by Naomi Lucas
Nothing but black lay before her, broken up by countless, barely discernable star clusters billions of miles away. It was hard to see the beauty of it anymore when she looked at it so often.
“You’ve been so quiet today,” she half whispered to herself.
Atlas’s laser lights flickered on around her, his projection appearing in the room.
Reina continued, “Is there something wrong? Have I done something wrong?”
His steely voice filled her ears, the prickle of goosebumps shot up her body. “No. Everything is fine.” That was it. The few words she could get out of him sounded so forced.
Should I say more? Push for answers? Reina retained her blank façade as her mind wandered. Her heart sobered. She didn’t know how to make a real connection to another living being. She feared that she had ruined things with Atlas with her emotional outburst.
I want him back in my head. Her teeth pinched her tongue. She had always felt lonely but now she felt hollow as well.
The screen flashed back before her, interrupting her thoughts. Dr. Yesne had uploaded and placed his reports on pending to be sent when they were fully connected to Antix.
The clock was ticking and Reina knew she had more to do than merely monitor the systems and think about the intimidatingly possessive hologram that stood nearby.
Reina initiated contact with the Council, putting her hand on the console and forcibly trying to make a connection to the network. Finding and sustaining one was hard, bolstering it with her own internal battery left her breathless, but it worked. Seeing the Earthian Council standby screen appear proved they weren’t fully into the woods yet.
General Wasson’s face blocked out the view of space. She took a deep breath.
“Good day, Lieutenant General.”
“Good day to you as well, Captain.”
Reina tipped her head slightly forward in respect. “We are less than twenty hours from our destination of Port Antix, sir. Dr. Yesne had just uploaded his research and final report into the channels. It can be retrieved anytime.” She continued, trying to be quick in case the connection failed, “My health has stabilized since he boarded. Thank you for loaning him to me, I’ve found him very capable.” Groveling was not something she was good at but she would try if it kept this conversation from taking a turn for the worse.
Wasson looked away from the screen as he appeared to be reading the file beyond her view. “Very good work here, Captain. The doctor’s report suggests complete recovery and that there has been no relapse since he came on board. He even mentions that you have more control over the vessel now and can control it remotely?”
“Yes, sir. I find that every day I am taking a more organic, cybernetic approach to the ship. It has been...” Reina paused. “An alien experience.”
“I’m sure it has, which is one of the reasons Atlas was assigned to you. Not every mind can handle the complexities and transcendence of biomechatronics. Especially when the mind wasn’t born into it.” He sounded like he spoke from experience. She wanted to delve further but he continued. “Dr. Estond and your original team of doctors worked extensively–for many years–with Atlas. But as you must be aware, I am more interested in this tracker you picked up outside of Taggert’s orbit. It says here that you neutralized the threat, preventing intrusive scans into your ship’s systems, and that the vessel was uncategorized–possibly a private, scavenger, or marauder?”
Reina cleared her throat. “Yes, general, the ship was old-tech according to Atlas and unidentifiable but had strong Earthian characteristics. I did not see it myself. With his help and under my authority, we thought it prudent to lose the tracker in case it was a scout for a larger threat that could jeopardize the mission.”
“Why did you think staying to investigate the incident would jeopardize anything? A single ship is like a grain of sand compared to the hardware you have at your disposal.” His reprimand was evident. “A direct warp to another galaxy was more likely to fail this mission than one rover.”
“I understand, sir, but–”
He cut her off. “I understand the situation as well, Captain Reina, and I wasn’t there but I’m not happy with the reckless choices you have made. The only thing that has stopped me from issuing your return and finding a more suitable candidate to take over is Atlas. If he calculated the situation to be dangerous, then I trust it was. You may continue as planned but you will not take further risks with that ship.”
A new candidate to take over so they can die from mutation? She thought angrily but kept it to herself.
“We believe the scout was one from Larik’s syndicate. And based on my experience with his underground force, and with my faith in Atlas’s navigational skills, I green-lit the warp.” Reina lied. Regardless of the chain of events, it was her responsibility and she was the captain.
Wasson pinned her with a dagger-like gaze that could be felt from several billion miles away. He sat stoically in his command office, stationed on one of the private space-bases floating outside Earth’s atmosphere.
“Do not make any more rash decisions, Reina.” Foregoing her title. “You have not even reached the checkpoint yet.” His warning was loud and clear.
She squeezed the handle of her arm rest. Does he know something? His judgment killed the last two captains of this ship.
Reina couldn’t think like that.
“Yes, sir,” she appeased, “I will do everything in my power to complete this mission. It is my responsibility and I promise to shed light on what has happened to our countless lost people. I will return with answers.” She tried to believe it herself but the darkness of space only seemed to get darker every day.
Wasson sat back. “That is what I like to hear. Now, there is a team of five men currently stationed at Antix, led by Sergeant Kraig. They are expecting your arrival, and we have received verification on our end that they have begun preparation in setting up the new network tech out there. When you arrive, their chief engineer will relieve you of your cargo for the installation. You are to remain until it is complete and operational.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The Council expects a constant image feed to be kept and logged once you go dark–we hope with the new relays that you won’t vanish without being able to broadcast what causes it.”
