Page 1594 - Enders_Game_Full_Book

"Ho, Petra," he said.
"Ho, Vlad," she answered. She liked hearing her own voice. It still worked. Liked hearing his, too.
"I guess I'm the new instrument of torture they're using on you," said Vlad.
He said it with a smile. That told Petra that he wanted it to seem like a joke. Which told her that it wasn't really a joke at all.
"Really?" she said. "Traditionally, you're simply supposed to kiss me and let someone else do the torture."
"It's not really torture. It's the way out." "Out of what?"
"Out of prison. It's not what you think, Petra. The hegemony is breaking up, there's going to be war. The question is whether it drives the world down into chaos or leads to one nation ruling all the others. And if it's one nation, which nation should it be?"
"Let me guess. Paraguay."
"Close," said Vlad. He grinned. "I know, it's easier for me. I'm from Belarus, we make a big deal about being a separate country, but in our hearts, we don't mind the thought of Russia being the country that comes out on top. Nobody outside of Belarus gives a lobster tit about how we're not really Russians. So sure, I wasn't hard to talk into it. And you're Armenian, and they spent a lot of years being oppressed by Russia in the old Communist days. But Petra, just how Armenian are you? What's really good for Armenia anyway? That's what I'm supposed to say to you, anyway. To get you to see that Armenia benefits if Russia comes out on top. No more sabotage. Really help us get ready for the real war. You cooperate, and Armenia gets a special place in the new order. You get to bring in your whole country. That's not nothing, Petra. And if you don't help, that doesn't do a thing for anybody. Doesn't help you. Doesn't help Armenia. Nobody ever knows what a hero you were."
"Sounds like a death threat."
"Sounds like a threat of loneliness and obscurity. You weren't born to be nobody, Petra. You were born to shine. This is a chance to be a hero again. I know you think you don't care, but come on, admit it-it was great being Ender's jeesh."
"And now we're what's-his-name's jeesh. He'll really share the glory with us," said Petra. "Why not? He's still the boss, he doesn't mind having heroes serve under him."