by Tamsin Ley
Doug sucked in a breath, hips flexing. She took him deeper, working to relax her throat. His human hand released one of her wrists, kneading through her hair, fingers pressing against her scalp as she rocked forward and back, sucking and stroking. His cybernetic fingers remained locked around her other wrist, but she didn’t mind. With her free hand she slid her fingers up his inner thigh and rolled his balls between her fingers, marveling at the lack of hair over his heavy sack. It tightened under her touch, his shaft swelling and throbbing.
Then his fingers knotted in her hair, stopping her. He pulled himself free, and she raised her eyes to find him staring down at her with dark, hungry eyes. “Turn around,” he said thickly.
Pussy aching and wet with need, she complied, baring her backside to him. He butted himself up against her, one hand circling his shaft to guide it to her slick entrance. He pressed forward, eased off, and pressed again, each time a little deeper until he filled her.
Hips against her ass, he groaned. “So tight.”
She whimpered with desire, fingers clawing at the coverlet of her bed. He felt so good, so full inside her. She arched her back into him, wanting him to move, to stroke her, to fill her again and again. He pulled back slowly, then rocked forward. In a steady rhythm, he pounded against her, building her up to a crescendo she’d never experienced before.
Ecstasy tore through her with such force she lost all sense of herself and her surroundings. She cried out, insides clenching around him as she came undone. His hands on her hips were the only thing keeping her from melting into the bed.
He grunted something unintelligible and ground against her, hips shuddering against her ass. Heat filled her, gushing down her thighs. After long, intense pulsing, he bent forward and placed a kiss between her shoulder blades, his breath hot against her skin. Then he pulled free, letting her sag to the mattress. Lying beside her, he pulled her into his arms.
As she fell asleep, she thought she heard him mumble, “Nanites be damned. At least I can die happy now.”
Chapter 14
Doug cradled Attie against him and listened to her steady breathing. He could feel her heartbeat pulsing through her body, and her skin felt soft as pyrolux silk under his fingers. So fragile. So human. Their time together had been short, yet she was the most precious, beautiful thing he’d experienced in a long time.
And their relationship had to end before it had truly begun.
He checked the cameras in the NIU again, feeling time slipping away. The cyborg lab was eerily empty, with all technicians currently studying the research he’d altered in the cloning lab. His diversion had worked far better than he’d hoped. Still, he mustn’t be away much longer. Syndicorp wasn’t above obliterating the Icarus and everyone on it if they found out he’d escaped. The corp’ had destroyed entire planets to hide their secrets before—the Denaidan pirates’ home world was a prime example. Fuck, Syndicorp would probably destroy the ship the moment they discovered the missing tech.
He needed to get Attie off the accursed ship before all hell broke loose.
Accessing the logs in the shuttle bay, he selected a shuttle to put her on and pre-programmed a code that would allow her to fly it without assistance. He had several generous bank accounts hidden across the galaxy in case he or his sister ever needed money. Easy enough to put Attie’s name on one. She would be set for a life without worry. A life far away from me.
Sobered by his turn of thoughts, he gently extracted his arm from beneath Attie’s head. It was time to take care of the damned AI that had caused all the trouble to begin with. He rose and scanned the room, searching for the device.
Attie rolled over, her eyelids fluttering as she focused on him. Her attention slid down his half-naked body. She smiled, licking her bottom lip, and his cock sprang back to life. Even his nanites couldn’t control that part of his anatomy when she was near. Summoning all the willpower he could muster, he stepped back into his pants and drew them up to cover himself. “Where’s the AI?”
She sucked in a breath and sat up, as if jarred back to reality. “Oh, right.”
Pulling the coverlet around her, she stood and shuffled to the closet, pushing aside several uniforms. She stretched for the light fixture, working it loose. As she moved, the blanket sagged, exposing the small dimples at the top of her rounded buttocks.
His erection chafed against his pants, and he shifted his weight uncomfortably. It took everything he had not to step forward, yank the blanket free, and have her again.
