Cronus

by K. A. Finn

  Gryffin frowns but doesn't respond.

  'Forget it. I don't have time to explain this to you.' He rubs his forehead. 'I should have just said thank you and left it at that. The Dixon’s said you’re up for connecting to Cronus tomorrow. See if you can break her open.’

  Gryffin shrugs. ‘Worth a shot. I’ve never hooked to something that size but I might be able to get in.’

  ‘I suppose I better go and get things ready then. Wouldn't want to fry your brain by mistake when you hook up to Cronus.' Bray turns around and heads to the door, regretting ever starting this conversation.

  'I didn't remember your name.'

  Bray stops in his tracks and slowly turns to face his brother.

  Gryffin crosses his arms as he leans against the unit. 'Like you said, I've got a near perfect memory of everything since I woke up in that place, some from before.' He frowns and clears his throat. 'I didn't know the woman in the stasis pod was our mother. I remember her, but not what she looked like.'

  'You remember Mum - from before I mean?'

  'It's more flashes of memories instead of individual people.'

  'Like what?'

  Gryffin takes a deep breath while Bray gives him some time to respond. He can tell Gryffin is far from happy about the conversation, but if he's willing to talk about it, Bray is going to listen. He didn't know Gryffin had any memories of his past life at all.

  'A meal on a beach. You got lost.'

  Bray is speechless for a few seconds. 'Yeah. I didn't want to go home so I hid behind a transport. Mum went crazy. You found me a few minutes later and brought me back. You always looked out for me. Do you remember anything else?'

  'Yeah. Lots of screaming when the transport was attacked then waking up in a cage. You want more memories?'

  Bray drops his arms to his sides as his body turns cold. He wipes a hand over his face, nods then leaves the room.

  His brother sacrificed himself to save him. After hating him for so many years Bray doesn't feel comforted by the actions. Instead it just makes his own actions seem sickeningly harsh.

  24

  DIXON SPACE STATION

  Bray lies back on the couch and looks up at the stars. The small platform at the top of the station is the perfect place to escape everything going on below him. The giant form of Cronus sits below him with Ares, Perses, and Lir circling her. Having the main ships from each group this close to Earth is something he never thought would happen.

  He squeezes his eyes shut. The headache is going to drive him crazy. How Gryffin deals with it every day of his life is beyond him. He's going to catch a few minutes to himself then go back to Cronus. Gryffin is going to hook up to the ship in a few hours. It's a procedure that could kill him, but without him trying it could take months to break into her.

  Gryffin had sent the coordinates of the ships to a contact he has in the Outer Sector. In true Gryffin style, he hadn't been forthcoming with a name or even a location. By giving the coordinates of the ships to Gryffin, Bray had helped increase the fleet of the enemy. No doubt Sayber would kick his ass for that. To hell with it. There's nothing to say any of the ships would power up after sitting in a hangar for so long.

  Dealing with Avoca and his part in this mess would have to wait until they had time. Right now, all he wants is to get Garvan out and fix whatever is wrong with his own head.

  'I apologise. I didn't know anyone was up here.'

  Bray opens his eyes and turns over. Rua is already walking back down the spiral stairs to the deck below. 'Wait! I'm leaving now anyway.'

  She slowly climbs back up and steps onto the platform. He swings his legs around to give her room to sit down. Rua takes the seat furthest from him, looking anything but comfortable as she perches on the edge with her hands on her knees.

  Bray places an arm behind his head and gazes out the skylight.

  Rua tilts her head, trying to see what has caught his attention. 'Is something wrong?'

  He turns his head towards her. 'Wrong? Why?'

  'You're frowning.'

  He forces his face to relax. 'Bad day. I'm sorely tempted to get on Perses and get the hell away from here at top speed. When the hell did life get so damn complicated? Sorry, ignore me.'

  He hears the couch rustle as she shuffles closer to him. 'What good would running away do? The cyborgs would still exist. The Foundation would still be in power, and the Outer Sector would still be at risk.'

