some reports and monitor the ship’s internal communications while they do repairs on life support. I want to know immediately if they are made aware of your presence. Just go about whatever you would normally do.” He walked to the door and placed his hand on the panel next to it, closing his eyes.

Venice took a seat on the bed and finished eating. It was strange having Mavo just standing there. He kind of reminded her of a breathing statue. A hundred questions filled her mind.

It seemed as if an hour had passed before he opened his eyes and stopped touching the panel. “The life support is fully restored. They aren’t expecting any more issues with it. This is good news.”

“You got all that from your hand touching the wall?”

“Yes. Did my son tell you about our cybernetics?”

“We didn’t really discuss that.”

“We were created the way clones were but they added chips and technology into our bodies so we could perform certain functions.” He drew closer and showed her his hand. “I have sensors under my palms that send information directly to the chips implanted inside my brain. We can connect to computers by touch.”

“That’s handy.” She smiled.

He didn’t smile back.

“That was a joke. Get it? Handy? It’s in your hand.”

“Ah. A pun. I like your humor.”

“You didn’t think it was funny.”

“I appreciate that you would try. My mood isn’t the best today.”

“Because of me?”

“Things have just been stressful lately. I don’t want to discuss it. No offense.”

She didn’t pry, returning to their original topic. “So Deviant can do that too? Touch the panel and connect to the computer?”

“Yes. He was born instead of grown inside a vat, but the technology is easily copied to pass down to our children. He was implanted at the age of two. We discovered the younger the age, the easier they adapt to the technology.”

She frowned.

“You have an issue with that?”

“That sounds so young.”

“I was created on Earth in a factory. I never had parents. Deviant was born. His mother and I are both cyborgs. We didn’t want our son to have fewer abilities than we do. But didn’t emotion cap him.”

“Emotion cap?”

“Earth Government gave us an implant that shuts off emotions. I didn’t want that for my son, so that was one chip he wasn’t given.” He came closer and resumed his seat on the other end of the bed. “My wife didn’t agree. Some cyborgs do emotion cap their children so they have the choice to feel or not. Fortunately, the decision for Deviant rested with me. My son likes you.”

She decided not to ask any more questions about what cyborgs could do with their hands or why. “I like him, too.”

Mavo hesitated, his expression wary.

“What? Just spit it out. Are you worried that I’m still a spy? I’m not. I really hate Earth Government and I know they screwed cyborgs over. I totally believe that. They do that to everyone. I’d never want them to find out where you are, or that so many of you are alive.”

“Why would you care about cyborgs?”

“I’m as dead as you are if we’re caught. Isn’t that reason enough? I’ve already pointed out that I’m not a fan of EG or the things they do. That’s the truth.”

“Deviant has had a difficult life.”

“I gathered that.”

His gaze locked with hers. “He cares about what you think and say. You could hurt his feelings. I wanted you to be aware of that.”

She let that sink in. “I never want to cause him any pain.”

“I would hope not. He’s risking his reputation and honor, vouching for you. He really will fight to protect you if the need arises. He broke the law to bring you onto this ship. They may punish him for it. It won’t be severe, but he might lose some rank and privileges. I will make certain they take his unique situation into consideration. You’re a woman who has welcomed his touch. That is a first.”

“I still don’t understand that.”

He nodded. “We were created to be judged. First by Earthers; it was our way of life until we escaped. Some of that thinking just stuck. It’s a matter of pride to produce perfection. Deviant was considered a failure. Not by me.” Anger filled his voice. “Others viewed him that way. I’ve spent my life attempting to shield him from the worst of it but I could only do so much.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t hurt my son. That’s all I’m saying. You won’t like the