But I don’t move.
They hesitate.
“We are authorized to use force?—”
I cut her off. “You won’t need it.”
The lead flinches. The two behind her shift, tightening the arc.
I don’t let them see me afraid.
“I’m unarmed,” I say, voice level. “You can check if it makes you feel better.”
The one on the right lifts his rifle a hair. “On the ground.”
I nod once.
Bend.
Kneel.
Fingers laced behind my head, elbows pointed out. My knees press into the dust of the walkway. It’s cold. Sharp with debris. I let it cut. Let it sting.
Let it remind me I’m still in my body.
The soldier cuffs me with practiced speed. Metal against skin, too tight on purpose. The implant in my arm pulses once, then locks down, firewalled by instinct.
They don’t speak again.
They just lift me by the arms and drag me to my feet.
The cuffs dig in.
I don’t wince.
As they leadme out of the garden, I glance back once.
Jax is still unconscious. Slumped in the shadow between the glass. His jacket fallen open. His name won’t be added to the pillars—not for what he did.
But maybe, one day, the others will be.
All the overwritten. All the forgotten.
Maybe they’ll be remembered right.
We reach the corridor. I walk under my own power now, flanked on both sides. The lead officer glances back once but doesn’t speak.
I don’t know where they’re taking me.
Holding cell. Interrogation. Medical lock. Doesn’t matter.
I keep walking.
Because I know what I’ve done.
And somehow, even now, I believe?—
Tatek is going to find me.
