BANN Explosive! Read online

  They both turned to look at her. “I’m not discussing my history with anyone.” She told them defensively.

  “If you want to stay on this Station you will.” The Cyborg told her. Gave Mac a nod and left the room.

  Fuck. She did want to stay…. Bann came to mind… She glanced up at the Doc. “Look I don’t know what this is all about.” The Doc just looked back and waited. She wasn’t letting her off the hook. “Ok, the only thing I can think of and I don’t remember much, was as a child, a very sick child. Dying, gran said. She’d tried everything. I’d been in and out of hospitals, test after test trying to keep me alive. There was some experimentation that was offered, and my grandmother jumped at the chance. I spent a few years after that in and out of hospital doing more tests and then it all stopped. I was healthier, had no problems and given the all clear. That’s all I know, and it might have nothing to do with this.”

  “Sounds like you were lucky to survive. Your grandmother was courageous in trying everything. Do you have a problem with us taking some samples? Blood, urine, skin cells? I’ll also need you go on into a med bed for a diagnostic.”

  “I’m not going to be a lab rat.”

  The Doc looked straight at her. “Cyborgs went through all that and more during their time in captivity so no, we won’t be doing that to you. It’s against everything the Empire stands for.”

  The fizz had been less with the mated Cyborg. Was that a connection?... Kate thought about it. If she had a problem here she needed to get to the bottom of it. “Ok, I’m cool with that.”

  “Great, we’ll get started now and then I’ll have Bann take you to your rooms. Until we know what is going on, you might want to keep to the human areas and limit your access to the unmated Cyborgs. It will be confusing for them as this is not how they work. And no work until we have answers.”

  Kate nodded. She wasn’t due to start for a week anyway.

  ***

  Pain came out of medical. The female is in heat. You did not sense it?

  Bann turned towards him. No. Her scent was too strong to distinguish anything.

  Your emotions are still off, that could be compromising you. Mac will do what she does best and find the answers. In the meantime, you are to escort her everywhere, stay out of Cyborg areas.

  Affirmative.

  She could be a mate for you. Pain told him.

  Bann shook his head. I am called Bann for a reason. I have no control if I allow myself that chance.

  That was a long time ago and you were under orders and an influence.

  The outcome was the same.

  True but we have all changed since those years. Pain gave him a nod and left heading back into security.

  Had he changed?....

  He waited. The female eventually came out towards him. It was easier to be near her with a clear mind, his data told him. He had to agree. Her body language and scent told him she was worried. His logic told him there was nothing he could do for her. The thought, sent all his diagnostic systems into the red. Not able to trust himself, something so alien to a Cyborg who was designed to have faith in logic, he simply indicated the way to her rooms. His systems flagged a failure but the diagnostic couldn’t find the fault. It had to be somewhere. His diagnostics were never wrong.

  The female moved in the direction he’d shown her. Her interest and excitement and wonder now gone. He scented distress. Had he done that? Dimmed the world to her? His systems flagged another failure. It wasn’t logical his data told him as he kept pace with her, ensuring her safety all the way to her accommodations, while trying to keep his distance at the same time. He didn’t need to breath her in. Her scent was already causing him problems. Using his neuro net he connected to the Stations computer to open up the rooms.

  “Here,” he told her and stopped. New tenant activation required.

  Affirmative.

  The computer spoke. “Hello Kate Hudson, place your hand on the scanner to recognise the new user of this accommodation. Only you will be allowed access unless there is an emergency override.” She placed her hand on it and it scanned. “Thank you, access granted. Enjoy your stay.”

  The doors opened. Kate stood there in a daze over what had just happened. Good looking and handsome was avoiding her, she wasn’t stupid. What had she kicked off? Nothing like this had happened to her before…. Kate stepped through the doorway looking at her new rooms. As Bann had told her, her bags were already there. Strolling around, she absently took them in. More spacious than she’d though they would be and well kept. It had everything she needed. Lounge diner, desk area, bathroom and bedroom. It would more than do for however long she was on the Station. The idea that that might be limited disappointed her. “They’re fine thank you,” she told him turning back towards him.

