Cronus

by K. A. Finn

  She crouches down in front of him and squeezes his leg. 'Hey, you're worrying me. What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?'

  He focuses on the wall behind her head and forces the words out. 'I'm having my mods upgraded. It's the only way we have any chance of getting near the Foundation, let alone of taking them down. If the upgrade works, there's a chance I might be able to control the Foundation cyborgs too.'

  She gets to her feet and takes a step back from him. 'Right.'

  'Felix and Evie can do it. They have the equipment here.'

  'So you've spoken to them?'

  'Yes.'

  'Right. Can I ask what exactly you're planning to have done?'

  'The plan is to fix my arm and leg, upgrade my chest implant, fit a new ocular implant, and some other small bits and pieces.' He's not going to mention anything about his leg. There's a slim chance the Dixon's will be able to fix it. Very slim. Non-existent odds, but it's best she doesn't know ahead of time.

  'So that's that. The decision is made?'

  Gryffin gets up and has to hold on to the back of his chair as his leg complains. 'I don't want to live like this anymore.'

  'But you want to live with more mods?'

  'I don't want that either, but at least that way I'll be good for something.'

  She hurries over to him and grabs a fistful of his shirt. 'You're good for something now. You don't need to do this to help defeat the Foundation. '

  He wipes the tears from her face, hating that he's the reason they're there in the first place. 'I want what's left of my life to mean something. I want to do this. I want to help.'

  He steps back from her. 'I've been on borrowed time since Rayde found me. The implant in my head should have killed me years ago. I need to finish this. I need to have a hand in fighting the Foundation before...' he stops himself a little too late.

  'Before you die.'

  'Yes. You're not an idiot, Terra. Can you honestly look at me and say I'm okay?'

  Terra turns away from him which is all the answer he needs. Gryffin takes her chin in his hand and tilts her face towards his. 'I'd hate myself if I was in a stasis pod waiting on the off chance I could be put back together while everyone I give a damn about is killed by the people who did this to me in the first place.'

  Terra wipes her hand across her face and sniffs. She nods a few times then looks back at him. 'And what about Ares?'

  'Until I come out the other side I won't know if I'll be able to captain her. Desyl's going to have to take over.'

  'Have you told him about any of this?'

  'Not yet. I'm going to make an announcement, but I wanted to speak to you and Desyl first. I've also stepped down as High Commander.'

  'You have? Who have you appointed?'

  'Creed. I worked with him years ago. He was Rayde's first officer, but he's a good one. Rayde sent me to kill him years ago as part of my training. I pretended to and got him off the ship instead. He should be on Nemesis with Chayse and Milla.'

  'So you sent them to get him when Ultar was attacked? You've been planning this for a while.'

  He shakes his head. 'Not the upgrade part. I needed to make plans for my successor either way. Creed was the obvious choice. He's a good Nomad and nothing like Rayde. He'll keep the group heading in the right direction.'

  She nods again and the silence between them remains unbroken for a few minutes. Even though his leg is killing him, Gryffin stays where he is, unwilling to disturb Terra and her thoughts.

  Eventually she steps up and wraps her arms around him. Surprised, Gryffin hugs her back. Maybe she will be able to accept his decision after all.

  'When is this planned for?'

  'The Dixon's want me to have another few sessions in the rejuvenation pod before they do anything. The plan is to work on us in two days.'

  'Us?'

  'Boone, Trace, and Dante are going to have work done too. If we're going up against the new cyborgs, we all need to be improved. Boone has a wife and kid in the Sector. He wants to be able to finish this so he can go back to them and get some of his life back.'

  'And what about the control implant? Do the Dixon's have any idea what it will do to you?'

  'There's a strong chance it will take over. Anything less is a bonus apparently.'

  She nods slowly. 'One way deal then.'

  'Yeah. Until I get the upgrades they won't know for sure.' His leg decides it's had enough and he drops back in his chair and stretches it out in front of him.

  'You okay?'

