Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, #1)

by Craig Alanson

I was surprised that peacekeeping involved killing so many people, but it is what it is.

Nobody ever expected scriptural prophesies to be delivered by alien invasion.

"Yes, sir. We've got this." I didn't have to like it. That's why they are called 'orders' and not ‘suggestions'.

Politicians certainly loved headlines.

It was, the burgermeister told me, an old formula; you find the worst psychopathic antisocial losers in a society, give them power, and they would give you their complete, unquestioning loyalty.

But you’re not that smart, I mean, your species is responsible for Windows Vista.” “Vist- that was a long time ago!” “It’s still an insult to computers across the galaxy.”

Part of being super smart is knowing when to keep your mouth shut and let the other guy talk.

When things change, even radically, you look at your buddies, shake your head, shrug, and adapt. That's what you do, as soldiers. Civilians get upset when the menu changes at Applebees.

"Overkill is underrated."

when you reach the end of the physical, what is left must be metaphysical.