"The Martian terraforming operations are commencing," said a holo newscaster.


    "Fools!" Marcia Gonzalez, a retired astrogeologist, shouted, "Trillions of dollars spent, and yet so many lives risked and lost to so-called terraform Mars."


    "I thought you helped build that …" replied Jodie, her partner.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "I did until they ''encouraged me'' to retire early."


    "What trouble did you get into that time?" Jodie smiled.


    "I advocated for space stations: mobile, fully controllable risk-free environments, conservation for planets, inexpensive, mass reproducible."


    "And?"


    "And … a CEO of a terraforming company whispered to me, ''You can''t drill a space station, Ms. Gonzalez.''"