The Outlaw Cyborg (Cyborgs on Mars Book 5)

by Honey Phillips

  “What are you going to do now?” J-100 watched her as she returned to her desk. “You told your friends to let Earth Government know about this incident.”

  “They’re not my friends,” she responded instinctively, and sighed again. “They came to assist because they appreciated my discretion.”

  He raised an eyebrow but didn’t question her, striding over to the window instead. “Everything outside appears to be quiet as well. Do you intend to remain here?”

  “I suppose.” Although she had little hope that her employers would be understanding, an Earth Government investigation could distract them and allow her to remain in her position. A position she held for one reason and one reason only—a reason that seemed increasingly out of reach.

  It wasn’t just the possible repercussions from the mutiny and the involvement of the cyborg rangers. GenCon had focused their efforts to reproduce the cyborg technology on the hybrids, but so far, those efforts did not seem to be paying off. Would anyone willingly undergo the transformation from a person to whatever the hybrids became? Was it affecting them mentally as well as physically, she wondered, or were all the subjects desperate enough to agree already unbalanced?

  “Is GenCon sending more hybrids?” J-100 had turned away from the window and was studying her. She recognized the appreciative look in his eyes, and although she had learned to take advantage of it when men looked at her like that, she found she had no desire to manipulate him.

  “The next ship isn’t scheduled to leave the earth for another month,” she said honestly. “That is, of course, if they have told me the truth. Open communication is not a GenCon priority. That being said, there was something in this set of data…”

  Something was still nagging at her about the information she had reviewed while preparing the list of locations for Wyatt. She turned back to her computer and brought up the records for the past six months, scrolling rapidly as she searched. Despite her concentration, she was aware that J-100 had moved to stand behind her. He wasn’t touching her, but she could feel the heat emanating from his big body as she forced herself to concentrate on the screen.

  “Here.” She tapped the record and pulled up the data. “There’s a ninth location. I overlooked it earlier because none of the hybrids were assigned there, but there’s been an unusual amount of supplies allocated to it. Lab supplies. And here, this reference to cultivation. I thought at the time that there was something odd but was told not to worry about it.”

  “Cultivation,” he repeated thoughtfully. “And you said lab supplies. What do you think they’re cultivating in that lab?”

  “Somehow I doubt it’s agricultural. And while there is another lab that’s working on ways to use the existing nanite technology to enhance human abilities, those records are all clearly identified. Which makes me suspect that this project is more illicit.”

  “Do you think they’re trying to create more of these abominations?” he asked bluntly.

  “I don’t know. It could be that they are simply pursuing another line of inquiry. The goal is to enable humans to live on Mars as easily as the cyborgs, but without becoming cyborgs themselves.”

  “Because of the laws surrounding the rights of cyborgs.” It wasn’t a question, and she shot him a surprised look. He grinned at her, and once again the expression turned his face from harsh to surprisingly attractive. “Don’t look so surprised. I know quite a lot about cyborgs and politics.”

  “Why aren’t you a ranger?”

  He shrugged. “Not much of a joiner.”

  “But you were in the military?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He smiled at her again, but somehow she didn’t think he was telling her the complete truth. On the other hand, she had no intention of revealing all her secrets to him either. Which brought her attention back to the records.

  The official lab had been making some progress, but it was painfully slow. She suspected that it would be several more years before the technology advanced to the point where it would be useful to her. But a secret lab, one less constrained by official protocols… Was it possible that they had advanced further along the path? Her heart skipped a beat.

  Shouts erupted outside the window, and the two of them hurried over to see two of the cyborg rangers marching a hybrid towards the building.

  “It appears the rangers have things under control again,” she said slowly. “And it looks as if they’re going to take advantage of our holding cells. Perhaps I should inform the corporate office they have assumed control of the building.”

  J-100’s eyes sharpened. She suspected he knew as well as she did that the rangers were unlikely to try and displace her. “And if they are in control, you would be unable to stay here. Are you considering a trip?”

  “Yes. I want to know what is going on at that lab. Will you come with me?” The question emerged before she had a chance to second-guess her request. She told herself it only made sense—she needed someone to accompany her. Her other bodyguard, Jose, was loyal to her, but he was still a GenCon employee. Yet despite her logic, she suspected that wasn’t the only reason she had asked.

  “Of course.” He didn’t hesitate, bending closer to study the information about the lab.

  She sternly suppressed a flicker of excitement at the thought of spending more time with…

  “What’s your name? Your real name?”

  She immediately regretted asking. Why did she care about his real name? He was just going to act as her bodyguard.

  “John. John Wales.”

  A plain, strong name—it suited him.

  “Very well, John. I think we should leave before the rangers make it this far.” She bent over the computer and sent a quick coded message informing the corporate office that the rangers had assumed control of GenCon headquarters. She turned to find him surveying her thoughtfully.

  “Do you have any other clothes?”

  The question made her cringe internally. Her days dressing to suit a man were far behind her. She gave him an icy stare. “These clothes are perfectly suitable.”

