“I’m not asking you to kill anyone for me, Sebastian,” said Santiago. “That would be presumptuous. I’m asking you to help me protect people from the abuses of a distant government that couldn’t care less about them.”

“Not ten minutes ago you ordered Jacinto to kill someone for you,” Cain pointed out.

“That was for the cause, not for me,” answered Santiago. “Since I can’t fund my operation through legitimate means, I must resort to questionable tactics. Winston Kchanga cannot be allowed to cheat us and escape punishment for his actions. If word got out that we didn’t protect our interests, it wouldn’t be long before the criminal element preyed upon us just as the Democracy does.” He turned and began walking alongside a field containing row upon row of huge, mutated corn. “Revolution is no place for the squeamish. Surely you must understand that.”

“I understand that,” said Cain. “How many men will you want me to kill?”

Santiago stopped and met his gaze levelly. “I’ll never ask you to kill anyone who doesn’t deserve killing.”

“I do that now, and I get well paid for it.”

“If you come with me, you’ll continue doing it. You’ll get paid nothing, there will be a price on your head, and even the people you’re fighting for will want you dead.” Santiago smiled wryly. “That’s not much to offer, is it?”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Then let me sweeten the pot,” continued Santiago. “You’ll have one benefit that you don’t have in your present occupation.”

“What?”

“The knowledge that you’ll have made a difference.”

“It would be nice to have, just once,” said Cain sincerely.

“Nobody will know it but you,” said Santiago.

“Nobody has to.”

There was a momentary silence.

“What are you thinking, Sebastian?”

“That I’d like to believe you.”

“Do you?”

“I haven’t made up my mind.” He paused in the shadow of a twelve-foot-high cornstalk. “What if I decide not to?”

“I’m unarmed, and my bodyguards are back at the house.”

“I was more concerned with what you might do to me.”

“We’ll worry about that when the time comes.”

“You’ll have to kill me,” said Cain. “Or try to, anyway. I know what you look like and where to find you.”

“There are a few others who do, too,” said Santiago. “It would make things much less complicated if you joined me, though.”

They continued walking, Santiago listing his grievances against the Democracy, telling Cain of the actions he had taken and the people he had saved and failed to save. Cain listened thoughtfully, asking an occasional question, making an occasional observation.