The Cyborg Recruitment Project

by Sara Rustan

  First she had to talk to Welther and find out what happened last night. She tapped his entry in her contact list, and her computer contacted his.

  “Hello, Jolie?” he said.

  “Welther, my friend. How’d things go last night?”

  “Okay, I guess. We didn’t stay long, since Thorgan had a lot he wanted to do to get settled in his new place.” There was a significant pause. “What’s up with the two of you anyway?”

  “There were a few things we left out of the official report.”

  “Somehow, I’m not surprised.”

  “Thorgan agreed to the Federation contract – but only if I’d have sex with him.”

  Welther growled. “Geeze, Jolie. You didn’t have to go that far for the mission. You should have told him to get lost.”

  “You know, it was partly your fault. I knew how much this mission meant to you.”

  Welther’s voice got a few notches louder. “My fault?” He made an exaggerated sob. “Way to guilt trip a guy. Sure, I’m anxious to save as many Union cyborgs as we can, but I never asked you to screw them.” There was a few seconds of silence. “There’s something you’re not telling me. I can feel the vibes from here. You wanted to have sex with him, didn’t you?”

  “Well,” Jolie hedged, “define ‘wanted’ for me.”

  “Damn. I knew it. And he’s going out looking for women. You want me to beat him up?”

  Jolie snorted. “No. But I think that we were shortsighted to not anticipate something like this. We should be better prepared for the sexual needs of the newly re-activated cyborg on the next mission.”

  Welther blew out noisily. “You’re saying that the FIA should get into providing sexual services? That’s not going to go over well with the brass, but you’re right. We need to do something for our…upgraded cyborgs. But what about the two of you? You’re going to have to work together, you know.”

  “Yes, I know.” She sighed. “I have a plan, but I’m going to need your help. First, you have to promise to bring Thorgan to Body Extensions tonight…”

  After finishing up with Welther, she called her friend Malia, who also acted as her receptionist for the FIA. Malia would know exactly what she needed to do to jazz up her appearance. She had been begging Jolie for years to let her fix her up. Jolie was finally going to give her a free hand. This was serious. This was war.

  Luckily Malia was free, because there was barely enough time to get everything done. Jolie had been putting away a big portion of her paycheck for years, and it was a good thing, because she had never spent so much money in one day before in her life. A new hairdo, skin and eye treatments, new clothes, and last but not least, instructions from Malia on how to move to attract men.

  When they were finished, Jolie stared at the two of them in the bedroom mirror. She wouldn’t have recognized herself. She looked beautiful and sexy, just like the women she had secretly envied for years. Her hair fluttered in multi-colored wisps around her face; her brown eyes looked dark and mysterious; the tightly fitted, skimpy shirt revealed the delicate swell of her breasts and exposed her belly, where an emerald glittered. She turned around to get the rear view. Most of her back was bare, and the fabric of her shorts clung to her curves so much that it was sexier than plain nakedness would have been.

  Malia smiled in triumph. “I told you that you’d be a knockout.”

  * * * * *

  When Jolie sashayed into Body Extensions, it took all of her self-control to keep from fleeing back to the car that brought her and Malia. This was one of the places where she hung out with Welther. She knew a lot of these people, and it was hard to show up looking so unlike herself. And she had a strong presentiment that what she was going to do would hurt, hurt like hell.

  But she knew this plan was a good one, a necessary one, and she couldn’t think of any reasonable alternatives. So she strode in as though she was some kind of sex goddess.

  Body Extensions was a bar and club that catered to cyborgs of all kinds, particularly those with strength and speed enhancements. Some of the regulars were of average build, but even more were men with the physique to support the stronger mods. So a lot of big, strong men hung out here – and the groupies they attracted.

  Jolie had never been counted as one of the groupies. She had the excuse of hanging out with her friend Welther, and her professional interest too, of course. The prim, dowdy clothes she used to wear were as good as an announcement that she wasn’t in the market. Hopefully, that was about to change.

