Free A War of Gifts by Orson Scott Card

argument,” said Graff. “Because I already know the answer. If the only way a kid can go home is acting like Zeck and being treated like Zeck, there’s not a kid in this school who’d do it.”
    â€œYou don’t know that.”
    â€œBut I do, ” said Graff. “Remember, you were all tested and observed. Not just for logic, memory, spatial relationships, verbal ability, but also character attributes. Quick decision-making. Ability to grasp the whole of a situation. The ability to get along well with other people.”
    â€œSo how the hell did Zeck get here in the first place?”
    â€œZeck is brilliant at getting along with people,” said Graff. “When he wants to.”
    Dink didn’t believe it.
    â€œZeck can handle even megalomaniacal sociopaths and keep them from harming other people. He’s a natural peacemaker in a human community, Dink. It’s his best gift.”
    â€œThat’s just kuso,” said Dink. “Everybody hated him right from the start.”
    â€œBecause he wanted you to. He’s getting exactly what he wants, right now. Including you coming here to talk to me. All exactly what he wants.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” said Dink.
    â€œThat’s because you don’t know the thing that I was debating with myself about telling you.”
    â€œSo tell me.”
    â€œNo,” said Graff. “The side arguing for discretion won, and I won’t tell.”
    Dink ignored the obfuscation. Graff wanted him to beg. Instead, Dink thought about what Graff had said about Zeck’s abilities. Had Zeck somehow been playing him? Him and everybody else?
    â€œWhy?” asked Dink. “Why would he deliberately alienate everybody?”
    â€œBecause nobody hated him enough,” said Graff. “He needed to be so hated that we gave up on him and sent him home.”
    â€œI think you give him credit for more plans than he actually has,” said Dink. “He didn’t know what would happen.”
    â€œI didn’t say his plan was conscious. He just wants to go home. He believes he has to go home.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI can’t tell you.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause I can’t trust you.”
    â€œIf I say I won’t repeat a story, I won’t repeat it.”
    â€œOh, I know you can be discreet. I just don’t think I can trust you to do the job that needs doing.”
    â€œAnd what job is that?”
    â€œHealing Zeck Morgan.”
    â€œI tried. He won’t let me near him.”
    â€œI know,” said Graff. “So the thing you want to know, I’m going to tell to someone else. Someone who is also discreet. Someone who can heal him.”
    Dink thought about that for a few moments.
    â€œEnder Wiggin.”
    â€œThat’s your nominee?” asked Graff.
    â€œNo,” said Dink. “He’s yours. You think he can do anything.”
    Graff smiled a little Mona Lisa smile, if Mona Lisa had been a pudgy colonel.
    â€œI hope he can,” said Dink. “Should I send him to you?”
    â€œI’ll bet you,” said Graff, “that Ender never needs to come to me at all.”
    â€œHe’ll just know what to do without being told.”
    â€œHe’ll act like Ender Wiggin, and in the process he’ll find out what he needs to know from Zeck himself.”
    â€œWiggin doesn’t talk to Zeck either.”
    â€œYou mean that you haven’t seen him talk to Zeck.”
    Dink nodded. “Okay, that’s what I mean.”
    â€œGive him time,” said Graff.
    Dink got up from his chair.
    â€œI haven’t dismissed you, soldier.”
    Dink stopped and saluted. “Permission to leave your office and return to my barracks to continue feeling like a complete shit, sir.”
    â€œDenied,” said Graff. “Oh, you can feel like whatever you want, that’s not my business. But your effort on