Carnada held out hope that perhaps there could be a peaceful solution. Afterall, the hundreds of Blood Battalion troopers, officers and common staff still floating around on Centrallis couldn't stand up to the Demagogues.
It was far less than the tens of thousands that there had been and their leadership had been effectively wiped out, but even the few thousand scattered about could pose a problem.
"It's not about tying up loose ends," she said, trying to keep her words as light and friendly as possible. "It's about transitioning from conflict into lasting peace and helping those lost souls find a place they can call home."
The Huntress still said nothing. She didn't even look Carnada in the eye.
"I know that there's probably some sense of loyalty you're holding onto, but we're beyond that. We're beyond the Blood Battalion. It's over and done, so any sense of hierarchy or responsibility no longer applies." The High Counsellor took a deep, strained breath. "I'm not saying this to sound cruel. I'm saying it because I don't want you to have to live a lie. I want to help you move forward. I want to help them all move forward."
Still her adversary remained quiet. The only sound was the humming of the electricity that flowed through the bars of her cage.
"The life you led is over. This is where we are now," she said, just barely raising the intensity in her voice. "We need to make decisions based on the reality we're in, not the one we would like to be in, so let me help you. Whether what you need is more food, blankets or a book to read, let me get that for you so that this reality becomes livable, and let me do the same for them before they get eaten alive."
The outer door suddenly slid open. The thick slab of refined durasteel rose slowly to reveal Carnada's assistant, Jack Orin, standing in the entranceway. "Ma'am, they're waiting for you."
"Ok. I suppose I've done all I can to help." She turned back to the cell. "Perhaps tomorrow you'll be kind enough to accept my assistance."
Her eyes remained locked on the floor.
A pair of loud boots entered the room behind Carnada, marching past the multiple armed battle droids and personal guards. She thought it was Jack at first, but turned to find that it was actually Ahor.
"You came in person."
"I thought it was about time," he said. "She's still alive?"
"Teller captured her. He's a brave man."
"I know. I thought you would kill her."
He strode up to the bars, staring down at the silent woman sitting on the ground for a painfully long moment.
"We should get to the meeting," he said, suddenly turning on his heels. "The leaders of this planet need to decide its fate."
He walked out with an intense level of confidence and Carnada noticed that for the first time, just for a moment, the Huntress finally turned her eyes up.