Yu Lian paid no attention to the man's expression and continued thinking aloud. "Of course, without specialized equipment, antimatter is difficult to trigger. In this environment, we might need a vacuum warhead to set it off, and that could cause massive collateral damage to us as well. So let's play it safe and switch to two tons of ionic salt, with a little neurotoxic gas. But to avoid friendly fire, we'll need to widen the encirclement. How about replacing the troops stationed in the first defensive perimeter with robots?"
Vellent's shock was plain to see. A moment later, he forced a troubled expression. "Well, General Yu Lian, there's no need to go to such extremes. There may still be information we need in the command center. Besides, I believe we are the pioneers of the Galactic nations and civilizations, and should set an example. Even in dealing with the most heinous terrorists, we should uphold the principle of punishing past offenses to prevent future ones."
How novel. The Galactic Empire, which had turned terror into an art form, was talking about preventing future crimes? What was the difference between that and a historian reading history as propaganda, or a priest who didn't like little boys?
Then again, plenty of "historians" these days read history as propaganda, and a priest who didn't like little boys probably wasn't a proper priest. Those words would have sounded jarringly out of place coming from any Imperial, but coming from this man, they somehow carried a measure of conviction.
"Besides, if we replace the troops on the front line with robots to avoid friendly fire, might the Snake find an opening and break through? This terrorist organization is highly advanced, especially in the obscure field of robotics. They're quite accomplished." Vellent continued.
Yu Lian paused,