Page 1028 - Enders_Game_Full_Book

"You see, Val?" said Miro. "The Hive Queen knows-- your memories are your self. If your memories live, then you're alive."
"In a pig's eye," said Val softly. "What's the worse danger she's talking about?"
"There is no worse danger," said Miro. "She just wants me to go away, but I won't go away. Your life is worth saving, Val. So is Jane's. And the Hive Queen can find a way to do it, if it can be done. If Jane could be the bridge between Ender and the hive queens, then why can't Ender be the bridge between Jane and you?"
<If I say that I will try, will you go back to doing your work?>
There was the catch: Ender had warned Miro long ago that the Hive Queen looks upon her own intentions as facts, just like her memories. But when her intentions change, then the new intention is the new fact, and she doesn't remember ever having intended anything else. Thus a promise from the Hive Queen was written on water. She would only keep the promises that still made sense for her to keep.
Yet there was no better promise to be had.
"You'll try," said Miro.
<I'm trying right now to figure out how it might be done. I'm consulting with Human and Rooter and the other fathertrees. I'm consulting with all my daughters. I'm consulting with Jane, who thinks this is all foolishness.>
"Do you ever intend," asked Val, "to consult with me?"
<Already you are saying yes.>
Val sighed. "I suppose I am," she said. "Deep down inside myself, where I am really an old man who doesn't give a damn whether this young new puppet lives or dies-- I suppose that at that level, I don't mind."
<All along you said yes. But you're afraid. You're afraid of losing what you have, not knowing what you'll be.>
"You've got it," said Val. "And don't tell me again that stupid lie that you don't mind dying because your daughters have your memories. You damn well do mind dying, and if keeping Jane alive might save your life, you want to do it."
<Take the hand of my worker and go out into the light. Go out among the stars and do your work. Back here, I'll try to find a way to save your life. Jane's life. All our lives.>
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