Quotes by Jack Campbell

I need to stop getting into situations where all my options are potentially bad.

Alain gazed at the old road, his expression uncharacteristically somber. The Emperors believe they have the power to force their illusions on all others. This is part of that. The road itself is declared dead, never to be used, and no one dares dispute the Imperial will. Not much better that the Great Guilds, is it?No I do not think so. When you seek allies among the commons, Mari, I believe you should look to those who do not blindly accept the authority of their leaders.Too much failure to accept authority and you end up with anarchy, like in Tiae, Mari pointed out.That is so, Alain agreed. But as you told your elder, there is much that lies between total control and anarchy. The leaders of our Guilds and the rulers of the Empire would have us believe that only those two extremes exist, but I have been among the free cities and you have been in the confederation. Their governing systems are not perfect, but they work while still allowing their people freedom.Freedom? Mari turned to Alain, surprised. Ive never heard you use that word. Hardly anybody uses it.I was taught that freedom is an illusion, only one more illusion which distracts from the path of wisdom. A flare of some deep emotion showed in Alains eyes. But I have felt freedom, Mari, as I walked the road beside you, and I know it is no illusion. The will of the Great Guilds, of the Emperor, those things are illusions, and their images will not endure.

That’s the difference between good military commanders and good politicians, John Geary. You’ve shown me that a good military commander spends the lives of their people reluctantly and with regret, but does spend them when necessary. The good politician does the same thing with principles. There aren’t any fine burials for sacrificed principles, though.

The teachings of the Mage Guild were that none of these others was real, no one else and nothing anywhere was real, that everything around him was merely a shadow born of Alains own illusions. He had accepted that wisdom—until he had met Mari. In a world where nothing was allowed to change, Alain had been changed.He could let himself feel emotions again. He had learned what it meant to help someone else. He had learned what a friend was. He had forgotten what love was. Until he had fallen in love.

But it may be that I betrayed myself. Since Dorcastle, my ability to supress my emotions has diminished. I know feelings are showing, not in ways which commons might see, but clearly enough for Mages to spot. My elders could well have decided that I am ruined, that my contact with you has corrupted me beyond correction. ...What does it take to corrupt a Mage, anyway?I told you. They thought that you had attempted to seduce me. Perhaps they thought that you had already succeeded despite my denials that such a thing had happened.Once again Mari stared at him, her face darkening. I was under the impression that your elders thought I would try that at some future point. What did you tell them to make them think that I had already put my moves on you? Or that I had already hooked you?Hooked? Alain asked. Ensnared. Mari got the word out between clenched teeth. I told them nothing. That is the illusion they wished to believe, not thinking there could be any other reason for a female Mechanic to seek my company. Alain paused in thought. A young and attractive female Mechanic, that is.Oh right. The one with all those physical charms.Yes, Alain agreed. She gasped a laugh. I was being sarcastic again, Alain. I hope that isnt the only reason youve been attracted to me. Not the only reason anyway.You are very pleasant to look upon, Alain said, and Maris face flushed again. Had he angered her? But my elders were foolish to think physical desire alone could corrupt me. It should not be possible with all of my training, but I found that a single shadow was by far the most important part of the world illusion. That is what doomed me, so my elders were correct in thinking that you had altered my thinking. Not with your body or other physical temptation, but with who you were and the things you did. Alain made another effort to bend his lips into a smile. I will never be able to return to what I was before I met you.

You can’t win unless you try to win, but you can lose by trying not to lose.

Asha stared as Mari for a while, her face once again betraying no emotions. When we were acolytes, newly come to the Mage Guild Hall on Ihris, Mage Alain once tried to catch me as I fell. He was punished for this. Her gaze went to Alain. We talked. In the first days. Before such things were driven from us. He was...he could have been...someone...A friend, Alain said.Friend. Asha seemed to be looking inward now, as if searching for memories lost in time. What does this mean?Alains voice took on more feeling. It is someone who helps.Helps? Asha suddenly inhaled strongly. I remember. When all else was gone...Alain...helps...helped...me.We were taught to forget this, Alain said. Master Mechanic Mari reminded me of what it meant. She has reminded me of many things. She must do something of great importance. Will you help me now, Mage Asha?Here gaze rested on Alain, then went back to Mari. This Mechanic helps Mage Alain. I will help, too. I will not betray you to the Guild, Mage Alain.

