Ben nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. He'd spent years being protective of Ender's secrets while spending those same years slowly chipping away at the damage Graff had done to him.

"Never push him too far," he said finally. "He doesn't lose. He's psychologically incapable of it. He will offer you a dozen different chances to walk away, but if you don't, well--"

He shrugged. "You've seen it."

Ben would take how completely Ender would fall apart after making that choice to the grave.