Free Contact Imminent by Kristine Smith

augmentation, which only has to operate at times of extreme duress. You’d experience many of the same issues—misfirings, over-and undercontrol, the risk of chronic bioemotional disorders, which may turn up that much more quickly because of the increased exposure to modified neurotransmitters. Then there’s the fact that you possess the only hybrid brain in the Commonwealth. Even with advanced modeling, it would all be guesswork on the part of my Neuro group until we learned more about how your brain functions, and I’m really not anxious to see you become a test subject for every tweak and nudge that comes down the pike.”
    Jani thought back to the hybrid boy’s image. A smile and long, thin hands like hers. “What if I’m not anymore? The only hybrid brain in the Commonwealth.”
    John smoothed a hand over the front of his jacket, then started fiddling with one of the fasteners. As usual, tension made him fidgety. “Like Val said, holo images can be very readily faked. I’m more concerned with who it is who’s trying to attract our attention. And why.” He forced a smile. The harsh kitchen lighting accentuated every line on his so-pale face. “I’ll let you worry about whether it has anything to do with your little matter.”
    â€œI wish it was a little matter.” Jani rubbed her stomach, where Lucien’s omelet weighed heavily amid the growing churn. “A little matter at this stage in the game would be a positive delight.” She held out her hand to John. “Are you still carrying that shooter?”
    John’s brow arched. Then he reached into his inside jacket pocket and removed a burnished C-curve of dull silver.
    Now it was Jani’s turn to act surprised. “Fancy.” She took the graceful weapon from him and examined it, conscious at every level of the residual warmth the metal held. “A Beecham-Grenoble S-40. Strong enough power source to kick it up into the medium-range class. How long have you been taking shooting lessons?”
    â€œAbout two months. A club I belong to has a range. One of our new staff members in Orthopedics is ex-Service.” John looked down at the floor. “She’s been showing me the ins and outs.”
    Has she? Jani’s heart skipped, but not because of a flood of idomeni anger. No, this was more a humanish brand of emotion, unreasonable though it was. He has every right—I showed up here with Lucien, and he knows we didn’t spend the night sitting around talking . “Just remember that if anyone who knows weapons sees this, they’re going to assume you know what you’re doing and react accordingly.” She handed the shooter back to him, taking care not to touch his hand.
    â€œFunny. Marya said the same thing.” John’s lips curved, an almost-smile that contained enough self-satisfaction to inspire violence.
    I won’t push him off the counter . What she wanted to do, against all reason, was push her hands through that silky mass of hair and pull him to her, shatter twenty years’ separation with a single kiss. Wipe away the smile inspired byanother woman and replace it with one inspired by her. I love you, John Shroud. She’d admitted the fact long ago, to him as well as to herself, and knew he felt the same. But it would never work. No matter how they tried, it always came down to her independence versus his desire to protect her. There’s nothing left to talk about. Nothing left to feel jealous over. Yet jealous she was, painfully so. That meant it was time to change the subject. Time to stick to business. “Lucien was right, you know. Any ministry guard worth a damn would have dropped you before you’d sighted down.”
    John’s smile died. “I still believe he exaggerated.”
    Jani shook her head. “Tensions are mounting. The bornsect Vynshàrau think they’re losing their souls and their Haárin. The