[He takes a breath and counts to three internally, shoving down the angry retort in his head. Zahi will get his soon enough.]
Thank you Meg, but to answer Zahi's question let's do a very simple test.
[Colin turns to look at the closest cluster of Bastionites, then he looks around to everyone else.]
Hey! Everyone who knows me!
Who here wants to hear me talk at length about anything that I enjoy doing, in the way that you've all heard me do if you've been around me for any length of time?
A show of hands will suffice.
[He glances at Zahi then.]
I'm guessing since Gray got back to your group, you've at least had your people gossiping on what they know of me too. And if you're at all competent as a general, your agent with the Ura would likewise have known. I've got a bit of a rep, you know. All over, in fact.
Know what else my rep is, though? Talking. A lot. About everything except operational security. Anyone wants to know what I'm working on, all they have to do is be willing to listen to me. And believe me, I've got a LOT more than one secret project.
[He gives a cocky grin.]
I've also got a rep for helping... You know, growing enough food for two or three societies, trying to keep morale up, curing plagues, coming up with plans for macro-level housing and rescues...
I'm not expecting you'll see a lot of hands up, by the way. I'm an arrogant little shit that chases people away with my personality. Comes with being a know-it-all...
no subject
Thank you Meg, but to answer Zahi's question let's do a very simple test.
[Colin turns to look at the closest cluster of Bastionites, then he looks around to everyone else.]
Hey! Everyone who knows me!
Who here wants to hear me talk at length about anything that I enjoy doing, in the way that you've all heard me do if you've been around me for any length of time?
A show of hands will suffice.
[He glances at Zahi then.]
I'm guessing since Gray got back to your group, you've at least had your people gossiping on what they know of me too. And if you're at all competent as a general, your agent with the Ura would likewise have known. I've got a bit of a rep, you know. All over, in fact.
Know what else my rep is, though? Talking. A lot. About everything except operational security. Anyone wants to know what I'm working on, all they have to do is be willing to listen to me. And believe me, I've got a LOT more than one secret project.
[He gives a cocky grin.]
I've also got a rep for helping... You know, growing enough food for two or three societies, trying to keep morale up, curing plagues, coming up with plans for macro-level housing and rescues...
I'm not expecting you'll see a lot of hands up, by the way. I'm an arrogant little shit that chases people away with my personality. Comes with being a know-it-all...