[It occurs to him that normally that's the sort of question he wouldn't answer; he'd leave it up to the asker's imagination, or maybe he'd ask what they think, or he'd simply ask to be left alone so he can work and they would see later.

What he does is offer her something that's not a smile, really; it doesn't reach his eyes enough for that, doesn't involve enough of his face. But there's something there regardless.]

Say what you will of my normal activities around this place, it wouldn't be the first time I fought in defense of my country. Because I've been asked to, of course, but also because regardless of what I think of it or intend to do to it in the long run, it's mine.

[He glances over toward one of the masses of grunts over there.]

If they were truly the superior option for us, they wouldn't be invading us right now. That's how I see it.