“The modifications we do for dakini work in microgravity. On the Earth’s surface, these same changes will cause the body to start breaking down. This is another reason for enabling their ability to end their lives. You could visit the planet, but only for a few weeks at a time.”

“The one I captured—”

Ao Tara’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “Yes. Khandro Ekoyi. My daughter. Our designers say the dakini lifespan on Earth is two to three months. She landed on March 7. She will be suffering by now.”

“And the rest of them?”

“Two have returned here and are recovering. A third, Suvara, is newly born, and you’ve met Clemence. Five have sacrificed themselves to liberate the people and machines of Earth. Khandro survived because you didn’t hurt her. A few others remain free to continue their work, though their health is poor.”

Welga replaced her instinctive sympathy with fury. She could not fall into the empathy trap. Ao Tara’s words made sense, but her actions screamed fanatic. You put her in that situation. Your own child, you sick blanker! All the dakini’s blood is on your hands. And Jackson’s death. Kuan’s, every other funder and bystander and thousands of bots, too, you fucking hypocrite. I should destroy this entire goddamn station. But to do that, she had to stay here and stay alive.

“You’re not giving me much of a choice: death or dakini.”

“You risked your life by coming to Eko-Yi. You don’t have to stay. We can manufacture more zips, load you up with anti-seizure drugs, send you back to Earth—though we can’t guarantee your safe arrival. But if you choose to remain here, you must transform. We see no other solution.”

“Why would you give me this choice? You know I’ve spent the last month trying to stop you. You could let me die here.”

Ao Tara frowned. “No, I can’t do that in good conscience. If you’re here, you’re our responsibility. Tell me, why did you apply to live here?”

“I’ve wondered about living in space since I was a teenager.” Truth. “Connor—my partner—and I applied back in ’88. We wanted to make a fresh start together, so we applied to all the stations. Connor was happy to come here. He’s interested in Neo-Buddhism.”

“You’re not?”

“I don’t believe in god or religion.”

“Do you believe that our way of life on Earth is bad for humankind? Do you think people deserve to have a sense of self-worth and happiness beyond their tip jar? To live a full life without relying on pills or mech-suits?”

Welga sensed the trap in the question. “Doesn’t everyone?”