“No!” The protest came from an older person with gray mixed liberally into their black hair. They drifted at the entrance to the docking area. “You can do all that from here. Please, don’t leave me like this! Think of Khandro. She still needs you.”

Donald Park. Josephine’s husband.

Ao Tara’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, my love, but perhaps Olga sees more clearly today. It’s time for us to change direction, to finish what we started and hope that the world is ready to accept the gifts we offer. Olga is dakini, and she is my test. Unlike my predecessor, I will not fail. I’ll go in person to reveal the truth, because nothing else is credible in this world, and I must accept responsibility for our actions. I’ll bring Olga with me. Suvara will stay here.” She exhaled heavily. “Nothing is permanent, certainly not my life. At least I can take the next steps on my path in peace.”

Welga saw no regret or remorse in Ao Tara, nothing to indicate a sense of guilt, but in those eyes—so similar to her daughter’s—Welga could see a genuine thoughtfulness. Introspection. Maybe that was all she’d get.

Maybe that’s all we need.

She moved aside to let Donald embrace his former wife. Suvara and Clemence followed. Others gathered to pay their respects and say their farewells. The saffron-clad monks of the council came last. They would select a new leader in case Ao Tara didn’t return. With a serene nod to everyone watching, Ao Tara turned and passed through the air lock into the cargo shuttle. Welga followed.

The tin-can nature of the shuttle—mostly static metals, ceramics, and polymers to withstand the immense friction—meant a hot, bumpy ride back to Earth. Eko-Yi had bolted in a couple of seats, which was an improvement over Welga’s ride up. The noise from the turbulence discouraged conversation. Welga found it easier to slip into the information flooding her brain.

What can I do to control this?

This was supposed to be part of the later training. Maybe we’re missing some components that would help regulate sati?

We need to learn how to search for what we want. So much data… can we shut any of it off?

No, but we have a processor module for flushing out and renewing sati. You could get rid of it temporarily, then repopulate when you need the capability again.

Let’s not do that, not yet. I’d rather be overwhelmed than cut off again.

She could access any network in the world. Sati had opened all nodes, including the station’s, but they passed out of range before she learned how to store any of the information locally.

Let’s see what’s happening on Earth.