  'Fucking leg is agony. Terra, you've got to understand I'm heading towards a shit decision either way. They bought me some time but I've only got a few days before I'll have to either be put in a stasis pod, get the upgrades, or turn off my implants. Out of those three I'll go for the upgrades.'

  'Days? I thought the rejuvenation pod helped?'

  'It made me strong and repaired my body but it can't help the implants that are attacking my body. They're what's killing me.'

  Terra leans against the railings and hugs her arms to her chest. Keeping his emotions out of this isn't working. Terra's hurting and it's down to him. The damn blurred lines are kicking his ass again. Gryffin, Captain of Ares knows it's the right decision. But the Gryffin who is with Terra has serious doubts. Unfortunately, that's the side of himself he has to ignore, as much as it's going to hurt himself and hurt Terra.

  'Okay.'

  He frowns across at her. 'Okay what?'

  'I understand why you think you have to go this way. I love you, Gryffin. I always will. But if you're looking for my blessing, I don't think I can give it to you.'

  Looks like his first instinct was bang on. 'What are you saying?'

  She grips the railing behind her and shrugs. 'I don't know. I... I honestly don't know, Gryffin. I want the Foundation gone as much as you do, but you're asking too much. You really want me to stand by and watch as the man I love allows himself to have more implants put on him, to have his head cut open and metal put inside, to have someone else control what he does? How can you honestly expect me to be okay with that?'

  'I don't want this to happen any more than you do, but I can't see another option.'

  'I know.' She smiles and steps over to him. 'I just need a little time to process all this. Is that okay?'

  'Yes.'

  She leans down and kisses him briefly on the cheek before hurrying out of the room. Gryffin stares down the corridor long after her footsteps have disappeared. He gets the horrible feeling that marked the start of the end for them.

  DIXON SPACE STATION

  Terra fills her cup with coffee from the dispenser and wanders over to a table at the edge of the room. Feeling someone looking at her, she glances around the room, coming to a stop when she meets Evie's eyes. Terra smiles at the woman and goes back to her drink. A few seconds later, she lifts her head to find the woman looking at her again. Evie slowly gets to her feet and walks over to Terra's table. She settles in the seat opposite her and clasps her hands together.

  After a long silence, Terra frowns at her. 'Is something wrong?'

  Evie examines her nails as she shrugs. 'Not wrong as such, but I do believe there is a problem.'

  'Are you going to share your thoughts with me or just leave that comment out there?'

  'You and him.'

  'I'm sorry?'

  'You and your cyborg friend.'

  'He has a name you know.'

  She waves the comment away. 'Names and me don't get on well.' She takes a long breath as she removes her hat. 'You're a sweet girl, Terra.'

  Terra crosses her arms then uncrosses them when she realises she's being defensive. She wraps her hands around the cup instead. 'But?'

  'He needs to have these modifications done. You have to accept that.'

  'I'm sorry, but my relationship with Gryffin has nothing to do with you. What I accept or don't accept isn't your concern.'

  'Perhaps, but I'm going to have my say. You and Gryffin will never end the way you want i
t to. He can never be what you want him to be. You need to accept that or you're both in for a long and miserable life.'

  Terra pushes her chair back and stands up. 'I don't have time for this.'

  'Your problems won't flutter to nothingness if he allows us to reverse the modifications. You will always be completely incompatible.'

  Terra drops onto the chair again and leans over the table. She tries to keep her voice low so she doesn't attract any more attention from the other crew in the mess hall. 'You have no idea about our relationship so I'd appreciate if you kept your opinions to yourself.'

  Evie smirks which rubs Terra up the wrong way. 'True, but any fool can see what you want. Just like any fool can see he is incapable of giving it to you.'

  Finally giving in, Terra leans back and raises her eyebrows. 'Which is what exactly?'

  'A companion for life. Someone you can grow old with. Someone you can settle down with. Someone you can perhaps have a family with.'

