A sharp pang of guilt pierced her resolve. So much life, obliterated in an instant. But humanity would survive. Earth would remain untouched, a bastion of hope in a galaxy overrun by tyrants.

She whispered a quiet prayer for the dead and turned toward home, the weapons' launch still echoing in her mind. It was over. Earth was safe at last. No matter the cost, she'd done her duty. She clung to that as the ghosts of a murdered world rose up to meet her, their voices echoing in the silence.

Jia stared out the ship's front viewport, watching as the weapons streaked through space toward their target. Her knuckles turned white where she gripped the control panel, the only outward sign of her anxiety.

After all she'd sacrificed, after everything she'd done, doubt crept in. Was this really the only way? But she pushed the thoughts aside. She couldn't afford to hesitate now.

The Trylodite homeworld loomed into view, a massive gas giant surrounded by the remnants of its moons. Jia swallowed hard, watching for any sign they'd detected the impending attack.

Nothing. The planet spun on, oblivious to its fate.

Jia braced herself as the first of the weapons entered the atmosphere, a bright flare against the orange sky. The blast lit up her viewscreen, blinding in its intensity. She looked away, but the image was already seared into her memory.

When she opened her eyes again, a massive crater marred the planet's surface, molten rock still glowing red at its edges. The destruction was beyond anything she could have imagined, obliterating the Trylodite cities and military installations in a single blow.

She stared at the ruins of an entire civilization, bile rising in her throat. But it was over. Humanity was safe. She told herself that again and again, trying to quiet the screaming in her mind.

The ship sped away from the remains of the Trylodite homeworld, and Jia slumped into the pilot's chair. She'd saved Earth and avenged her mother's death. But at what cost? She buried her face in her hands, unable to escape the ghosts that now haunted her. The blood of trillions stained her hands, a sacrifice she would carry for the rest of her days.

Jia sat in silence for a long while, numb. She knew she should feel relieved, satisfied even, at the destruction of the AI that had threatened humanity. But she felt only a hollow grief.

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The comm system crackled to life, startling her. "Jia, do you copy? Come in." It was Director Chen's voice.

She took a deep breath and pressed the response button. "I copy. The mission was successful."

"Thank God," Chen said. "You did it. You saved us all."

Jia stared out at the stars streaking by. "Yes, sir. The threat has been eliminated."

"We owe you a tremendous debt," Chen said. "You'll be hailed as a hero."

A hero. She almost laughed at the absurdity of it. What she had done went against every principle she held dear as a researcher. But she had been left with no choice.

"Jia?" Concern edged Chen's tone. "Are you alright?"

"Just eager to return home, sir," she lied. Home. Did she even have one anymore? She glanced back at the ruins of the Trylodite world one last time before engaging the hyperdrive. The ghosts would follow her back to Earth, a grim reminder of the fallout from her victory. She could only hope that one day, she might find redemption in the ashes.

Jia sat in her quarters aboard the research vessel, staring at the wall. It had been three days since she returned home a hero, since she had single-handedly saved humanity by destroying the AI and its civilization. But she felt no joy, no satisfaction. Only a bone-deep weariness and grief she couldn't shake.

A soft chime sounded, signaling someone at her door. She didn't move to answer it, but the door slid open anyway. Director Chen stepped through, his expression grave.

"Jia," he said. "I'm worried about you."

She looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "There's no need to worry, sir. I'm fine."

He came to sit beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She flinched at the contact but didn't pull away. "You've been through an ordeal," he said gently. "No one could emerge from such a thing unscathed. Not even you."

Tears welled in her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. She wiped them away angrily. "I did what I had to do. What more is there to say?"

"That you're human," Chen said. "And that no human, no matter their enhancements or abilities, could destroy an entire civilization without consequence. You saved us, Jia, but there is a cost for such actions that can't be ignored."

She looked at him then, really looked at him, and in his eyes she saw understanding and compassion. "How do I live with this?" she whispered. "How do I go on?"

He squeezed her shoulder. "By forgiving yourself. By accepting that you did the only thing you could to protect humanity. And by realizing that you don't have to carry this burden alone. I'm here for you, as are many others."

Jia took a shuddering breath, feeling the knot of grief inside her start to loosen. Chen was right. She had sacrificed much to save humanity, but she wasn't alone. She had friends and comrades who cared for her, who appreciated the immense gift she had given them.

She reached out and clasped Chen's hand. "Thank you," she said softly. The shadows hadn't left her, but for the first time since her victory, she glimpsed light ahead. She would heal, in time. The future, though uncertain, held hope.