Falling for Sky (Cyborg Seduction Book 11) Read online

  “Him and his twin, who showed up later,” the third one muttered.

  Sky’s heart raced. “Twin?”

  “Identical,” the leader added. “I saw them together. They don’t talk. They just look at each other as if the fuckers can read each other’s minds. They aren’t right. It gave me the heebie-jeebies.”

  Sky stood. “Send me a data pad, now,” he demanded to the other room.

  In seconds, a cyborg strode into the room with one in his hand, frowning.

  Sky took it and pressed his hand screen, linked, and pulled up footage of the Markus Models they had on vid. He found a good visual and froze it. Then he turned the pad, showing it to the pirates.

  “That’s Brant!” The leader seemed surprised.

  “Fuck,” Sky muttered. “This is a Markus Model. Are you certain they’re the same?”

  “His hair is a bit longer now, but that’s him,” the third pirate confirmed. “What the fuck is a Markus Model?”

  “A crazy group of identical androids that escaped from Earth and want to kill all life.” Sky paused. “And they’re using your kind to do it. Shit.”

  He glanced at the mirror, knowing the other cyborgs standing there would be feeling as shocked as he was. He paused, thinking, before addressing the pirates again. “Did Brant order you to dress differently?”

  The younger one nodded. “Only the ones who went in for treatment. He gave them black jumpsuits to wear. Brant said only his elite could wear them. He put them in charge of the ships ,and they were giving orders to the others. Brant’s orders.”

  “We’ve been hiding supplies to escape,” the eldest admitted. “We didn’t want to stick around when we heard Brant planned to ‘cure’ us all. I’d rather die than become some mind-fucked dummy, kissing his ass.”

  Sky felt sickened. What were the Markus Models doing to the pirates? “I need to confer with a medical team, and then ask you more questions. They might be able to figure out what’s been done to your ‘cured’ crewmates. I will release you when we’re done. You’ll get a shuttle, freedom, and all the supplies we agreed on.”

  He turned to Max. “Cut them loose. Get them food.” He looked at the pirates. “You’re our guests for the time being. I’d advise you not to attack your guards. We just want more answers before you’re freed. I’ll also send the medical team in to see what they can do for you that won’t involve any mind fucks, okay? We won’t change you.”

  The three pirates looked uncertain. The leader gave a sharp nod. “Showers would be nice. Do you got water?”

  Sky was willing to give them that. They smelled like hell. It would be rude to mention it, though. “We have foam showers and clean clothing if you want it.”

  “Not jumpsuits…”

  Sky smiled at the younger one. “Casual wear. We’re not like Brant. Cyborgs keep their word. Remain calm, don’t attack your guards, and you’ll be treated well until you’re escorted to that shuttle. Just be patient for a little while longer. Your stay will be comfortable.” He turned back to the guards. “Make it happen.”

  He left the cell and entered the next room. Mick appeared shaken, but she stayed seated. Flint came forward as soon as he sealed the door, making sure their prisoners couldn’t overhear what was said.

  “Markus Models. I don’t understand. They kill everything they encounter.”

  Sky could relate to his highly agitated state. “It seems they found a use for the pirates. We should call the council while the medical team is in there. They can question the males more about what was done to the ones the Markus Models changed while treating them. Do you think the Markus Models added chips to the brains of the pirates they’ve been treating? Damage them somehow to make them more compliant, killing off their emotions at the same time? Is that even possible?”

  “I’m not a doctor.” Flint reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “At least it’s not cyborgs. That’s the good news.”

  “The bad news is, I believe this ‘Brant’ purposely had some pirates smear something on their skin to make them appear as cyborgs to fool the crew on that carrier. They wanted us blamed for that attack.”

  Flint stared at Sky. “Why?”

  “Did you hear what those pirates were promised? Taking over the outer sectors? The Markus Models couldn’t find us, but they must have realized we’re considered more of a threat than they are, because of our numbers. Earth Government knows how many of us got away. There are far fewer escaped Markus Models. Zorus’s capture proved some of us survived. They could fear more of us did, as well. Enough so that they’re threatening to send a battle cruiser where that attack took place because a cyborg sighting was reported. Think about that.”

  Flint closed his eyes, looking physically sick for a second before opening them again. “Shit.”

  “I don’t get it.” Mick drew Sky’s attention.

  “Pirates normally have slow, outdated ships, but the Markus Models could easily take over a lone battle cruiser if given the right circumstances. They are capable of hacking enough essential systems, like weapons and life support, to cause havoc and give a large group of pirate ships the opportunity to swarm. They could possibly steal it.”

  “They’d have a battle cruiser at their disposal.” Flint looked furious. “They could transfer the pirates under their control to live on it. Earth wouldn’t take that well. They’d send more to retrieve it.”

  “They’d try to steal those, too. The loss of enough battle cruisers would leave Earth vulnerable to attack at some point. I’m sure the Markus Models would love to take it over and reopen the factories where they were built.

  “It seems the Markus Models are far more dangerous than we thought. They have no qualms about sacrificing lives or taking them to get what they want—more of their own kind. Damn. I never thought I’d feel sorry for pirates.” Sky moved toward Mick, needing to be close to her.

  “I’m sending the medics in now,” Flint muttered. “Then we’ll contact the council.”

  “I’m dropping Mick off at our quarters, and I’ll meet you in the conference room.”

  * * * * *

  Sky had a headache after talking to the council. They were understandably upset. He could relate. They had their answer for why the pirates had changed their patterns. It now made sense why some of the ones who’d attacked Zippo Station had been dressed differently and attempted to steal the main operations computer. The Markus Models planned to take over the outer sectors. They could reprogram computers however they wanted in advance, before taking over an existing station.

  The androids needed to be stopped.

  Sky had asked one more favor from the pirates they had in detention. He’d come up with a plan. It had cost them more supplies in trade, but it was worth it.

  Soon, Earth would get false shuttle footage of three pirates with gray skin cream smeared on their bodies, preparing to attack a ship. It would hopefully cast doubt on the report they’d received about cyborgs. He’d even written a script for the pirates, inferring they were convinced the crew would be so scared when they saw them, assuming they were cyborgs, that they’d jump into escape pods and abandon ship.

  The pirates had gone along with it willingly, doing their best at acting their parts.

  The council had been pleased when they’d viewed the footage they’d made that would “accidently” be leaked. It might make Earth Government rethink sending a battle cruiser to an area that was vulnerable to Markus Model attacks. The androids were a big enough threat without that kind of firepower.

  It was the best Sky could come up with on short notice.

  The doors to his quarters slid open and the first thing he saw was Mick. She rose from the couch and walked to him, concern showing in her eyes. He opened his arms and hugged her the second she came within reach. He kissed the top of her head.

  “This is bad, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. I suspected that a cyborg or perhaps a group of our kind might be working with the pirates. It’s possible som