Falling for Sky (Cyborg Seduction Book 11) Read online

  “Panic and assumptions. Earth Government has been sending out warnings to all stations, colonies, and vessels about the Markus Models.” Krell leaned forward. “It had to be chaotic and terrifying for the stationers when they realized they were under attack. Some of us have been in battle. We’re better at taking in details than Earthers. Anyone could have come at them, and they likely would have believed it was the threat upmost in their minds.”

  Sky agreed. “No cyborgs were with the pirates who attacked Zippo Station or that carrier, but they could have ordered it. We found a planet to live on. What if a small group of cyborgs are also building some sort of headquarters or a home base? Cyborgs would focus on that first and foremost, but they’d need supplies and materials brought to them. We had the numbers to split our resources when we built Garden. Most of us remained on the surface to build while we sent out groups into space to bring us materials. Pirates, unfortunately, have surged in numbers over the decades. They may be unstable, but they’re still bodies to use.”

  “Fuck,” Krell growled. “A base of operations would be a priority. They’d want somewhere remote, off a known travel route, far enough away from Earth Government to hide easily, but with expansion ability to accommodate all their future needs.”

  “Hold your hypothesizing,” Zorus ordered. He muted coms to the Star, but they could still see the council.

  “You just started a shit storm,” Flint muttered. “Look at them. They muted us out of their meeting and are clearly arguing.”

  Sky watched the monitors. Zorus appeared to be yelling the most. “I figured they wouldn’t be happy with my conjecture, but I had to mention the possibility.”

  “What do we do if cyborgs are training and giving pirates orders? I doubt anyone on Garden would be happy to accept them into our society, even if we manage to recover them. The crimes pirates commit are atrocious.”

  “They’re still cyborgs, albeit desperate ones, if they hooked up with pirates on any level. We need to capture live pirates who are behaving outside their normal patterns to discover why they’ve changed, and if they’re being led or counseled by cyborgs.”

  Flint tapped his fingers on the hard surface of the table. “You want me to turn the Star into pirate bait to see if we’re attacked by any, on the off chance there’s a cyborg or a group of them onboard their ships? I’m not happy about that, Sky. We’re a luxury vessel, not a battle cruiser. We use this beast to haul abandoned salvage. We sure as hell don’t want to contaminate Garden with the garbage those pirates fly in. The radiation levels on them aren’t safe to use as building materials.”

  “It doesn’t have to be the Star that engages them in battle, but this vessel is equipped to house prisoners for interrogations. I’d love to get a crack at them.”

  “A crack? Is that a veiled joke about using your fists?”

  Sky resisted rolling his eyes. “No. It’s Earth slang, meaning I want the first chance to interrogate him. I think I’d do well talking to the pirates if we capture a few. I get along better with humans than most cyborgs do, even crazy ones with skin issues.”

  Flint’s expression smoothed out. “Agreed.”

  “I personally think the council should send the Varnish after the pirates. That entire crew would love it. They’re still with us, and so is the Bridden. With the shielding on the Bridden, they could scout ahead to find what we’re looking for.”

  Flint chuckled. “Stag would enjoy that assignment. He and his crew are known for volunteering to take on tough missions.”

  “I’m glad you both think so,” Zorus suddenly stated, the coms no longer muted. “I’ll tell him you volunteered him for the job of capturing pirates.”

  “Shit,” Flint muttered.

  Zorus wasn’t done. “The council and I have agreed that an investigation is justified. We’ll contact Stag and Onyx immediately, and they’ll confer with you on how the three of you can work together to capture any potential pirates to discover the truth. Be vigilant, and keep us posted.”

  The monitors went black, leaving Sky and Flint staring at each other for a moment, before Flint stood. “Go back to coms.”

  “You’re angry.” Sky got to his feet. “Sorry. I know you want to return to Garden, but we need to know for certain if escaped cyborgs have taken control of the pirates. They’re causing enough trouble to bounce back on us. The last thing we need are battle cruisers coming into deep space.”

  “I’m more than aware.” Flint sighed. “I miss my family. I hate that it’s not safe for them to travel on the Star with me currently.”

  Sky felt sympathy for the man, especially since he now had a wife to worry about. “Stag is excellent at hunting his prey, and he’ll quickly capture pirates for the holding cells. That entire crew is crazy enough to do whatever it takes. We’ll figure this out quickly and know exactly what we’re dealing with. Then we’ll come up with a resolution.”

  “I wish I could transfer you to their ship to get you off mine.”

  Sky grinned. “I’d enjoy that.”

  “Get out of here and return to coms.”

  Sky left but he made a quick trip to engineering, since Mick wasn’t with him. Brute was the only one he ran into on the way. The other crew were probably making repairs somewhere on the Star. “I need a favor.”

  “I’m not installing mood lights inside your quarters again, Sky. I already did that once but when you left, the next person who took those quarters complained. It’s too much work. We’re swamped.”

  “I need you to show me what’s being kept in storage four. I contacted Coal on Garden, and he told me you have deactivated robots there. My wife had an android companion that needs a replacement body.”

  “We don’t have any sex bots.” Brute suddenly grinned. “Is she taking applications for more males? I’d be happy to agree to any terms of time-sharing, if she’s offering. You work a lot. I could change my shifts to be opposite yours. No sex bot required to keep her company. I’m up for the task.”

  “She’s human, and she’s not taking another husband. Forget it. Just show me storage four.”

  “Come on, Sky! We could share her.”

  “Get your own human. Mick is mine. Are you going to help me or not?”

  “You’ll need more than just me. I can show you what’s available but someone is going to have to integrate the data into whatever model you select. What model was the old bot?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What kind of companion bot was it?”

  “I don’t know that, either.”

  “You should ask her. There are a lot of different types. Was it a female or male?”

  “Male. She said his name is Jorg. And it’s a surprise. That would blow it if I asked too many questions.”

  “Male.” He nodded. “Come with me. We’ll see what we have. No one will miss one. We never use them, anyway. I just hope whatever model you choose doesn’t need too many repairs, since we’re currently carrying a heavy workload already. You’re going to owe me.”

  “What do you want?”

  Brute flashed him a grin. “Find me a lonely Earther woman who wants a single-male family unit.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Sky wasn’t about to mention how damn long it had taken him to find Mick.

  Chapter Eleven

  Mick woke alone in the big bed in their new quarters three days later. She stretched, climbed out of bed, and put on a shirt. Sky sat in the small kitchen drinking coffee. He grinned when she entered the main living area.

  “You should have woken me.”

  “You looked too cute sleeping.” His gaze ran down her body. “I wish you were still naked.”

  Warmth spread through her as she walked up to him and planted a kiss on his lips. He hugged her around her waist, drawing her closer. “I mostly am. What time do we have to return to work?”

  “Soon. Unfortunately. I wish I could take a few weeks off.”

  She did too. “We got lucky with your council, remembe