  Several of the usual barflies glanced in her direction, and then back in shock, their mouths almost dropping open. It looked like one of her goals had been achieved. Now, if it would only work on Thorgan…

  She saw Welther and Thorgan sitting at “their” table toward the back, and she pulled Malia in that direction.

  Malia whispered, “That’s him, with Welther?”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s a looker, all right. You sure you don’t want to make a play for him instead?”

  Jolie rolled her eyes. “I told you. This is a play for him. The direct route wouldn’t work right now.”

  “Still, it seems like a waste.”

  “I’m thinking long term, here. So back me up, okay?” Jolie waved her hand, and got Welther’s attention. The surprised look on his face was priceless, and worth all the money and time she’d spent today.

  He touched Thorgan’s arm, and pointed to her. Thorgan turned to look at her, a kind of controlled blankness on his face that told her he was probably still feeling defensive. Then he saw her, and his expression changed in a blink to astonishment, followed immediately by lust. Jolie could have cheered. Her new image was working.

  She fastened a grin on her face, and when she reached their table gave determinedly friendly kisses on the cheek to both of them, then slid into a seat. “Hey, Welther, Thorgan. How’re you doing? Recovered yet from the trip?”

  Thorgan said, “I didn’t sleep as well as I hoped last night, but the apartment is comfortable.” His gaze slid from her face down to the large amount of chest her shirt revealed, and her nipples tightened.

  Jolie nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, when you’re used to fucking like a bunny, it’s hard to go cold turkey.”

  Thorgan blanched, then turned dark red. Welther’s eyes widened and he looked like he was trying to melt into his seat.

  Jolie feigned surprise. “What? You didn’t tell Welther about our little sex deal?” She frowned. “I was happy to take one for the team. Don’t get me wrong, Thorgan’s a great lover, and I’d give him a recommendation any day. But we really need to make sure that someone a bit more prepared for that sort of assignment goes on the next mission. Don’t you agree, Thorgan?”

  He looked confused, as though he wasn’t sure he understood what was going on. “Uh, I guess that’s something that should be considered.”

  “Meanwhile, if you want to pick somebody up for easy sex, Sharly’s a good bet. She’s a real cyborg groupie. She’ll sleep with anyone with duplinium bones and basic reflex enhancements. No? Well, you could always try…what do you think, Welther? Do you think he’s big enough for Phyllian? No, I was afraid not. She really likes that huge man-mountain look. I know!” She gestured to a tall, willowy blonde, who obligingly ambled over. “Chane? This is Thorgan. He’s a milspec cyborg, looking for…company.” She lifted a meaningful eyebrow.

  It looked like Thorgan was gritting his teeth, but he managed to greet Chane with a grudging, “Pleased to meet you.”

  Chane glanced between the two of them, shrugged, and sat down. She was one of the nicer regulars at Body Extensions, and if Thorgan was going to pick up the locals, she wasn’t a bad place to start.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” Jolie looked at Malia, who was hovering behind her. “Malia is going to introduce me to a friend who comes highly recommended.” She fluttered her eyelashes, and draped an arm around Thorgan as she stood up. She whispered in his ear, “Good luck.” And she sauntered away,
pulling Malia behind her.

  She tried very hard to not think about Thorgan with Chane, but it was like trying to not think about a pink elephant. She couldn’t stop the images of his sculpted, muscular ass pumping away on top of Chane, of his thick cock fucking Chane’s mouth, his big, sensitive fingers tweaking Chane’s nipples. She had to do something to keep from obsessing, of feeling betrayed and slighted when she had no right.

  A few yards away, she said to Malia between grim lips, “Now you really have to introduce me to somebody. Make him big and hot and a good lover.”

  Malia groaned. “I’ve created a monster. Do you have to do this tonight?”

  “Yes. I’ve made a schedule, and it’s important that Thorgan see me with another man.” She paused. “And if he’s going to go home with somebody else, so am I. Believe me, it’s necessary.”

