Craz Read online

  Just as unique as the person themselves. Every human had a scent that was uniquely and undeniably them and no one else. One slight element on the breeze and a Cyborg could hunt. Track it with the ability to filter out everything else and focus on that one thing until he found the source. And if it was a mate, the Cyborg could drink them down, taking the particles of their DNA into them. Sparking, the bond.

  But his optic told him his data knew that wouldn’t be happening here. Her body language said all there was to say. She made her way slowly towards him. CraZ was glad his emotions were turned off. His data told him he wouldn’t like what was coming next. She kept her head down as she approached him. Unable or unwilling to make eye contact with him? That wasn’t a good sign either. She slowed further as she came within a few feet of him and stopped, outside of arms reach. Finally looking up at him.

  “Look I’m sorry,” she told him. He could scent and hear the truth of her words. “You are amazing but I’m just not into men. I’ve never been into men. I told you from the beginning it wasn’t my way, but I took the time you gave me, and the outcome is still the same. I like women. That’s not going to change.” His system diagnostic told him he wasn’t surprised to hear it. She’d been honest from the moment his system fired up with the connection and he’d spoken with her. She was a possible mate, but her taste was not for a male. He’d hoped she might want to be with him and a female. He was unknown if he could work with that. Cyborgs didn’t normally share their females but, in this case, he had offered the option. Another female might have been different. Losing her entirely was too much of a risk.

  “The offer of mating and allowing me to be with another female was generous and I thank you for it,” she went on. “But, in the same way Cyborgs do not like to share their mates, I would not wish to either. When I find the woman, who will be my partner, she will be with me and me alone. And although being with you is a very tempting offer, it would be me finding out what all the fuss is about and not, thinking it was for life and we both know that is not an option for Cyborgs. It would be unfair to you. I am sorry.”

  She was full of regret and some embarrassment too. His data ran all the statistics on her speech, body language and emotion. He could see that. And making that statement to him hadn’t been easy. “I thank you for your honesty. I will trouble you no more. I wish you a safe and happy life. Be well female.”

  CraZ turned and walked away back to the Cyborg compound. Another six weeks and he’d be leaving this world after all. He’d not been wrong then. His logic and data had not failed him in this. She didn’t want him. She might be the only female in the universe that he was compatible with, but that chance was now gone.

  Would he ever find another? Floated across his mind. The odds displayed on his optic. The chances were small. The majority of Cyborgs were resigned to being alone. The odds on finding one mate, let alone two, were insurmountable. In some parts of the Empire those odds were improving but they were unsure why.

  Some of their scientists and researchers thought it was due to the way they were created, and information stored deep in their brains. The original core data in their nodes, came from source Earth Corp intel, that it carried information on the colony’s and those used by Earth Corp for their DNA. The basis to much of Cyborg life. And in some cases, that was leading them to mates. It wasn’t factual as yet but they were still working on it.

  It seemed that when they were created, the Designers used what DNA they could get their hands on. Soldiers, prisoners in their camps and volunteers both willing and not so willing. They then started taking DNA from the colonists themselves. Demanding it as part payment for being chosen for a colony ship and added it to the mix. Later animal DNA was added. A cybernetic frame came after that, grafted to their bodies and a computer embedded in their brains to run it all.

  Somehow the core data downloaded into their base programme had lots of information, also held subliminal information from Earth Corps achieves. Information on seeded worlds and DNA lineage on what Earth Corp had done and where people were sent. That was information the nano’s could work with along with their computers. The goal was survival. With this new dynamic of females, the nano’s saw them as a way of extending Cyborg lives, giving them something more to live for.

  Or so it was thought. It was a logical trail. If having a female gave hope and a future to a Cyborg, they’d want to live on for them.

  Their onboard computers never slept. Continually working in the background, running programmes and diagnostics to keep the Cyborgs in peek condition. This dynamic would be just another of those programmes. Who was to say, just how much they did?

  And for those that were still to find their mates, it gave a lifejacket of hope. They were out there. They just had to find them.

  ***

  Chris kept her head down and walked through the pouring rain. The kind that seemed to get into every pour and every bit of clothing no matter the cover, right down to the bone. She was so tired. The thought of poisoning Cho’s breakfast brought a smile to her face. Bastard. She’d seen him back hand Meity cos she got his order wrong. He’d tried that with her once and told him flat, touch her or hers and she was gone. He could do his own damn cooking. He’d not liked it, but he was a business man. He knew her value in the kitchen.

  Hardly noticing that she was soaked through she walked on. It was late but not too cold. Not that she noticed that either. The ground turning to a muddy bog to walk through just made getting home harder. The bar had stayed open for afters again. That caused her problems she didn’t need but she couldn’t say no, she needed the money and Cho knew that.

  Her front door swung open as she got there. Racle stood waiting on her, ushering her in, she didn’t look happy.

  “Bloody hell. Your soaked through. Get a bug and you’re done girl. Sit by the fire quickly and strip off.”

