"Hence my sending Captain Harkness and Ser Ramza," yes, 'ser,' she doesn't care that he doesn't consider himself a knight, "as dignitaries on our behalf. If we are to posture ourselves as the Heroes of Light in true, we cannot be intrinsically connected with any government. It may well be that we can avoid further conflict altogether." The Queen sighed, shaking her head. "The rescue operation is to be indicted as being organized by a fringe group of the Heroes, unused to the ways of Crystallis. They will be summarily 'punished.'"

Ashelia adjusted her position, looking to meet Sephiroth's eyes. "After the operation and the safe return of the captured Heroes, I do intend to open wider the channels of communication with Wedge and the others. Until our comrades are returned safely though, I cannot in good faith jeopardize the operation."