"Attack?" Shaun asked.
"There was a settlement, a community, at University Point. There was a girl who had found data about procedures for improving fusion reactor efficiency. The people there were killed by synths sent from the Institute to acquire the data."
"I did not order this operation specifically. There is a standing directive to retrieve information critical to scientific advances by any means necessary. The advancement of knowledge is more important than individual lives."
"Are you willing to change that at once?"
Shaun - the Director - hesitated for a long moment, then another. Nate then knew, and his soul screamed at this though he did not outwardly, that his son was dead and gone and he stood before the head cultist of science, the greatest enemy of the army he led, and he could not fail in this opportunity for a decapitation strike.
The Director opened his mouth, whether to placate or to lie or to appeal to familial bond, the General did not know and could not care. But the General spoke first, and his gatling laser's barrel rose and it spun up.
"For Jacq."