“It’s okay there, big man. Take your time.”

     And he did. This was the first time he’d cried since losing his arms and nearly his life, and he was finally in the presence of someone who’d seen him cry many times before. He let it out and, when he was done, felt a thousand times better.

     When the tears subsided, Te-Mea lifted the half-sleeve of AJ’s gown with a finger and admired the new arm beneath. “DAS Sure-Grip,” he said with a whistle. “Factory casing and what looks like DAS dynamic tissue as well.” Te-Mea poked his bicep. “Yep, you can tell. Go on, flex it.”

     AJ reluctantly flexed his arm. Te-Mea grabbed th...

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