Page 5 of The Cyborg Way (Cyborgs on Mars #9)

CHAPTER FIVE

T he sun was still below the horizon as Levi rode back towards Ellie’s homestead the next day.

After he’d left her the previous day, he’d gone straight to Sam’s home.

Former Major Sam Wilson, nicknamed the Judge, had operated as de facto law enforcement for the territory until he limited his duties in order to spend more time with his human wife.

Not only did Sam have an indisputable reputation for integrity, Levi had served under him back on Earth and knew that he would understand Levi’s concerns.

He found Sam in the vehicle shed outside his habitat, working on one of the big six-wheeled rovers used for transportation across the rough surface, but he looked up and nodded as Levi dismounted.

As soon as he released Blaze, the horse wandered over to join Blackie, Sam’s horse, and the two animals touched noses.

He shook his head ruefully, remembering Ellie’s insistence that the cybernetic horse was alive.

The two horses remained at the edge of the plateau where the habitat was located.

Because Sam’s wife was a scientist, he didn’t need land for homesteading and instead had chosen this elevated position looking out over the valley floor.

After Levi’s years in the military, he understood the desire for a defensive position, even though the only predators on Mars were human.

He appreciated the fact that Ellie had also chosen a slightly elevated position for her habitat, although he didn’t believe her intentions had been for defense.

He thought that Ellie would appreciate other aspects of the well-established residence.

In addition to the central living dome, there were workspaces for both Addie and Sam.

They had even added separate bedrooms for themselves and their daughter.

A daughter. Had Ellie considered having a child one day?

The thought of her lush body swollen with child—with his child—sent most of the blood in his body rushing to his cock, despite the efforts of his nanites to control it.

I’m too old for such things , he told himself as firmly as possible, and went to join Sam. After one penetrating look at his face, the other male returned to his task.

“What can I do for you, L-485?”

“I need to ask your advice.”

Uncertain of how to begin, he paced to the end of the shed and back. He didn’t want to betray Ellie’s trust, but what if the tiny creature was dangerous? Or what if there was more at stake than just an unexpected visitor?

“There have never been any signs of life on Mars, have there?” he asked at last.

“We have never discovered any,” Sam said slowly, but there was something in his voice which made Levi frown at him.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“My wife believes it is possible that there was a civilization here, even a quite advanced civilization, that did not leave any traces of its existence.”

“How would that be possible?”

“Her theory is that they only manipulated natural materials and those eventually returned to their original components—like pottery crumbling back into dust.”

“But it’s just a theory?”

“Yes.”

Again there was an odd note in Sam’s voice, but he didn’t elaborate. Even if there had been life on Mars in the very distant past, he couldn’t see how it would relate to Henry. He turned to the more likely possibility.

“Do you think GenCon is attempting to create a species capable of surviving on Mars?”

Sam frowned.

“Creating? Are you referring to the fact that they’ve been making genetic alterations to the chickens and goats to improve their chances of survival here?”

“Not exactly.” He paced again. “Those are both native Earth animals with a practical use. I meant something more… unusual.”

“L-485?—”

“Levi,” he interrupted, remembering how pleasant it had been to hear his name after all these years.

“Levi. I have the distinct impression that you have a very specific question but you don’t want to ask me directly.” A flash of humor crossed the stern face. “I should let my wife drag it out of you.”

He sighed and hunched down next to Sam.

“This may involve GenCon,” he warned.

“I have no allegiance to them—and even less trust.”

“There is a… settler in my territory who discovered a small lizard living in her lichen. It almost seems to be native to the planet, but everything I know leads me to believe that’s impossible. And the only alternative…”

“Is a GenCon experiment.” Sam nodded, then shot him another quick look. “A female settler, by any chance?”

“Yes,” he said evenly, glad that his nanites would not permit him to show embarrassment.

“Then I suppose she is already protective of this small creature.”

Levi couldn’t hide his surprise, and Sam gave him a wry smile. “I have a wife and a daughter—I am quite familiar with their protective instincts towards anything they perceive as helpless.”

“But what if it’s not helpless? What if it could endanger her in some way despite its size?”

Sam rocked back on his heels, nodding thoughtfully.

“A lizard you say?”

“Yes, with wings.”

That odd expression crossed the other male’s face again.

“My wife believes that the lighter gravity on Mars may have encouraged winged… creatures.”

Levi waited, but Sam didn’t add anything else.

