His sister opened her mouth to speak, but before she could draw enough breath, the wires bit deep into her throat and she dropped silently to the ground. Francis wheeled over by her head and bent down to look in her eyes.

“I am not as cruel as I should have been, Marie,” he said conversationally while pulling the wires back into his flesh. “In fact -”

An infant’s wail split the air. Francis froze, dark eyes going wide, one hand still holding a loose coil of wire. Oh, no.

Slowly, he followed the cry through the apartment to its source. No no no no...

Francis entered the small bedroom, drawing up next to a tall crib. Gingerly, he pulled himself to his feet, leaning on the crib’s rails for support.

The baby girl inside shut up and stared at this strange man. He was very odd, and parts of him were all shiny, which was interesting. Plus, he looked a little like Mama. He was okay, then, she decided, and wiggled.

Francis just stared at her.

The infant gurgled and turned red. Perhaps the strange man didn’t understand her. She tried waving her arms at him, and he finally seemed to get the message.

Francis reached down and picked up the girl. She squealed happily, and set about investigating the metal tracings on his arm while Francis unsteadily sank down into his chair. He fumbled for his touchpad and dialed a number.

“Professor O’Neill. This better be good.”

“Professor?”

“Francis? Aren’t you in California?”

“Yes.”

There was a pause. “What’s wrong?” Kathleen asked in a low voice.

Francis stared at the infant, who was now slobbering happily on his arm.

“Francis?”

“…I have a niece,” he responded at last.