Readily given? Do you want my gratitude for your offer, do you expect me to beg you for the opportunity?

[Even that thin veneer of calm is shredding to nothing, as he takes a step towards the Exarch, unconsciously threatening. Even then, Emet-Selch clung to anger as though standing on a precipice, despair lurking on the other side of it.

It was only a matter of time.]

What choice do you think I have?

[Refuse, and let history remain unrecorded, unremembered, lost? Everything they've ever been, have felt, suffered, accomplished... all of it, forgotten? How could he put his pride, his spite, ahead of the one remaining thing he could do for his people?

...And there's the despair. His voice falters, closing his eyes as he turns abruptly away from the Exarch entirely.]

I would- and have done everything for them. You'll have your story.

[And he nearly hated himself for it.]