Page 64 of Made For The Alien Warrior

“Can anyone’s health betooperfect?”

“It is when I saw the glitch before my very eyes.” Rune squinted at Adhi and Sim-pony.

Tiegan’s eyes widened as Rune’s point dawned on him. “Her arm caused a spark and yet it read perfectly in your scans…”

“That level of shock should have damaged the tech. Perhaps Sim-pony would not register the pain, which is understandable but, at the very least, the nano-tech should have been damaged. Instead, her readings were perfect. Almost as if the nano-tech was repaired to the point that the fusing process was sped up.” Rune rubbed his chin, his fingers scrubbing against his short beard. “I do not understand it, Tiegan. I truly do not.”

“Is she in any immediate danger?” Tiegan asked, noting Sim-pony’s pretty smile and the eyes that darted over to him. She crinkled her nose in abrood-ish manner, full of innocence and pure delight.

“Neh. Not as far as I can see from the scans. She is… in perfect health.”

“Then I will continue with my plan.”

Rune stopped him with a hand flat against his chest. “Are you certain? To better understand, I will need to study her. It may be best to leave her in the lab.”

“Aren’t you studying Adhi? And the other female too?”

“The Healer has the other female in the sacred damas to replenish her strength.”

“She has not yet woken?”

“Neh.”

“Then it seems you have more pressing matters to attend to. Wandering why Sim-pony is healing faster than your projections have estimated is not pressing. I will take her with me.”

“Very well.” Rune sighed.

“Sim-pony.”

The beautiful female whirled around, an eyebrow arched in inquiry.

“Shall we be off?”

Adhi squealed. “Go kill it!”

“I will.”

“There will be no killing.” Tiegan scowled. “My zapten has done nothing to deserve murder.”

“It’s a human expression, Tiegan. Relax.” Sim-pony sauntered toward him, her hips swaying lightly.

As Tiegan watched her, he found himself unable to look away. Rune might be troubled by Sim-pony’s fast recovery, but he was only grateful for it. She was strong and would adapt well to life on this planet.

“Ready?” She smiled brightly.

He put his hand on the small of her back and escorted her out of the cavern.

Once they had stepped into the light, he tapped on his comms and summoned Sida. His zapten stomped closer, shaking the ground as it neared them. Its spikes glinted in the light of the sun and it made a mechanical grunt of welcome.

“I know I’ve seen him in action before, but it’s still amazing.” Sim-pony covered her forehead with a dark palm and craned her neck to look up at the zapten. “Hey, there.”

Sida dipped its head so Sim-pony could pet it. His future mate did so fondly, running her soft fingers against the zapten’s head.

“Does he have a name?”

“Sida.”

“Sida?” She tested the name on her tongue and then brightened. “It’s a girl?”