by Eve Langlais
“And what do I want?” she asked, offering him a smile.
“You want us to go somewhere specific, but rather than tell us, you’re going to put on a great act about having a vision. Why not save us both the trouble and just tell us the coordinates you want?”
“I don’t know the coordinates. But I had a vision of stars.” The truth and yet Ray snorted.
“Frukxing stars. That is the vaguest clue ever. Just about every galaxy has stars. Trillions of combinations.”
He had a point. Trying to do it by vague recollection would never work. But she planned to try, with a little help.
Despite her trepidation, she knew what to do. “Give me back that cog.” She held out her hand.
“Why? Going for round two where you go into convulsions and suddenly have coordinates?”
“Yes and no. I’m hoping to avoid any convulsions.” Ignoring Ray, she turned to Zak. “How do you fly this ship?”
“With a computer. Why?”
“Because I need to be browsing the ship’s navigational charts while holding the cog.”
“Not happening.” Ray categorically refused.
“Can’t hurt to let her try,” was Zak’s contrary reply, which led to some glaring between them.
“You can’t seriously be thinking of letting her onto the bridge.”
“What’s she going to do? Fly us into a sun?” Zak snorted.
“I’m going on the record as saying I think we’re taking a chance letting her out of this room.”
“Because I am so obviously dangerous,” she teased and batted her lashes at Zak, the weaker of the two.
“This is such a bad idea,” Ray grumbled as Zak led the way.
The throbbing in her head subsided, only to be replaced by whispers, alien words that brushed her consciousness and made her skin crawl. Good thing it didn’t take long to reach the vessel’s bridge.
Seating herself in a massive chair, she ran her hand over the smooth armrest, noting the way it shimmered with color.
“Don’t touch,” snapped Ray.
“Calm down. It’s locked to only respond to me or you,” Zak soothed.
“This is an impressive ship.” The seamless fit of its parts filled her with admiration. She might not have much experience yet in space, but she knew quality when she saw it.
“She’s my pride and joy.” Zak stroked the armrest, and she could have sworn the lights blinked in pleasure.
“Stop getting horny for your ship and pull up those maps. Let’s see her do some magic.” Ray leaned against the wall in front of them, essentially a bank of screens, each showing something different; status of the ship, power supply, shields, the latest scores on the Onyx Cup.
Zak fiddled with the control panel embedded in the armrest, and as screens disappeared, one in particular enlarged until it comprised the entire wall. A star chart with notations.
She shook her head. “That won’t work. The vision was of an actual star system.”
“Like this?” Zak swiped, and the screen turned into a living image, the stars blinking icons, some brighter than others. A haze of cloud screened some of them into dull points.
“Yes. That’s perfect.” She stood and approached. Using the hand with the gear, she touched the surface of the screen. The alien voices whispered faster and faster.
She hadn’t lied to Ray and Zak when she said she wasn’t a seer. But like on her home world, the cog spoke to her, and this time, because she expected it, she let it drag her into a trance. In her mind, scenes flashed, people and battles, places. Emotions hit her, too. A turmoil of information that rushed through the memories in the cog, which, in turn, caused the image on the screen to flicker.
She heard Ray mutter as if through a bubble, “How is she scrolling so fast?”
“I don’t think it’s her,” Zak replied.
Right and wrong. In that moment, she proved to be a conduit as the visions flickered faster and faster until they stopped and landed on one image.
A galaxy of stars.
Nema stared at the screen even as her fingers opened to let the cog drop to the floor. The throbbing in her head pulsed. She’d not realized the noise in her head until it stopped, leaving a stifling silence.
“What are we looking at?” Ray asked.
Zak grinned. “A star system.”
“Don’t make me kill you.” A grumbled warning. “Why this star system?”
“I don’t know.” All she knew was the mecha piece she had held suddenly fixated on that one place.
“Is there a temple in it?”
She shrugged in reply.
“Why don’t we see what kind of planets the galaxy has?” Zak manipulated the chart, enlarging areas of it, pulling up the various planets.
A gas giant with a tiny solid core. Another comprised completely of liquid mercury.
But it was the third one rising, a ball of pure red, that had her pointing. “That’s it.”
Sounding as dubious as ever, Ray said, “The chart says it’s a molten planet.” Meaning the surface was too hot for anything solid to survive.
“Maybe there’s a place on it that is above the lava.”
“Or maybe you’re just screwing with us. What’s the plan?” Ray demanded. “Got some friends hiding out in that galaxy waiting to hijack our ship?”
“If I wanted your ship, I’d just take it,” she snapped.
“Go ahead and try.”
“Don’t tempt me,” she growled.
“Would you both stop it,” Zak yelled. “She’s not going to steal the ship. Look at her. She’s almost half your size and unmodified as well.”
“I’m taking back what I said before. I think she’s dangerous.” The smartest thing Ray had uttered thus far.
“Nema’s not going to hurt us.”
She almost laughed at his assertion.
Ray continued to scowl. “Listening to her is a bad idea.”
