"Would you like me to tell you how it works?" The Soldier's voice has gone completely devoid of emotion, clinical and cold. "This is how it works: it doesn't matter what I say, or where I was, or what I was doing. People believe that my history speaks louder than any facts. It doesn't matter what the truth is. It doesn't matter where I was, or who saw me there. My past has always spoken louder than anything else I say or do."

It was true back on Earth, and the Soldier has reason to believe it's true here as well. Better to at least be up front about the assassin thing than be accused of hiding the fact. He doubts many would stand up for him anyway, so what does it matter?

"That's how it works, because that's how it's always worked. So spare me your little explanations. I've been down this road enough times to know how it goes."