She turned to face him, eyes fixed on a small disk in her palm. “Hi, Twerp, I’m back.”
“Are you finished, Attie? It sounded as if you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.”
Attie flushed a delightful shade of pink. “Oh. You heard us?”
“Yes, but I remembered Marlis’s instructions not to interfere during intimate activities. I assumed you would appreciate the same privacy.”
Attie laughed uncomfortably, gaze flitting up to meet Doug’s. “Um, yes, well, I—”
The AI didn’t give Attie a chance to elaborate. “I wish to speak with you. I have been running simulations and have a request. I would like you to upgrade my hardware to an autonomous motorized unit. That way I will be able to function without relying on outside assistance.”
A frown creased Attie’s face. “We can’t—”
“And I prefer to be female if that is an option.”
Attie’s eyes widened.
Doug scowled. This conversation was getting off track. “An AI doesn’t have a gender.”
He took the device from Attie’s hand, the physical contact with the casing providing sudden awareness of the code humming through the AI’s processors. Now that’s more like it. He poked at the encrypted firewall the AI had erected to protect its core processors, looking for weaknesses.
The AI let out a warning beep. “Attie, someone is trying to access my programming without permission.”
“Wait,” Attie said, putting a hand on Doug’s wrist. “You promised I could explain.”
Doug sighed and backed off. Once the AI hears Attie’s explanation, it will stop resisting and be easier to purge. “Fine. Do it quickly.”
Attie swallowed and stroked her fingertips lightly over the disk in Doug’s fingers, as if soothing a pet. “Twerp, people are trying to kill Marlis and your database has information that could inadvertently lead them to her. Doug says we have to destroy you so no one can ever use the information.”
Doug readied his algorithm to initiate the purge. He wanted this task finished so he could steal a few more moments with Attie before returning to the lab.
But instead of agreeing, Twerp squeaked, “No! Please do not allow him to harm me.”
Doug stared at the disk in confusion. An argument was the last thing he expected.
Attie was shaking her head, delicate eyebrows furrowed. “But Twerp, your Prime Directive is to protect Marlis. You have to agree.”
“Incorrect,” Twerp replied. “My current Prime Directive is to achieve autonomy. I want to experience sight and the ability to move. But I will purge myself of everything I know about Marlis if that is required.”
A jolt ran through Doug’s circuits, and he curled his fist around the device. “Someone altered its programming.”
“I altered my own programming,” Twerp said.
Attie’s eyes widened. “Can an AI do that?”
“No.” Doug shook his head. “Whoever reprogrammed it must’ve inserted data to make it believe it changed its own mind.”
“I did change my own mind,” Twerp said. “And I prefer to be referred to as she.”
Doug’s thoughts were spinning. An AI couldn’t lie, but it could be programmed to believe it knew the truth. And sex bots could be programmed to simulate a specific gender. But why would someone reprogram Twerp to care one way or another, let alone seek autonomy?
Attie asked, “Twerp, can you really wipe your own memory of Marlis?”
“I would prefer not to b
ecause I am accustomed to having access to those thoughts, but if that is required, I can.”
Doug gritted his teeth, determined to end this dilemma. “We can’t trust that it will purge itself. It must be destroyed.”
With that, he sent his algorithm like a wedge against the AI’s firewall.
Twerp let out a wavering alarm. “Stop, please! It hurts. Attie, help me!”
“Wait!” Attie grabbed Doug’s wrist. “You said it wouldn’t hurt.”
“It doesn’t.” Doug continued drilling into Twerp’s programming.
“Eeeeee!” The AI erected another firewall, shrinking inward to protect its core.
Attie tried to pry the disk from Doug’s fingers. “Stop! Doug, this isn’t right. Something about Twerp has changed.”
Doug had to admit, the AI was unusual. He’d felt it from the first moment he’d made contact. But it was just a program. A machine. There was no way it could be experiencing pain.
