They arrived at what appeared to be confusion but to a trained eye was a victory for Harris and his forces. Men lay on the ground writhing in agony from injuries caused by the exploding machines. The rest of Carr’s troops, seeing defeat, stood with hands raised and surrendered their weapons.

General Carr, circled by his special guards, stood with guns drawn. Smoke and steam from the burning metal swirled around them and created a surreal effect.

Harris stood facing him. He smiled and slowly removed the fake beard and wig. His troops, as one, cocked their weapons, ready to fire.

“I suggest you surrender. By the way, in case you decide differently, my sniper is ready to drill a bullet in your forehead. At the same spot you threatened Captain Jack.”

Carr’s face turned pale at the threat. He instinctively lowered his gun. The guards followed suit.

“Good choice. Men, take their weapons.”

A soldier tugged the gun from the general’s limp hand. Another jerked the man’s arms behind him. Handcuffs clicked on his wrists.

“Albert, you can come forward, now.”

The man always seemed to feel his presence. He grinned and stepped close to Harris. At the same time, he was charging his pulser. Bright green eyes flashed with burning intensity. “This is for your first shot to Jack’s arm.”

The pulser fired a blue streak into the general’s arm. Carr jerked with surprise.

“Now, for Jack’s leg.” Albert lost count of the number of times he pulled the string to charge the device.

As the bolt of blue hit the man, his leg jerked in continual spasms. He started to collapse. Two of Harris’s men grabbed his arms and held him up.

“Lastly, you ordered Jack to be killed. Not your best decision.”

Carr eyed the device in Albert’s hand. He struggled against the men holding him as the string was pulled continuously.

“Albert, no,” Harris cautioned him.

“This won’t kill him. It will be just enough for the general to understand Jack’s pain.”

The general jerked upright as the pulse hit him in the same spot as Jack’s wound. Albert watched the man faint.

Harris removed the pulser from his friend’s hand and dropped it in his pocket. “I think that is enough. Jack is avenged. Men, take the general to the brig.”

His own men watched with fascination. They had never seen anything like Albert’s weapon. Harris cleared his throat. The men snapped to attention and dragged the limp general to a waiting carriage.

“I need to finish cleaning up this mess. Also, Carr should be debriefed when he wakes up. Albert, go to your brother. We will talk later.”

Nate pulled him back and shoved a horse’s bridle in his hand. “He’s in charge. Your place now is by your brother’s side.”

He could feel his body recovering from the stone’s effect. His arms and legs became weak. His mind was filled with a calm green fog. Albert struggled to mount his horse.

Nate stopped to help him. “You’ll feel better with some rest and food. Always happens after combat. Body shuts down.”

At the hospital, he held up Albert as they walked down the hall.

Henry and Brickly came toward them. “Is he alright?”

“Yes, just tired and needs food,” Nate answered.

“I want to see Jack.”

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Henry studied Albert’s gaunt face and bloodied clothing. “Maybe later, after you are rested.”

“Now! Please!”

He sat by Jack’s side and watched him breathe. After a while, his head rolled back against the chair.

“Didn’t know you snored.”

Albert jerked awake.

“And you look terrible.”

“Long day.”

“General Carr?”

“Experimented on how much I could charge my pulser without killing him.”

“Albert, about the green stuff--.”

“The effect has worn off. I’m fine.” He lowered his eyes in case they still glowed green.

“I should have been the one to protect you.”

“Next time.”

“We will discuss the issue of ‘next time’. You take too many chances.”

“I plan on no more adventures for a while.”

“Good. I need my rest.” Jack closed his eyes.

Albert walked into the hall and studied his waiting father and friends. “I’m ready to go home now. Maybe best if I ride in the carriage, though.”

Nate helped him up the steps at his house. He reached out and turned the bird’s head. The door opened to reveal a patient Jarvis waiting for him. Albert shrugged off the stained coat and hung it on the mechanical man’s outstretched hand.

At the odor of coffee, he said, “I told my housekeeper to come in every day to make sandwiches and keep the coffee pot ready. She was to take home what I didn’t eat.”

“I’ll get the sandwiches.” Nate went to the kitchen.

Albert settled in his favorite chair. It felt good to be home, back to normal. He poured a cup of coffee. After eating a couple of sandwiches, his body slumped.

“I worried about you.” Ayame’s soft voice penetrated his thoughts.

He smiled and continued to sleep assuming this was a dream.

Gentle fingers brushed back his curly hair. Her touch was almost real. “You could at least wake up for me.”

His eyes opened. She stood next to him.

“When you ate a piece of the stone, I felt it. We are forever bonded.”

“I hope that means you will marry me. If, your father approves.” He reached out and caught her hand with his.

“The ambassador will be jealous, he wanted you for one of his daughters.”

Delighted with the response, Albert pulled her into his lap. He covered her giggle with a prolonged kiss. He stopped long enough to study the beautiful face close to his. Green eyes met green eyes.

“Forever.”

“Yes, and I will help you control the power inside you until it is needed.”

“Like on our wedding night?”

Her cheeks turned a bright red at the thought.

Albert leaned back, satisfied with her reaction.

“You stink and your clothes are stained with blood.”

“Well, yes. I could do with a bath and change.”

“I will help you.”

He stood in surprise and almost dropped her.

At his grin, Ayame poked him on the arm. “But not with everything you are imagining.”

Albert, with her help, tiredly climbed the stairs.

****

Jack dressed in military uniform twisted the bird perched on Napoleon’s head and entered the house. As the door swished closed behind him, he looked around. Satisfied that everything was normal, he called out, “Albert, where are you?”

A muffled voice answered, “In the lab.”

“Should have known,” Jack muttered as he walked down the hall. His military boots clicked on the wood floor.

He stood in the doorway to observe his brother grinning at him while Ayame carefully adjusted her blouse.

“I have been reassigned to a different ship. My new commission starts in two weeks. Are there any arrangements you want to make before I leave?”

“About that, we thought maybe a ceremony this weekend at the ambassador’s house.”

“Father will not be happy. He does not like rushed affairs.”

“Already took care of that. Both President McKinley and VP Roosevelt will be present. Father would not pass the opportunity up. You and Harris are to be my best men.”

“Yes. And there will be several single girls to keep you company,” Ayame added.

Jack moaned at the thought. “Harris accepted?”

“His boss, VP Roosevelt did it for him.”

“I need to talk with Harris. Someone should keep you out of trouble while I am at sea.”

“Do not be concerned. I will guide him.”

Jack studied the woman’s serene face and sparkling green eyes. If anyone could keep his brother in line, it would be her. He grinned at the thought. “Keep him off roofs and out of trees.”

“Understood. Your brother will be busy with other things.”

Jack relaxed. He now had someone to help with the burden of keeping his brother safe. His mind could focus on the new command.

Albert observed his brother’s response. “You have always been here for me. I did not consider the weight it involved.”

“No problem. Life would have been dull without you.”

“We must celebrate your placement and my coming marriage. Where should we go?”

“Father has summoned us to eat at his club. That is why I am here.”

“Sorry, Ayame. I must attend. It is a men only club. We will celebrate the engagement later.” He sent a questioning glance at Jack.

“Yes, tomorrow night at my favorite restaurant with friends. But for now, we should leave. Can’t be late.”

“I will stay here for a while. My transportation is provided.”

The way she phrased the comment caused Jack to pause. Sometime in the future, he would make Albert explain how the girl appeared outside their cell. He strode forward and wrapped his arms around her. “Welcome to the family. As dysfunctional as it is, you will not be bored.”