Shorefall (The Founders Trilogy, #2)

by Robert Jackson Bennett

“There is no innovation that will ever spring from the minds of men that will not eventually be used for slaughter and control.

You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone, and know their life meant absolutely nothing in the face of some greater conflict.

“Just remember—a scriver makes something from nothing. Perhaps you attempt the same here. But eventually, eventually, the magic always stops, and all the illusions vanish.”

Making and inventing is an ugly, stupid, random, dangerous process—just like humanity itself.

But the line between life and death is always blurred. To live is to die, just very, very slowly.”

“If the children of men cannot rid themselves of their predilection for slavery,” said Crasedes, “then the children of men shall be made slaves themselves. If they cannot make the right choice, then it’s better to just remove the choice entirely.”