What are you doing? Alain asked.Starting a fire, of course. Mari held up the thing in her hand. Its a fire-starter. A really simple device. Havent you ever seen one?Alain shook his head. Never. That thing seems very complicated. I do not understand how it can work. How do you start fires?That was a Guild secret. Or was it? The elders had told him that no Mechanic could understand how it worked. What would this Mechanic say if he told her? I use my mind to channel power to create a place where it is hot, altering the nature of the illusion there, Alain explained, and then use my mind to put that heat on what I want to burn.Oh, Mechanic Mari said. Is that actually how you visualize the process?That is how it is done, Alain said.Thats...interesting. She grinned. So, instead of making fire by doing something complicated or hard to understand like striking a flint, you just alter the nature of reality. That is a lot simpler.

The light changed slightly. Mari looked up and over at one wall. There was now a narrow, roughly door-shaped hole in it. Standing in the hole was Mage Alain. Mari stood up, realizing that her mouth was hanging open. That wall was solid. I felt it. There wasnt any opening. She watched as the Mage took two shaky steps into the cell, then paused, some of the strain leaving his face. She blinked, wondering what she had just seen, as the hole in the wall vanished as if it had never been. One moment it was there, the next it was gone. ...Mari took a long slow breath. They use smoke and mirrors and other magic to make commons think they can create temporary holes in walls and things like that. Its all nonsense. Mages actually can make real holes in walls. No.Her head hurting with increased intensity, Mari glowered at the Mage. You didnt make a hole in the wall?I made the illusion of a hole in the illusion of the wall.Mari looked at Mage Alain for what felt like a long time, trying to detect any sign of mockery or lying. But he seemed perfectly sincere. And unless she had completely lost her mind, he had just walked through that solid wall. ...We can get out the same way that you got in? Mari asked. Through imaginary holes in the imaginary wall? She wondered how her guild would feel about seeing that in her report. Actually, she didnt have to wonder, but she wasnt about to turn down a chance at escape. The Mage took a deep breath and swayed on his feet. No.No?Unfortunately— Alain collapsed into a seated position on the cot next to her—the effort of finding you has exhausted me. There were several walls to get through. I can do no more for some time. I am probably incapable of any major effort until morning. He shook his head. I did not plan this well. Maybe the elders are right and seventeen is simply too young to be a Mage.Mari stared at him. Are you telling me that you came to rescue me, following a metaphorical thread through imaginary holes, but now that youre in the same cell with me you cant get us out?Yes, that is correct. This one erred.That one sure did. Now instead of one of us being stuck in here, were both stuck in here.The Mage gave her a look which actually betrayed a trace of irritation. He must have really been exhausted for such a feeling to show. I do not have much experience with rescues. Are you always so difficult?

Just realize that the Mechanics do not exist and are not worthy of your attention. Unless they threaten you, and then you must kill them, Mage Alain. Mechanics are as merciless as they are mercenary. If any appear dangerous, kill them. ...What if he had remembered that advice during the bandit attack, when the Mechanic had pointed her weapon at his face? He could have killed her then. He could have tried at least. Then, when she was dead, the bandits would have found Alain and killed him, too. Clearly the advice of his elders was lacking in some respects.

What were the Mechanics elders like? She had said they were like his own, strange though that sounded. Did they listen to her? Had she passed on the warning, only to have her elders dismiss her words as Alains elders had dismissed his?He suddenly felt certain that this Mechanic had no choice but to go onward to danger. Once again, he knew how she must feel. A strange sensation, worrisome. How to make it go away? How to release the hold she had placed upon him?She had saved his life. Alain almost smiled before he caught himself. That was it. Several times she had helped him. The Mechanic had used that to influence him. No wonder the elders warned against helping. How to cancel it out? Like cancelled like. Power could defeat power. She had saved him, she had helped him. He would help her, perhaps even save her life. That would cancel whatever the Mechanic had done to him. He would be free of her. The logic had no flaws.