There was a short expectant pause.
“You may encounter a graveyard out there.”
THEY WERE CLEARED FOR landing and Reina could feel the gravity shift, continuously changing throughout her ship.
She was a space-girl, not a land dweller, and thought unenthusiastically of the flat grey slate field that was coming ever closer to her view. The only positive things about this planet were the lack of vegetation and no uneven landscape that could impede a clean arrival.
Reina tied her hair back for the third time.
“Something doesn’t feel right. I don’t want you going down there alone.” Atlas appeared next to her.
“I won’t be alone. Yesne will be with me.”
“Some consolation. You know what I mean.”
“No. I don’t know what you mean. Who else could accompany me? It’s not like you can.” She snapped, instantly feeling guilty for her outburst. Atlas turned to face her and she caught his eye. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m just stressed. I’m sure you were monitoring the conversation I just had with the general.”
“If you wait–even a day, I can come with you. Lock up the ship and pretend you’re sick.”
Reina rubbed her face, her lips twitched into a small smile. “Hah. It’s safe. We have clearance and they are expecting us. If you had a problem with it, you should have voiced your concerns sooner. Or extended the route to get here.” She laughed as his face went hard and his eyes narrowed. Maybe I shouldn’t tease him? “I’m sorry again,” she murmured.
Just then they breached the planet’s thermosphere, quickly descending toward their marker.
“I would forgive you anything. But I know you can feel
it too, things are off.”
“Between us? You didn’t answer me this morning.”
“There is nothing off between us.” He smiled down at her, it almost eased her mind. “I didn’t hear your call. I was preoccupied.”
“Preoccupied with what?”
His mouth twisted into a promising, dark smirk. “It’s a surprise.”
She sighed. “Hopefully one that won’t get us killed?”
“I can’t promise anything.” He said with a wink.
Reina shot him an annoyed look before she walked out of the bridge and into the utility hold. She pulled out an exosuit and went to configure it for Antix, only to find that Atlas had already prepped it.
“Thank you,” she mumbled while she tugged it over her uniform.
“Anything for your safety.” He had followed her in. “In this side panel is an earpiece, connected to the ship’s servers. Please wear it so I can monitor and talk to you. The servers within this port appear to be underground and the security system wired throughout is not one with many windows for me to see or hear through. My quick perusal also showed quite a few dead spots.”
“You breached their security?”
“I did when I could securely connect. I don’t do anything blindly.”
“Then I don’t know why you should feel uneasy. We haven’t heard or seen another outlier since before the warp.”
“Then why is their security broken?”
Reina looked back at Atlas then, feeling his need to be with her in this, and she could almost imagine him holding her hand and surrounding her frame with his powerful body. She was being crazy but she felt a connection between them that went beyond the physical. She also felt a little bit wistful, wishing he could keep his word and accompany her into port.
“I don’t need protection from my colleagues but I will wear the earpiece. It may come in handy if I need to talk to you on the sly.” She smiled up at him, trying to be flirty, before she located the small bauble, turned it on and placed it in her ear.
“Reina,” Atlas’s voice went to steel, he crowded in front of her. “This doesn’t feel right. It’s hard to explain. It’s hard to even admit. I don’t want you to fucking leave the ship. I can’t make you stay, and if I could, I would. Just wait this out, we’ll contact that fucker Wasson, and you can stay on board.” He turned from her, then turned back, his movements jerky and imperfect. “Fuck, if only I could touch you. If only I knew everything would be okay.”
She tried to reach and touch him only to find her fingers swimming inside his chest. “I can’t wait. You heard Wasson’s warning.” Reina stepped back and caught his eye. “I wish I could touch you too.”
Atlas didn’t respond but just stared down at her, and held her eyes–it was the closest they could come in contact. His digital gaze heated as she waited with bated breath for him to say something. “Atlas?”
His hand reached out between them and glided over her cheek, his fingertips breezing across her parted lips with a quiet desperation. The almost-touch was too hard to handle and Reina could feel a heavy weight bear down on her heart.
“Tell me why I should wait? What are you not saying?”
“How desperately, incredibly painfully this need to touch you is. I’m going crazy for it. I’m willing to risk everything for it. Anything for it.” He took a step closer to her.
Reina almost regretted asking, knowing they didn’t have time to talk nor deal with this right now. She regretted asking because now her head would be consumed with him when she should be solely focused on the mission.
“Atlas...”
“Don’t. I know. I’m being protective, possessive, and I don’t want you to leave this ship. If I had it my way, you would never step outside this ship and away from me again. Never without me by your side.” His projection flickered. Reina narrowed her eyes. That has never happened before. “Keep the earpiece on and I’ll feel somewhat better about all of this. Stay connected to the ship and I’ll be there waiting. Come back as soon as you can. Come back and fall into my arms.”
