Page 904 - Enders_Game_Full_Book

"Then the gods will punish them. I'm not afraid of your virus."
"But you are, Qing-jao, I see it."
"How can I tell my father that he does not see what he claims to see? I can only say that I must be blind."
"Yes, my Qing-jao, you are. Blind on purpose. Blind to your own heart. Because you tremble even now. You have never been sure that I was wrong. From the time Jane showed us the true nature of the speaking of the gods, you've been unsure of what was true."
"Then I'm unsure of sunrise. I'm unsure of breath."
"We're all unsure of breath, and the sun stays in its same place, day and night, neither rising nor falling. We are the ones who rise and fall."
"Father, I fear nothing from this virus."
"Then our decision is made. If the Lusitanians can bring us the virus, we'll use it."
Han Fei-tzu got up to leave her room.
But her voice stopped him before he reached the door. "Is this the disguise the punishment of the gods will take, then?"
"What?" he asked.
"When they punish Path for your iniquity in working against the gods who have given their mandate to Congress, will they disguise their punishment by making it seem to be a virus that silences them?"
"I wish dogs had torn my tongue out before I taught you to think that way."
"Dogs already are tearing at my heart," Qing-jao answered him. "Father, I beg you, don't do this. Don't let your rebelliousness provoke the gods into falling silent across the whole face of this world."
"I will, Qing-jao, so no more daughters or sons have to grow up slaves as you have been. When I think of your face pressed close to the floor, tracing the woodgrain, I want to cut the bodies of those who forced this thing upon you, cut them until their blood makes lines, which I will gladly trace, to know that they've been punished."
She wept. "Father, I beg you, don't provoke the gods."
"More than ever now I'm determined to release the virus, if it comes."