[dogscoff]

Use of weapons by Iain M Banks. More of an extract than a quote, but utterly beautiful just the same:

One of the people in the group held a little bundle of brown and yellow fur, cradled against one shoulder like a baby. "Here." the man said, presenting the tiny furry creature to Sma. She took it reluctantly. It was warm, had four limbs arranged conventionally, smelled attractive and wasn't any sort of animal she'd ever seen before; it had large ears on a large head, and as she held it, it opened its huge eyes and looked at her. "That's the ship," the man who'd handed her the animal said.

"Hello," the tiny being squeaked.

Sma looked it up and down. "You're the Xenophobe?"

"It's representative. The bit you can talk to. You can call me Xeny." It smiled; it had little round teeth. "I know most ships just use a drone, but," It glaced at Skaffen Amtiskaw, "they can be a bit boring, don't you think? I'm much cuter." It wriggled in her hands looking happy. "If you like," it gurgled, "I'll show you to your cabin, yes?"

"Yes; good idea," nodded Sma, and put the thing over her shoulder.

"Ooh, you're nice and warm," the little brown and yellow creature mumbled sleepily, snuggling into Sma's neck as they headed down a deeply carpeted corridor for Sma's quarters. It stirred and she found herself patting its back. "Left here," it said, at a junction then, "That's us just breaking orbit now, by the way."

"Good," Sma said.

"Can I cuddle up with you when you sleep?"

Sma stopped, detached the creature from her shoulder with one hand and stared it in the face. "What?"

"Just for chumminess' sake," the little thing said, yawning wide and blinking. "I'm not being rude; it's good bonding procedure."

Sma was aware of Skaffen Amtiskaw glowing red just behind her. She brought the yellow and brown device closer to her face. "Listen, Xenophobe -"

"Xeny."

"Xeny; you are a million-tonne starship; a Torturer class Rapid Offense Unit. Even -"

"But I'm demilitarized!"

"Even without your principle armament, I bet you could waste planets if you wanted to -"

"Aw, come on; any silly GCU can do that!"

And of course, a great many more of my favourite quotes can be found on the "quote-o-matic" on my website. (click "change" for a fresh quote.)