“Do you think I should report it to GenCon?” he asked tentatively, relieved when Sam immediately shook his head.

He did not want to disappoint Ellie, but more than that, when she had mentioned the possibility of the corporate scientists experimenting on Henry, he’d felt a pang of sympathy.

Even though he had chosen to become a cyborg, he still remembered the horrifying feeling of being restrained on the lab table as the doctors began the transformation.

His volunteer status made no difference—once they began their work, he was no longer human to them, just another experiment.

How much worse would it be for a small, defenseless animal?

“But what if he turns out to be dangerous in some way? I wouldn’t want to take any chances with Ellie’s safety.”

Once again Sam gave him a penetrating look, but didn’t ask any questions. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully.

“My wife has several scanners in her equipment. You could use one of them to examine him—it might also help to determine his origin. If you would permit it, I’m sure she would also be interested in seeing the results.”

“I have no objection to her seeing them, but would she be required to share the results with GenCon?”

Sam grinned and shook his head.

“They have a mutual understanding. Since she is more valuable to them than they are to her, she has a wide degree of freedom.”

“Good. In that case, it would be helpful—and I’d like to have some answers as well.”

Sam had given him the scanner and sent him on his way.

Even though he’d been tempted to return to Ellie immediately, night was falling and most of the settlers kept early hours.

She might already be in that cozy nest of a bed.

His cock jerked at the image. What would it be like to join her there, to kiss her again and hold her body against his?

He was still torn about the kiss. He wanted to believe that her response had been genuine. It had certainly felt real at the time—but why would a young, beautiful human be interested in him?

Maybe she’s just lonely. Although she certainly didn’t have to be.

As he’d warned her on many occasions, the small number of women on Mars were highly valued.

He’d made it quite clear to the men in his territory that she was under his protection and that she would have to initiate any relationship.

So far, she’d made no attempt to find companionship amongst the other settlers.

Perhaps she doesn’t want a permanent companion.

If that were true and she’d assumed any…

involvement between them would be temporary, was he prepared to accept it?

He’d never had any inclination for short term relationships.

Even back on Earth when so many soldiers indulged in casual liaisons, they had never appealed to him.

He sighed. This was all useless speculation, especially since he was still not convinced that she was attracted to him.

Although when he’d thought about their kiss as he rode away, he was sure he had detected the sweet scent of her arousal.

Enthusiasm might be faked, but her body’s reaction could not be.

Perhaps they could… discuss the matter further when he returned.

But not tonight. He realized that while he’d been debating the matter, Blaze had already started heading towards Ellie’s claim.

He shook his head and guided the horse back towards ranger headquarters instead.

Due to his cybernetic enhancements he didn’t really need to sleep, but most of the cyborgs continued to observe some type of rest state during the night hours.

However, he simply tossed restlessly on his bunk before getting up as soon as the sky lightened, frustrated and aroused.

Despite the early hour, the lights were already on in her habitat when he arrived. At least I won’t be disturbing her in her bed.

Instead, it was worse—or better, depending on how he wanted to look at it.

When he knocked on the inner door of the airlock, she opened it dressed in a heavy silk brocade robe in a shade of blue that brought out the color of her eyes.

The light brown hair that was usually confined in a tight braid was piled loosely on top of her head, damp tendrils curling around her fragile neck, and her skin flushed and glowing.

All of the efforts he’d made on the ride here to control his erection were in vain.

He was once again achingly hard and ready.

“I’m glad you’re back,” she said breathlessly. “What did you decide?”

He forced his attention away from the open neck of her robe and sighed.

“I have decided that reporting Henry to GenCon may not be the best solution.”

“Thank you so much.” She stepped closer, putting her hands on his arm as she smiled up at him. “I really appreciate that.”

Does she appreciate it enough to kiss me again? He pushed the errant thought aside.

“But I do have one condition,” he added, and held out the scanner. “I want to scan him and confirm that he’s not dangerous.”

“Of course he’s not dangerous,” she said indignantly, her pretty face turning pink.

“Then you have nothing to worry about. This will only confirm that.”

“It’s not going to hurt him, is it?”

“No, it’s just like the scan you had during your medical exam for the voyage.”

To his surprise she bit her lip, an uncertain look on her face, and his heart raced, despite the attempts of his nanites to calm it.

“What is it, Ellie? Was there something wrong with your scan?”