  He laughs to himself. 'Yeah, I know. Just a nice thought.' He rubs his hand over his face, wincing when he accidentally bumps against the implant. 'I'm just pissed at everything right now.'

  'Gryffin anywhere on that list?'

  He glances over at her before focusing on the stars again. 'Always. It's getting pretty boring.'

  'Do you mean thinking about him or people assuming you're thinking about him?'

  'Irritatingly, both.' He scrubs a hand over his face, hissing when he puts pressure on his implant again. 'Damn it. Why do I keep forgetting that's there?' He slams his hand back on the seat. 'For years I've hated him. Well, not Gryffin exactly, but I hated my brother.'

  'I'm confused.'

  'I only found out Gryffin was my brother last year.'

  'Ah.'

  'I just found out that he did something years ago to protect me, but that was as my brother, not Gryffin. That gesture was by someone who doesn't technically exist anymore. I'm a Hunter and he's a Nomad. That's what I should be thinking about. That one gesture shouldn't be clouding the core truth. It's just so irritating.

  'The whole damn Sector revolves around Gryffin and his precious Nomad. I get that he's... well, that he's in a bad way and it's important to the wellbeing of the damn universe and all that live in it that he gets better, but just for once, I'd like to have a conversation or even a lone independent thought without my brother popping up. I'm tired of thinking about him. Oh shut up, Bray. I'm starting to piss myself off now.'

  Rua doesn't say anything as she looks at him. Bray risks a glance at her and frowns. 'What the hell are you smirking at?'

  'Are you done?'

  'What?'

  'I didn't want to interrupt while you were wallowing in self-pity.'

  'Self-pity? I am not—'

  'Yes you are. You've had a hard time. I'm torn up for you. There. Feel better now? How the hell did the Hunters exist longer than a week? There's too many emotions clouding everything you do.'

  Bray can't help but smile as he turns to face her. 'You know how to make a guy feel better, you know that?'

  She shrugs. 'Feeling sorry for yourself is a waste of time. Changes nothing. It won't pay for food, fuel, or weapons.'

  Bray smiles. 'I guess you're right.' He shifts around to look at her and props his head up on his hand. 'I never said thank you.'

  She tucks a loose lock of hair behind her ear. 'For what?'

  'For risking your ship and crew. For coming here to help.'

  She looks away from him, back to the darkness outside. 'I had nothing else planned at the time.'

  'Yeah, well, I still appreciate it. You barely know me and Garvan. It was a big risk coming here to get us.'

  'I know enough about you to know it was worth it.' She turns her head to look at him. 'Besides, having you on our side won't hurt.'

  'You mean because I'm Gryffin's brother?'

  'You brought it up that time.' She shakes her head. 'No, as you said, the Sector doesn't revolve around him. Having a Hunter Commander in our debt will be useful someday.'

  He grins. 'Fair enough. How do you think things will play out once we take care of the Foundation?'

  She shrugs and looks back at the stars. 'I can't see the alliances holding out. Gut feeling is the Nomad will step in as the main group.' She meets his eyes again. 'Unless of course the Rogues or Hunters can stop them.'

  Bray now sees where his debt to the Rogue Captain might be called in. 'Sounds like things could get interesting.'

  'Perhaps.'

  Bray's reply is smothe
red as she pins him to the seat, her body covering his as she kisses him. His initial surprise quickly disappears. He runs his hand through her hair, unleashing it from its braid. He pulls off her vest and removes her bra then sits up so she can deal with his t-shirt.

  Bray tries to flip them over but Rua shoves him back down and takes control again. He hisses as her nails tear at his chest, the pain adding another level to the intensity of her attack. It's more than clear she wants to take charge and he can't find a reason to argue.

  Rua shoves his trousers and boxers down to his knees then stands up and pushes her leather trousers down her long legs. Her lean body is that of a fighter. Tight muscles line her powerful legs and trim stomach. Numerous scars pepper her torso and legs, but as far as Bray is concerned they only add to her appearance.

