Conflict is inevitable. The Oracles have determined that.

[A finite resource that they'd be reduced to fighting over like starving dogs, because losing would mean an end to their greatest wish.]

I conversed with Yima about this during the Manon debate. I asked her why she preaches cooperation when our conflicting interests cannot coexist, but she gave me little satisfaction in her answers. Claude contextualised it for me as 'noble bullshit', but the fact remains... one way or another, Zenith will become our enemies eventually.

[Another sip of his drink.]

If I may be honest, this invasion is something of a relief. I understand territorial expansion, securing resources, and aggressively claiming an advantage. This... politicking and subterfuge.. I dislike it more than conflict.