Abrams captures a Merseian cyborg spy and prevents him from suiciding:
"The hand fumbled at the chest. To turn off the heart? Abrams kicked that hand aside and planted a foot on it. 'Easy, friend,' he said." (p. 21)
With that single word, "friend," Abrams begins a process of negotiation that will transform this enemy spy into an extremely effective double agent. We know of many fictional characters who would merely have snarled at the prisoner and done him further physical damage while restraining him or even have killed him themselves in the first place. Abrams, fully realistic about the hostile intentions of the Roudhunate, is also fully open to the possibility of friendship with an individual Merseian when any such opportunity presents itself.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I agree with what you said about Abrams' realism, abilities, and self restraint in avoiding any needless further harm to Dwyr the Hook. Abrams behaved like both a professional and a decent person to his captive. Yes, I agree, some in the Terran's place would not have shown the restraint he displayed. But I hope I would have!
Ad astra! Sean
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