Page 12 of Her Alien Cyborgs
CHAPTER 5
An hour later,Hezza was ready to scream in frustration. They had a workable plan, but it wouldn’t work if Barrios would not agree to let the two cyborgs out of their cell.
“Security on my ship is my call, and I’m not allowing those two on board unless they are restrained and have an armed escort. My brig can hold them until they can be assessed and debriefed.” The commander had repeated the same line three times in as many minutes, and she wanted to smack him for it.
“That was never the plan,” Scott retorted. “Any prisoners we recovered were to be provided with housing and medical support. We even agreed on which deck would be designated for their use. There’s no reason for these changes.”
“There’s every reason. Those two are not like any cyborg we’ve ever encountered. We have no idea what they’re capable of or why they were left behind. I will do whatever is necessary to protect my crew. Either they go into cryo-pods, or they have to be restrained.” Barrios folded his arms and nodded as if this would end the argument.
“That can’t happen. If you separate them, there is every likelihood that the two cyborgs will go insane and possibly die,” Phylomenia chimed in.
The arrogant littlewapitishrugged as if this was not a concern. “Then they should go into cryo. From what I understand, that should slow the mating fever down.”
“But you don’t know for sure,” Hezza countered.
“Of course I don’t. This is another species we’re talking about. Which is why I intend to return them to Vardarian space, eventually.”
“Eventually is not good enough,” Archer said. “They should be free to go now.”
“We don’t even know if the empress will accept them. Hells, you haven’t asked whattheywant.” Guilt hit hard the moment those words left Hezza’s lips. She hadn’t asked them either. The two big cyborgs paced behind the bars of their cell, listening to the argument without comment.
Fraxx.
She turned away from the others to face the two males. “I’m sorry. We’re talking about your lives and not even including you in the conversation. Fyr’enth and Kalan, what doyouwant?”
“I want out of this cell!” Kalan snarled.
“And to get far away from this place,” Fyr’enth said. “We told you already. We are not Vardarian. This empire you mentioned has nothing to do with us. Why send us somewhere we have no desire to go?”
All three of them were agitated as they dealt with the situation and thesharhal. The longer they were in the same room, the more intense things got. At this point, she had to fight the urge to stand next to the bars just to be closer to them. Thinking was almost impossible because her head was full of erotic images of what she wanted to be doing right now and what she wished the two young males would do to her.
Barrios huffed. “This is ridiculous. I won’t be dictated to by a group of civilians and a couple ofmachines.”
She was in his personal space less than a second later, glowering down at him with one hand clenched into a fist at her side. “Cyborgs are not machines. They’re living beings.”
“That is your opinion. Some of us see things differently.”
The opportunity was too good to pass up. Was this how they’d planned it? Not by a light-year, but they hadn’t expected Barrios to be this difficult.
This might be their best chance, so she took it. “In that case, there’s no way these two are going on your ship. They will stay with me on theGambit. That way your precious ship and crew are safe from them, and they will be safe from you.”
Scott shot her a sour look but stayed silent.
Barrios turned a satisfying shade of crimson, spluttered, and had to take several deep breaths before he spoke again. “Unacceptable!”
Fyr’enth joined the conversation before anything else was said. “We agree to this proposal.”
That simple statement filled her with an unexpected sense of warmth and acceptance. This stupidsharhalthing was even worse than she’d been told. How was she supposed to function like this?
“Commander Barrios. Given your personal feelings about cyborgs, I have to agree with Hezza’s suggestion,” Garrett said. He had more wealth and influence than the rest of them put together, and Barrios knew it. He also knew he’dfraxxedup by saying what he had.
Two seconds later, he caved. “If it means keeping those two off my ship, I’ll agree to it. But!” He raised a finger. “I insist they be escorted to the civilian’s ship by six of my soldiers. And all of this is going into my report.”
“We will also be submitting a report,” Scott said. Then he looked at her. “Hezza will put together a list of supplies she’ll need. I’m happy to transfer the goods from the Bat and then request replacements from your quartermaster once we’re back on board.” His lips quirked up into a brief but dangerous smile. “After all, the cyborgs are guests of the IAF. Their care and comfort are your responsibility, Commander Barrios.”
She managed to hide her amusement and keep a straight face, but it wasn’t easy. “Of course. I’ll have that for you by the time we get to the ships. It won’t be much, just food, sundries, and a supply of raw materials for producing clothing and anything else they need.”
Barrios went a darker shade of crimson but only gave a terse nod.
