Jane leaned back against the counter and stared at the ceiling. At the traditional location of God, no matter what the planet. - C. J. Cherryh

My name’s Elai, Ellai’s daughter, line of the first Cloud, the first Elly; of Pia, line of the first Jin when they made the world. And you’re on my land.

A lot of new money — paid out in the least educated provinces, to elect fools who’ll take orders, who can only see ways to entrench themselves and make sure contracts go to the right companies. Some of these fools are evident, and shrewd country-folk keep voting them in because the powers in their districts might buy one ten times worse and far more subtle.

He’s my enemy. And I need one. I need a good, strong enemy to gather up the people who wish I didn’t exist,