Page 302 of Reaper Said Mine

"So stop giving them the war."

Grief flashes through my chest. Part of me understands exactly what she's saying.

Part of me still wants to break things.

Skahar finally speaks.

"She's right."

I turn toward him.

Traitor. Ancient. Treacherous. Wonderful old bastard.

"You too?"

He shrugs.

"Especially me."

I stare.

He points his cane toward the map.

"Look around."

I do.

Civilian corridors, Coalition shields, Alliance observers, Combine patrols, refugee movements, medical routes, damage reports, and dead children fill the displays.

Skahar's voice lowers.

"We cannot fight everyone forever."

I don't answer because I know he's right.

He continues.

"The Coalition has its own agenda."

"No," I reply.

"The Alliance will always put itself first."

"No."

"The Combine has plenty of blood on its hands."

I bark a harsh laugh.

"Understatement."

"Obviously."

He taps the map.

"But survival is not the same thing as justice."

The room becomes very still because those words matter more than any of us want them to.