  Leaving her trousers around her ankles, Rua straddles him, taking him deep inside her without pausing. Bray gasps at the sudden pressure but Rua doesn't give him a chance to recover. She digs her nails in his wrists as she holds his arms over his head. Rua fiercely kisses him, adding a few nips of her teeth as her tongue explores every inch of his mouth. She moves down to his neck, kissing and biting the skin behind his ear all the while keeping a mind-blowing pace on top of him.

  'Oh fuck, Rua.'

  'What's the matter Commander? Too rough for you?' She pulls his earlobe between her teeth.

  'Goddammit! I didn't say that.'

  Her strong fingers hold him down. He's going to be black and blue if he survives, but he couldn't give a damn. He feels the pressure building in his balls, but she's not ready for this to end.

  Rua slows and groans as she slides him in and out of her, driving him crazy. She smiles down at him and it does nothing to calm him. She playing with him and enjoying every minute of it. 'I'm the superior officer here. You don't come until I say.'

  'Rua—'

  She digs her fingers in his jaw and forces him to look at her. 'What was that?'

  'Yes, ma'am.'

  Rua smiles and runs her hand down his chest, tracing his tattoo with her fingers. 'Smart man. I haven't had a man in too damn long. I'm going to enjoy this. Leave your hands over your head.'

  Her fingers twist his nipples as she increases her pace. The mix of the intense pleasure with flashes of pain is driving him crazy and he's not alone. Rua rides him even faster, burying him deep inside her as she slams her hips against his.

  Rua screams against his shoulder, her fingers squeezing his wrists as her orgasm works through her. He struggles to hold back, desperate to hang on until she tells him otherwise.

  'Now Commander.'

  He doesn't need to be told twice. Bray's own release hits and Rua stifles his shout by covering his mouth with her hand. She goes limp on top of him, her body trembling as she takes fast, deep breaths.

  Rua slowly rolls off him and lies with her arm over her face. Bray's whole body is on fire. He manages to lift his head and sees angry red welts running through the black lines of his chest tattoo. He drops his head back and blows out a long breath. 'Wow.'

  He grimaces at the stupidity of his comment, but Rua doesn't seem to have noticed. He rolls to his side and props his head up on his hand. 'You okay?'

  Rua turns her head and looks at him from under her arm. Her red hair lies in a tangled mess on the couch around her. 'You have no idea how much I needed that.'

  'Glad I could help.'

  'That you did, Commander.' She smiles at him and runs her nails down his chest. 'Being on a ship full of woman has definite disadvantages.'

  'Try being on a ship with a crew of men.'

  He sucks in a breath as she takes him in her hand, squeezing him gently. 'Ready for more?'

  'You serious?'

  Rua smirks. 'Oh I'm very serious, Commander. I have a lot of lost time to make up for.'

  DIXON SPACE STATION

  Bray groans and rolls over. Every inch of his body aches. His chest is raw and stinging, his dick is throbbing, and his throat is sore. He can't remember ever feeling so good. Rua is like no one he's ever been with before. She didn't hold back and certainly wasn't gentle with him. Not that he's complaining. He's never been with someone who took complete control like she did and he's beginning to think he could get used to it.

  Not overly keen on being caught by Evie or Felix, Bray had convinced Rua to come back to his room. He'd lost track of how many times they'd been with each other over the last ten hours. Making up for lost time was an understatement. Rua was unstoppable.

  He reaches out but there's no sign of Rua. He rolls onto his front and rubs his eyes, trying to convince them to open fully, but like the rest of him, they're less than enthusiastic. After a bit of persuasion his vision clears as his artificial eyes come online and he smiles when he sees Rua sitting on the end of the chair, pulling her boots on. Her long hair is loose and trailing over her shoulder. She's dressed again, her tight vest and leather trousers not doing much to hide the powerful fighters body underneath.

  'Hey.'

  The large scar on her face moves slightly as she clenches her jaw. Her cold green eyes bore into him but she doesn't say a word. Bray pushes onto his elbows and rubs his eyes again. 'Something wrong?'

  'About what we did last night.'

  Bray frowns at her. He's got a bad feeling about where this is going. 'What about it?'

  'It never happened, got it?'

  'Did I do something wrong? You took the lead. I thought it was what you wanted?'

