"Yes." She sent the boy to get some.
"Try to understand, Elonna. As undersecretary to Hunter, I'm surrounded by them constantly. These guerrillas, even Lawrence, flit in and out of the fire."
"Lawrence did more than flit."
"Yes he did. And if I could change that, I would….. But I live in the midst of it. I can't afford the luxury of emotion. And I want desperately to bring them down. That they're my own people doesn't help."
She studied him more closely.
"You say they're your own people. What about us? Are we just pieces on the board?"
"Not a fair question. You don't know what we're up against." The boy handed him a filled cup.
"Lawrence was found of saying that, and he's dead."
"Yes, and I'm likely to end the same way."
"Then why do you do it?"