Alpha Centauri

Forty-Four - Julian

Nizami is at my heels as I descend into the Undercamp. One of the Proximians directs us to Jaden's infirmary room, and I dash down the ward with Nizami in tow. I skid to a halt in front of her room, and wait for assurance from Nizami.

She gives me a firm nod and a slight smile, and we enter the room together.

Jaden is just beginning to stir when I make it to her bedside. Her eyes slowly find their way open, and Jaden groggily rises to a sitting position. "Jule," she smiles.

I attack her with a hug before Nizami can stop me. Jaden stiffens but returns the hug. Nizami pulls me away to give my sister some air.

"Well, let's see it," a voice says behind us. Nathan and Hermes have appeared in the doorway. Hermes has his arm around Nathan's shoulders, and Nathan looks the slightest bit pink.

Jaden pushes her blanket back, rubbing her messy hair. She stares at her new leg not quite in awe, but in surprised curiosity and speculation. Jaden turns so her bare legs hang off of the hospital bed. She slowly raises her left leg so it's suspended horizontally in front of her.

The leg is something you could stare at for hours, just taking in its craftsmanship and intricacy. Jaden's own skin ends about a third the way down her thigh, where it merges into shining alloy. It's composed of smooth metal plates that shift and glide over each other as she moves. Clear, crystalline rivets run along the fixed, non-moving edges. It's not quite robotic, but an exact mechanical replica of Jaden's former leg.

"How do you feel?" I ask, sounding much more concerned than I intend.

"Groggy, numb," Jaden replies. "Kind of like I'm still missing a leg." She rolls her ankle cautiously, then wiggles her toes, and bends her knee.

"It moves like a leg, but you can't feel anything," Hermes says with a chuckle. "I suppose you'll have to decide for yourself whether or not that's a good thing."

"Can she walk?" I ask Hermes.

"I guess we'll see. Go on then, Jaden."

Jaden raises an eyebrow at Hermes, and then carefully slides off the bed, her weight on her right leg. She slowly evens out her weight, closes her eyes, and takes a step with her left.

She collapses to her knees.

I rush to catch her under the arms before she can fully hit the floor. "Jaden?"

My sister's hands are resting on my shoulders. "I'm fine, I'm fine, just—I didn't... I didn't trust it."

"Here." I help her to her feet. "Try it again. You can trust it."

Jaden takes a deep breath and takes another step towards the door. She's shaky and unsure at first, but she builds up a new confidence and starts walking normally and without doubt. She shoves past Nathan and Hermes and strolls out into the hallway.

I give Nizami a what the hell look, and she returns it with an amused grin towards the hallway. Nathan and Hermes join me out in the hall where my sister is skipping and prancing and twirling in circles like a complete idiot.

A complete idiot, yes, but she's a happy complete idiot.

And that makes me a happy complete idiot, too.

I sprint down the hall after Jaden and grab her hands. I spin her around and lift her in the air and jump around in a circle, singing something by Green Day. I can't place the title, or many of the lyrics, but it doesn't matter—we're singing it, singing it together, a brother and sister reunited after what feels like years.