"If you're helping them," Sonia says angrily, her voice rising despite herself, "you're hurting us. They already have almost every advantage in the world. Giving them another one? You're just making it easier for them."

Heads are starting to turn in the mess, though no one comments beyond barely audible murmurs. Sonia doesn't care. The ghem already gawk at her enough as it is. "I don't want the help of someone who cares so little about the fate of this planet," she goes on heatedly, poised to turn and walk away. She probably ought to just turn and leave now, but she's upset and she can't stop herself. "And neither would any other self-respecting Barrayaran, either. And if you think the Cetagandans are going to let you help them and then just let you go -- ha. You don't know them at all."