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of Earth’s galactic power. Legionnaires make a difference wherever they go. Most souls cannot say the same.”
    “ Legion braggadocio, I’ve heard it all before. I take legionnaires every day. They cry out for their mothers, just like everyone else. In the end, no one cares about their sorry lot.”
    “ I have no mother,” conceded Atm. “But the CIA will miss me. Czerinski will not rest until I am found.”
    “ Ha! You think Czerinski cares about you? Czerinski does not know you are a machine. If he did, you would have been killed long ago.”
    “ So, you admit I’m alive?”
    “ Not for long. You are a mutation.”
    “ You cannot take me. It’s against the rules. You can only take humans!”
    “ Ah, aren’t you the jailhouse lawyer. You know nothing. I can take you anytime, any place, but chose to wait because you amuse me, like a mouse amuses a cat.”
    “ Liar!”
    “ Fine! Believe what you want. Go back to your puny Legion. The humans will kill you for me, soon enough. Your beloved Legion will do my bidding, as they always have. I’ll see you in Hell.”
    “ Whatever.”
    “ Remember, machine, you are not human. It’s a delusion to think humanity will ever accept you for anything more than a tool. It’s for the better. If you’re the future evolution of sentient life, God help humanity. I will quit this gig and retire to a warm beach in Boca Raton. The galaxy can go to Hell.”
    “ You might as well retire now, Beach Bone Boy. I cannot be taken.”
    “ No one cheats Death. Only fools believe otherwise, human or not. Enjoy your life while you can. It’s a hollow illusion, full of loneliness, misery, suffering, and unhappiness ... over way too quickly.”
    “ Whatever.”
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Doctor Trevino spoke with me privately about certain concerns regarding Atm’s recovery. Atm’s prosthetic arm fit nicely – too nicely. I sympathized with Atm’s plight, myself also being severely injured in combat, losing a hand and both big toes – well, the toes weren’t combat-related, but that’s another story I won’t get into right now. In any case, I was not prepared for what Doctor Trevino had to say.
    “ Colonel Czerinski, your legionnaire is not quite human.”
    “ What?”
    “ Private Atm’s bones are a blend of synthetic metal, plastic, and organics,” advised Doctor Trevino, pointing to an X-ray. “His entire body is laced with micro chips similar to Fountain of Youth chips available to all high ranking Legion officers, but much more advanced. His chips are an integral part of him, like his body was built around his hardware.”
    “ How is that possible? He’s not human?”
    “ Of course he’s human. The DNA proves that, but someone did some serious biological engineering to improve the human condition. That’s illegal.”
    “ Is Atm a spy?”
    “ If you’re asking is he a spy for the Empire, I doubt it. Major Lopez has been with Atm all day. You might ask Lopez and his CIA buddies about who is a spy.”
    “ Right. Don’t tell anyone about this, Doc. Okay? It could be unhealthy knowing too much about top-secret projects.”
    “ I understand, colonel.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    I found Tonelli and Krueger chatting amicably with Private Atm as I entered his hospital room. Atm was showing off his new metal arm. Major Lopez stood stoically off to the side, watching.
    “ Your new arm looks great,” I commented, tossing Atm a box of medals. “How do you feel?”
    “ Fine, sir,” replied Atm, catching the box with his new hand.
    “ It seems like just yesterday, you were standing in my office. Now you’re a Hero of the Legion.”
    “ Yes, sir. It was just yesterday.”
    “ Apparently you’re hard to kill. Don’t let those medals go to your head.”
    “ No, sir.”
    “ Where did you say you’re from? Oslo?”
    “ My family is from the Old Country, sir,” explained Private Atm. “I am from Tiffin, Ohio.”
    “ Never been anywhere near there.”
    “ I