  Chris pushed passed her too tired to argue taking her boots off by the door, walking over to the fireplace she rubbed her hands together to help dry off. She was sick of this shit. Never any time, never able to be with those important in her life. All she did was work. At least she could still afford to light the fire, so that was good.

  “I can’t just walk out when Cho decides to keep the bar open longer. The bar was busy. He had a couple of games on. No one was leaving and then the food orders started. I’ll get paid more, so I can pay you for the extra time.”

  “I don’t care about the money, that’s not the point Chris. Working like this, morning to the early hours is going to kill you and then what? You have responsibilities and Brian’s is going to be a shit about this if it keeps on. He’ll be a problem.”

  Chris looked up at her as she grimaced. She knew she was right about her husband. Then slumped into the chair and pulled her wet wrap off. She was too tired to deal with this. But knew Racle was right. “What about The Diner,” Racle asked, “you were all set to get that off the ground before Kevin died. You can cook like no one else around here. People would come to it we both know it.” Racle came to sit opposite her. In the chair that had once been Kevin’s.

  “Still don’t have enough credits,” she sighed pulling off her jacket, throwing it to the floor. “I checked with them yesterday. I need another 1000 credits for the deposit and first month and another 1500 to get it off the ground. They won’t go any cheaper and I’m not going to Cho, he’d end up owning it and I’ll be working my ass off for him permanently.”

  Racle leaned forward, reaching out and grasping her hand. Chris knew her to be a good friend that had come to her aid time and time. “What about me? I could be your partner. Silent, hubby doesn’t need to know. I could help in the kitchen, cleaning or serving. The hours would be better for you and me. It would make life easier for both of us. What do you think?”

  Chris squeezed her hand. Her friend never stopped surprising her. “That is my dream not yours,” she told her wringing out her hair.

  Racle nodded. “I know, but you will do well, so we both wi
ll. I’ll earn my investment back and in time, you can pay me off.”

  “Brian is not going to like that,” Chris told her warily. They both knew he had a temper and didn’t like Racle doing anything without his approval. How she walked that tightrope Chris didn’t know but leaving him didn’t seem to be an option for her in a frontier town where everyone know everyone. Maybe Racle didn’t want to, Chris didn’t know and didn’t ask. Unless she needed money to do it? Chris suddenly got it. Racle was as trapped as she was.

  Racle nodded. “I’ve been stashing money away for years. Doing bits here and there that he didn’t know about. I’ve got 3500 credits. It’s yours if you want a partner?”

  “If he finds out….?” Chris didn’t finish the question, they both knew the answer. It wouldn’t be pretty.

  “Best he doesn’t then.” Racle told her smiling. “I need this too Chris. I’m not sure how long I can go on with him.”

  Chris frowned. Thankful once more for having met this woman. “You could leave him. We’d sort something out.”

  She shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t have enough money to be free of him and he’d drag me back and they wouldn’t stop him.”

  The town they lived in was no picnic for women. Once more she asked herself why Kevin had thought this place was a good idea.

  Sure she was the one who wanted to go and find something better in the stars but this, wasn’t better unless you were a man. Had that been the attraction for him? Chris didn’t know. And that was history. He’d be giving her no answers now. Racle clearly needed her. “Ok. Partner. I’ll draw up an agreement and have it held at the credit union.” Racle pulled out a packet from her apron and handed it towards her. “What’s that?”

  She placed it in her hands. “My half of the money. 3500 Credits.

  “You brought it with you?”

  Racle nodded. “I knew it was time even if you didn’t. It has to be now before you are too dragged down by doing two jobs to make this work.”

  Tears caught at the edges of her eyes. She’d been close to calling it all a day earlier. Chris swallowed and nodded and smiled at her friend. “Amazing, what would I do without you?”

  Racle got up and hugged her. “You don’t have to find out. Times are changing Chris and we’re going to make good things happen here.” Chris clung to her friend. She wanted to believe it, but she’d believed in wishes before and it had led her to here.

  “I guess we’ll see…”

  ***

  The Space Station looked the same. He’d arrived back from rotation three months after leaving his prospective mate and been instructed to see Mac, their Doctor. CraZ knew why. It would have been reported that he’d made an approach to a female that was rejected. He’d expected to be retrieved earlier but his logic told him he wasn’t bonded and there was no urgency for him to be checked out. The colony Doc had kept an eye on him as had his own Medic.

  CraZ took a deep breath, resolved that he would have to see this through. It seemed unnecessary. A human thing. His system diagnostic showed no imperfections. No failings. He was functioning at 100%. Grabbing his kit bag, he threw it over his shoulder heading to the Doc. His bunk was on the Space Station for the next four weeks along with the rest of his crew while the ship had a refit. They would be going to another world once it was done. For now, he had the Doc to deal with. As he exited the Gallerea with a number of his men, they headed in various directions.

  Taln turned back towards him and pointed. “Dinner and drinks in an hour. Don’t be late.” And continued on heading to one of their favourite bars.

