The Galaxy, and the Ground Within (Wayfarers, #4)

by Becky Chambers

as she reflected on it now, she understood that her fear of their hostility had been lesser than that of facing danger alone.

But theft is a long, proud tradition for many museums, so that decision’s up to you.’

Think of home when you are far from here Let it be your comfort

war was nothing more than an argument in which no one had landed on a better solution than killing each other.

There was no law that was just in every situation, no blanket rule that could apply to everyone, no explanation that accounted for every component. This did not mean that laws and rules were not helpful, or that explanations should not be sought, but rather that there should be no fear in changing them as needed, for nothing in the universe ever held still.

How convenient for you, to at last work with a species whose bodies are compatible with your bureaucracy.

Our time in this galaxy is, as you have constantly reminded us, limited. We will no longer waste it on waiting for you to do what is right.

The memory was as sweet as summer syrup and twisted as an executioner’s blade.

They can do – or not do – anything they want on their side of the map.’ ‘Yes,’ Speaker said. ‘But who drew the map?’

And do you know what? I truly don’t care which of them is right so long as it fixes everything. I don’t have an . . . an ideology. I don’t know the right terms to discuss these things. I don’t know the science behind any of it. I’m sure I sound silly right now. But I just want everyone to get along, and to be well taken care of. That’s it. I want everybody to be happy, and I do not care how we get there.’

The cheap knick-knack in his hands now carried with it a sentiment of the present he would cherish, and a reminder of the past he would always loathe. Only the finest art could accomplish both those things at once.