One of the scientists spoke up. “Not only would we consider the science itself to be cutting edge, but its design speaks to a very different way oflookingat technology.”
Madeline frowned. “What do you mean?”
The second scientist picked up the thread. “Imagine scientific development like a tree. Every major breakthrough constitutes a new branch; minor inventions are twigs and leaves. Even if a branch is new, you can follow it back to the trunk of the tree itself, to see where it came from.”
Both Jack and Madeline nodded.
“The technology behind this device is not a new branch from a tree we know,” concluded the first scientist. “It comes from a completely different one.”
“How is that possible?” asked Jack.
The first scientist put up his hands. “We can only tell you thewhat,” he said. “Someone else will have to tell you thewhy.”
Jack and Madeline looked at each other for a moment, before Madeline said, “Thank you, gentlemen. Please return to your work, and let me know of any further developments.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused, and went off.
“I need to see Aria.” Jack got up.
“Of course.” Madeline patted his shoulder. “We’re going to need to talk, Jack. The origin of this tech, the orbital bombardment on Palamar, the possible connection to the Onin Rebellion?”
“You’ve been following all of that, then?” Jack winced. “You move quickly. I’ve just learned a lot of this myself.”
They returned to the hallway and made their way toward Aria’s room. “I’ve had to keep a close eye on this, Jack, and I’ve had my people trying to untangle this whole thing. You’ve brought someone’s daughter into the House, and we don’t know who her father is. I am starting to become concerned, I will say that.”
“I don’t blame you,” said Jack. “If I need to leave with her, I hope you’ll tell me. You’ve got the money you needed; I’ve got that damned tracker out of her leg. If we need to go our separate ways, I understand.”
Madeline’s normally stern face softened. “It’s not what I want, Jack. I want us together after all this time. I want my big brother in my corner, with all of his cunning and daring. But I can’t deal with another complication in my life right now, not with the fight I’m in.”
“Aria’s more than a complication,” Jack said, stung.
“Of course she is, Jack. Toyou. And hopefully, one day, to me as well. But not right now.”
Jack sighed. “I understand, even if I’m not totally sure I agree. Once Aria has had the chance to heal up, we’ll head back to theMaracaibo.”
They reached the door to Aria’s room. Madeline leaned against the wall, crossing her arms and sinking her head. “Fuck. This is harder than I thought it would be, Jack. I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing, and I’m not used to having these kind of doubts.”
Jack paused at the door. It was true; his younger sister made up her mind quickly and sped like an arrow toward what she wanted. His own feelings were quite complicated; the last thing he wanted to do was bring his sister more trouble, especially at a time when she was fighting for her future, possibly even her life, against shadowy forces within an organization she had come to lead, and even love.
But dammit, Jack was family, and Aria might as well be. Shouldn’t family face their troubles together?
“The hell with this.” Madeline threw her head back and wiped at her eye. “Jack, we’ve never let each other down, even in the midst of a family that’s filled with backstabbers and ghouls. We’re not going to let each other down now. Whatever fights we have to face, we face them together.”
Jack scooped his sister up in a monster hug. “That’s my Maddy—Madeline!” he said quickly. “I’m glad, sis. I would have understood if we needed to take a hasty exit, mind you. I’ll not be a burden.”
Madeline punched his arm as he let her down. “I’ll decide if you’re a burden or not, you big jackass. Now get in there and see to your woman.”
Jack grinned. “Aye aye, ma’am.”
The patient recovery room was simply but comfortably furnished. Aria slept in a hospital bed, the covers drawn up, bulk of a dressing on her thigh visible through them. He quietly moved to a chair near the bed and settled in to wait.
Sometime later, Aria shifted in bed. He watched as Aria nuzzled into her pillow before slowly blinking her eyes open and shut. Finally, she seemed to focus on him as he sat there.
“Hello, my love,” Jack said softly. “You made it. You’re safe, and everything went well.”
“Ohh,” said Aria, muzzily. “Well, that sounds really good, Jack. That’s good, right?”
“It is, my love,” laughed Jack. “That device is out of you, and there were no complications. Now you get to rest while your leg heals. And I’ll be here to look after you.”
