Page 13 of Stalker
“Yes, his name is Stalker Knight, and he says I am his genetic mate. I know it sounds crazy….”
“No. No, it’s not. You remember, Mr. Berke discovered he had a daughter?”
“What about it?”
“She married a cyborg, her genetic mate. He’s gorgeous, and Mr. Berke says his daughter adores him. Berke really doesn’t like the Enclave cyborgs, but he tolerates this one because he treats his daughter so well.”
“Good to know. He’s right here. Would you like to meet him?”
“Of course.” Her mother smiled.
Neely stood and turned to Stalker. “Here, Stalker Knight, meet my mother, Vanessa Albert.”
“Well, Mr. Knight, aren’t you handsome.”
“Thank you, ma’am; you can call me Stalker.”
“And thank you, Stalker, for saving Neeley. She’s the only family I have. Neely, did you at least deliver the weapons?”
Stalker went back to studying his map.
“I couldn’t. They started shooting when I was approaching to land, so I left at full throttle, and two flyers chased me. The cyborgs shot them down, but Colton hit my engine before that. The weapons were all destroyed with my flyer. I haven’t told Mr. Berke yet. You are my first call. My old com-unit was destroyed in the flyer.”
“Honey, that’s not on you when White’s henchman shot down the flyer carrying the weapons,” said Vanessa. “Do you want me to tell him what happened?”
“No!” Neely was adamant. “I’ll tell him. I doubt he will send someone after me for ten rifles.”
“Then he will deal with me,” Stalker growled behind her.
“I’m sure it will be okay,” Vanessa assured her. “Mr. Berke is a reasonable man.”
Neely laughed. “If you say so.”
“At least tell me where you are.”
“Don’t,” Stalker murmured. “She is safe with me.” Stalker said the last loud enough for Vanessa to hear.
“That’s not a good idea, Mom… Just in case Mr. Berke isn’t as reasonable as you think. I knew you would be worried. I’ll call again soon.” They ended the call with ‘love-you,’ and Neely cut the feed.
She made her next call to Berke, who sounded pretty pissed that he was out a hundred thousand credits for the weapons. “Then you should have a chat with Devlin White. His cyborg enforcer Colton Price shot my flyer and made me crash. I barely got out before it exploded and destroyed the merchandise.”
“Now, why would I believe that? White was expecting the delivery.”
“You can believe her, Mr. Berke. I saw her get shot down and pulled her out before it blew up and burned. Price claimed she was not who he was looking for.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Federation Cyborg Ranger Stalker Knight. Neely is my female. I think you know what that means.”
“Yeah, you’re one of those vat boys who can’t lie.”
“Then we understand each other.”
“We’re done,” said Neely ending the transmission.
Then she looked at Stalker and frowned, unable to decide whether to chastise him for butting in or thank him.
“I’ve been taking care of myself for quite a few years now.” She looked at him pointedly.