Long story short, I got lured into a trap. A Mage using that concealment spell tried to knife me. Then someone else tried to blow my brains out with a bullet.A Mage attacked you? Alain asked, feeling a sick sensation inside. She tried. I knew theyd been watching me. I didnt give them any reason to try to kill me. Mari looked at him. Did I?It is my fault, Alain admitted. Even though I have tried to keep them from finding out who you are, they still believe that you are dangerous.She gave him another look, then shook her head. From the looks of things, Im mainly dangerous to my friends and myself. Just how much trouble did you actually get in because of spending time with me in Dorcastle?Alain looked into the fire. My Guild did not believe that I had been with you in Dorcastle. The elders thought that the woman I had been seen with in that city was a common I had sought out because she researched the Mechanic I had met in Ringhmon.Why would you want to find a common who looked like me? Mari asked. For physical satisfaction. The simple statement would have created no reaction in a Mage, but he saw the outraged look in Maris face and hurriedly added more. I would not have done that. But the elders assumed that I did. I told you that they believed I was attracted to you.Alain, attracted to doesnt bring to mind the idea of finding another woman who resembles me so that you can pretend that youre— she choked off the words, glaring into the night. The elders assumed that. I never wanted it. I would never do it. There is no other woman like you.Somehow he must have said the right thing, because she relaxed. But because of that belief of theirs, Mari said, your elders thought you might look for me again.They actually thought that you would seek me, Alain explained. They were very concerned that you would... His social skills might need work, but Alain realized that he probably should not say the rest. Too late. Mari bent a sour look his way. What did they think I would do?It is not important.Alain...He exhaled slowly, realizing that Mari would not give up on this question. The elders thought that you would seek to ensnare me, using your physical charms, and through me work to strike at the Mage Guild.She stared back in disbelief. Ensnare? They actually used the word ensnare?Yes. Many times.Using my physical charms? Mari seemed unable to decide whether to laugh or get angry. She looked down at herself. Im a little low on ammunition when it comes to physical charms, or hadnt these elders of yours noticed?You are beautiful beyond all other women, Alain objected. Mari rolled her eyes. And you ate seriously deluded. I hadnt realized how badly until this moment.

Love needs expression, Captain Geary, or doubts grow amid the silence. Doubts of the other and doubts of yourself.

If the people of Old Earth, our ancestors and their descendants today who remain, could keep building, could keep trying, how can we do less? We are their children, and while we bought to the stars with us all the faults and the problems and the flaws of the past, we also bought the good things, the determination, and the willingness to help others, and the imagination to build things greater then every shortcoming humanity has ever known.

How many dragons does a girl have to slay to get some respect around here?

He felt the comfort of being part of an eternal cycle symbolized by the gold strips on either side of the black mourning band he wore. Light, dark, light. The dark was just an interval.

Are you all right? With your Guild, I mean?Alain considered the question. They suspect me of being attracted to a Mechanic. They are right, but so far lack proof. They do not suspect that I love you, or who you are, but I have no doubt of what they will do if they discover either of those things. Oh, blazes. Mari lowered her head to rest her brow against the cool stone of the fortification. I have ruined your life. You have given me back my life.

Lets get going. I dont like being alone out here. The sooner we can blend in with the Imperial population the safer well be. Its not hard to cross here, Mari added as they waded through the stream. We are fortunate, Alain told her. It is more difficult downstream.She felt a shadow cross her mind. Where that bridge was? Where you almost died?Yes.Im really proud of you for that, but dont do it again. Im being selfish. I need you. Mari waved one finger at Alain. Dont be a hero?He regarded her impassively. Even if you need a hero?

Deplorable practices adopted during the last century were repeatedly declared necessary if regrettable in order to win the war. Oddly enough, weve yet to win. Youd think somebody would have asked before this why the regrettable but necessary measures havent actually produced the promised results.

Desjani pulled out a ration bar. Hungry? she asked Geary.I had something earlier. Is that a Yanika Babiya?No. It’s . . . She squinted at the label. Spicy chicken curry.A chicken curry ration bar? How are they?Taking a small bite, Desjani chewed slowly, pretending not to be aware that everyone on the bridge was watching her instead of staring at the representation of the alien hypernet gate. It’s definitely got curry in it. Spicy, not so much. Some of the other stuff tastes like chicken.That doesn’t narrow it down too much, does it? Geary said.Every kind of meat in a ration bar tastes like chicken, Captain, Lieutenant Castries suggested. Except the chicken.You’re right, Lieutenant, Desjani said. Real chicken in ration bars tastes like, what, mutton?Ham, Yuon tossed in. Bad ham.So this can’t be chicken because it tastes like chicken, Desjani concluded.