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The meals arrived. "Creten Chicken," commented Doc, "with just the right amount of spice. They may have food shortages on Crete but when they have it, they sure know how to cook it. Chicken, spices, green and red peppers, onions and tomato sauce."
Doc took a bit, closed his eyes, leaned back a bit and savored it. After he swallowed and opened his eyes, "Delicious. I do hope you like it."
As they dined, they conversed. "I see your point on keeping it near Bethlehem. I do know there is a Neon processing base not far from it. As to who's it is I don't know. Still, we could build it to where it's visible, not too far away yet far enough away to where it won't get unwanted attention from the criminal element."
He took another bite. "Outstanding!"
"I guess I'll need to check on the legalities of it in the system," he continued, "last I knew, Liberty controls the space. I guess being safe isn't a bad thing, right?"
Before continuing, he took some time to eat and share small talk with his guest. It had been some time since he dined with a female other than his wife. It was, well, refreshing in a way. His old self came out slightly as he admired her a bit but not making it obvious.
"What I wanted to talk to you about was Gallia itself," he said after much of his meal was consumed, "I've been criticized for not offering apology for actions committed by former TAZ people who are no longer around to do so themselves. I have been accused of harboring a grudge, one I feel justified in keeping. I have been accused of letting that hate cloud my judgement and therefore, making me an ineffective leader."
He paused a moment, sighed and asked, "Should I offer an apology? If so, to whom? I've come to know you well enough and you've earned my trust enough to ask this since you are native to Gallia."
He paused again, "and do you think those accusations against me are....fair?"
He sat back, somewhat ashamed with his hands upon the table before him. He wasn't doing well to hide how he was feeling.