“The system is only as good as its leaders. When they fail—when the system fails—you better damn well hope I’m there to pick up the slack.”

The man’s glower lost some of its fervor. “No one appointed you humanity’s protector.”

“No one had to—and if you don’t understand why that is, then you’re not nearly the man I was told you are. I’m leaving now, and I’m going to assume we’re done. But if you threaten me again, you had better bring help.”