If one is to observe, M. Endymion, one must be in the proper place to observe. - Dan Simmons

I could not do this, I realized, if I were immortal. This degree of love of life and of one another is granted, I saw for once and for ever, not to immortals, but to those who live briefly and always under the shadow of death and loss.

What?
Never mind. It will make sense when it comes about. All improbabilities do when probability waves collapse into event.

The lieutenant took his time scanning their visa chips, letting them wait in the drizzle, occasionally making a comment with the idle arrogance common to such nobodies who have just come into a small bit of power.