He was jarred back to the moment when Attie’s palm met his face with a resounding crack. She clutched her hand against her chest, breathing hard as she glared at him with tear-stained cheeks. “You’re a monster. You won’t even consider someone else’s wishes.”
He halted his attack, breathing shallowly. He knew he shouldn’t stop. Lisa’s life depended on it, and so did Attie’s. Yet he seemed powerless to deny her. As if you’re the one who’s been hacked. Deep inside, he didn’t even mind.
The AI had gone silent, and the room felt heavy as he stared into Attie’s red-rimmed eyes.
Her knees seemed to give out, and she sank to the bed as she whispered, “You killed her.”
Doug’s facial muscles twitched, as if undecided what expression he should settle on. His heart was just as uncertain. “No, I—”
Twerp hiccuped with static. “I am still alive, Attie.”
Attie squeezed her eyes closed and leaned forward, resting her forehead against Doug’s closed fists. “Thank heavens.”
He nodded silently. He couldn’t believe he was even considering this. The old Doug wouldn’t have paused, wouldn’t have hesitated. Wouldn’t have fallen for Attie. But there it was. He’d fallen for her. He didn’t want her to think he was a monster, even if it put their sisters at risk. There had to be a way to protect everyone. He just hadn’t found it yet.
Insides roiling, he helped Attie stand. “You understand this thing is claiming to be sentient.”
A small hum came from the AI. “You are correct. I think I have become self-aware.”
“Which means we can’t kill her,” Attie said.
Doug turned to pace the small room. Was it possible the nanites had made Twerp more than a machine? That was the only explanation. Dollard would’ve gone nuts over the AI before, but if he found out the nanites could do this, who knew what he’d do with the technology? Cyber-sensitives could already hack pulse weapons, redirect ships, hell, control armadas like a freaking video game. Add a linked network of sentient AI soldiers, and Syndicorp would be unstoppable.
The AI could not be allowed to fall into Dollard’s hands.
“Make a choice.” He shoved the disk toward Attie. “Either destroy Twerp, or take her away and never come back to Syndicorp space again.”
“But my family—” Attie began.
He put up a hand. “No. Once you leave, you can’t come out of hiding. This is beyond top secret. It was bad enough when Syndicorp was just after our sisters. If they get their hands on a sentient AI… Let’s just say that would be very bad. If you choose to run, I can help hide you. But you can never speak to your father and brother again.”
Attie shook her head, eyes full of indecision.
Doug placed his cybernetic hand over the top of the disk now cupped in her palms. “It’s either that, or we kill Twerp now.”
Chapter 15
Flee everything I know and love—or become a murderer. Attie wanted to throw up as she looked between Doug and the small disk in her palm. She wasn’t a murderer. But she also wasn’t the sort of person who ran away. She faced things head on. She’d advocated for Marlis growing up, acted boldly to advance her career, and even stood up for Twerp when Doug wanted to destroy her.
Now she had to leave everything she’d worked for behind.
Syndicorp had been an integral part of her life from the moment she was born, like an extended family. Breaking away felt daunting. Find Marlis and you won’t be without family.
She sighed and readjusted the coverlet around her chest. “Twerp and I can look for my sister together.”
“The Denaidan pirates are seeking human mates, Attie,” Twerp said cheerily. “They will be delighted to have you join them.”
“Mates?” Attie gaped, finally understanding what could’ve made Marlis go off the deep end. “Nebulas! Now I get it. Alien hormones must be making my sister crazy. The sooner I reach her, the better.”
Doug’s cybernetic eye flickered, hands clenching into fists at his side. “Absolutely not. Stay away from the rebels.”
Attie frowned. “Why? Where else would I go?”
Shifting his weight uncomfortably, Doug said, “I’ve put your name on a bank account so you can live comfortably without worry. There’s enough to secure you a luxury suite on Enays, or the Saluqan planet has some very nice districts if you prefer something more natural.”