“Wouldn’t be the first we’ve had,” Zak practically sang.
“Go see the lava planet or not. I don’t really care.” She feigned nonchalance, and while Ray didn’t fall for the reverse psychology of her statement, Zak did.
“Might as well check out the place. It’s not that far from us actually. Only a few full turns of the cog if we time our streaking right.”
She didn’t smile as Zak made the decision.
“You want to visit it, then fine. It might be a good idea to hang out of sight while people forget what we did at the market. What are we doing with her in the meantime?” Ray angled his head in her direction. “We can’t just let her wander.”
“Why not? It’s not as if I can go anywhere,” Nema remarked.
“She’s got a point,” Zak defended.
“And you’re thinking with your cock instead of your head,” Ray snarled.
She blinked at his comment.
“I’m not stupid,” Zak muttered.
“Are you sure? Because did it never occur to you that she could reprogram the computer or try to blow us up?”
The last made her snort. “I am not suicidal.” And she had no idea how to work this computer thing he spoke of. She barely managed on the ship her grandmother assigned her. “If it makes you feel better, lock me in my room. I really don’t care.”
“It would make me feel better,” Ray said just as Zak uttered, “No need.”
Once more the boys held a silent conversation before Zak said, “While I program our route, how about Ray gives you a tour of the ship?”
“And a rundown of the rules.” The words were growled in annoyance. Ray had obviously lost the fight.
Given his obvious disgruntlement, she couldn’t help but sidle close and tease. “Are you sure you can handle being alone with me? Maybe you should cuff me first.” She held out her hands and smiled sweetly at Ray—even as her eyes mocked.
Zak couldn’t stop chuckling. “This is going to be fun trip.”
“Glad one of us thinks so.” Ray stomped to the exit, snapp
ing, “Let’s go.”
As she brushed past, she murmured, “Look at you, so eager to get me alone.”
Ray waited until they’d left Zak behind before whirling her into a wall and leaning close, the thickness of his body looming without touching. Yet he didn’t inspire fear. The quickening of her heart?
Pure excitement.
He lowered his face to threaten. “Don’t push me, baby.” Said in a tone meant to mock. “I’m not nearly as nice as the captain.”
“And I’m worse than you think,” she whispered against his mouth.
8
The threat lingered, as did her scent. Even after pushing away from Nema, Ray couldn’t escape it, or her. She followed by his side, asking random questions about the ship that he answered in monosyllables.
“You rely on robots instead of a crew?”
“Yes.”
“Aren’t you worried about an uprising?”
“These are dumb models. Programmed for a single task. Too simple for any upgrades.”
“If you say so.” Suspicion filled her gaze as she glanced over her shoulder at the unit they passed.
They entered an elevator, and he said, “Three.”
As it began to move, she asked, “How many levels?”
“A couple.” Although one contained more machinery than anything else.
“Is this vessel for pleasure or work?”
“Both.”
As the elevator stopped and the doors slid open, Ray ignored Nema as he exited.
She threw her next question at his back. “Are you armed?”
“Me or the ship?” This time he cast a grin over at her. “Not that the answer matters. We both are. Why? Are you wondering how many of your friends might get killed if the ambush fails?” He paused by a door and arched a brow.
“More practicality. The ship I left home in was taken by pirates. I didn’t have enough firepower to defend myself.”
The reply snapped his jaw shut. “I’m sorry.”
“For what? Me being naïve?” She offered a tight smile.
“The universes are a rough place.”
“So I’ve realized. Yet you and your friend have survived.”
“Not everyone we know has.” A grim reminder that danger didn’t care how many upgrades you had, or how young you still were.
“If the universe is such a bad place, why leave home? Or is your world the same?” she asked.
“For the most part, the Siyborgh obey the laws. With the most important one being harm not thy neighbor. Especially for a cog. We’ve tried to create a neutral place for those who decide they’re tired of hunting.”
“Hunting for more gears?”
“Always. Why all the questions?” he asked, palming a door, which opened.
“Curious. There isn’t much known about your kind other than you collect metal parts.”
“Maybe because it’s no one’s business.” He changed the subject. “This is the common area. It’s got all kinds of stuff to entertain. Gaming systems. Exercise.”
“And a view,” she exclaimed, entering and immediately craning to glance around the large space.
At the tail end of the ship, their rec room possessed a large set of windows that gave a panoramic view of space around them. Right now, it looked onto streaking lines of light and color as they moved rapidly through the galaxy.
“That’s incredible,” she breathed, approaching it.
“But stupid,” he replied.
She immediately understood. “One shot and…” She didn’t need to finish the sentence.
“Yeah, not exactly the safest design, but Zak insisted on it. He hates feeling like he’s closed in. At least he was smart enough to ensure the room is equipped with safety features, including tethers and breathing masks that drop the moment there’s a breach. In battle, this room is automatically sealed from the rest of the ship.”
“A disposable atrium. An impressive waste of resources.”
“In that we are agreed. If you require a place to visit outside your chamber, then you may use this area. And this area only,” he repeated sternly.
