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"There's a certain procedure to these things. Operational security demands--"

"Opsec takes too damn long. The situation is still fluid, and we're trying to help as many as we can, aren't we? So cut the bullshit already." Then he closed the file and looked at Hector. "Kiddo. You want your prince back. He may not technically be in our custody, but I'm sure we can still make that happen. So Jackson, what do you want in exchange?"

Jackson clenched his jaw. "It's not that simple."

"Of course it is. You want something done. Ask Hector here to do it for you. Then he gets his prince back. Nice and straightforward."

"This is not a hostage negotiation, sir. If Atreya wants a member of its royal family back, then they have every right to go through the proper channels and make their demands. And though I only have a quick summary of their situation, it sounds as though Intar will have little choice but to acquiesce, so there is really no need for what you are suggesting."

"Yeah, sure, that's the slow, boring solution. Submit a request, and then when everything has calmed down in however many days or weeks, your prince will be safely returned to you, after your worries have been alleviated already. How wonderful."

Hector felt the need to clarify. "Again, I only want to meet with him in person, at the moment. I don't necessarily need him to return home, yet."

"Be that as it may," Sermung went on, "you'll have to deal with Andeyal bureaucrats in order to make that happen, regardless of whatever is agreed upon between us here. But do you know who happens to be the best in the world at dealing with bureaucrats?" Sermung pointed at his marshal. "It's this guy! Honestly, that might be his best quality!"

Jackson did not looked pleased by that compliment whatsoever.

"So if you happen to be a big fan of the act-first-ask-permission-later type of approach, then he'll be the greatest friend you ever have."

"Please don't say that ever again. You're giving Hector the completely wrong idea about me."

"I'm giving him exactly the right idea. Listen, Hector: people hype this fellow up all the time. The Radiant Sentinel. The Star of the West. The Nicest Guy You'll Ever Meet. But they don't know the truth. Beneath it all, he's a rule-skirting deviant! A master manipulator of many machinations! A paper pushing puppeteer of proper power! If you only knew--" His hair burst into flames.