The Rebel's Cyborg

by Maya Carnage

  For one quick moment, all he wanted to say was because he needed her there, but he held those words back. Who knows how she'll react if she thought he was interested in her romantically?

  It wasn't easy to get to know her or earn her trust, but he knew the first time he spoke to her that was what he planned on doing regardless of how hard it would be. There was something special about Kayla Perkins. Whatever it was it made him obsess over her, worrying about her safety constantly. Maybe he worried too much.

  With a sigh, he decides it will be easier and better for both of them if he gave in, or at least let up some. "Will you wait in the rover for a few minutes, giving me enough time to warn Patton about you before you meet him?"

  "Can't you message him on his comm?" Her brows furrow.

  "Yes, but I don't know if he'll get it before we arrive."

  "Fine, but only a few minutes." She pokes him in his chest before pushing past him, heading outside to the rover.

  Rodrick sits back in the chair and watches Patton pace. The doctor mutters to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow, and his hands tremble with nerves.

  He's never seen a cyborg less in control of his bodily functions as Patton. It's odd. Rodrick wonders if he does it on purpose, but what would be the reason? There are cyborgs who want to appear human, and so they mimic the responses and actions of humans. He's never wanted to do it, afraid that it would limit him.

  "Did you hear a word I said?" Patton asked, his voice was tight with panic.

  He nods. "It's not unusual for them to have the cyborgs on Earth come see you, right?"

  "Of course not! But it worries me that the Malviks chose to do it now. That seems important, and you should be worried."

  "When was the last time the two who are coming to Teraz came to see you?" He should leave and quit giving into Patton's anxiety. The man needs to learn how to get control of himself. He continues to sit there, though, and let the other cyborg unburden his worries on him. It's odd behavior for him because he's always logical and in control. For him to sit here and listen to the doctor go on and on about what he deems a potential danger is strange. Maybe Kayla is rubbing off on him.

  He snorts at the thought of the ornery woman making him more patient.

  "I don't think you're taking this seriously." Patton walks around his desk, and plops down in his seat, dejectedly.

  He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and stares down at the white tile floor. With a sigh, he glances up, right as Patton's office door crashes opens, slamming into the wall.

  The two cyborgs jump to their feet.

  He strikes quickly, tackling the person to the ground. By the time he realizes who is beneath him, she's already maneuvered one of her arms free and punches him in the face.

  Patton lets out a startled gasp, remaining behind the sturdy desk.

  "Can you get the hell off me?" Kayla's chest heaves with each panting breath.

  He shifts his body until he's propped above her, resting on his forearms. "What took you so long? You only had to wait ten minutes."

  "I was held up."

  The sound of running footsteps heads toward them, a second later Patton's assistant is standing in the doorway. "I told her you're busy, but she refused to listen." He points an accusing finger at Kayla. "She attacked me when I wouldn't let her back here!"

  Kayla shoves at his chest with her small fists. He hops to his feet, sticking a hand out to help her. She smacks it away. He turns away with a smirk on his face.

  "Listen here, buddy," she barked. "I told you I was with Rodrick, but you didn't believe me. I didn't have any other options. I had to get back here."

  The assistant grimaces, and looks past her, meeting Patton's eyes.

  Kayla stands next to him, her head barely reaching his chest, and raises her brows at the doctor.

  His chest rumbles with laughter. He can't help but find her fiery nature charming. The smallest thing sets her off, and she has the nerve to say her younger sister is the hothead in their family. He doesn't think she realizes how short-tempered she really is.

  Patton waves the assistant on, saying, "It's all right. You can go." He pulls his chair out and sits down, staring at them. "You'll have to excuse Havix. He's only doing his job."

  "It's fine, as long as I don't have to endure it every time I come here." Kayla crosses her arms over her chest.

  Patton shakes his head vigorously. "I wouldn't have it!" He picks up a glass of water, gulping the contents down.

  She turns to glance at Rodrick with a questioning look.