  “Suitable for an executive office. I’m not sure that they’re good for a trek across the desert.”

  She could feel the heat on her cheeks but she kept her voice composed. “They will be fine inside a rover.”

  “Is that how you want to travel? They’re easy to track.”

  “I don’t have the ability to breathe on the surface,” she snapped. Or any of the other cyborg abilities.

  “If you are willing to use a breathing mask, I have an alternate suggestion. I… acquired one of the robot horses, and we could use that. It wouldn’t be as comfortable as a rover, but it would be much faster and considerably more discreet.”

  Travel on one of the horses? With him? She imagined being pressed against that big warm body and to her shock, she felt her nipples tighten. Ruthlessly suppressing the image, she considered his proposition logically. It did make sense.

  “Very well,” she repeated.

  “Then you’ll be more comfortable in other clothing,” he said firmly.

  “A man wanting me to put on more clothes. That’s a first,” she muttered as she went to her closet. She kept several changes of clothing in the office for late nights and unexpected events.

  “It wouldn’t be my first choice,” he said calmly, and instead of withering him with one of her icy stares, she felt herself flush again. She had forgotten how well the cyborgs could hear.

  Ignoring his comment, she rapidly sorted through her small collection of clothing. After a quick trip to her private restroom to change, she returned to the office.

  Fighting an unexpected feeling of shyness, she forced herself to give him a brisk nod. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Eight

  J-100 did his best to hide his reaction when Serena emerged in her practical outfit. She had been enticing enough in the tailored navy suit she was wearing before, but he liked the simple coverall even more. Even though the garment covered he
r completely, it didn’t conceal the slender length of her body and her slight, feminine curves. Her silvery blonde hair was slightly ruffled, and pink tinted her high cheekbones. She looked like an approachable woman.

  My woman.

  The thought emerged before he could prevent it. But it was useless to deny how he felt. Ever since the first time he’d seen her, he had known she was special. And now that he had actually met her, he knew she was his to protect.

  But if he was going to protect her, the first thing he needed to do was to make sure that they were equipped for the trip she wished to make. Even on horseback, it would take several days.

  “Do you have any traveling supplies?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I’ve rarely left the city and never for more than a short journey in a rover.”

  “Perhaps it would be better to take a rover after all.”

  “I would prefer not to be tracked.” Her fingers flexed. “Do you think we could get to the supply depot without being seen?”

  “I think so.”

  “Then we will requisition some supplies there,” she said briskly and headed for the door to her office.

  He gently reached out and stopped her, shaking his head. “Let me go first.” He saw her bristle at his authoritative tone, but while he might be willing to let her set the direction in most things, he would not take any chances with her safety. “I’ll make sure the path is clear.”

  After a slight but noticeable hesitation, she inclined her head as regally as any queen. “Very well.”

  He led the way out through her reception area and paused again. He could hear voices from the lower level rising up through the open atrium at the center of the building but this floor appeared to be deserted. Together they moved silently across the open area and into the maze of corridors to one side.

  “The back stairs are this way,” she murmured.

  They made their way to a concealed back entrance on the ground floor without encountering anyone else, although twice he brought them to a halt as he waited for a passageway to clear. Despite her initial reaction, she followed him without argument, and he was surprised to find how quickly and quietly she could move.

  “You’re good at being stealthy,” he murmured as he cautiously opened the outer door and checked their surroundings.

  “I developed a lot of survival skills over the years.” Her voice was matter-of-fact, but he suspected the story behind it was not.

  “Good. It makes me feel a lot safer to know that I’m in such talented hands,” he said with a grin, and she actually smiled back, a genuine smile that made her entire face light up. The sight took his breath away, and he had to force his attention back to his task.

  “All right, now.”

  They headed for the canyon wall that formed one of the boundaries of New Arcadia and hurried along next to it. The majority of establishments populating the town faced the main street, and this area was deserted. They reached the supply depot without being seen.

  The depot appeared to be deserted as well, and he began a rapid search for suitable equipment. Serena kept close to his side but once again she allowed him to take the lead. Fortunately, everything was neatly labeled and he found the row of travel supplies easily enough. He had just pulled down a small portable habitat when he heard the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked.

  “You just put that back where you found it and keep your hands in the air. Step away from him, missy. I’m not going to let him hurt you.”

  J-100 whirled in the direction of the voice, placing himself between Serena and the weapon. A weapon held by a withered old man with a heavily bruised face but one who held the gun with utter certainty.

  “This might not kill you, but it will sure as hell slow you down. You let her go now.”

  Before he could stop her, Serena peeked her head around his arm. “It’s all right, Cyrus. I’m here of my own free will.”

  “Ms. Serena? Well, I’ll be damned.” The old man’s eyes traveled over Serena’s coveralls as she tried to step forward. J-100 immediately tugged her back against his side, and those sharp old eyes hardened. “I said let her go.”

