“The State does not become complete when it subsumes the Church. Quite the opposite, in fact. The State becomes less when the Church is merely a facet, an appendage, to the political and social machinery. It becomes less because it tries to take the Holy duties of God’s earthly kingdom for itself and it fails – as it always has throughout history. Only when the State is subsumed into the Church can it truly begin to grow and find the mission that completes itself: to safeguard the Church in the mortal realm. Only by the State rejecting its collective ego and saying ‘Not our will, but Thine’ can it ever hope to be a true and hale instrument for Civilization.”

– Father Gregory of Ani, from the moving hermitage Number Four, unknown date, passed around through websites and email chains.

“Military might is foundational to a free nation-state. The challenge is how to keep the bulk of that materiel and expertise with the citizens and not with standing professional armies. For a professional army, the command structure can enforce standards and training. For citizens, they can’t be commanded or cajoled by governmental pressures without ever-increasing resentment. Instead, other incentives must be used. Tax refunds and rebates. Local gun ranges paid for in part by local bonds. Tax breaks to companies that qualify in civilian training or armaments. Local law enforcement needs to be part of the community, and the community part of local law enforcement. No one-size-fits-all solution exists. Given the right conditions, civilian training done by interested members will meet or even exceed military standards. However, that is just the beginning. And it’s always like walking a tightrope between excesses.”

– Commander Lars Stockwell, addendum to the Second Daras-Corycus Peace Accords, ten years before the Legion invasion.