Page 69 of Alien Mercenary's Wife
"Consultation, initially," Tal said, his earlier frustration replaced by interest. "Analysis of your neural damage patterns, comparison with the data he's already collected."
Eric nodded. "Jex has access to all the research data on the Scorperio units, stuff we can't get anywhere else. The development files, tech specs, and the failure reports from the earlier prototypes."
"The kind of info that might help us figure out why your implants are failing while those from other batches are different," Lina added.
Forget more treatments—she wanted intel. Why were she and Hughes falling apart when other veterans were still mission-capable? There had to be a reason.
"No procedures," she said finally. "Consultation and analysis only."
"Of course." Eric nodded immediately. "Jex doesn't work that way. He's very methodical, cautious about informed consent."
She nodded. "Then contact him." The decision felt right, though she couldn't say why.
"I'll coordinate with him on your medical data." Tal turned to his console. "Share scan results, treatments, progression analysis."
"Good." Reese slid off the examination table, testing her balance. The neural stimulator continued its quiet work, sending pulses through her damaged nervous system. "How long before we can set this up?"
"A few days, probably," Eric said, already moving to the comms console. "Jex will need time to analyse the data and put something together."
"And in the meantime?" she asked.
"Continue current treatment," Tal replied. "The neural stimulator's working well, and we're seeing steady improvement in your mobility."
"Steady." She caught the implied timeline. "But not fast enough to help with the court case."
"No," Tal admitted. "Unless Jex is a miracle worker, this is long-term rehab, not a quick fix."
The reminder of her upcoming Earth trip sent tension up her spine. In just a few days, she'd be in a courtroom presenting evidence while her opponents smiled and made nice, while all the time planning to take her out.
"Then we go with what we've got," she said, channeling T'Raal's practical approach. "Thank you. All of you."
"We'll find answers," Lina said with confidence. "Between Jex's expertise and what we're learning from your treatment, we'll figure out how to help the other veterans as well."
Reese nodded, but wondered if those answers would come too late for Hughes, Ryans, and the others. They were running out of time, just like her.
But hope beat giving up. And if Zero's brother could help save even one more veteran...
Then the risk was worth it.
She could still feelT'Raal's goodbye kiss on her lips.
They'd stood on the Sprite's cargo ramp, Earth behind them. His hands had cupped her face, memorizing her.
"You don't have to do this alone," he'd said, his voice tight.
"Yes, I do." She'd pressed her forehead against his. "This is my fight, T'Raal. My people. I can't have someone else swoop in and save the day."
He'd understood. She'd seen it in his eyes—the struggle between protecting her and respecting her choice. Respect had won, though it cost him.
"Come back to me," he'd whispered.
"I'll do my best."
Now she stood alone on courthouse steps, the cold wind biting through her jacket. Her best would have to be enough.
Shit. The place looked like a fucking fortress. Reese stopped at the bottom of the courthouse steps, watching the stream of suits and reporters flowing through the entrance. Lawyers, journalists, bureaucrats. And somewhere in that crowd, corporate sharks were circling.
The neural stimulator hummed against her spine as she climbed toward the entrance. Tal's tech couldn't help her fight the corporate lawyers, but it could help her stand on her own two feet and look the assholes in the eye while she did.