  “Really, it’s all right.” Serena patted his hand. “I know neither one of you is going to hurt me so stop acting like two old roosters.”

  He glared at the older man, but he couldn’t deny that he only seemed interested in Serena’s wellbeing. With a grunt, he released her arm. Cyrus was not as quick to lower his weapon but when J-100 started to tense again, the older man sighed and finally let the gun drop.

  “What are the two of you doing here?”

  “You know the hybrids tried to take over the city?” she asked.

  Cyrus nodded and briefly rubbed his bruised jaw. “Yeah. But I thought the Judge and that boy were gonna take care of it.”

  “You helped them? Thank you,” she said sincerely with a soft smile at Cyrus. J-100 bit back his instinctive protest at her softness towards another man. “Fortunately, John had already arrived to save the day.”

  “Reckon so.”

  “Other cyborgs have come to help out as well and the city is now safe, but I have something I need to take care of and John has agreed to be my bodyguard.”

  Cyrus snorted. “I’ll bet he has.”

  She ignored the comment. “We’re not traveling by rover so I—we—need some camping supplies.”

  Those sharp eyes fastened on J-100, and he was quite sure that the old man knew he was a cyborg, but Cyrus didn’t comment. He only shook his head and looked at the habitat J-100 had chosen.

  “That’ll do. But you need a few more things. Follow me and I’ll get you fixed up.”

  A short time later, they were preparing to leave the supply depot, equipped with a lot more than J-100 would have thought to gather. He found himself unexpectedly grateful that the older man had appeared—he had gotten too used to living like a cyborg and had forgotten some human necessities. If Cyrus had harbored any doubts about J-100 being a cyborg, the weight of the equipment he was now carrying would undoubtedly have eliminated them. But even though Serena had offered to help, he wasn’t about to let her carry any of it.

  “There’s one more thing,” he said slowly. “One of the rangers was ambushed by a hybrid. I wasn’t in time to prevent him from killing the rangers, but I avenged him. I brought the ranger back to the city but he’s still outside. Could you… take care of him?”

  “Those bastards,” Cyrus spat. “Of course I will. Where is he?”

  “There’s a back entrance—”

  “The one the government created?” His surprise must have been obvious because the old man cackled. “I know everything that goes on in New Arcadia, boy. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s brought home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And Cyrus, if anyone should come looking for us—” Serena began.

  “Never seen you,” he said immediately. “No one else’s business.”

  “Thank you.” Before he could stop her, she leaned over and planted a kiss on Cyrus’s weathered cheek. The old man immediately turned bright red, hastily clearing his throat before scowling at J-100.

  “You take care of her, here?”

  “With my life,” he vowed.

  Cyrus’s scowl eased as he gave an abrupt nod. “Good.”

  The old man disappeared back amongst the stacks of supplies before he could respond. He turned to Serena. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes. Although I assure you I’m quite capable of carrying some of the supplies.”

  “But then I wouldn’t be able to impress you with my strength.”

  She shook her head, but she was smiling and didn’t make any additional protests.

  The trip back to the concealed tunnel proved easier than he had expected. There was an increasing amount of activity in the streets, but it seemed to be focused around the hybrids and the cyborg rangers who had come to the rescue of the town. No one paid any attention to them as they slipped along the canyon wall.
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  Serena gave an audible gasp behind her breathing mask when they merged into the shelter of the rocks and found Winston waiting for them.

  “Oh, he’s beautiful. I always wanted to ride—” she stopped abruptly.

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “The horses were designed for the rangers. I’m not sure that he will even accept me.”

  He briefly wondered the same thing. Winston was still standing at the opposite end of the small canyon gap, eyeing them both.

  “I’m sure it will be fine,” he said, reassuring himself as much as he was reassuring her. “Let me remove the body.”

  Approaching Winston, he spoke quietly. “Thank you for carrying him back. We need to leave him here, but I promise someone is coming for him.”

  Once again, those big eyes seemed to study him before Winston lowered his head. The horse stood perfectly still as J-100 carefully removed the unknown cyborg and carried him back inside the tunnel entrance.

  Serena watched him, her hands flexing.

  “Did you know him?” he asked softly.

  “I’m afraid not. As far out as he was when you found him, he’s probably one of the traveling rangers.” She sighed. “GenCon has a lot to answer for—I have a lot to answer for.”

  “Why were you working for them?” The question burst out before he could restrain it.

  The sadness left her expression, her face turning into a cool mask. “I had my reasons.”

  The distance she was trying to put between them frustrated him, but he was a patient man. He could wait until she realized that she had no reason to hide her secrets from him.

  “Come and meet Winston,” he suggested.

  A flash of the eagerness he had seen before danced across her face. He escorted her over to the horse. Winston was still standing in the same position, watching them.

  “Winston, this is Serena. We’re going to take her across the desert.” He turned back to her, glad to see that she didn’t look disgusted because he was talking to a mechanical animal. “Serena, this is Winston. He’s already proven to be both brave and resourceful, and I know he will get us where we need to go.”