Zechs' lips twitched. There could always be options, usually. But if they weren't competent - who would he replace them with? Not himself. He didn't have the right to be in charge of anything, not anymore.

"I suppose that's what we'll need to accept," Zechs said just a bit more coolly than he intended. He sighed, and shook his head. "You're right. I simply can't help but consider - especially with the risks posed to so many here, especially the children - there needs to be more effort made to solve this."

He could accept defeat, surrender, being beaten; he couldn't accept abandoning a fight.