  Alcohol didn’t work the same for Cyborgs. Their nano’s saw it as an infection and burned through it quickly filtering out what they considered poison. It was still a pleasant experience while it lasted. Off time for Cyborgs was now a fixture of life. Everyone got a rotation on the Station between missions or on other Empire worlds. After every three-month deployment, they received two weeks leave. It seemed strange at first. Cyborgs given ‘free time’ that they didn’t know what to do with. Credits to spend. Most continued with their programme of training, weapons and exploring. Asking for extra missions or taking a stint in security along with the trading shipping lanes. It wasn’t easy to know what to do with time that held no purpose.

  Only those with mates, seemed keen to take the time offered and stay at home. It was clear to every Cyborg the pull of a mate, over rode any programming.

  He walked through the medical centre doorway. “CraZ,” he told the receptionist just as Mac came through the internal doors towards him.

  Had he been human, she would have held out her hand to him. He was Cyborg so she didn’t. He liked that about her. She knew the difference and took no offence either way. It just was. Cyborgs didn’t like being touched. It wasn’t a natural response in them after the decades of abuse. Unless you were a mate.

  She waved him to follow her. “My office.” CraZ walked behind her down the corridor and into her office. As she walked around her desk, she indicated the chair. “Sit.” And took her own. He dropped the kit bag and sat. “So,” she told him looking directly at him. “You were rejected. How does that feel?”

  “My emotions are turned off,” he told her honestly. “And it still feels like shit.”

  Mac cracked a smile and nodded. “I’m sure it does. I’ve looked at your blood tests and diagnostics and I can’t see anything to worry about. You dodged a bullet. However, I’d like to run a batch of tests of our own just to make sure. I’m wondering if on some level your nano’s sensed she wasn’t a perfect match and didn’t drive you harder.” She sat back in her chair looking at him. “You didn’t pursue her?” He shook his head. “There is still so much we still do not know.”

  “It felt right,” he felt the need to clarify.

  Mac nodded at him. “I expect it did and I’ve no doubt you were on point. But you didn’t pursue her, you kept your distance after declaring yourself. Gave her time. Didn’t crowd her, press for that first contact or touch her. That is more than most Cyborgs would do when faced with the prospect of having found a possible mate. The need I’m told burns brightly. It’s difficult to ignore being driven like that and yet, you did.”

  CraZ understood the logic of the train of thought. The Doc was right. He hadn’t done that, and he checked his logs as to why. Information flowed across his optic as he reviewed the time frame. It was clear to him that on that first approach before he’d even spoken to her, the female was shocked at him coming at her. She’d not expected it or…… wanted it. She was wary. Concerned. And once he’d spoken, she’d been shocked. He’d put that down to the unexpectedness of it but clearly it was more than that. He’d missed the signs. His own needs getting in the way.

  She hadn’t held back in telling him he’d been mistaken either. That she wasn’t into men. She like females.

  CraZ cleared the images and information and looked back at Doc. She’d remained in her seat waiting for him. “It’s possible,” he told her. “Her reactions were not what were expected. I scented her on the breeze. Moving through the community until I saw her working on the land. I recall having an intense need to be with her until she registered why I was approaching her. Her reactions were clear. She wasn’t happy. Told me I was wrong and informed me why. She liked females, that wasn’t going to change.”

  Mac nodded. “Of course it wasn’t. So basically, she shut you down early. There are always going to be females out there that don’t feel the need to be with a man. They don’t carry male scent, they’re still of age and their scent would still be a pull. But that doesn’t mean they are really available. If you were human, I’d say don’t let the disappointment get to you, there are other fish in the sea or universe, and even being Cyborg, some of that is still true. Even without the emotion, you will live a long time CraZ, you will see much of the universe. We know that there are other possible matches out there. We’ve seen it. This isn’t the end.”

  “I’m aware of that. My logic tells me the same
.”

  Mac smiled at him. “Good, now let’s get those tests out of the way and then I want you to take part in meditation while you’re here.”

  She got up from her desk and came around to him. “I’m Cyborg?” he questioned watching her move towards him. He didn’t understand the logic of taking meditation. That was a human thing.

  She patted his shoulder as she reached him. “I know but that, doesn’t answer everything.”

  Chapter Two

  Where had the time gone? she wondered. Six months had gone by and she’d hardly noticed. Was that a good thing? She wasn’t sure. She’d been so busy that one day had flowed into another and before she knew it, the time had gone. It was unsettling just how fast it went. The anniversary of Kevin’s passing had come around and went, and she’d barely registered it. It was both sad and difficult to believe when she’d remembered. How had she managed to do that? She’d been so devested to lose him. It had been Racles support that had helped her through it and at the beginning, to turn everything around.

  She’d been able to buy the premises and equipment. Making up a story to tell Brian that Racle was now working for her. The pay better as well as the hours. He seemed ok with that which had been a relief to both of them. Chris still didn’t understand why Racle chose to stay with him but that was her business.

  In those early days they’d worked hard to get the place ready. Cleaned and scrubbed every window wall and surface. Made the kitchen just what she needed, scrounged up equipment and snapped up as many second-hand tables and chairs that she could find.