Ryk E. Spoor

Ryk E. Spoor (born July 21, 1962) is an American science fiction and fantasy author.

Grand Central Arena (2010)

 * All page numbers are from the mass market paperback first edition published by Baen, ISBN 978-1-4391-3355-2, 2nd printing
 * All italics as in the book


 * Living creatures are essentially biological carbon-based nanotech.
 * Chapter 3 (p. 17)


 * But you know there’s always that nagging set of voices out there worried that someone is doing something bad with that freedom—and of course the problem is, sometimes they’re right.
 * Chapter 6 (p. 35)


 * People don’t mind poking into other people’s business—they just don’t want other people poking into theirs.
 * Chapter 6 (p. 35)


 * If you’re a sensible man, you get in the habit of being very cautious of making extreme pronouncements when one’s in the sciences, especially when it’s not your core field.
 * Chapter 16 (p. 133)


 * I am a scientist. I do not believe in gods or demons.
 * Chapter 31 (p. 262)


 * Your problem, you pea-brained, overbearing, pompous crayfish, is that you think you have any idea of what you’re dealing with.
 * Chapter 34 (p. 280)


 * In safety and in security, in peril and plague, in victory and vengeance, may your course be ever your own.
 * Chapter 39 (p. 333)


 * Well, like many fanatic creeds, if you accept the basic postulates, you can make a twisted sense out of anything.
 * Chapter 42 (p. 381)


 * They have certain rather insular attitudes which makes it difficult to maintain any long-term cooperation. It is not pleasant to work with someone who thinks of your entire species as a waste of resources.
 * Chapter 42 (p. 383)


 * I will admit that I have not heard that he would directly violate his word or go back on a bargain, though he is certainly more than capable of obfuscation and creative interpretation where it suits him.
 * Chapter 42 (p. 383)


 * Maybe you should’ve been more careful, but hindsight’s perfect and we aren’t.
 * Chapter 46 (p. 412)


 * A committee’s a good way to end up with a lot of talk and no action.
 * Chapter 51 (p. 462)


 * His hand contracted on the odd carven rod, a tiny thing that glittered with hints of lights and circuits and, at the same time, bone and gems, a wand constructed by an engineer, or a transmitter assembled by a shaman.
 * Chapter 55 (p. 508)

Spheres of Influence (2013)

 * All page numbers are from the first mass market paperback edition published by Baen, ISBN 978-1-4767-3709-6, (January 2015), 1st printing
 * All italics as in the book


 * I cannot help but think that anyone who wants power for those reasons really is not the person I want to have it.
 * Chapter 3 (p. 40)


 * “Though I hope we get out more, the Arena looks fascinating and all this talk-talk-talk is making me itchy, and no one’s tried to kill the captain yet!” Orphan gave a subdued buzz-chuckle. “One would almost think you want her to be attacked.” “Well, of course! What use being a bodyguard if you never actually get to do any WORK?”
 * Chapter 9 (p. 115)


 * “Although I cannot pretend it is merely a social visit.” “Of course—and in truth, I would be disappointed if it were! You have so much to learn, as do we, and to waste that time merely on formalities?”
 * Chapter 10 (p. 122)


 * It almost sounds romantic, in a facing-execution-together sort of way.
 * Chapter 22 (p. 236)


 * “But there has to be an alternative.” “Why does there have to be one, Captain Austin?” Sethrik asked quietly. “Often the universe does not give us choices.”
 * Chapter 41 (p. 393)


 * Hmph. Just remembered that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent— Yeah, Duquesne interrupted with a grin, because the competent resort to violence MUCH sooner, before it’s too late!
 * Chapter 54 (p. 527; the first line is a quote from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy)


 * When people can have pretty much whatever they want for the asking, and when privacy and security can be assured by the same technologies...well, pretty soon no one needs a government for much.
 * Chapter 56 (pp. 542-543)


 * “I’m sure you’ll figure out how to make a system of simple laws that work.” “Yes, right after the perpetual motion machine I’m patenting,” he said cheerfully.
 * Chapter 57 (p. 551)


 * “So,” Simon said slowly, looking around at the others, “the Leader of Humanity is going to risk herself on a ship with a sometimes devious ally, traveling to some secret destination in the Deeps of the Arena, to confront some nameless force where there won’t even be a Sky Gate to help us return if things go wrong?” He stood and lifted his glass. “Sign me up, Captain!”
 * Chapter 58 (p. 567; closing words)