  He clears his throat, extending his hand out in front of him for her to take a seat. With a roll of her eyes, she moves and takes a seat. "Did you want to fill her in on everything you told me?" he asked, sitting down next to her.

  "She'll believe me, seeing as she's a rebel." Patton glares at him. "She'll understand how sly the Malviks are, and that you don't know you're under attack until they strike."

  "There's nothing to worry about."

  "Yes," Patton begins, leaning forward in his seat.

  "Wait," Kayla holds her hands up, shushing the men. "Do the Malviks know what we're doing?"

  Patton nods, mopping at his brow with the end of his tie.

  Kayla jerks around to stare at him. "What does he mean?"

  "The Malviks are sending two cyborgs to see Doctor Patton. It isn't unusual for cyborgs from Earth to visit the clinic, and there's no reason to believe it has anything to do with our plans. It's a coincidence. That's all," Rodrick said. Her shoulders drop, and some of the tension leaves her body, but she still gives him a bothered look before turning away. There's no reason to worry. The Malviks are too egotistical to think the cyborgs are turning against them. He's led the cyborgs, working closely with the Malviks for years. He knows them and how they act. They think they're too smart to beat, but he's going to destroy them by using their greatest asset against them.

  "Can you feel these two cyborgs out? I want to know if they're willing to join the rebellion."

  Patton's eyes widen, and his mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.

  "That's too much of a risk," Kayla said.

  "I can't do it. Do you have any idea what they'll do to me?" Patton rubs at his face. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

  "We need cyborgs on Earth. We'll have to surround the Malviks to win, and what better way to do that then garner the loyalty of their most trusted cyborgs," Rodrick said.

  Kayla falls back in her seat, sighing. "I hate to say it, but you're right."

  They turn to stare at Patton.

  "I don't want to do this," he grumbled, "but fine."

  Chapter Five

  Kayla

  Kayla stares out her window and watches the city landscape turn to the bright green fauna of the woods. Her back is stiff, and her fingers twitch where they rest on her lap. The tension's palpable inside the rover, Rodrick hasn't said a word to her since they left the clinic.

  She peeks at him from the corner of her vision. The sharp angle of his jaw catches her eye, and moisture from where he must have licked his lips catches the mid-day light. She relaxes into her seat, seeing that he doesn't look irritated by the events earlier helps alleviate some of her stress.

  She didn't plan on hitting him, but he caught her unaware. It was instinct to attack the person who tackled her to the ground. Once she recognized the heavy weight as belonging to him, she instantly regretted punching his handsome face.

  Jerking her gaze away from him, she shakes her head, getting rid of those unwanted thoughts. She can't afford to start thinking lustily about Rodrick. It will cause problems between them. Plus, he doesn't seem to like her all that much.

  She shrugs. Well, it isn't like she's giving him any reason to like her. They've butted heads since they first met. But that's because he's hard to get along with! He always wants to tell her what to do, treating her like she's a child and instead of the capable rebel she is.

  "Are you okay?"

&
nbsp; The sound of his voice jars her out of her thoughts, and she swivels her head to look at him. She bites the inside of her cheek, hoping none of those thoughts accidentally spilled out of her lips. It sometimes happens when she's annoyed.

  "Yeah, why do you ask?" She glares at him just in case he did hear something. If he thinks she's going to argue with him, he might think twice about bring anything embarrassing up.

  "You tensed up all of a sudden. I was checking to make sure you're all right," he said with concern.

  She taps her fingers against her thigh. "I'm sorry about earlier. You surprised me. The guy was chasing me, and when I barreled into the doctor's office you tackled me, I panicked." There's a sour taste in her mouth. She hates apologizing. It makes her uncomfortable, and she'd rather do anything else.

  "There's no need to apologize. I would have reacted in the same way. You're a trained soldier, and when you think you're under attack, you're going to strike. I get it."

