Character Analysis
Drinking the Kool-Aid
Thomas may be a good-looking, young, military man, but he's little more than a robot doing the Republic's bidding. Even though Thomas comes from a poor sector, he can't even have compassion for his fellow poverty-stricken citizens:
Well, let me tell you a secret. I'm from a poor sector too. But I followed the rules. I worked my way up. I earned my country's respect. The rest of you people just sit around and complain and blame the state for your bad luck. Bunch of dirty, lazy cons. (2.7.36)
Thomas feels like he's risen above the people who live in the poor sectors somehow. He has no compassion or sympathy at all, and thinks nothing of killing citizens in the name of the Republic's glory. In fact, he doesn't even think anything of killing his best friend when ordered to do so:
I can't bring myself to look at Thomas. Can't bring myself to ask him how he can bear to follow orders so blindly. (1.22.10)
Thomas is nothing more than a tool to the government. He's like a living, breathing gun—he'll shoot whenever he's told and he'll never question orders. Even though he was close to the Iparises, he'll think nothing of betraying them. Thomas is dangerous, but he's not thinking on his own. He's just an extension of the Republic's dogma.