Empires are synonymous with centralized — if occasionally schismatized — hierarchical power structures in which influence is restricted to an economi… - Iain Banks

In the old days he had once wondered how many of the Cessorian high command, his old bosses, really believed in the Truth. He strongly suspected that the higher you went, the greater grew the proportion of those who didn’t really believe at all. They were in it for the power, the glory, the control and the glamour.

I have buffed and polished my medals for decades of steady, dedicated watchfulness," the marshal continued, clasping her hands behind her head as she leaned back and relaxed, legs crossed, "counted and re-counted my medals for outstanding work in simulations and exercises, carefully rearranged my medals for heroic bravery under virtual fire, and even found room for my many, many medals for exemplary valour in the face of fellow officers coveting the same promotions as I.

"So basically you're sticking around to watch us all fuck up ?"
"Yes. It's one of life's few guaranteed constants."