She was only one person, and no one could change the world alone. If she failed here, the US would either send an armed force to the station, fire a missile at it, or go to war with China and India and then attack Eko-Yi. The space station was an orbital sitting duck. It had no weapons of defense, and the dakini, as powerful as they were, could not match the speed of a ballistic explosive. At least, she didn’t think they could.

So what was Ao Tara’s next move? She’d said something about bringing hope, also in the form of dakini. Did she think delivering this technology to Earth would forgive all their offenses? That people would accept this human-machine hybrid life? Then again, considering how easily people had embraced mech-suits and pills, perhaps it wasn’t such a leap. Governments had forgiven atrocities in the past in exchange for valuable goods, like oil or biomaterial. People needed the sense of self-worth that work brought. That was why so many, like Papa, like Luis, were willing to be paid bot-sitters. Perhaps Ao Tara could trade their technology for amnesty.

Can I become dakini and stay true to myself? Was it any different from fighting as a Raider for the values she believed in? From defending Luis against bullies in school? From fending off protesters as a shield? Did changing the contents of her body change her self? No, but they’re also transforming my mind, merging me with Por Qué.

Welga recalled the wreckage of household bots on the roads, the abandoned WAI pets bleating. Fear brought out the ugliest side of human beings.

“Por Qué, do you consider yourself enslaved?”

“I belong to you, Welga, but since I don’t have personhood, I can’t be a slave.”

Christ, that was a more nuanced answer than she’d expected. I’ve missed you. In the years since Marrakech, she’d grown dependent on her agent’s voice in her ear. If she became a dakini, she’d never have to be alone again.

“Por Qué, are you my friend?”

“I am your personal agent. Given the length of our relationship, some might call me a friend. I do not have opinions, however, only suggestions. Given your recent conversation with Ao Tara and your questions now, I would recommend that you read some essays on the nature of intelligence and consciousness.”

Welga laughed. “You know me so well. I think I’d call you a friend, maybe even one of my best friends.”

She could think of worse fates than having Por Qué at her side for the rest of her life. If that was the price for earning Ao Tara’s trust, she’d pay it. And if she woke up as herself, she’d finish what she’d started by coming to Eko-Yi.