Sparrow let out a long, high whistle. “Thule. You really think you could pull this off?”

“Yes, I do. But I also can’t make any guarantees.” Kira shifted her gaze back to Falconi. “You saw how I was able to heal your bonsai. And you saw what I did in my cabin. The Soft Blade isn’t just a weapon. It’s capable of so much more.”

Falconi scratched the side of his chin. “Greg is a person, not a plant. There’s a big difference there.”

Then Nielsen said, “Just because the Soft Blade is capable, are you, Kira?”

The question rang in Kira’s mind. It was one she’d wondered often enough since becoming joined with the xeno. Could she control it? Could she use it in a responsible way? Could she master herself well enough to make either of those things possible? She stiffened her back and lifted her chin, feeling the answer rising within her, born of pain and long months spent practicing. “Yes. I don’t know how well it will work—Gregorovich will probably have to readjust to his implants, just like when they were first installed—but I think I can hook him back up again.”

Hwa-jung crossed her arms. “You should not go rummaging around inside someone’s head if you do not know what you’re doing. He isn’t a machine.”

“Yeah,” said Sparrow. “What if you turn him into scrambled mush? What if you totally screw up his memories?”

Kira said, “I wouldn’t be interacting with most of his brain, just the interface where he plugs into the computer.”

“You can’t be sure of that,” Nielsen said calmly.

“Mostly sure. Look, if it’s not worth it, it’s not worth it.” Kira spread her hands. “I’m just saying I could try.” She eyed the captain. “It’s your call.”

Falconi tapped his leg with a furious rhythm. “You’ve been awfully quiet over there, Doc. What about you?”

By the door, Vishal ran his long-fingered hands over his equally long face. “What do you expect me to say, Captain? As your ship doctor, I cannot recommend this. The risks are too high. The only reasonable treatment would be to take Gregorovich to a proper medical facility in the League.”

“That’s not likely to happen any time soon, Doc,” said Falconi. “Even if we make it out of this alive, there’s no telling what shape the League will be in when we get back.”

Vishal inclined his head. “I am aware of that, Captain.”

A scowl settled onto Falconi’s face. For several heartbeats, he just looked at Kira, staring at her as if he could see into her soul. She matched his gaze, never blinking, never looking away.

Then, Falconi said, “Okay. Do it.”

“Captain, as the attending physician, I must formally object,” said Vishal. “I have serious concerns about the outcome of this procedure.”

“Objection noted, but I’m going to have to overrule you here, Doc.”

Vishal didn’t seem surprised.

“Captain,” said Nielsen in an intense tone. “She could kill him.”

Falconi wheeled on her. “And we’re flying straight into the Jelly fleet. That takes priority.”