The universe owed her a little slice of luck like that. - James S. A. Corey

For this to work, a million things have to go right. For it to fall apart, just one of them has to go wrong.

That's not the game," Avasarala said. "No one gets shot. They get marginalized. It's worse.
No, it's not. I've seen people shot. I've seen my friends shot. When you say, 'That's not the game,' you mean for people like you. Not like me.
Avasarala's expression cooled.
Yes, that's what I mean," the old woman said. "The level we're playing at has different rules. It's like playing go. It's all about exerting influence. Controlling the board without occupying it.
Poker is a game, too," Bobbie said. "But sometimes the stakes get so high that one player decides it's easier to kill the other guy and walk away with the money. It happens all the time.

She wanted to believe. But she also knew better.