[ that dismissal -- that condescension -- that sparks fresh and hurt, and another raw sound tears itself out of her throat. her face is red and tear-stained now, hair caught wet on her cheeks. byerly moves and she moves with him, thrusting her palm out to his chest. his solar plexus, actually. just like tucker had taught her. her eyes grows fiercer. ]

There isn't a word for what you are, Byerly.

[ she thrusts her chin up, eyes blazing. ]

What do you think is going to happen when you leave this room? You know I don't know anything. The Cetagandans know I don't know anything. Why is it that they've kept me alive? Why do you think they kept me alive? What do you think they're going to do to me after you leave this room?

[ because she knows that even the most nightmarish of stores in the war have at least a seed of truth. ]