When, after long minutes, Erin steps back in her right hand is bleeding; the knuckles have torn open down to the bone, and they drip crimson in a steady beat.

She doesn't seem to notice. Her face is dry, for she has no eyes to weep with. But when she speaks her voice is raw and ragged.

"I'm not going to explain. I'm not going to ask you to change your views or opinions. But as...as a courtesy. I'm going to ask that you not speak of these ComfortUnits so...dismissively. I can't understand your life or your world. I'm not going to make you justify it. But...please do me this courtesy, SecUnit."