Every parent thought their child was uniquely perfect, but Staffan knew the difference between fond delusion and the realization that Naomi was a gifted child. A few months ago, an educational psychologist from the Colonial Administration Authority had visited the school to carry out batteries of tests on her class, and Naomi's teacher had told Staffan and Lena what they already knew: Naomi was exceptional, in the top small fraction of a percent- one in millions, maybe one in a billion. He just hoped that a small colony world like Sansar would have enough to offer her when she grew up.

"Where are all the other doctors?" Naomi asked. "There were always more than this."

Kidnapping children, instantly traumatizing their parents, then killing off the dazed clones who didn't even know what the fuck was going on. All of this to subjugate some oppressed colonies who had every right to take up arms against Earth. How lucky of the UNSC to have to contend with genocidal morons the year the Twos became active to justify their evil.

Y'know, it's a shame Palmer only hit that bitch's arm...