Perhaps they are driven by emotions... these moral instincts, [Matoba suggests, with implied airquotes.] To protect the weak is a herd instinct that humans indeed carry, but to follow them without any logical consideration is a weakness.

Most living things learn through consequence. I'm sure this will be the same.

[Whether it's by Soma's hand or otherwise.... Matoba was certain the judgment of the Enma would find those who tried to evade it, eventually.]

[Soma's suggestion gets a glance of mild surprise from Matoba (put-on or otherwise); but he chuckles, replacing it with that smile of his to cover whatever it was he might have really thought of that.]

[The first extended hand, huh?] Oh? I'm happy to receive such an offer from an esteemed colleague. I will certainly keep the possibility in mind, but for the time being, the Alliance is really quite and ...interesting organization.

[It suits him. For now.]