[ They continue talking; apparently the city refuse to surrender despite their water being briefly turned off from the upstream canal in Syrtis Major, and in spite of a steady stream of refugees trickling out. First-Keeper Naarabot apparently refuses to surrender, and is apparently getting support from such controversial elements such as the Maozooni and the Grand Army of Free Mars. IT seems things will escalate to a real conflict, soon; there'll surely be bloodshed.

A lovely conversation to be had over canapes, surely. The one nonhuman in this conversation looks like they'd really rather be anywhere else. ]