We are all victims, Mr. Bastable, just as, in other ways, we are all aggressors. At root we are victims of the comforting lies we tell ourselves, of our willingness to have leaders, religions, of our wish to shift responsibility onto others, whether it be politicians, Gods or creatures from other planets.

"Mm." It was a vague affirmative noise, and she was going to continue with some variation on what she'd told Bastable, but then her breath caught at the touch to her wrist, and she found herself staring at their joined hands with a slightly surprised expression on her face.

It always begins with the hands, doesn't it? she thought, even as she ran her thumb along Starbuck's palm.