Page 33 of Her Alien Cyborgs
They hadn’t done much talking that first night, but in the morning, they’d come up with a plan over coffee, waffles, and more bacon.
She’d explained the risks and rewards for each potential destination. They’d asked her pointed questions that made her consider things she hadn’t before—like if anyone there might recognize the ship despite the fact she’d swapped transponder IDs. TheGambitnow appeared to be theArtful Dodger, a cargo vessel registered to a small corporation from a backwater part of the galaxy.
Was it legal? Hell no. But it was another layer of protection. One she should have used back at Carnax Station, but she’d been certain the IAF wouldn’t be looking too hard for her.
She wouldn’t make that mistake again. Not when the stakes were this high. Another error she’d made last time was trying to go it alone. While many of her friends and compatriots weren’t around anymore, Phylomenia’s reappearance in her life had shown her that she still had friends she could call on, as well as her daughter. She’d always taken care to keep plenty of distance between Anya and the shadier parts of her life, but thiswas different. Anya would want to help this time. The trick was finding a way to let them all know she needed them.
She knew someone on Taza Four who could make it happen, but she didn’t know if Flek was still there or if he was still in the game. They wouldn’t know until they got there, which would take days of travel.
“Ship, where are the rest of the crew right now?” If they weren’t doing anything pressing, it might be a good time to introduce them to the weapons systems. She really hoped they wouldn’t be in any firefights, but she wanted to be prepared for anything.
“Crewmembers Kalan and Fyr’enth are currently in cargo bay three.”
Of course they were. She should have guessed as much. That was the bay she’d suggested they use as a recreation area. It was the largest open area on the ship, with enough height to allow them to stretch their wings and fly—or at least glide. She’d shown them how to adjust the gravity in that section to make it easier for them to stay airborne despite the lack of air currents.
They’d turned one corner into a makeshift gym. The weights were all cobbled together from spare parts, but they made it work. She avoided that area, though—not because she was averse to exercise, but her cyborg lovers had decided they wanted more of a challenge and increased the gravity in that small area to twice normal.
She had enough trouble with the slightly heavier gravity when she visited Haven.
The doors were open as she approached, which let her hear the clank and slam as one of the pair lifted weights she couldn’t have moved if her life depended on it.
She stopped at the doorway, one shoulder pressed into the frame, and watched. Kalan had his back to her, his wingsoutstretched as he squatted while holding a bar with what looked like engine parts strapped onto each end.
She knew every scar on his body now, though she hadn’t heard the history behind all of them. The play of muscles beneath his scales made her hands itch with the need to touch him. Thesharhalno longer made it impossible to think, but her libido was still running in overdrive.
Tearing her eyes from Kalan, she spotted Fyr’enth soaring the length of the bay. When he reached the far end, he banked and turned, letting him see her.
“Zana,” he called down to her. “How long have you been watching us?”
“Hey, Stormy. I just arrived a minute or so ago.”
Kalan set down the weight bar and turned to smile at her. “Hello, Alyssa.”
She got a tiny thrill every time they said her name. If anyone else dared to use it, she’d have kicked their ass into the middle of next week. But with them, her usual rules never seemed to apply.
“I thought you two might want some time working with the ship’s weapon system. If you’re busy, though, it can wait.”
“Not busy,” Kalan said quickly. “You know how much I love blowing things up.”
She laughed and wagged a finger at him. “But only in simulations. Missiles are expensive!”
She made it into a joke, but the reality was that she didn’t have a lot of money on hand. Flying around the galaxy doing good deeds might be fulfilling, but it also meant she hadn’t completed a single contract in the last two months. She had to assume her accounts would be watched, so she couldn’t access what little savings she had. That was another reason they were headed to the Taza system. She hoped someone there might buy out her contract for the goods she had on board.
As she considered their situation and how much to tell them, Fyr’enth flew over to her while Kalan made his way on foot.
Fyr’enth reached her first and drew her into his arms for a long, hot kiss that banished all her worries.
He held on to her even after the kiss ended. His gaze was locked on something behind her. She assumed it was Kalan.
“Now?” he said suddenly.
“Now,” Kalan replied.
“Now what?” she demanded. She hated not knowing what was going on.
Fyr’enth sighed and brushed a gentle kiss to the tip of her nose. “I wanted to wait and do this tonight over dinner.” He glared over her shoulder at his brother. “When we weren’t sweaty and in need of a shower.”
“We’ve waited long enough already,” Kalan said.
