Page 2 of A Mate For Matrix
Matrix wasn’t the only one to emit a soft curse. Their starships were among the most advanced. If the pods were designed with the same capabilities, it could only mean one thing… they had been manufactured at the same space facility. This would have very serious repercussions.
“We discovered that two of the scientists from the lab previously worked at the Zion Command Laboratory and Research Center. Investigators have been dispatched to ZCLR to look for additional evidence of espionage. This is the least of our concerns for the moment, however. Our primary mission is to eliminate the creatures that were created,” he continued.
“What are they?” one team member asked.
Matrix’s gaze locked on his mother’s face as she stepped forward when the CSO turned to her. She still looked unusually pale. A worried frown creased his brow.
“Their designers called them Crawlers,” Sennara Roma began. "Their genetic origin is unknown. What we do know is that these creatures are not natural, they were created in the lab. A group of scientists, led by Elaine Brim, used the remote location and the Triterian government’s funding to enable their own covert experimentation.”
“I’ve heard that name before,” one man muttered under his breath.
“She was a member of the Zion Science Council until she was removed because some of her experiments violated ethical guidelines,” Sennara replied in a soft voice.
“She was the one who started the Cyborg Protection Unit, long before it was called that,” one female member stated. “It was her research that led to the enhancement of the animals in our program.”
“Which is yet another reason this needs to remain classified,” Terrex interrupted. “Please continue.”
The CSO stepped forward again and touched a portable projection device to the side of the metal container. Matrix watched the vidcom of the Triterian attacks and the freighter crew’s death. The creatures were huge. Each had a dozen limbs and six eyes. Matrix grimaced when he saw one creature spew what appeared to be acid on a crew member. The flesh of the male melted away.
“The crew was killed in a variety of ways. The creatures can travel underground if given the chance. They used the maintenance shafts on the freighter to access the different levels. This will make it difficult for you to follow them. As you saw, a Crawler can eject an acidic substance that is deadly. Fortunately, it needs time to regenerate that substance. A hard, outer shell protects most of its body. The limbs are vulnerable, but if they are removed, they will regrow if given enough time to do so. It detects movement through a sensor in its frontal lobe, and it is programmed to detect and destroy a distress signal,” the CSO continued.
“They are very intelligent,” Sennara stated, stepping forward when the CSO turned to her again. “The creatures killed six Triterian military units before the order was given by their government to cleanse the asteroid and freighter. The creatures are programmed to observe, learn, and adapt.”
“I’m sure you’re getting an idea of how hard it is to kill these creatures. The Triterians are not part of the council, but this is a threat to us all, and the Confederation council has requested the help of the Zion military. The Cyborg Protection Unit will assist because these things have programming similar to your cyborg partners. From what Brim told us, the six Crawlers on board the freighter were mature females, ready to reproduce.” Sennara drew in a deep breath before she continued. “It could mean the deaths of millions if you don’t eliminate them before that happens. There’s a very good possibility that many of you may not survive the encounter. I’ve had my team working on some new equipment which, hopefully, will give you a slight advantage.”
Matrix listened carefully as the CSO, his mother, and his father concluded the briefing. There were very few questions; the briefing had been clear and concise.
“Matrix.”
He turned, hearing his mother’s soft voice as she broke away from the group. She quickly caught up with him. His father was talking with the CSO.
“Yes,” he responded, softening his tone when he saw the fear in her eyes.
“Please, be careful,” she whispered. “I wish….”
Matrix lifted his hand and brushed back a stray strand of hair from her cheek. His thumb caressed the faint wrinkles next to her eye. She leaned her face against his palm.
“I know what to do,” he promised. “Besides, I have a Despairing Wolfhound as my partner. Nothing gets by him.”
“No, not a thing,” K-Nine agreed.
“I know,” Sennara replied, clearing her throat and stepping back. “But, as your mother, I ask that you be careful and return.”
“I will,” Matrix promised, locking eyes with his mother, then glancing over his mother’s head to nod at his father who had noticed Sennara’s distress.
“I’ll even find him a life mate and bring her back,” K-Nine promised. “And a pack for me,” he added.
Matrix scowled when he heard his mother’s chuckle. “I already told you to forget it! I don’t need a life mate,” he growled. “And where would we put a pack for you? We barely have enough room for the two of us on the transport!”
“I’ll find myself a small one,” K-Nine retorted. “The starship is larger than the transport. They can always sleep in either ship when we’re not on a mission.”
Sennara watched as her only child walked away. She didn’t hide the grin curving her lips. Elaine Brim had done many horrific things, but the Cyborg program had not been one of them.
The Cyborg program did bring about the friendship between Matrix and the unusual Despairing Wolfhound, but it was the program’s state-of-the-art technology that Sennara was thankful for. It had saved Matrix’s life after he was severely wounded during a mission. Elaine Brim might be a criminal, but Sennara owed the woman a debt that only a parent could understand.
“How are you doing?” Terrex asked, coming to a stop beside her.
Sennara glanced up and smiled. “Better,” she promised with a sigh. “K-Nine said he is going to find Matrix a life mate.”
