Despite the lingering flare of excitement, she relaxed into his arms. The oncoming darkness deepened the colors of the rocks, oranges shading into rose and garnet. For the moment at least, they were safe, and she was half-asleep when the first gust of wind hit them.
Dust swirled around their feet, and she felt the temperature take a sudden sharp drop. Wyatt’s body emitted a soothing warmth everywhere she was pressed against him, but her other side was growing increasingly cold. She shivered.
“Are you all right? Do you want me to speed up?”
“No, I’m fine. Let’s stay with them.”
“Promise me you’ll tell me if it starts to get too cold.”
“I promise.”
As she spoke, another blast of wind rushed over them, and she heard Wyatt swear under his breath. Fine particles bit at her exposed skin in a constant, stinging barrage.
She twisted her head, trying to see how much further they had to go but she couldn’t see much in the gathering dark. The ATVs lights came on but only penetrated a short distance into the gloom, dust particles dancing madly in the beams.
“How much further?” she asked as she shivered again.
“Not far. I’m running ahead with you now. I’ll come back as soon as you’re safe.”
He raced up beside Tom’s vehicle and pointed to her. The big man nodded, and Wyatt took off. She thought he had been running swiftly before but now his feet barely seem to touch the ground. Clinging desperately to his neck, she tried to stop the shivers that were beginning to overtake her body.
“Fuck. I’m sorry, darlin’. I shouldn’t have waited so long.”
“N-not your fault,” she stuttered. “W-wanted to stay with them.”
“But I shouldn’t listen to you.”
“G-glad you do.”
His arms tightened again as his pace increased. Just as she was beginning to wonder if he would make it in time, he came to an abrupt halt. She started to raise her head but a minute later a door opened and light flooded out.
He carried her quickly through the airlock and into the blessed quiet and warmth of Esme’s home. Her legs didn’t want to unclench from around his waist and he had to help her unlock them. Standing was impossible and he helped her to a big couch. He disappeared momentarily, then returned with a big mug of hot, sweet tea.
“Are you all right, darlin’?”
She took a sip of the hot drink and sighed as her feet and hand started to tingle with returning warmth.
“I’m fine.”
He hovered over her, looking unusually uncertain.
“What is it?”
“I don’t want to leave you. The ATV should have a directional signal but—”
“Honestly, I’m fine. Go after them.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Go.”
He kissed her and then disappeared through the airlock. Despite her assurance, the minute he was out of sight, she started to worry. Even in the short time they had been inside, the wind had increased, and she heard it howling outside the dome. That was an odd scraping noise and it took her a moment to realize that wind-driven particles were raking across the dome.
Oh, God. Wyatt didn’t have any protection other than his usual clothing.
The only way she could think of to help was to move through the habitat, turning on every available light so it would be as visible as possible through the storm. Then she returned to the main dome but she was too restless to sit still. She’d already thought she lost him once today; she couldn’t stand to go through it the second time.
W-246 grabbed a thermal coat on his way through the airlock. He didn’t need the warmth, but the fabric would provide an extra layer of protection from the grit scouring the air. His body would survive the assault, but it would take time to repair the damage and he did not want to distress Cherry unnecessarily. He hated leaving her, especially since he knew that the last portion of their trip had been difficult for her. He hadn’t expected the storm to come in quite as quickly as it did. When he was stationed at the ice cap, the full fury of a dust storm rarely reached them.
The wind almost wrenched the outer door out of his hands but he caught it and closed it carefully behind him. He scanned the surroundings but saw no sign of the ATV. He had to make sure that they were okay, not only because they were Cherry’s friends, or because it was his duty, but because the big man had earned his respect during their brief time together.
After Wyatt had managed to free himself, Tom just looked quietly at him, and Wyatt could see in his eyes that he half-expected to be left behind. There was no way he would do that to a fellow prisoner. He searched for a key to the lock on Tom’s cage but when he couldn’t find it, he started working on the bars, even though the need to find Cherry was eating at him. Tom assisted, lending a surprising amount of strength for a full human. As soon as they managed to remove enough bars for Tom to slip through, they started to search for their women, Tom just as frantic as Wyatt. Tom had even been the one to take down the human when he attempted a surprise attack.
Now, he hurried through the storm to find them. The winds were almost strong enough to disorient him, but his internal guidance system didn’t fail him. He had gone less than a mile when he spotted the dim glow of the ATV’s headlights. The vehicle was slightly off course, not by a lot but by enough to make them miss the habitat.
Tom was crouched over the controls, trying to keep the vehicle steady as it was buffeted by the winds. Esme was perched next to him, her face taut with strain. Both of them jumped when he appeared out of the storm.
“Adjust your heading!” he yelled through the glass, pointing in the right direction.
Tom nodded grimly and followed his directions. Wyatt stayed next to the vehicle to make sure that it remained on course and also using it as best he could to shelter from the rising wind. The habitat finally appeared through the gloom, every window glowing. Tom increased the speed of the ATV as soon as it was visible, W-246 racing along next to him.
