“You never know what tech they’ll develop next. Maybe they’ll have the ability to keep you healthy here on Earth one day.” Olafson shrugged and mopped his brow. “Hell of a stunt you pulled on the way down. The president came this close to launching surface-to-air missiles. I suppose you would’ve found a way to disable those, too?”

“Maybe. I really don’t know.”

No, those would’ve killed us. We can’t access their guidance systems.

“Did you convert to Neo-Buddhism? Are you loyal to the station now?”

“They didn’t ask me to take any oaths or swear on any books. What they do there feels more like a way of life than a religion. It’s… different, how they look at things. A mix of honor and twisted logic. I don’t think Ao Tara wanted this kind of violence to happen, but she also believes that she made the best choice for humanity.”

“She’s a fanatic. Sounds like the caliph in many ways.”

“Maybe not. She changed her mind in the end. I didn’t force her back to Earth.” I couldn’t have even if I wanted to. “She has sympathy for the caliph, though. Says that life in the empire isn’t as bad as we imagine.”

“He’s remained silent throughout this whole crisis. You’d think he would side with the Machinehood and use this as an opportunity to spread their holy word. Our team… hit some issues over there.”

“I know. I have eyes everywhere now. You pulled the operation soon after the White House announced the embargo.”

“Not because we wanted to. I can’t help wondering what might’ve happened if you’d been there. Would you have gone in anyway?”

Welga shrugged. “Maybe. If I thought that was the only way to end the Machinehood, yes. Part of me wants to go back to the Maghreb. It’s stupid. I doubt they’ve kept my squad’s bodies waiting, but if they’ve been buried, I’d like to see their graves, to say good-bye. But I’m glad I wasn’t around for my government to screw me a third time.”

Not her government, not anymore.

But I’ll always be an American, just like I’ll always be human. It doesn’t matter where I live or what body parts I change.

A car pulled up to the cab zone and opened a door for her. Welga slipped inside.

“Hell of a thing,” Olafson said, leaning on the open doorframe. “What does it feel like?”