Empires of conquest don’t last, Administrator Perry. They hollow out from within, from the greed of rulers… — John Scalzi

“That’s a nice speech, Trujillo,” Rybicki said. “It doesn’t make it true.”

“General, at the moment, I wouldn’t place you as an authority on truth.”

“I don’t appreciate the suggestion that I’m acting irrationally,” he said.

“Then don’t act irrationally,” Jane said, “because there will be consequences.”

“Look,” I said. “Something that needs your attention. Over there. Away from here.”