  His systems flagged emotion. The female was having problems with her own emotions and he’d responded in kind. That wasn’t logical. He was clearly faulty…. Bann turned away from her, walking back out the door it closed behind him.

  Chapter Two

  The emotion had been unsettling. He stopped as the door locked shut, his systems working through another diagnostic for some answers. None came. Movement on his neuro net alerted him to company. Bann looked along the corridor, seven Cyborgs stood grouped at the end.

  He opened the connection. What are you doing here?

  We sense the female.

  It is a mistake. Something is wrong in her DNA. Each of you need to go to medical and be checked out.

  Affirmative. Several turned to leave. Two remained.

  You were ordered to medical. He told them again. His systems registering the emotion of annoyance and possession.

  She is a potential mate to us. The first one spoke. Bann knew him to be an excellent warrior. Honourable. He didn’t doubt the feelings he was feeling or the pull to the female. He was experiencing it too….

  Bann held back a roaring challenge that threatened to escape him. Both men registered it over their shared net. You feel the hunger for her too. The other told him.

  I do that is true. But she is no one’s mate. It is a mistake in her creation or development. This is different to us and needs explaining. Go to medical now.

  Bann closed the link and opened one to Pain. Pain accepted the link. Seven Cyborgs followed us to her rooms. They see her as a potential mate. I have told them to come to medical you might wish to intercept. He sent the Cyborgs ID tags. Along with the others in the landing bay, it might be worth checking out their animal DNA. Could be a cause and link to the female.

  Affirmative. We are looking into that now. Stay on guard until further notice. The link closed.

  Bann got comfortable. There was no telling how long it would be.

  Four hours later, they’d been no response from medical. According to her room logs the female had fallen asleep soon after entering and settling her belongings. As she stirred, Bann ordered food for her to be delivered. His advanced hearing allowed him to hear the movement within the room and the shower going on. She was up as well as awake. Via his neuro net he sent a message to her room vid screen informing that food was on its way, then accessed her food preferences from the cruise liner and put the order in. He was aware that she could use the replicator to fashion any nourishment or liquid she needed but there was no substitute for the real thing.

  Cyborgs could live on replicated food, but the nourishment wasn’t high enough for prolonged use by Cyborgs to be in peek condition. They needed high protein that came from fresh produce. It was one of the luxuries as Cyborgs the Designers allowed. Failing billion credit Cyborgs for lack of nourishment was not high on anyone’s agenda and the introduction of nano’s into their system demanded it or organ failure soon followed.

  Earth Corp had their own farms producing food for them and what was left over was highly sort after. Old Earth resources were vastly depleted by the time Cyborgs were ready to be deployed. Earth Corp had stored vast seed and genetic material for later use. Taking samples of all
the earths animals.

  In those years, there were continuous food shortages, rations, with the climate playing havoc with crops. Most grown under poly tunnels in artificial surroundings. Ordinary people had to be inventive or have access to some land to get by.

  The corporation wars had reduced human populations. By accident or design she didn’t know. Fighting for resources had taken it toll. Civilians had been caught in the middle. It hadn’t been pretty. Orders had been orders and Cyborgs were unable to refuse. The programming controlled everything they did back then and plenty died.

  Bann heard the waiter coming long before he reached the corridor. A human. They were noisy even when trying to be quiet. To a Cyborg who moved silently anyway. The male headed towards him and Bann waved him forward taking the tray from him and dismissing him. He pressed the intercom and waited.

  Kate heard the door go and guessed that was her dinner. What she hadn’t expected on opening it was Bann standing there in all his glory holding a tray and the fizz back with a vengeance. Kate took a calming breath. Had he been there all this time?

  “Hi, that for me?” He gave her a nod and passed over the tray. She indicated inside the room with her head. “You coming in?” she smiled at him.

