"Admiral Spencer, Stet, myself ... anyone else we deem trustworthy," said Orne.
"You think you're a god or something?" demanded Polly.
"No more than you do," said Orne. "This is what's known as a check and balance system. You cut the pie. We get first choice on which pieces to take."
There was a protracted silence; then Spencer said: "It doesn't seem right just to—"
"No political compromise is ever totally right," said Polly. "You keep patching up things that always have flaws in them. That's how government is." She chuckled, looked up at Orne. "All right, Lewis. We accept." She glanced at Spencer, who shrugged, nodded glumly. Polly looked back at Orne. "Just answer me one question: How'd you know I was boss lady?"
"Easy," said Orne. "The records we found said the ... Nathian (he'd almost said 'traitor') family on Marak was coded as 'The Head.' Your name, Polly, contains the ancient word 'Poll' which means head."
Polly looked at Stetson. "Is he always that sharp?"
"Every time," said Stetson.
"If you want to go into politics, Lewis," said Polly, "I'd be delighted to—"