Page 453 - Enders_Game_Full_Book

himself, as if they had passed their suffering to him. Bruxinha had been most surprised, but Ender knew she was not worst injured. That distinction belonged to Miro and Ouanda, who had thought they knew what the future would bring them. But Ender had also felt the pain that people felt before, and he knew that today's new wounds would heal much faster than the old ones ever would have done. Novinha might not recognize it, but Ender had stripped from her a burden that was much too heavy for her to bear any longer.
"Speaker," said Mayor Bosquinha.
"Mayor," said Ender. He didn't like talking to people after a Speaking, but he was used to the fact that someone always insisted on talking to him. He forced a smile. "There were many more people here than I expected."
"A momentary thing, for most of them," said Bosquinha. "They'll forget it by morning."
Ender was annoyed that she was trivializing it. "Only if something monumental happens in the night," he said.
"Yes. Well, that has been arranged."
Only then did Ender realize that she was extremely upset, barely under control at all. He took her by the elbow and then cast an arm over her shoulder; she leaned gratefully.
"Speaker, I came to apologize. Your starship has been commandeered by Starways Congress. It has nothing to do with you. A crime was committed here, a crime so-- terrible-- that the criminals must be taken to the nearest world, Trondheim, for trial and punishment. Your ship."
Ender reflected for a moment. "Miro and Ouanda."
She turned her head, looked at him sharply. "You are not surprised."
"I also won't let them go."
Bosquinha pulled herself away from him. "Won't let them?"
"I have some idea what they're charged with."
"You've been here four days, and you already know something that even I never suspected?" "Sometimes the government is the last to know."
"Let me tell you why you will let them go, why we'll all let them go to stand trial. Because Congress has stripped our files. The computer memory is empty except for the most rudimentary programs that control our power supply, our water, our sewer. Tomorrow no work can be done because we haven't enough power to run any of the factories, to work in the mines, to power the