Ann Wilson

“ Joste growled in disgust. The human must think him a fool, to expect him to believe such nonsense! The only time a female fought was in last-ditch defense of the clan, something that hadn't happened since the clan wars almost four thousand years ago. "You lie, human." ”

“ He had underestimated the man; perhaps Marguerre had spoken the truth earlier. Perhaps he had truly felt no dishonor in leading females into combat—a thing that was difficult to believe, but so was his sudden change from a defiant Marine to a sobbing ... what? "Not lost," Joste repeated thoughtfully. "Far worse, if what I begin to suspect is true. It would appear that he destroyed his mind rather than betray his people."
"Not even a human would go that far!" Sedni exclaimed, his voice shaken.
"I would prefer a more acceptable idea myself," Joste said. Death came to everyone, soon or late ”

“ You will guarded be, of course, but no harm will to you come! We not like humans twisted are, a female to hurt without great need."
As her expression began to show relief, Joste gave her a courteous salute and left for the Communications section. Sedni wasn't the only one waiting there for him; so was his commander, Senior Group-Leader Kunnos.
"Sedni briefed me," Kunnos said. "May I listen to your call?"
"Of course, Group-Leader." It wasn't usually 'of course,' but Joste had served under Kunnos for a long time, long enough to trust his discretion even in N'chark's clan matters. ”

“ The words themselves're meaningless, they were only triggers for anti-interrogation conditioning, a total mind-wipe. Didn't bother anything else, like intelligence, just memory. It's a new technique, but a lot of us already have it ..." She turned her head away briefly, then went on. "You could say he has the mind of a newborn child in an adult body. ”

“ Joste glanced at the human again, then began giving orders. "Chorvak, call the hospital and tell them I'm bringing in an emergency patient. And find out if either of the females survived and is able to talk. Sedni, go to Communications and have them stand by for a possible priority call to N'chark clanhome on Norvis. ”