  "So, you accept the fact that you and are the same? I can start coming to all of the meetings now?" she asked, turning to smile at him.

  Rodrick laughs. "I don't think I've got another choice."

  "You don't have to sound so beat up about it. I'm easy to work with, you know."

  He stares at her, amused by her words.

  "Okay, I know I'm not easy to work with, but it's not my fault I like being in control. I've been the leader since my dad left, and that was a long time ago. It's second nature to be the one yelling the orders now."

  "How have you been holding up about your dad and The Gregory?" Rodrick takes his eyes from the road to glance at her.

  She exhales, staring off into space. She doesn't know how to answer. Most of the time they weigh heavily on her mind, and she's hasn't heard a word about Dawn. In truth, she's more concerned about her sister than her dad.

  Dawn's always done her own thing, leaving Kayla and their father to their own tasks, but now that she thinks about it, it seems maybe they pushed Dawn out of their circle. After their mother died, James leaned on Kayla and brought her into the rebels’ forces at a young age. She's never been anything but a soldier. Dawn was a kid, and she wasn't capable of doing the same things as Kayla. In the end, a wall was put up between her and them. As the years went on, it became second nature for James to turn to Kayla when he needed help. When he was captured and imprisoned on The Gregory, Kayla took the lead in planning the rescue mission and for the first time saw Dawn as an asset to the team instead of an annoying younger sister.

  The regret rests like a load of bricks in her belly. She should have made sure Dawn was equipped to handle rescuing the eighth ward rebels. Yes, she's been successful during all of her field assignments, but The Gregory is more dangerous than any of the missions she'd been on before.

  She should have prepared her for what's ahead, but she didn't because she was too afraid to say goodbye. It's stupid, and she's beat herself up for it everything second since.

  "I'm more concerned about Dawn than him." She pauses, searching for the right words to describe her father. "He's never been the same since my mom died. He's colder and tougher than most, and whatever The Gregory dishes out to him, he can handle it."

  "I'm going to call Axe on the comm when we get home. I can ask him about her. If you want me to?"

  Something warm and fuzzy began in her when he referred to his place as home. She lays a hand over her belly, quelling the butterflies, and frowns. She doesn't like how comfortable she's beginning to feel with him. It's not like her, and she knows it'll make it hard to leave him when the time comes. He's not meant to be a permanent part of her life. He can't be because she's going back home to Earth when the time comes.

  "Well?" he asked as he turns into his driveway.

  "Yeah, I want to know how she's doing."

  ◆◆◆

  Kayla stays outside as Rodrick talks to Axe. There's a small picnic table to the side of his cabin, and that's where she is now. She picks at the chipping wood, listening to the insects and birds in the woods around her.

  She grabbed one of Rodrick's jackets from inside when they arrived. Even though she's been here for a while, she still hasn't gotten used to the chilly weather, and he told her it's summer at the moment. She shudders at the idea of winter. It will be really fucking cold then.

  The wind bites at her face, and she turns her back to it, straddling the bench she's on. She glances at the cabin. Through the window, she can see Rodrick's muscular back as he stands in front of the comm.

  He said he shouldn't be long. Axe isn't much of a talker, and he'll want to get right to the point. She doesn't care how long it takes if she can find out how Dawn's doing.

  Rodrick rakes his hand over his short, blond hair and steps back from the comm. He walks away from the window out of her sight. A moment later, he comes striding out of the cabin.

  She doesn't get up to meet him, watching him from where she sits in the shade of the tall trees surrounding his place. He sets his hands on his hips, rocking his head side to side to work the kinks out of his neck.

  She's never taken the time to admire him in a sexual way. She doesn't want it to be awkward between them, and so she makes sure she buries any hidden desires she has, but in the short amount of time she's known him, she's noticed her walls coming down. That should set her into a panic, but it doesn't.

  She and Dawn are nothing alike, but the one thing they do have in common is how they treat men. They use them for sex and nothing more. Maybe that's why she isn't panicking over her desires for Rodrick. Deep down inside she knows it isn't going to go anywhere.