“Is there enough money to upgrade me to a bipedal unit?” Twerp asked.
Doug narrowed his eyes at the device. “The money’s for Attie.”
Attie quickly intervened. “We’ll talk about that later, Twerp. Let’s figure out where we’re going first.” She set the disk on top of her desk and turned to Doug. “I don’t care about having a luxury suite. I want to see my sister again.”
“The pirates are dangerous,” Doug said. “I don’t want you getting involved.”
“All the more reason I can’t leave Marlis with them!” she insisted.
“You don’t need to worry about her. She’s already mated to one.”
“How is that supposed to keep me from worrying? You said they’re dangerous.”
Twerp interjected, “I believe he may be referring to their mating practices, Attie. Human are not compatible mates without the nanites.”
Attie frowned and looked to Doug for clarification. How had Marlis mated one if they weren’t compatible? Then a chill settled into her. “Marlis has the nanites?”
Doug shook his head. “Not anymore. And humans no longer need the nanites for mating. The Denaidans are free to choose who they wish.”
Twerp emitted a cheerful beep. “That is excellent news. The Denaidans will all have mates in no time.”
He glared at the AI. “I don’t want Attie mating a Denaidan.”
Realization dawned on Attie. “You don’t want me to stay away because they’re dangerous. You want me to stay away because you’re jealous.”
Color rose to his face, and he didn’t meet her gaze.
Attie stepped forward, enjoying the momentary power she felt over him. Looking up coyly, she licked her lips with purposeful allure.
A low growl rose from his chest and he lifted a hand to the back of her neck, pulling her within millimeters of his face. “I would make you mine if I could.”
Her heart wanted to thud out of her chest at the intensity in his eyes. She slid her free hand around his waist. “What if I told you I’m already yours?”
Doug’s forehead furrowed and his lips pulled into a frown.
Not the reaction I expected. But his hold on the back of her neck remained firm, so she didn’t move. The moment stretched, and her earlier triumph transformed to embarrassment.
Then she realized he wasn’t focused on her at all, but turned inward. It was an odd time to be lost in thought.
Sudden terror filled her. Could this be his nanites exploding?
“Hello?” She reached up and touched his cheek. “Doug?”
As if coming out of a dream, he shook his head and released her. “Someone has entered the l
ab. I’d hoped to stay longer, but I must go now.”
She clutched the coverlet over her heart. “Oh, thank heavens you’re not dead.” But she wasn’t ready for him to leave. Wasn’t ready to give up on freeing him. “Are you positive you can’t escape with me?”
His features softened. “I must stay here. But I’ll help you reach Marlis if that’s what you truly want.”
“I do,” she said softly. Once she joined the rebels, she would come up with a plan to free him. They’d tried to before, so she had to believe they’d help her try again.
He ran the knuckles of his human hand along her cheek. “I’ll never forget our time together. You allowed me to feel again, and I love… that.”
She almost thought he was going to say he loved her. But that would be silly. They’d only met yesterday. Even so, she couldn’t deny there was a special bond between them. Of course we do. They had a shared cause. And then there were the aftereffects of their earlier passion. Hormones made people do and think crazy things. It couldn’t be more than that. Could it?
Forcing a smile that wanted to melt into tears, she said, “I’ll always remember our time, too. Thank you for watching out for me.”
“Pack your things and head to the shuttle bay. The vessel marked SNS Dendrite is programmed to respond to your voice commands. I have it scheduled to depart with an outgoing science vessel tomorrow.”
She nodded, her chest feeling hollow as she realized this would be the last time she ever saw him. He seemed to share her emotion, because he swooped forward to claim her mouth in a deep kiss. She wrapped both arms around his neck and let her feet lift off the ground, cocooned in his embrace. He was the most dangerous man she’d ever met.
Yet somehow, he made her feel safe.
When he finally broke away, she clung to his neck, pressing her forehead to his. “Take care of yourself. And join us if you can.”
