Long laughed at that question, some actual emotion shading it for the first time since their talk had started-- a note of bitterness to his laugh, rather than the blandly polite tone he had used so far.

He shook his head at himself, the laugh dying nearly as soon as it had begun. Yes, he had tried. Assaulted the barriers with dragon's flame and his once-upon-a-time titanic strength. And made no more progress than the mortals he shared the city with.

What he said aloud was: "Yes. I think all of us, at some point or another. I have been here eight months, Ms. Raiden. The simple options have been tried. If we appear apathetic, it is because one can only beat one's head against a wall for so long before deciding subtler methods are to be preferred."