  “Yes, but… Oh, hell. I’ll introduce you to Genj. He’s a nice guy, and in between girlfriends. I just hope you don’t regret this.”

  Jolie hoped so, too.

  Chapter Eight

  Thorgan swiveled in his office chair, restless and dissatisfied. He had chewed out the FIA staff for sending Jolie off on a mission for which she wasn’t well prepared. He had ranted on and on about their shortsightedness in not anticipating the sexual needs of the newly enabled cyborgs – i.e. him. He had demanded a home of his own, and pointed out the lacks in their program to integrate him into the FIA and Federation civilian life. But somehow, even after letting off rather excessive amounts of spleen – he was convinced that he had seen Jon scuttle around the corner this morning at the mere sight of him – he still was unsatisfied.

  Welther and Jon had been friendly and helpful, but somehow he still felt…lonely. It was odd, because he’d spent years on that space station with only himself for company. Yet somehow, here, on a planet with almost a billion inhabitants, he was conscious of the lack of people in his life.

  He leaned back and put his feet on his desk. It was probably due to his lack of sexual satisfaction. In fact, he was positive it had something to do with his lack of good, cathartic sex. He had totally hated Jolie introducing Chane. Something about having a past partner introduce someone for him to have sex with was just wrong. But he had felt compelled to indulge, considering that he had several times, in public, claimed that he was going to sleep with a different woman each night. But although Chane seemed to be a nice woman – for someone who was into picking up men just because they were cyborgs – it hadn’t been satisfying. At all.

  And this was the point where his mind had a tendency to skitter off in any available direction. Because he just didn’t want to think about the fact that sex with Jolie had been entirely and completely satisfying. Why couldn’t they just go back to the way things were aboard that tiny little ship of hers?

  The row of sculptures neatly lined up on his desk caught his eye. He’d intended to give one to Jolie and never got around to it. He’d give one to her now, and see how she felt about getting back together.

  Several minutes later in front of the cyborg medical center where Jolie worked, that idea didn’t seem quite as shiny. He hesitated. Her attitude at Body Expressions the other night didn’t leave much room for suggesting that they get together. In fact, you might say she had gone to a lot of trouble to make it impossible. He scratched the back of his neck. Did he want to take the risk of getting shot down? Although he hadn’t been addressing the question to any particular part of his anatomy, his dick jumped at the idea of sex with Jolie. So he sighed and pushed the door open.

  The young woman with curly dark hair sitting behind a counter looked familiar, but Thorgan couldn’t quite place her. Without looking up from her computer she asked, “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No, I’m here to see Jolie. I’m a friend.”

  “Your name?”

  “Thorgan D’Emry.”

  She jerked around to face him. “Oh, you.” She frowned. “I’ll see if Dr. Blakney wants to see you.” She disappeared through a door, and he heard the muffled murmur of voices.

  He restlessly tapped his fingers on his arms. What had this receptionist – Malia, her nametag said – heard about him? It didn’t sound like it was exactly positive. Had Jolie said something, or was it just the usual rumor mill? That scene at Body Expressions… His memories clicked into place, and he realized that this was the friend who had been with Jolie.

  Malia returned, and waved him through the door. “You can go in.” Her tone made it clear that she disapproved.

  He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Jolie sat behind a small, utilitarian desk with a computer. When she looked over and saw him, she blushed.

  It was strange, but that blush caused the blood to pound in his veins and his cock to harden. She looked so…cute, cuddly almost, and a similar blush had often been the start of some excellent sex.

  With two long strides, he was standing next to her and bending down to cover her lips with his. He could feel her melt, and she moaned at the back of her throat. Her arms went around his neck, and he pulled her up against his body, perching on the edge of the desk.

  His slipped his tongue into her mouth, and gripped her ass to pull her against his throbbing erection. Damn, that felt good. She tasted like sex, like warmth and humor and Jolie.

  Then she put her hands between them and pushed, pulling her mouth away from his. “Put me down.”

  He nuzzled her soft, smooth check with his lips. “Why? You know you want me. You can’t hide that from me.”

