stared in shock at the cyborg . Cal smiled. “As I was saying, a situation came up.

We got a message from the Vontage .”

Flint frowned. “We lost contact with her months ago. Is Steel alive? His crew?”

“Apparently.The codes were correct so we verified the messages were from him when transmissions were very bad at first. He said they were attacked by pirates and suffered extreme damage to the ship.

They just now have made enough repairs to get a signal to us. That’s the other reason I came here. I want you to command the Star and go meet the Vontage . They reported finding a planet with other cyborg survivors from Earth who have colonized there. Remember the Moonslip that disappeared twenty-five years ago? It crashed near that planet and, according to the report from Steel, there were survivors who made it to the planet surface. I’d like you to lead the rescue mission to bring them back to Garden.”

“I am off duty. Iron is in command of the Star .”

“I want you to lead the rescue and retrieval.” Cal hesitated. “Steel requested you and he was adamant about you being there. The ship Moonslip carried mostly female cyborgs . Steel thinks that between the Star and the Vontage that you could repair and tow the Moonslip back here. There are hundreds of cyborg female survivors and they’ve bred more females, Flint. Do you know what this means?”

Flint nodded. “Yes.”

“Can someone clue me in?” Mira called out.

Flint turned his attention to her. “I will if you at least straddle the railing.”

She lifted a leg and threw it over the railing. “Happy? Now what does it mean?”

Cal answered. “Males outnumber the females on Garden five to one. With hundreds more cyborg females back in our population that number is greatly changed.”

Flint nodded. “Our council said the laws would change according to need and population.”

“We could change our breeding laws so that females would only have to enter into a family unit with two males instead of three. With my authorization I can not only clear you to join in a family unit with your human but I can remove you from the breeding pact you are in. I will exchange your name for one of the rescued males. You would be without a pact.” The cyborg eyed Mira. “He wouldn’t be required to touch another female ever again as his payment for agreeing to leave Garden after a lengthy shift and returning to another one consecutively. I have the authority to do it.”

Mira bit her lip. “So let me get this straight. He won’t have to touch another woman? Ever? No stupid law, contract, obligation, or hidden clause somewhere in there? He could be totally loyal to me in a monogamous relationship?”

“Yes. I’m even willing to put it into writing.” Cal stared at Mira. “He will be totally yours sexually. I don’t know why you would only want one male since females seem to enjoy the three men in a family unit but he could be yours exclusively if he agrees to go on this mission. It’s that important.”

“He’ll do it.” Mira didn’t hesitate to say the words.

Flint frowned at Mira. “I’ll do it?”

She glared at him. “Yes. You’ll do it. If you want me happy and if I mean so much to you, like you said, then you’ll do whatever it takes to get out of that damn breeding pact. I get to come with you, don’t I?”

Flint nodded. “Where I go, you go. You can’t accept deals for me.”

“The hell I can’t,” she sighed. “Come grab me. I’m terrified of heights and I’m afraid to toss my other leg over. I don’t want to fall anymore. You are going to accept his job if it means that you’re not touching any other women.”

Flint cursed softly, storming out onto the balcony. He grabbed Mira around her waist and hauled her into his arms and walked into the living room carrying her. Fury radiated off him as he set her on the couch.

He spun away to shut the doors firmly. He glared at her as he slowly turned to face her again.

“If you ever pull another stunt like that I’ll chain you to my damn bed for six months.”

“He can get you out of your stupid breeding pact, Flint.” Mira stared up at him. “Please accept the job for me? For us?”

Flint shut his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. His eyes opened and he nodded. “For you.” He glared at