She took a deep breath. “I will. I promise.” As the ship entered the atmosphere, she felt her body grow heavy. “And you know, I can protect myself. I’ve made it this far in the military in one piece. I can also use a gun.” Reina grinned. “Watch out.”
Yesne walked through the door, interrupting their conversation. He was dragging a plastic duffle bag behind him. His body sank from the effort.
Sleep will never catch up with that man.
“What’s this about a gun?” he asked tiredly.
Reina clipped one to her belt. “Only that I can use one.”
“I should be thankful for my life then!” The last breath of energy left him. They finished gearing up and headed for the hatch. Reina integrated with her exosuit unconsciously, connecting her helmet to seal over her face.
The ship settled smoothly onto the flat rock of the planet.
“Ready, doctor?”
“Yes, Captain.” She watched as he turned to Atlas, who had followed them to the exit. “Good luck, Cyborg. I don’t suppose it will be much longer now.”
He flickered once again. “No, and if I had it my way I would be joining the two of you planetside.”
What? Does this have something to do with the surprise? He could possess an android but we don’t have any. The ship...only drones. Reina looked between them.
“You may well yet.” Yesne turned toward the exit. “That would be quite thrilling.” He stepped out when the hatch opened for him. She turned to join him outside, needing the fake space between her and Atlas.
“Reina, why did you call out for me this morning?” Atlas asked into her earpiece.
“For sex.”
She stepped out and was greeted by a grey and black wasteland. Atlas’s groan filtered through her ear and for a few minutes, it lifted her mood.
Chapter Fifteen:
Atlas fell back into his body for another stretch of nerve-shattering torture. His nanocells were fighting the implants and new wiring, as well as trying to heal him all at the same time.
He seized on the slab. It felt like a thousand needles in his chest twisting and prodding out from the new heart.
He fought through the pain because the endgame was worth the agony.
Although there were some moments, seconds, microseconds where his thoughts shattered and his mind would go blank, static-fuzz, and sizzling, Atlas fought to retain who he was in those moments as he became his own worst enemy. Even the added help of the immunosuppressants could not conquer a cybernetic system.
Reina’s face would come to mind, banishing his internal chaos, and replacing it with want. Her eyes vulnerable and yet strong with reserved fortitude. His want was so intense it would make the agony feel like pleasure. Atlas was certain his body hardened–uncontrolled–with his wanting that he had ejaculated more times than he could count. And he was good at numbers.
His cum was thick and sticky over his bare legs and stomach. It didn’t help that he imagined Reina perched on top of him and licking it up.
As time continued to pass, the pain became increasingly more pleasurable and when the euphoria took over, and he was able to center his strength on winning the battle over his body.
Atlas couldn’t help but marvel as his senses returned slowly, rising to make themselves known over the pain in his chest. The sticky and semi-dried cum on his body, the cold metal cryostasis slab beneath him, and the increasingly rancid septic-stench in the air was bliss.
Feeling, smelling, tasting anything felt like a shockwave of sensation straight to his brain.
I need this to go faster dammit. I need to win.
He willed his body to heal, adapt to the changes, and integrate. His woman was walking away from him, was slowly making her way toward the facility. One filled with unknown men who probably hadn’t had a woman in months. Atlas could lose her to one of them.
What’s there to keep a beautiful woman tied to a holographic image and
a fake voice when she could have the real thing?
If it weren’t for her entering his life, he would have never risked thawing his body. Not unless he had the state-of-the-art equipment and qualified men and women to rebuild it.
Every fiber of his being demanded he rise up and go after her, drag her back to the ship, and keep her confined in these metallic walls with him forever. She would be safe within the shackles of his arms.
His thoughts shifted. What will her skin feel like? Atlas rubbed his aching, sweaty fingers together. Soft and smooth? Taut and velvety? Will her hair slide through my fingers like water?
I want to smell her...taste her...feel her under me. I need to hear her moans in my ear. The need to feel her consumed him and he pushed his systems to their limits.
Atlas slowly folded his arms up beside him and lifted his torso off the table. The ripping, stretching, and very alien metallic heart shot electric pain throughout his chest.
Is this what Reina felt with her arm? His upper body was heavier with the added metal. He mentally reconfigured his balance.
Atlas lifted his eyelids next; his retinas were dry and cold but he was able to focus on his surroundings. His cybercells helped keep a migraine from forming behind his eyes.
I’m alive.
He gasped for breath. It dawned on him then when his eyes cleared after what seemed like an eternity that he had a raging hard-on, his shaft engorged and sticking straight up.
Atlas fell back onto the table with a grin.
Progress.
SHE COULD SEE THE ENTRANCE just up ahead, across the slick rock beds that looked eroded by years of heavy, unrelenting wind. The wind, in fact, was the reason their trek was taking so long. It fought them with every step, pushing them back the way they had come.
Yesne was barely holding up. He had dropped his bag several times. They managed a few more steps, every one a battle, before she reached over and grabbed the handle of his luggage with him. Together they continued to their the destination.
They couldn’t talk, their voices lost in the shrieking gusts of air and dust.