Original Sin

by Midway, Bridget

  Published by Phaze Books

  Also by Bridget Midway

  Adam and E-V-E (eBook)

  C-A-I-N and A-B-E-L (eBook)

  Suburbia

  Walls

  "Service Recall" from

  Phaze Fantaises, Vol. I

  Fascination Street

  This is an explicit and erotic novel

  intended for the enjoyment

  of adult readers. Please keep

  out of the hands of children.

  www.Phaze.com

  Original Sin

  Three erotic science fiction novellas by

  BRIDGET MIDWAY

  Original Sin copyright 2005, 2006, 2008 by Bridget Midway

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  A Phaze Production

  Phaze Books

  6470A Glenway Avenue, #109

  Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222

  Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC.

  To order additional copies of this book, contact:

  books@phaze.com

  www.Phaze.com

  Cover art © 2008, Debi Lewis

  Edited by Stacey L. King and Kathryn Lively

  eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-59426-863-2

  eBook ISBN-10: 1-59426-863-0

  First Edition – March, 2008

  Printed in the United States of America

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Table of Contents

  Adam and E-V-E

  C-A-I-N and A-B-E-L

  Sodom and Gomorrah

  Adam and E-V-E

  Chapter One

  Lieutenant Adam B'Luven stared straight ahead, keeping his gaze on the screen with the image of their High Commander, an imposing woman who didn't mind ripping the heart out of the young soldier standing next to him.

  Adam began, "High Commander, with all due respect—"

  She him cut off, booming her deep voice through the speakers surrounding them. "Don't preface your statement like that. You should always give me respect without question or explanation."

  Adam strained to let his head move forward in a respectful bow. Although she was the reason Adam joined the Federation Army, in this instance, he couldn't agree with her decision.

  "This soldier, Private Goren, is an excellent fighter. He has the best sharp shooting skills, acing his entire class."

  "With the exception of the cyborgs."

  Adam squeezed his hands into fists behind his back, away from the High Commander's view. Without acknowledging the High Commander's statement, he said, "He has been recognized for bravery and heroism, not only in our conflict against the Cerillions but in previous others. Bottom line, he cares about this Army and the fate of our world." Adam had kept his gaze forward until he made the mistake of glancing at the young man he spoke of in such flattering terms.

  The young man, who couldn't have been older than twenty-two at best, remained stoic, being a good soldier and keeping his face forward, his shoulders back and his legs straight. He reminded Adam so much of himself at that age. Brown hair shorn to the scalp, same hopeful green eyes and even had freckles spotting his nose and cheeks. Adam turned back to the screen when he caught a tear at the corner of Goren's eye.

  "Our Army would be remiss if we discharge Goren from service. His heart is fully devoted to—"

  "It's his heart that we're worried about," the High Commander said, butting into Adam's impassioned speech. "And his lungs, bladder, kidneys and other vital organs. It is unfortunate that during combat, young Private Goren exposed himself to a biochemical agent that is, essentially, eating away at his organs."

  Adam gritted his teeth, hating the fact that the High Commander put all of the blame on this young man, that it was his fault he rushed into a burning school to save trapped children.

  As a trained soldier, he should have known better than to expose himself like that. Masks always, Adam and the other high-ranking officers had taught the young recruits.

  Bio-terrorism existed. In this one case, it would take out one of their best fighters.

  "What we're doing is standard procedure, Lieutenant. It surprises me and, quite frankly, angers me that you would waste my time trying to fight a losing battle. You know the procedure. As soldiers, you two both understand the risks. Private Goren, the government will keep you comfortable during your final days. However, your services will not be needed in the Federation."

  "What about the use of accelerator?" Adam wrung his hands behind his back as he stood at ease. "It repairs injuries quickly. In this case—"

  "You know better than that, B'Luven. The use of our current form of accelerator on humans exposed to Z-1XG has the opposite affect than someone with, say, a broken arm or a severe burn. Instead of repairing Goren's organs, the accelerator will speed up the deterioration. Besides, although accelerator has tested positive in humans, it was developed and is mainly used for our fighting cyborgs. Those are the soldiers we need to protect."

  In the large empty room without windows, Adam felt a chill go up his spine. The last thing he wanted to talk about while trying to save the career of this young man was the damn cyborgs that were taking over the Federation Army.

  If it took his last breath, Adam would show the High Commander and anyone else with power the value of humans over the unpredictable cyborgs.

  Couldn't they see that a willingness to fight always overruled a need to fight? Cyborgs only fought because they were programmed to do so. There was no thought for them into why it was important to save the planet, to save the last few humans on earth. Hell, Adam didn't even know if these things would eventually break down and turn on the humans as so many people had predicted. Just because they hadn't in the last few years didn't mean that their time wasn't coming.

  "Cyborgs aren't always the best answer. You can't gauge their loyalty, ma'am." Adam felt the muscles in his neck get tighter and tighter.

  "I would suggest that you enroll yourself in the Federation's cyborg awareness and capabilities course to know that your theory is not one-hundred percent, Lieutenant. You'll find that cyborgs have a lot to offer, including insight into our enemies."