He followed the vehicle through the open doors of the transport shed. Dust and sand were already mounding against the walls, and he hurried to close the doors. Tom joined him and together the two of them managed to get them closed. His ears rang from the immediate cessation of sound, despite the wind still howling outside. He almost staggered when he no longer had to brace himself against the wind.
“Thank you, my friend.” Tom dropped a big hand on his shoulder, looking more shaken than he had during their period of captivity. “I was afraid that the way finder was wrong, but I didn’t have any way to correct it. There are so many magnetic fragments in the dust that it throws off the instruments.”
Esme started to climb down from the ATV and Tom hurried to assist her. She smiled up at him but focused on Wyatt.
“Where’s Cherry?” she asked anxiously.
“She’s inside. I’m sorry I had to leave you, but the temperature was dropping too fast and the wind was too strong for her.”
“Of course you had to go on ahead. Is she okay?”
“She says she’s fine.”
A quick smile crossed Esme’s face. “I wouldn’t expect her to say anything else. What about you? Are you all right?”
“Of course I am. I need to check on her.”
“I think you had better clean up first. Your face is covered in blood.”
Now that she mentioned it, he could feel the heat covering his face and his hands as his nanites rushed to repair the damage the storm had caused to his exposed skin.
“It’s nothing,” he said impatiently.
“I doubt she’ll see it that way.” Tom handed him a cleansing cloth. “At least wipe away the blood.”
He obeyed as they both stared at him.
“I can actually see the wounds closing,” Tom said, his voice awed.
“That’s one of the benefits of being a cyborg. Am I acceptable enough now?”
“You’ll do.” Esme patted his arm and led the way to the back of
the shed. A second door opened into a small airlock leading back to the main living quarters and they hurried inside. They passed through a glass-walled corridor lined with plants. Through the gaps in the greenery, he could see dark clouds of dust roiling around the building and he could hear the particles scratching at the glass as if seeking a way inside. It was a relief to emerge into the main room and find Cherry peering out into the night.
“We made it,” Esme said cheerfully as Cherry whirled to face them.
“Oh, thank God.” Her eyes flew to his face and she paled. “What happened to you, Wyatt? Are you all right?”
“Good thing I told you to clean up,” Esme murmured as Cherry rushed over to him, her face a mask of concern.
“I’m fine, darlin’. Just a little bit of damage from the wind. It’s already healing. Have you recovered from the trip?”
“I’m fine,” she said impatiently, and Esme giggled.
Nothing would satisfy her except for him to sit down so she could tend to him. He let her wipe the last remnants of blood from his face, clucking anxiously, and then hauled her down into his lap. “This is all I need to feel better.”
She sighed and nestled against him.
Chapter Fifteen
A short time later, they all gathered at the table. He was on one side, still holding Cherry, while Tom mirrored his position on the other side of the table with Esme in his lap.
“What’s the plan?” Tom asked.
“Stay here until the storm breaks, then head back to town as fast as we can. I want you somewhere safe, and the other cyborgs need to know that GenCon is making more of those monsters. What’s the fastest vehicle you have, Tom?”
“The ATV is fastest, but it doesn’t have enough oxygen to reach New Arcadia. The big rover has the most power, but it takes a full day even if you leave before sunup.”
“What about Maverick?” Cherry looked at the storm raging outside. “Do you think he’s all right?”
He had been worrying about the horse as well, but he did his best to give her a reassuring smile. “I’m sure he’s fine.”
“But you said he needed a new power supply.”
“I’ll go and look for him in the morning. If he got enough sun today, his secondary supply will be fully charged and he’ll be able to make it at least as far as Clint’s. He’ll have an extra one. If Maverick didn’t get enough sun to recharge fully, I’ll just have to run for it.”
Her eyes widened. “You can’t run all the way to New Arcadia.”
“I just need to make it to Clint—or anyone with a working communicator. Are there any other homesteads out here?”
Tom shook his head. “Not yet. I have a couple of buddies coming up on the next transport ship who are planning to join me.”
“I hate to say it, but what about the city in the rocks?” Cherry asked. “One of the men mentioned receiving a message so they must have one.”
“I thought about it, but I suspect that any communication from a GenCon facility is monitored by GenCon. We can’t take the chance.”
“Do you think that… thing will be back?” Esme shivered.
“I don’t know. I wish I knew when he left.”
“I think he must have been gone before they brought you in.” Tom scratched his chin. “They were hoping he would be pleased.”
“Hmm. Assuming he’s as fast as a cyborg—or has some fast method of transportation—he would be getting to town around now. If he took shelter from the storm, he’s still on the way. I don’t think we need to worry about him until the storm dies down.”
He didn’t mention that if these new hybrids had technology similar to the cyborgs, the storm wouldn’t necessarily slow him down. He glanced around the table. Tom was frowning and Esme still looked worried. Cherry’s body was tense in his arms. He held in a sigh. His plans for Cherry would have to wait.
“I’ll stand watch tonight. I really don’t expect any problems, but just in case.”
He felt Cherry relax and comforted himself with the knowledge that he had eased her worries. Everyone else looked calmer as well.
