Bah. Resources, shmee-sources. You’re always so obsessed about that. Resources are meant to be used! Not hoarded and hoarded for some rainy day that’ll never come!’

‘It’ll never come, will it? Look around, fool. This very day seems quite rainy indeed.’

‘Oh, please. You’re not actually worried about this little tussle, are you?’

‘I am not, but that is beside the point. Crises have a way of sneaking up on the unprepared and careless, such as yourself. This situation still has the potential to begin spiraling.’

‘Mm, I disagree. Now that we’ve both entered the Void State, these poor saps are all pretty well screwed. Doomed. Hecked, even! Our reaction times are through the roof. We can talk as much as we want. Assess the battlefield as much as we want. Coordinate our attacks as much as we want. Even plan far into the future as much as we want! In fact, I’d say that not only is this fight already over, it’s also the beginning of far bigger problems for the rest of the world! Eheh!’

‘Your arrogance will be your undoing, one day.’

‘Promises, promises! You keep telling me that, and yet it keeps not happening! At this rate, they’ll get you before they get me! And then who’ll be the fool, huh?!’

‘Still you.’

‘Hmph! Anyway, those guys are gettin’ awfully close to you over there. You gonna do something about that, or what?’

‘Still mulling it over.’

‘Hah! What, are you thinkin’ you can withstand a simultaneous assault from Sanko, Lamont, AND Kallmakk?’

‘I know I can. It is just a matter of whether I want to or not.’

‘Tough talk! Wanna make it interesting?’

‘...What do you have in mind?’

‘I’ll bet you two Judicators that they’re about to send your old ass flying.’

‘Two? Of the winner’s choosing?’

‘Of course.’

‘Do you even have two Judicators in your entire army that I would want in mine?’

‘I don’t know. Do I?’