  Plus, it would be nice to have some fun while she's here on Teraz. Everything doesn't have to be serious all the time.

  She looks up as the man who's occupied her thoughts quite a lot lately sits down in front of her. Not across from her on the other side of the table, but right in front of her. Their faces only several inches apart. The temptation to lean forward and touch her lips to his is heavy, and she doesn't see why she shouldn't give in and do what she wants.

  "Your sister's all right." He leans back, resting against the table. "She’s roaming The Pursuer. I'm irritated over that, and I don't know why."

  "Because you're too controlling." Kayla shifts closer to him. "Everything has to be your way, and you hate being taken by surprise. Why's that?"

  He looks down at the now tinier gap between their bodies, and then back up at her. He studies her face with a puzzling look on his. "It goes against my training. If you get taken by surprise, you could die. It's as simple as that."

  "Surprises aren't always bad." She gives into the pulsing in her lower belly, reaching up she grabs the sides of his face and pulls his mouth down to meet hers.

  At first, he does nothing, but once he gets over the initial shock of the sudden kiss his lips part and his tongue swipes at her closed mouth. She opens on a moan. Her heart races, moving her hands down, she grips his shoulders. Squeezing the hard muscles beneath her fingers, she rises up and presses her chest against him.

  He snakes his arm around her back, lifting her up and onto his lap.

  Damn, she never thought it would feel this good to be making out with him. She passionately kisses him back, matching his vigor with her own. The heat between her legs intensifies as he hardens against her hip.

  All of a sudden, the world spins as Rodrick lifts her away from him and sets her down on the other end of the bench. She's never moved that fast before. It takes her a second to shake off the dizziness, once her head's clear again, she looks up and finds Rodrick gone.

  What the hell?

  Chapter Six

  Rodrick

  "You can quit checking your watch. Ian's never on time." Kayla shoves her hands farther into the jacket's pockets as the harsh wind whips around them.

  It's his jacket, and he feels smug at seeing her in his clothing. Eventually, he'll need to take her to the city to buy her something more form fitting. The one she's wearing now swallows her whole.
She only brought light outerwear, and they're fine when the wind isn't acting up like it is today.

  "How much longer do you think he's going to be? He was supposed to be here half an hour ago," he asked, annoyance creeping into his tone. He can't stand people who aren't punctual.

  Kayla shrugs.

  He groans and rakes a hand down his face. Three days have passed since their kiss, and she's barely spoken a word to him in that time. Clearly, she's pissed at him. He doesn't know how to address what happened between them, and it looks like she's not going to bring it up, preferring to stew in her anger instead.

  He wasn't thinking we he kissed her back. The feel of her soft lips against his hard ones startled him, and it rocked him to his core. It felt good having her weight on him as he held her in his arms. Too good. He panicked when his cock began to harden against her hip, and he shoved her away from him. He left her outside as he hurried into the small bathroom in his cabin.

  He turns his back to her as he starts to stiffen just thinking about what he did in there.

  He could have willed his body to calm down, but he didn't. He turned the shower on and jerked off, remembering the way she moaned as he licked her lips. Shame washed over him seconds later. He cursed under his breath as he rinsed off.

  He was going to bring it up after the shower, apologize for what happened but she hurriedly brought up the topic of lunch. Now it seems there's too much distance between them to bring it back up without angering her further, but if he doesn't say something to her soon, he's afraid he'll never get a chance to explain why he ran away.

  He turns back around and strides over to the rover. Kayla leans against the driver's side, chewing on her bottom lip. Her straight, black hair is tied back in a high ponytail. A few strands have escaped, and curl along the nape of her neck. Her glare intensifies as he approaches her, and her sharp blue eyes stare daggers at him. "About last night, it had nothing to do with you. If anything were to happen between us, the mission would become complicated. We don't need that along with everything else that's going on."