  Terra swallows once, hating that a small hollow has opened up in her chest at Evie's words. She's had similar thoughts over the last few months but is not going to admit that to Evie. 'We've only been together a few months. None of that has been mentioned or even thought about.' She hopes Evie doesn't see through the lie. 'Besides, no one knows what it will be like for him once the Foundation are dealt with.'

  'Ah, but that's not what I'm talking about. The fact he's a cyborg is an issue, but not one that can't be remedied in some way. I'm referring to the other issue.'

  'Which is what exactly.'

  'He's a Nomad, dear.'

  'I'm aware of that.'

  'Yes, but are you aware of what the Nomad are? At their core, I mean. Felix and I have been around the block quite a few times. In all our years, in all our dealings, bar the Foundation, the Nomad are the ones to watch out for. Your boyfriend may trade from time to time, but that adjustment to their MO is relatively new.

  'Gryffin is solely responsible for a lot of people losing their lives. Yes, some deserved it, but most did nothing except stand up to defend what was theirs. Rayde used Gryffin to brush those people aside, and from what I've heard, he was effective... and brutal. When he was given command of his ship he continued along that path until he made the decision to raid Ultar.

  'I'm not saying this to discredit him. He has done a lot of good and he is changing the way the Nomad operate, but I am not convinced as to the longevity of his current path. If we are successful and manage to dislodge the Foundation, there will be a power vacuum in this Sector. That will affect the Outer Sector and all the groups operating there. They may be forced to return to past means of operating to survive. Can you honestly sit there and tell me he won't revert to what is a big part of who he is?'

  'If he has no choice—'

  'Oh sweetie, you love him, but don't let your feelings cloud the truth from you. It's not fair on either of you. I don't know a lot about his past but I know some of what he went through. Truly nasty business and something that would have a resounding effect on his nature.

  ‘If that wasn't bad enough, Rayde was a horrible creature who, by all accounts, treated Gryffin badly. Violence is at his core, Terra. I'm not saying for one minute that he'd hurt you physically, but you have to accept living with someone like that long term isn't a pleasant prospect.'

  Terra opens her mouth to defend Gryffin, but Evie holds up her hand.

  'I'm not finished. He also has a bounty on his head on quite a few worlds. Even those who are still loyal to him would not welcome him settling there. His life started on that hulking ship of his and I assure you, it will end there too.'

  'Are you finished?'

  Evie shakes her head. 'Not quite. I also believe that as soon as the Foundation are taken out of the equation, Sayber will kill Gryffin or Gryffin will kill Sayber. Perhaps they will kill each other. Once they make their move, the groups will retaliate. The current uneasiness between the Nomad and Hunters will be nothing compared to the war that will break out with the death of one or both of the leaders.

  'They may have many flaws but the loyalty the groups show to Gryffin and Sayber is impressive. Neither side will back down until the other is destroyed. Perhaps Gryffin and Bray will go up against each other. New divisions will tear the current groups apart. Friends will side with Sayber, or Gryffin, or Bray, or Aleena. Perhaps some will stay on the station with us. Maybe align with the Rogues, who will most likely tie themselves to the Hunters.'

  'What exactly is your point, Evie? I may come across as a naive Foundation officer, but I've spent enough time on Ares to have a fair idea how things work. I know Sayber and Gryffin will face each other sooner or later. Gryffin and Bray too. But what he's decided to do to himself has nothing to do with all that. Whether he's dead or alive, the Hunters and Nomad will fight. I may be hoping against all odds that doesn't happen, but the rift is there and I can't see that going away.

  'Gryffin getting his mods upgraded isn't going to change any of that so don't try to muddy the waters by bringing it up. What you're doing is trying to justify your part in this plan of his. Trying to justify the fact you're going to help him mutilate himself.'

  Evie snorts loudly. 'I am not trying to justify anything. I don't need to. Besides, would you rather he carried out the work himself or that the process is done in a sterile environment in a state-of-the-art facility?'

  'I'd rather nothing was being done to him full stop.'

  'Terra, he is doing this because he feels there is no other option. Given the information we have at hand, I have to agree this is the best option we have. We are fighting cyborgs, Terra. He is the original functioning cyborg. We would be completely crazy to contemplate fighting without Gryffin.'