  'It was a mistake.'

  Bray is irritated with himself for the flash of hurt at her words. First Terra and now Rua. 'Right. What the fuck was all that last night then?'

  She closes the distance between them and, before he can react, pushes him to his back and straddles him. The tip of her large blade digs in his neck just above his Adam's apple. Her fierce eyes glare accusingly at him. 'It didn't happen.'

  He swallows, wincing as the blade nicks his skin. 'I get it okay. You can get the fucking knife away from me.'

  She presses the blade close to his skin. 'Say it didn't happen.'

  'Fine, whatever, just leave my head where it is.'

  She stares down at him then shoves him away as she stands up. Without a backward glance, she disappears out the door. Bray lies on his back and rests his head on his arm. Damn women are driving him crazy. Why the hell can't they make their mind up?

  First Terra wanted him, then she wanted Gryffin and now Rua is following her example. It's not like he has the same level of feelings for Rua as he did for Terra, but there's still something there. She's unlike any woman he's ever met.

  The colonists he was with from time to time were great, but Rua is in another league entirely. She's stubborn, rude, cold, and more than a little intimidating. Not the best first impression, but it's a shield. There is more to her and he's itching to find out what that is.

  He rubs the raw skin on his neck and frowns at the blood on his fingers. Looks like he'll have to learn to live without knowing anything else about her. It's either that or lose his head.

  25

  DIXON SPACE STATION

  Bray crouches down in front of his brother as Gryffin pulls off his top and opens the connectors on his chest implant.

  'I'm not so sure this is such a good idea, Gryffin.'

  'The Dixon woman said it was your idea.'

  Bray rubs his forehead and sighs loudly. 'Yeah I know, but maybe it's too soon. You're still not back to full strength yet and your implants are, for want of a better word, shit.'

  'Thank you,' Terra says, interrupting their conversation. 'Couldn't agree more - on all points. He died a few days ago or has everyone forgotten? He's not well enough to connect to an entire ship. This is a really bad idea.'

  'I'm fine. Can we just get this over and done with?'

  'This is serious, Gryffin,' Terra says.

  He slides onto the bed and leans forward, resting his arms on his legs. 'I know it's serious. We need to access the files.'

  'We need to keep y
ou in one piece.'

  He holds out his hand. 'Cable.'

  'Gryffin—'

  'Terra, I'm doing this so stop arguing. All the cyborg files are buried in Cronus' system. The access to the Foundation comms can be made through her. We need to open her up.'

  She sighs and crosses her arms. 'Fine.'

  Bray looks from Terra to Gryffin and back again before slowly holding out the cable to him. Gryffin opens the port on the side of his ocular implant and plugs the cable in. Once he's happy about the connection he lies back on the bed and looks up at the ceiling. Bray glances at Terra briefly then hooks the monitors to Gryffin's chest. The Dixon's burst into the room mid argument as usual and stop when they see what Bray is doing.

  'You weren't going to start without us, were you?' Felix asks.

  'Of course not,' Terra interrupts. 'No one is starting anything until every available monitor in this place is attached to him.'

  'I'll help,' Evie offers, hurrying across the room to grab some of the cables from the table. Before Gryffin can argue, Evie is in front of him getting up close and personal with his chest implant. Terra stuffs her hands in her pockets to stop herself from fidgeting.

  She's far from happy about this as anyone could be. Overloading his implants is the least of her worries. If he can't keep control while hooked up, the link could kill him. 'How long will you need to be connected?'

  Gryffin shrugs. 'I won't know until I'm in. A few hours. Maybe longer.'

  She takes a deep breath and nods slowly. 'How will we know if there's a problem?'

  Evie wiggles a cable between her thumb and forefinger. 'That's where these little beauties come in.' She attaches the cable to one of the fine metal needles then targets one of the minute ports on his chest plate and slowly pushes the needle in.

  Gryffin flinches as it passes through the implant into his body.

  'The probes will give us a clear picture of what the link is doing to his implants and his body.' Felix taps the metal on his chest. 'This is quite ingenious.'