  The female was driving him crazy. He'd made it clear he wasn't interested but she persisted.

  Didn't she know she was playing with fire?...

  So much temptation in such a small package. But he was off limits. The long years of war and waiting had taken their toll. The hunger was never satisfied, the hollow emptiness that was forever looking for its redemption never stopped...

  He shouldn't be feeling anything. His emotions were turned off, but there they were. He needed off the Station and fast!.... She was tempting him and that, was dangerous........ to both of them.

  “No.” Bann almost cringed. It had come out far harsher than he’d expected. She blinked back in surprise. “I apologise, that came out harder than I’d wanted.”

  The female stepped back. There was something going on with Bann and she wasn’t sure she wanted to deal with that right now on top of everything else. “O ok, thanks anyway. Computer close door.” She watched the door close on him. Shit. That had been awkward…. Kate looked down at her plate. Had he done that?.... Whatever it was smelt good….. her stomach rumbled. She was suddenly starving and walked over to the table putting her tray down and sitting.

  Fuck…. Fizz or no fizz she wasn’t looking for confrontation. Kate looked at her door. Bann was starting to annoy her. Triggering her off. She didn't do messy. She was Kate Hudson, smart, intelligent and so not looking for permanent. She liked her life just how it was. Interesting and free. Cyborgs had been a blast from the past until she’d first seen the Ad. Suddenly, something new and exciting ticked all her wish list and she hadn’t wasted any time going for it. And what a revelation it had been.

  Picking up her sandwich, she realised she didn’t regret it for a moment. The Space Station offered so much candy, in such a big candy store....

  Muscles in every direction..... it was enough to make a girl drool. Kate smiled as she bit into a Chicken and mayo. Sooo good… Now if she could only get that eight pack to look in her direction without snarling..... Hot, simply didn't do him justice..... So much to admire.... So much to explore...

  All her girly bits were lighting up like Christmas and that was one present she looked forward to unwrapping.

  Only one problem, she just needed to convince that Alpha stud, his ass was hers!

  Bann stood outside the door once more. Head hung. The question automatically flowed across his optic. Why had he acted like that?... It wasn’t logical. He’d registered the emotion of fear and over reacted. He had feared going in?.... That was illogical too. His sensors lit up. The female had no power over him….

  The ping on his neuro net let him know he had another communication from Pain. Bann opened the link.

  Mac has the test results back. The female needs to come to medical.

  Affirmative. She is eating, I will bring her after.

  I will inform Mac. The connection closed.

  They had results…. A multitude of questions flowed once more. He pushed them to one side and sent a vid message to her about the results. He would be waiting for her when she was ready. 22.3.6 Minutes later and the door opened. Her scent lingered in the air, tickling at his nerve endings. He tried to filter them out and stay in control. Each time he saw or scented her his diagnostics told him the pull was greater. Bann took a step back and waited on her.

  She couldn’t shake the nerves. The Doc had results….. She wasn’t sure what to expect and didn’t relish going back to the hospital. Those early years had left their mark. That natural aversion going to extremes at times. Going way beyond what was sensible when she’d picked up an illness, often making it worse. It was a ridiculous fear, she knew that. But it continued to persist making her wary. Looking out she spotted Bann. He was stationed down from her doorway waiting. Had he moved when the door opened?.... She couldn’t be sure and felt like an idiot. He could have retreated to there when she’d closed the door on him. Heat infused her face. That had been embarrassing. What was she thinking!.... Probably that she wasn’t used to rejection, she complained. She wasn’t, pick the right subject and they weren’t choosy and that had always worked in her favour in the past. Now it felt more than that. More…… personal.

  Kate smiled and gave him a nod. She was on firmer ground with this. And stepped out the door walking towards him.

  Bann held still as she came towards him. Waiting for her scent to flow over him. She looked confident and sure of herself, but he got the underlying tone of apprehension too. She indicated the direction of the lifts with her head. “Are you coming with me?”

