Intermission
 The council consisted of men and women, wisened with age - or just aged. Twelve of the thirteen seated on their elevated chairs across the oval table were veterans of the war. Prime Minister Albert Overbuild, Minister of Defense Brick Fury, Minister of Housing Autumn Helix, and former president Duke Exeter were easily recognizable names to the older, adult citizens of the Nimbus Republic. Having seen their fight first hand, and a decade later having helped his children with their government class homework, Intrepid Fusion Eclipse knew everyone in this room. He came before them now to yell at them.
 Intrepid finished his tirade. He leaned over the table, chest heaving, but at thirty-five years old he could go at this for awhile.
 Albert Overbuild had risen from his chair, and on his cybernetic legs he descended to Intrepid's level. He stopped a foot away from his edge of the table, opposite the younger man. He considered how to approach him for a moment, and when he did he began, "I speak for the council, when I remind you, we have heard and we continue to value your thoughts."
 "Like dirt you do!" Intrepid shot back.
 "HEAR ME OUT." Overbuild thundered. The doctor was usually calm, but nobody flinched at the outburst. Hearing his voice boom across the chamber had become common in these meetings. "The damage to Unverse is unignorable." he said, lower now. "The only lead is your operations. Ceasure is the only option."
 Intrepid took a deep breath, steadying himself. Overbuild's mind was always in silent, underappreciated control of his words and volume. It took some steeling for Intrepid to maintain similar command, not just over himself, but over the situation.
 He turned to look up, from Autumn Helix to Epsilon Starcracker, to Duke Exeter, and across all the other heads and secretaries down to the current sitting president.
 "You have no proof." he said flatly. This is how the conversation proceeded.
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 "We can't sit back and do nothing while damage continues to be done. Trans-dimensional travel is still on the agenda, but if we can't perfect it now, we need to make sure it's still an option in the future."
 "For our children."
 "But-"
 "For that reason the council has voted to suspend all Transdimensional missions. This is final."
 "There is still Maelstrom-"
 "We have adequate defense for any further incursions."
 "You don't need to take this personally, but I have faith in our armed forces."
 "I'M NOT AND I DON'T!"
 "Proceed with the remote deactivation."
 "This is- you're- making a grave mistake!"
 "You have five minutes to recall your agents. This meeting is adjourned."