“You can’t do this alone,” he said gently, “just like you couldn’t have gone back into Marrakech and taken the caliph out by yourself. That wasn’t your fault.”

“I can go to DC and beat some sense into the politicians. Or broadcast the operation details and get the people of this country to know the truth. I don’t care what happens to me. If I can get footage of the dakini interrogation, I could leak it—”

“Your brother,” Connor said.

Welga stopped. “What?”

“Doesn’t he belong to a rocket club?”

“In Chennai. So?”

“India has paused its launches, but it hasn’t agreed to an embargo yet. Luis has access to a rocket.” He opened his eyes and stared like the rest was obvious.

“The agency isn’t going to fly me to Chennai so I can take a foreign rocket to violate orders by the commander in chief.”

“Your contract with the agency is at will. You said it yourself—this fight belongs to everyone. If you can stop the Machinehood, does it matter how?”

Welga blinked at her partner. “Go rogue? That plan is almost as crazy and stupid as mine.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “You don’t do crazy or stupid. I rely on you to talk me out of that shit.”

“If you can’t beat them, join them.”

Whatever it takes. Bypassing her government entirely just might work.

She nodded, more to herself than him. “I like it. Guess I’d better go to Phoenix.”

Connor grimaced. “If I were more mobile, I could find you a berth on a cargo ship. That’s your best way overseas.”

In spite of the emergency stellas, the government hadn’t allowed any international flights in or out. Part of their idiotic attempt to coerce the Asians into cooperation, no doubt.

“Maybe Ammanuel could help us with that. I bet they’re really damn bored right now,” Welga said.

“Can we trust them?”

“They’re a Raider. That’s enough for me.”

Welga realized that she had no physical address for Jady Ammanuel after she got in the truck. She knew where Platinum Shield Services had their local office, though, so she headed there. Hassan looked understandably confused to see her, but he pulled her into a bear hug anyway.

“It’s good to see you in one piece, Ramírez.”

Why did people keep greeting her that way?

“Good to see you, too, boss, but I’m afraid I’m in a hurry. I need to borrow Ammanuel for a bit. I assume they aren’t busy right now?”

“No, they’re on leave along with the majority of shields. The funders have walled themselves away from the world’s shitstorm.”

Hassan found Ammanuel’s address and gave it to her. He narrowed his eyes. “I suppose I can’t ask you what this is about?”

“You can ask. Doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”