Agent Smith bragging to Stealth

“Do not expect to bend me to your will,” she said. Her voice was loud and clear in the tunnel.
“Lady, you’re already bent,” he said.
“You have demonstrated a small amount of control when I was unprepared. Your limited influence forces you to use more indirect means. If you could assert direct control, you would have done so.”
“I’ve got direct control of half the base already,” snapped Smith.
“But not us,” said Stealth. “St. George and I are too strong-willed for you to influence directly. I would imagine Captain Freedom is too strong for you as well.”
“Freedom will put a gun in his mouth the moment I ask him to,” said Smith. His own voice was rising to match hers. “They all would. Don’t you get it? This has been my base for almost two years now.”

Excerpt From Ex-Patriots, pg 554-555
Peter Clines
https://books.apple.com/us/book/ex-patriots/id585738393