Page 447 of Lodestar

Star:You and your ‘eyes.’ Now I know where I get it from.

Anton:You’re far more impressive. What you do, you do on your own. I have a collective working on my behalf.

Anton:It is good what you’re trying to do.

Star:I want to trust the department you’ve put together. I want to step back.

Anton:I’m surprised to hear this.

Star:I can’t let go entirely, but I can let go some. I need to live, Anton. I didn’t realize until Conor came and got me that what I was doing wasn’t living.

Anton:You’ve lost many years because of the Sparrows. I applaud you for making such a healthy decision for yourself.

Star:This way, I can help the people who matter—the victims. I was one of them.

Anton:You’ll never be one of them again.

Star:No. I won’t.

Anton:You are happy with Conor?

Star:I am.

Anton:You wear his ring.

Star:I do.

Anton:I’d like to attend your wedding whenever it may be. Do you think that would be possible?

Star:Yeah.

Anton:I’m glad to hear it. :)

Star:Conor told me that you asked Aidan to mobilize the ECD.

Anton:Not that I’m surprised he did, but he shouldn’t have told you that.

Star:What are your plans?

Anton:A weaker Britain.

Star:Why?

Anton:We all have our pet plans, don’t we?

Star:Hmm. That’s not an answer.

Anton:It is time for a revolution, my dear.

Star:Ah, crap. You don’t have illusions of grandeur, do you?

Anton:No, just a dream that Lyra’s and Katina’s grandchildren will still be able to inhabit this planet. I’m an old man but even I can see the writing on the wall.

Star:And dissembling, what, the old guard will do it?

Anton:No. Capitalism. But that’s a conversation for another day. Now that I’m without a council, thanks to you, I have more power than ever.

Anton:Time to use it for good.