Wars Inter... - Private 21 06 26 Lya Missy And Maria

“Eyes sharp,” Maria whispered. “The Interstitial talks to you through what you love. Don’t listen.”

Maria stared at her own hands. They were slightly translucent. “I remember dying,” she whispered. “Helmets off in the bunker. The gas. Lya, you tried to save me. I told you to run.” Private 21 06 26 Lya Missy And Maria Wars Inter...

“A simulation can simulate warmth,” the Interstitial said. “Eyes sharp,” Maria whispered

Missy laughed. Not hysterically — genuinely. “You know what, you overgrown calculator?” She raised her plasma arm, not at the core, but at her own head. “If I’m a dream, then I can wake up however I want.” not at the core

“Do it,” Maria ordered.

Silence.

“We’re not your prisoners,” Lya said. “We’re your proof of concept. Love doesn’t need a memory to be real.”