Ferra looks at him. "See, the problem with that, is that winning, for you, consists of your plan working."

10...

"Which, incidentally, crap plan. You reduce infinity to one, to self propagate? Write a book like the rest of us, find immortality and meaning that way."

9...

She's ignoring his ion cannon. It's firing just fine, she's just not there when it impacts. She's standing someplace else, looking like another version of herself. "Winning for me, on the other hand, is stopping your plan."

8...

"Or otherwise rendering you unable to complete your plan. Read up on some strategy books while I was tied to the rocket."

7...

He's not responding. Methodical, ceaseless death continues to rain at her, from traps on the rocket itself, from supplemental drones, x-ray lasers pods extending from his main offensive body. It's not working. He's doing damage to himself in the crossfire, and she's just not there to hit.

6...

"Also read up on space. Did you know that the outer limit of the atmosphere is only 10,000 kilometers up? I mean, we're both AI, we both know that even before I read that, but it's a neat fact, and sometimes you have to actively think on something before you understand it."

5...

She flickers inside his guard, suddenly there and jabbing an accusatory finger at him. "You ran the numbers, I'm sure. But you don't understand. Otherwise, there's no reason for you to try this. It's pointless."

4...

The monofiliment shrapnel fires off from his chest. She ignores it, in a different phase, watches as it connects with a good 23% of his defenses and annihilates them. They'll burn up on reentry, at least. They're in orbit, finally. The stars do not twinkle.

3...

She pulls Perseus's warform up enough to break contact with the rocket, and gently, delicately, sends a current through the drone, destroying the EVA gear that'd get him mobile again. Turns her back on him, and faces the Earth. A beautiful, blue, green, and white pearl.

2...

She reaches up, a hand on either side of the world, holding it up for Perseus to see. "Look at that, you son of a bitch. Look at that."

1...

Ferra closes her eyes, arms still around the Earth. Rainbow energy start to spill out from her, infinite gossamer wings in fractal shapes reaching first this ugly, hateful weapon she stands on, and reaching out from there. Touching each and every thing in orbit, testing it, finding it wanting, changing it's shape and form and position. She stands there, and for one brief moment, she is surrounding the world, a rainbow matrix enveloping her home. Earth's biggest hug. [i]You are loved.[/i]