“I think we could all use a stiff drink,” Esme said as she stood up.
“And something to eat,” Tom said firmly. “I’ll make us some supper.”
Esme gave him a sultry smile before she darted off to retrieve the liquor. “That’s a good idea. I’m sure we could use an early night.”
W-246 couldn’t help feeling envious. Tom would have his woman in his arms tonight, but he wouldn’t be so lucky. Cherry must have been thinking along the same lines because she looked up and gave him a rueful smile.
“I guess we’re going to have to wait a little longer.”
“It’s almost enough to make me wish I had taken advantage of our earlier encounter.”
“Well, I could help you keep watch…” She trailed a finger along his cock, and he bit back a groan.
“I’d be too busy watching you to pay any attention to what’s outside. But we have time, darlin’. All the time in the world.”
The words echoed in his head, followed by a spike of pain, and he saw the same pain reflected in her eyes. Why did he feel as if he had said that to her before? He pushed harder at the memory but it only made the pain in his head escalate.
“Wyatt, stop.” A cool hand stroked his burning forehead. “You’re trying to remember, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t. The past is behind us. What matters is that we’re together now.” She bit her lip. “I mean, we are together, aren’t we?”
“You’re damn right we are,” he growled. “You’re mine now, darlin’ and don’t you forget it.”
That flash of hurt again and then she was smiling at him. “Yes, sir.”
“I like the sound of that. Very… obedient.”
“I can be obedient.” She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “But if I’m not, you might have to spank me.”
His cock jerked and he knew she felt it because she gave him a wicked smile before she jumped up and went to help Esme with the drinks.
“This is really good,” Wyatt complimented Tom over dinner.
“It’s nothing special, but it is nice to have some fresh ingredients to use now that the greenhouses are producing. I suppose you’re used to MREs.”
He shrugged as he reached for a third helping. “I usually don’t bother. Protein packs supply all the nutrients we need.”
Silence met his words and he looked up to see everyone staring at him.
“You don’t eat real food?” Cherry asked, horrified.
“It’s no big deal, darlin’. I just got used to going without.”
“Well from now on, you’re going to eat proper meals.”
“If they are as good as this, I certainly won’t object. Can you cook, darlin’?”
Pink tinted her cheeks and she looked unexpectedly shy. “It’s not something I ever mastered.”
“Maybe we can learn together.” He liked the sound of that—and the knowledge that they could plan for a future together.
“Molly is a great cook. You should ask her,” Esme suggested. “She oversees the kitchen for the Palace.”
Cherry bit her lip and looked away from him. Was she worried about the reminder of her profession? As long as she was only with him, he didn’t care about the rest of it. He smiled at her.
“Then I hope she’ll teach us. I didn’t realize that you served food.”
“It’s not that profitable, but I think it makes the men feel more home – which has a tendency to improve their behavior. It also helps to soak up the alcohol,” she added.
“I think you’re doing a great job,” he said sincerely. He hesitated then asked, “But how did you end up running a brothel on Mars?”
“It was at one of those black-tie affairs. You know the kind—politicians, generals, trophy wives. Bad food and watered-down alcohol.”
The words sent a thrill of recognition through him. He remembered them all too well from his
days in Washington, but how did Cherry know that? And why did he feel that it was important? Pain spiked in his head and she immediately reached for his hand.
“Don’t try to remember. It’s not worth the pain.”
He shoved back from the table, driven by frustration and an aching sense of loss.
“What is it that I can’t remember?”
Cherry bit her lip, then gave him a resolute look. “We met at a party like that.”
An image appeared in his mind—Cherry, dressed in a conservative red gown that covered her from neck to ankle but did absolutely nothing to hide her magnificent figure. She was silhouetted against a hazy backdrop scattered with lights as she laughed up at someone, and he knew with utter certainty that he had been the person with her.
The red of her dress washed away in a red haze of agony as his knees crumpled. Tom’s hand went under his elbow and kept him on his feet.
“Don’t do this to yourself,” Cherry whispered. “It’s not worth it.”
“I saw you,” he gasped as fiery spikes of agony dug into his brain. “In a red dress.”
Tears filled her eyes. “That’s right, but please don’t try to remember anything else.”
He wasn’t sure that he could. His brain felt as if it were liquefying in his skull and everything looked hazy. “Not tonight,” he agreed.
She opened her mouth, he suspected to argue with him, then firmly closed her lips and helped him back to the table.
“Finish your story,” he urged her. “You were at a party…”
“That’s right. And I heard two officers talking about a plan to, as they put it, provide comfort for the men working on Mars. I was pretty sure they weren’t concerned about the women’s comfort,” she said dryly. “There wasn’t anything keeping me on Earth and we—I mean, I—had always been intrigued by the idea of immigrating to Mars. So I volunteered.”
The warning ache in his head was enough to stop him from pursuing her slip of the tongue. Tonight. Instead, he gave her an admiring look.
“So you left Earth behind and started a new business on Mars.”
The Magnificent Cyborg Page 10