"Imperials like throwing their weight around any time they can get away with it. Non-humans, women, lower castes, the entire imperial system is founded on the idea that there are people of lower status, and you can bully them." Political theory, yaaay.

"I can do a thing without liking it. I can keep myself going by imagining pulling off the wig at a dramatic moment. Or the cute nail polish I can use when this is over." She rubbed her hands on her skirt, as if they were dirty. "I'm willing to sacrifice my life for the cause of the Crimson Corsairs. Sacrificing my gender presentation to some imperial goons isn't that big of a deal." It clearly bothered her-but her tone brooked no argument out of this. "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but if it does I might be able to literally grab dispatches off the commander's desk and read them in front of him."