Triple Zero (Star Wars: Republic Commando, #2)

by Karen Traviss

Jusik was watching the exchange with an expression that suggested he was both excited and aware that the stakes had just been raised. They were subverting democracy in one sense, but they were also saving their political masters from a decision they could never be seen to take, yet had to.

And I think this is where my distaste for these kinds of novels, (gritty war stories,) comes from. The justifications. This is not a slight to Traviss' work. Nor do I believe this doesn't happen, but nowadays I'd tather read other stories by and large.

“Visible troops around Coruscant. Good for public confidence right now, with the constant threat of terror attacks. And good for our men.”

Oof. Remembering how much of public consciousness was taken up by terrorism again. Had so many existential threats since then I forgot.

It never ceased to amaze Skirata how much simpler it was to buy and sell death than it was to pay taxes.

In the midst of tax season 2021, hard agree.

When you can no longer know what your nation or your government stands for, or even where it is, you need a set of beliefs you can carry with you and cling to. You need a core in your heart that will never change.

In 2021, this is something made good or ill by the one's doing it and what their beliefs are.