Auberon: An Expanse Novella (The Expanse)

It’s the basic problem with religion, be it Jesus or Vishnu or God Emperors. Ideological purity never survives contact with the enemy.”

because it was the most habitable of the new planets by orders of magnitude, it was developed. Because it was developed, it was influential. Because it was influential, it was wealthy. And because it was wealthy, it was corrupt.

You have to decide whether you care more about being your best self or your real one. If you’re more loyal to who you ought to be or who you really are.

he wore a thin mustache like it was a joke he was in on.

found himself crafting the role of Governor Rittenaur as if he were acting a part in a play. He had come to notice when his own impulses were different from what Governor Rittenaur’s would be, and then bury his own judgment to give space to the requirement of his office. He was a professional impersonator of himself.

State violence was meant to be shocking. It was done to prove a point, and it would have been a pity for the sacrifice not to have its effect.