  'He can fight without being modified.'

  'No, Terra. He can't. The poor fellow can barely walk without support. How exactly would you envision that fight playing out? Because I can see a slaughter with Gryffin falling within the first three and a half minutes. And that's being optimistic.'

  'I can't agree with what he's planning.'

  'Then you will lose him. You are in love with a Nomad cyborg, Terra. If you cannot accept that perhaps the kindest thing for both of you would be to walk away from him. If he's to have even the slightest chance of surviving what we're about to put him through, he needs to be focused. If he drops his guard at all, the programming will take advantage and then it's bye-bye Gryffin.

  ‘Support him or walk away, Terra. There are no other options.'

  29

  DIXON SPACE STATION

  The door opens in front of Bray and he steps inside the darkened room. Since getting the sensitive ocular implant, Bray understands why Gryffin favours the shadows. He hates to admit it, but Gryffin was right. Using the new eyepiece was becoming easier. The pain is lessening. Either that or he's getting used to it. Whatever the reason, he'll take it. There's not a lot else he can do.

  He lets his night vision kick in and scans the room. Gryffin is sitting in the chair at the far side of the room, one elbow resting on the edge of the large window overlooking the cargo hold below. Even in the gloom, the Nomad appears more sombre than usual. 'Implants okay?'

  'Still dizzy every now and again, but I'm getting the hang of my eye.' Bray sits down beside him and watches the personnel below working on the ships. 'So, what do you want to talk to me about?'

  'I need your help to bring me up to spec.'

  'Spec? What spec?' Gryffin raises an eyebrow and Bray nods slowly. 'Ah. Heard you were thinking about having mods done. I hoped it was a bad joke.'

  Gryffin rests his head against the wall and looks across at Bray. 'All my life I've been running from the Foundation and from what I am. I can't keep doing that.'

  Gryffin focuses on the wall opposite them again.

  'Ares, this whole captain thing, whatever I have or had, with Terra... it's all fake. I've been playing at having a normal life since Rayde found me. Under it all, I am what I am. Nothing me or anyone else does will ever chan
ge that. I need to be finished. I need to be what they designed me to be.'

  Bray pushes a hand through his hair as he turns away from Gryffin for a moment. 'What about the control implant? If we give you more mods, we'll have to activate it. There's a strong chance you won't be you after that.'

  'What does it matter?'

  'It matters a hell of a lot.'

  'We don't have a choice. They're not going to stop until they kill all of us. Killing Roman and Lucan was only the start. They're picking us off one at a time, but I can't do a damn thing about it if I'm falling apart. I have two choices. I either sit in a pod here, waiting to see if you and the Dixon's can figure out a way to fix me, or I have more mods done, and take down the Foundation.'

  Gryffin leans forward and rests his arm on his legs. 'I'm not an idiot, Bray. I know you're months away from being able to help me. That's time I don't have.'

  'You don't know that for sure. You got us into the system. We just need time to go through all the data. Martyring yourself isn't the answer.'

  'I'm not doing that. I'm giving you the weapon you need to get this done.'

  'What about Terra? She can't be on board with this.'

  'I think we might be finished.'

  'Shit.' Bray thought he'd be happy to hear those words, but nothing about this conversation is making him feel good. 'I know what the mods are like. You really expect me to put anyone, no matter how much of a pain in the ass they are, through that?'

  'The file you found on the computer — the one with me accepting my designation. I remember that.'

  Bray looks at his brother. 'You do?'

  He meets Bray's eyes again, the centre of his purple eye glowing menacingly. 'I remember every second in that place. I've no regrets about what I did to save you. I'd do anything to stop even one person from going through what I did. That's why I have to do this. You have to understand that.'

  Bray does. Even after minimal time on the Scientist's table, he knows how his brother feels. That doesn't mean he's on board with anyone, even Gryffin, having any more procedures. 'So I'm guessing the Dixon's are already on your side.'