Page 17 of Cyborgs' Origins

She drew a shuddering breath, her mind whirling as she sought to put her tumultuous emotions into words. “I fear...” She paused, her gaze locking onto his. “I fear what this will cost you.”

Tiberius’s brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his features. “Cost me? Simone, you’ve given me a gift beyond measure. A chance to not only survive but to become something more, something greater than I ever imagined, and to continue to be with you instead of dying.”

Simone shook her head, her heart aching at his words. “But at what price, Tiberius? You’ve sacrificed a part of your humanity, your very essence, to become this fusion of flesh and machine.”

Her voice wavered, and she was gripping his hand, her fingers entwining with his as if seeking an anchor in the storm of her doubts. “I made that choice for you, without your consent. I violated the sanctity of your body, blurred the lines between human and machine, all in the name of saving your life and not having to live without you.”

Tiberius regarded her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a gentleness that belied his newfound strength, he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a light kiss to her knuckles. “You did what you had to do, Simone,” he said, hisvoice rich with emotion. “You saved me, not just from death, but from the oblivion that awaited beyond, and in doing so, you’ve given me a gift more precious than you can imagine.”

Simone’s breath caught in her throat as he drew her closer, his arms enfolding her in a tender embrace. She could feel the thrum of the fusion reactor against her cheek, a steady pulse that spoke of life.

“This is not a sacrifice, but a transformation. A chance to become something greater, something more than the sum of our parts.” He drew back slightly, his gaze boring into hers with an intensity that stole her breath away. “Do you not see, Simone? You’ve given me the opportunity to truly protect this colony, to safeguard the future we’re building here. With these enhancements, I’m more than just a soldier or a mercenary. I’m a guardian.”

Simone’s doubts wavered, her fears ebbing in the face of his confidence and conviction. She searched his eyes, seeking any hint of regret or uncertainty but found only certainty. “You’re not... afraid?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Of what you’ve become, of the changes you’ve undergone?”

Tiberius chuckled. “Afraid?” he echoed, his lips curving into a wry smile. “Simone, my love, I’m excited, not afraid. I get to be with you, and I can protect everything we have here, because Vorn will return.” His expression darkened for a moment with those words.

Then he cupped her face, his touch achingly gentle yet infused with a newfound precision that spoke of his enhanced abilities. “I’m not afraid, Simone. I’m in awe of my new abilities and your ability to make this possible.”

Her doubts and fears dissipated like mist. She leaned into his touch, reveling in the solidity of his embrace, and the reassuring thrum of the fusion reactor that now beat in tandem with her own heart.

“I’m so relieved. I thought I might save you only to lose you because you couldn’t forgive me,” she whispered.

“There’s nothing to forgive.” He kissed her deeply, making the monitor tracking his heartrate beep.

That made her laugh, and she held him for a long moment, enjoying his presence and happy he was still with her. Most importantly, he still loved her. He hadn’t said those words yet, and neither had she, but she was certain that’s what this overwhelming emotion was that burned between them.

Chapter 7—Tiberius

THE FIRST RAYS OF DAWNfiltered through the reinforced windows of the medbay. Tiberius stirred, his newly enhanced senses attuned to the subtlest changes in his environment. He took a deep breath, his synthetic right lung processing the recycled air with remarkable efficiency. He could feel a difference in performance between the right and left, which was his original human-issue.

Beside him, Simone slept fitfully in a chair, her head resting on the edge of his bed. He’d tried to coax her to lie down with him, but she’d insisted he needed to be monitored and not overly stimulated for a while. Tiberius studied her features, etched with concern even in slumber. She had refused to leave his side throughout the arduous procedure and since he woke up afterward.

Flexing his fingers, he marveled at the fluidity of the cybernetic enhancements fused with his flesh. The biocircuit interface thrummed with energy, its neural pathways seamlessly integrated into his nervous system. The power coursed through his body, a constant hum just beneath his consciousness that was soothing rather than irritating.

Simone shifted, her eyes fluttering open. “Tiberius?” She straightened, blinking away the remnants of sleep. “How are you feeling?”

“Incredible.” His voice resonated with a subtle vibration, a byproduct of the enhancements. “Just like last night. I’m ready to get up.”

Relief washed over her features as she reached for his hand, her fingers tracing the intricate circuitry patterns etched into his skin. “We have so much to explore. Your potential is limitless now.”

Tiberius nodded, his mind already processing the myriad possibilities. Yet a part of him felt unmoored and adrift in this new reality. He had been a soldier, a protector—but what was he now? He realized he’d asked that aloud when she answered him.

Simone leaned closer. “I know this is a profound change, but you’re still you, Tiberius. Your core...your heart...you...remains unaltered.”

He held her gaze. “I know that, but I’m still worried. I guess I will be until I test all my limits.”

She smiled, taking his hand. “If you feel up to it, we can start testing now.”

OVER THE NEXT WEEK, Tiberius immersed himself in the process of understanding his new capabilities. Each day brought fresh discoveries and challenges, but Simone’s presence helped ground him.

In the training room, he learned to harness his enhanced strength and speed. Simone monitored the readouts, adjusting the parameters to push his limits. “Concentrate on the neural pathways. Feel the energy flow and let it guide your movements.”

Tiberius closed his eyes, his mind syncing with the biocircuit interface. He could sense every circuit pulsing with power. With a deep exhalation, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, his fists and feet a blur of motion. The training drones struggled to keep up, their defensive algorithms overwhelmed by his newfound agility.

Simone’s delighted laughter rang out. “Incredible. You’re adapting faster than I anticipated.”

Tiberius shared her enthusiasm, a rare grin spreading across his features. The experience and how invincible he felt were amazing.

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