She doesn't say as much, but John knows what's weighing on her. They've discussed the idea of trusting Max to death, and come up with nothing better. Out of all of them, save Rackham and Anne, John has cause to mistrust her. (More still, because she is his mirror.) He holds Madi's gaze for a long moment, before looking down at her hands.

"We'll know better what to make of it when we get there," John says again. No matter how many times he says it, he still hates how little he knows of what they're walking into.

Were Madi a different woman, John could try to sweeten this conversation. But Madi isn't the kind of woman to be distracted by love talk. John wouldn't insult her with sweet turns of phrase when they are both grappling with what this plan really means: he will be gone, out of reach for as long as this takes.

"I'll try to find a secure way to send word. That might take me some time as well."