Salvation Lost (Salvation Sequence, #2)

by Peter F. Hamilton

“It’s not governments I have an issue with—or not the concept of democratic government, anyway. But all we have now is rule by rich people, the ones who keep ninety percent of the world in relative poverty so their unbalanced market can continue paying for a lifestyle of total excess.”

there must be thousands of types of humans by now.” “What, four arms? A tail? Three heads?” “Maybe even five bodies sharing a linked mind. Why not? And they’ll each come at this a different way.”

These Neána come from a different abode from the metahuman ones. They didn’t know we existed, which makes them suspicious and even fearful of us.” “Why?” Ovan asked. “How are we the bad guys suddenly?” “They’ve been shocked by our expansion policy. It’s understandable. If it continues unabated, terrestrial life will become unassailably dominant across the galaxy.” Ovan drummed his fingers on the table. “Just saying, that’s all. Convenient.”

“So we go ahead with the plan,” Callum said. “Get a Trojan ship into the Salvation of Life wormhole and from there into the enclave where it can spy on them. The exodus habitats build an army, or navy, or Ainsley’s killer robot legions over the next thousand years. They invade the enclave. Exterminate the Olyix. Rescue our species. Five-point plans don’t come much simpler.” His chuckle was bitter.

So she ignored the guilt and brought all her attention to rest on Dellian. Because that was who really mattered. The dead would forgive her if they knew.