“Katarina signed the federal logistics contract this morning,” he said, and the satisfaction in it was quiet and complete.

“No showmanship.

No altered expense reports.

Just better engineering and honest pricing, laid out where anyone could check it.

The department renewed for seven years.”

“She’s extraordinary,” I said.

“She treats the company’s capital the way she treats a propulsion design.

As if it were real, and as if lying about it would be beneath her.”