  She managed to get her feet on the ground and pushed harder on his chest. “I may want you, but that doesn’t mean I have to indulge.” She narrowed her eyes. “Now step back before I call the guards.”

  He reluctantly released his hold on her and stood up. “We had a good time together. I don’t see why we can’t keep it up.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Thorgan, I wouldn’t think of interfering with your plan to have sex with a different woman every night.”

  “I get it. You’re jealous, and want to get even.”

  “Jealous? What do I have to be jealous of? We had an arrangement – an arrangement for your sexual convenience, I might add – and the arrangement is over.”

  “Yes, but…I want to have sex with you.” He frowned, and touched the side of her cheek with his finger. “It’s not as much fun with other women.”

  “So Chane didn’t work out well for you?”

  His face grew hot. “You know, it’s just not natural for you to be so…so…”

  “Is ‘honest’ the word you’re looking for?”

  “Aw, Jolie. Come on. We could have a good time together.”

  Her face was tight; he guessed she was angry. “Give me a call when you’ve finished the grand plan to screw every woman in Tradilla. If I’m still free, I might even go out with you.”

  Unfortunately, his grand plan didn’t seem nearly so important since he couldn’t have the one woman he wanted right now. He crossed his arms and drummed his fingers against his biceps. What could he say to make her change her mind?

  She scowled. “Which reminds me – I have a complaint. You trained me to come when you tell me to.” She put her hands on her hips and glared. “That’s really not very useful when I’m having sex with somebody else.”

  He really didn’t want to hear about her having sex with somebody else. So he shrugged. “It’s not a problem for me. Have sex with me and it’s not an issue for you either.”

  She snorted. “I see you’re not denying it.”

  “It wasn’t intentional.” He rubbed his temples. “It’s never happened before. But what can I do about it now? For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  She moved to sit behind her desk, no doubt feeling more comfortable with a piece of furniture between them. “Okay, you’re sorry. Fine. Was there some purpose to this visit, or were you just looking for a quickie?”

  Everything he said or did to Jolie was going wrong. He should probably quit while she was still talk
ing to him. He examined her for any hint of softening, but she just looked ticked off. “I didn’t mean to bother you, it’s just that I saw you and… Well.” He pulled the sculpture out of his pocket. “I wanted to give you this. To remember me.” He took her hand and wrapped her fingers around the sculpture.

  Jolie held the sculpture up to look at, and murmured, “The fire beast. It was always my favorite.” She carefully set it down on her desk. “Thank you.” She took a deep breath. “I didn’t intend to fight with you. You took me by surprise.” She looked down and fiddled with her computer, then looked up. “It just wouldn’t work for me to make love to you one night, and see you with somebody else the next night, particularly since we’re working on the same team. You can understand that, can’t you?”

  He nodded. “Yes, I do understand. It really wasn’t fair of me to ask, it’s just that… I miss you.”

  She smiled back, but there was an element of sadness in it. “I miss you, too,” she whispered.

  * * * * *

  After Thorgan left, Jolie slumped in her seat and closed her eyes. It had been so hard not to give in to the desire to be with Thorgan again. Part of her was still convinced that saying “no” was one of the stupidest things she’d ever done. But the sane part of her knew that it would destroy her emotionally to be a casual fuckbuddy for Thorgan. Ironically, if she hadn’t cared for him, it would have been great fun.

  She heard the door open and close, and opened her eyes to see Malia looking at her with concern. “Are you okay?” Malia asked.

  She smiled with an effort. “Sure. Looks like my plan worked just great.”

  “How? He’s decided he loves you and wants to marry you?”

  She knew Malia hadn’t intended to make things worse, but her question felt like a blow to her heart. She cleared her throat. “No, he wants to have sex with me. Which means that he’s not thinking of me as the loser that he dumped.”

  Malia shook her head. “You know, I thought you were nuts when you told me your crazy scheme, but I was so glad to get a chance to dress you up and make you look sexy that I let it pass.”