She showed not an ounce of fear. “Not welcome anywhere else?”
“More like you have no business in any other part of the ship.”
“Does that go for Zak’s room?” Spoken with a coyness that didn’t match the expression in her eyes.
His lips flattened. “Don’t be messing with him.”
“Why not? You’re the one who indicated he might be interested. And long trips can be boring when spent alone.” She tilted her head and winked.
“Stay away from Zak.”
“He’s a grown man. I’m sure he doesn’t need you protecting him. Or is this more a case of you being jealous?”
He snorted. “Jealous of what?”
“That I find him attractive. Would it help if I said you’re attractive, too?”
“Not interested.” Which was an utter lie. There was something about Nema, her grace, her courage, the fullness of her mouth, that drew him.
“Are you sure about that? Could it be you’re warning me away from Zak because you actually want me for yourself?”
“Is that your plan? To play us off each other? You wouldn’t be the first to try, but fair warning, it won’t work.” He and Zak had early on made a pact to never let a woman get between them.
“You are determined to attribute nefarious intent to all of my actions.”
“Because I don’t trust you. You’re hiding something from us.”
“Like?”
“Why did you really leave home?”
“To save my world.”
“And right there, you’re lying. You don’t know the first thing about being out on your own. If your mission was as serious as you claim, they’d have chosen someone with more experience.”
“A male, perhaps?” She arched a brow.
“I said experience. Gender has nothing to do with it.”
“I know what to look for.”
“What are you looking for?”
She tilted her head. “Something.”
“And there you go proving my point. You’re hiding stuff from us.”
“A woman should have secrets.”
He grunted rather than reply. She played him. Played them both. For the moment, they needed her. But if she stepped out of line, he’d what? Kill her? Doubtful. Kiss her…The idea aroused and annoyed.
He exited the atrium, and she followed at his heels. He could almost feel her gaze boring into his back as he threaded a path to her quarters, also on this level but an intersection away.
He paused by the open door. “And thus ends our tour.”
“The most amazing tour ever.” Said with a deadpan expression.
He almost smiled. “Don’t let me find you wandering any other levels.”
“Or what? Will you punish me?” She said the words as she stepped closer to him, almost toe to toe, her chin angling to keep his gaze.
“If you’re expecting me to say I’ll spank you, then you’re thinking of Zak. I’ll just toss you from the nearest airlock.” She stood much too close, and he held himself still, noticing her smaller stature and once more falling prey to her scent.
“A male of firm resolve. I like it.” She stepped back into her room and paused.
He waited, too.
“Not leaving yet?” she asked over her shoulder. “Waiting for an invitation to come inside?”
“More like making sure you don’t wander.”
“If you’re that interested in watching me, why not come in?” She swept a hand. “I’m sure we can find something to do together.” She purred the words, and his gaze shot to the bed.
Then his mind filled in the blank by placing her nude on the bed. He almost stepped over the threshold.
Could almost see the triumph in her gaze despite the seductive curve of her lips.
“No thanks.”
“Spoilsport,” she whispered as she stepped away from the door a
nd it slid shut, hiding her from his sight. Yet his mind, it still had a pretty painted picture.
Danger, Ray Rawbinsan. Everything about her screamed trouble. He just couldn’t have said why.
Over the next few full turns of the cog, that feeling only got stronger even though she did nothing overt except flirt when she did run into him—in the hall claiming she was going for a walk in the holographic garden she liked to load in the atrium. Or approaching him when he went to stare out the windows, having lied when he said Zak wanted these for fun.
The atrium was built for Ray, who sometimes felt claustrophobic and was calmed by seeing the vastness of space.
Nema kept to herself for the most part, spending much of her time in the atrium, reading from what he could tell. The Siyborghs’ history, including their bible.
Cog damn it, why was she perusing it?
Her diving into that tome brought a whole slew of new questions that he had the misfortune of handling.
She entered the bridge waving the holo tablet. “Does anyone ever say no to taking a cog at their twentieth birthday?”
“You’re not supposed to be here,” was his answer as he locked down the controls for the ship and turned to eye her.
“I have questions.”
“Ask Zak.”
“He’s sleeping.”
“And it couldn’t wait until he woke?”
“No.”
He sighed even as the adrenaline her presence called kicked in. “Go away. I’m busy. You know the rules.”
“I’m bored of your rules. I want someone to talk to.”
“The computer can answer most questions.”
She glared. “I don’t want to talk to an artificial intelligence.”
“I can guarantee it will be nicer than me.” He offered a vulpine grin that scared his enemies. Dropped pants. To no avail.
“I want a real answer. From someone who’ll say it as it is. Do all Siyborghs take metal?”
“Yes.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“I guess it’s possible there are some who’ve said no, but I’ve never met one. Everyone wants to be upgraded.” He didn’t mention the very rare few who later on decided they’d rather be gear free. Anomalies.
“Everyone gets them and all because of some book written by an explorer who found alien tech and accidentally discovered it likes to feed on your flesh.”