  Bann opened his neuro net to Pain. We are leaving now. And answered honestly. “I have no choice in that, I am your escort. This way.”

  Kate nearly sighed and held it in. Her fizz was bubbling under her skin. He didn’t sound happy. Kate tried not to take it personally, but it wasn’t easy. Each time he’d spoken to her, it was less than friendly but rolled up in such a nice package. So much eye candy….her mind wandered. But Kate knew that wasn’t strictly true. Bann was the only eye candy she was interested in.

  They entered the lift and it moved without Bann having to do anything. How neat was that!..... And just as quickly as before the doors opened into the Gallerea. Kate stepped forward looking to the sky. It shone just as it had earlier. The sun dial was now down, and the moon dial was rising. Time had moved on. A quick glance around told her it was busy. Not as many Cyborgs this time. That was curious, they outnumbered the humans 3:1.

  “Where’s all the Cyborgs?” she asked walking towards medical.

  “Restricted. Some followed you back to your rooms and had to be removed.”

  Kate stopped and turned to him. “What?”

  “They followed your scent.” Shit. That had never happened before. “We need to move on,” he told her, his eyes constantly on alert around them. Was she in danger?

  “I’m I in danger?”

  Bann stopped scanning the perimeter and looked down on the female. He could scent her fear, strong and dark. “Not from us but your scent is unique, and we wish to prevent there being problems for you and for Cyborgs. It is logical to understand it as soon as possible for everyone’s benefit.”

  Kate nodded and walked on, no more sightseeing this was becoming scary. She entered the medical area and gave her name and sat down. Bann kept in the background. A nurse came out shortly after and called her name, escorting her to Mac. Bann hot on her heels. With an encouraging nod, the nurse pushed open Mac’s door then left them, Kate walked through.

  The Doc smiled on seeing her waving her in. “Take a seat Kate.” She did. “Bann you can wait in the waiting area.” He turned and left.

  Kate wasn’t sure she wanted Bann to leave but that seemed out of her control at that moment. “He couldn’t wait to leave…” Kate mumbled
.

  “It’s a man thing.” Mac answered. Kate gave a half smile. “So we have your results.” Kate felt suddenly nervous. She’d not been in this position since a kid. So much unknown, was scary. After that, other medical treatments had been a pill, lotion, cream or spray and out the door ASAP. “I have to say,” Doc told her interrupting her thoughts, “your results were a surprise.” Kate started to sweat. She must have shown it as Mac was quick to come back with a platitude. “You are not ill, nothing seriously wrong, in fact, everything is working just fine.”

  “So what’s wrong?” Kate asked jumping in more than a little relieved.

  “This might be difficult to get your head around, but it seems that the illness you had as a child, Xigarende, the markers are still in your blood, are a lice like creature that bites and infects. In extreme infestations it can be a killer. It comes from a parasite common on a lot of the outa worlds although this level of infection is rare. It could have been a severe outbreak like Polio back in the day. A killer particularly in the young who do not have enough anti-bodies in their systems to battle it, poor diet and nutrition make it worse and they’d need help to fight it if they were to survive, At the level you had it, normal treatment would have struggled. Similar to the Old Earth disease.

  Some animals are known to have a natural barrier against such infections. They are simply not bitten but should they be, their blood carries an antigen that quickly kills off the parasite deposited in the blood. It seems that someone tried that combo with you. It would have been highly risky but, if you were dying anyway, I can see why it was tried. Somehow, they managed to get their hands-on Cat DNA. Puma to be precise. They’d have had to flood your system with it, kill off some of the nuclei in your own blood cells allowing them to take over and you would have been sick, probably sedated for some time but it was likely you were like that anyway. A last ditched hope, I’d guess. There were other markers too and that will take time to work out what they are. A few were reproductive stimulus. We’re not sure why that was in your blood, but we can break it down eventually. All that and you probably had a long recovery period.” Kate nodded, she remembered some of that time being in hospital.