  That worried Adam, too. Maybe the cyborgs had such great insight because they were working for the enemy. A few weak human soldiers traded in their loyalty for monetary gain or promises of power. A cyborg may do the same thing for less. Maybe with a faulty chip or promises of full humanity, one would betray the Federation. Adam didn't want to be there to find that rogue cyborg during his military career…although being able to say "I told you so" would be a great thing.

  "Anything else, Lieutenant?" With her dark skin, the High Commander looked more menacing in recent years than before.

  "No, ma'am."

  "Then I'll end this transmission, and I wish you both—"

  "I have a request, ma'am," Goren said, finally making his presence known.

  "You know we will inform your family of your condition, and ship your remains to wherever you request."

  "I know that, ma'am. And
I thank the government for doing so much for me and my family despite my error in judgment."

  Adam's gut wrenched to hear Goren admit he made a mistake. If being a hero was a mistake, Adam had been messing up his entire military career.

  "Your unfortunate misstep will not be a stain on your military career. We will take care of that as well."

  The cold delivery of a statement like that made Adam think that maybe the High Commander could be a cyborg herself. He'd never seen her in person, always on that damn screen. Then again, if she were a cyborg and standing directly in front of him, he wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. Cyborgs were half-human. Adam just didn't like the half that had to fight along side him…like Eve.

  Being paired with a cyborg to command over Adam's platoon was not the highlight of Adam's twenty-year career. To the High Commander, he had respectfully declined the assistance with the troops. To the other officers, he cursed his fate along with anything related to cyborgs.

  When he found out that his troops would be infused with cyborg soldiers, he felt the best place for Eve would be over those soldiers. The assignment was perfect for her and would keep her out of his hair.

  For a cyborg, Eve didn't fit the typical mold of a half-human, half-robot. Adam expected something more basic, perhaps something with a shaved head, a blank stare and male. Instead the government sent a woman, a tall, toned, woman with soft features despite her ability to kill using only her bare hands.

  As military rules dictate, Adam was not supposed to look at Eve as a man would regard a woman. He should have considered her like another officer. Each time she thought about her, the way her shirts hugged her body and showed off her rounded breasts, the way her legs seemed to go on for galaxies, and how her ass made him want to see it naked every time she walked by him, he forgot about her as cyborg.

  It shamed him to think about the fact that on several occasions Adam had jerked off just thinking about Eve. He would wrap his hand around his cock, squeezing it so tightly to simulate what he imagined the inside of Eve's pussy would feel like. Since he found no comfort or satisfaction in fucking robotic sexbots, then someone like Eve who could definitely, in at least conversation, could give as good as she took, would be just as worthy in bed.

  It was unfortunate, though, that the government seemed to have forgotten about Adam and other humans in their quest to save the world. The fact that the government had an antidote against bio-terrorism for cyborgs but not humans was a clear sign of things to come.

  In this advanced society, there should be ways to combat bio-warfare like this instead of losing good soldiers left and right. Pretty soon the enemies will devise ways to take down the cyborgs. Then the government will need the humans.

  Goren took a step forward toward the screen when he spoke. "The fighting cyborgs are humans with metal skeletons, right? The government recruits people to have their bones switched out with this special skeletal system and a chip implanted in their heads. Sometimes, I hear you all even raise the perfect soldiers up from childhood. Is that right, High Commander?" With each word, his voice rose like a man fighting for survival.

  "Most of what you say is true. What is your point?" She interlaced her fingers and placed her hands on top of her desk.

  Adam thought about Goren's statements. It didn't take him long to piece together where the young man was going with his inquiry.

  "No, Goren. You don't want that," Adam whispered to him.

  But the soldier ignored him and kept talking. "I'll volunteer to be one of those cyborgs. Ma'am, ever since I was a little boy, all I ever wanted to do was to fight for the Federation. I love this world. I would do anything for it. If that means making me into one of them robotic killers, then so be it." The more Goren talked, the more his rural drawl became more pronounced. "Since I'm already a soldier, there won't be much programming to me. I know how to fight. And I'm fully devoted to this world and protecting her. Just give me a chance. Please. The money you'll spend in keeping me comfortable until my organs fail me and whatever you send to my folks, you can save and just spend it on changing me into one of them things."

  "Goren, being a cyborg is not the way to go," Adam said between gritted teeth.

  "Lieutenant B'Luven is right." The High Commander cleared her throat. "Although I appreciate your willingness to fight the good fight, we still couldn't use you. Your organs are still shutting down one by one as we speak. It would be a lost cause to implant a chip and replace your skeletal system when you'll have no organs to run the body."

  That wasn't the reason why Adam was so against Goren making this radical request. Having the High Commander say it in such a direct, matter-of-fact way caused him to wince.

  There really was no hope for this soldier. Although Adam hadn't been exposed to any biochemical warfare, how long would he have in the Army before the High Commander asked him to leave and put a damn cyborg in his place?

  "I understand, High Commander." Goren bowed his head.

  "I appreciate your willingness to continue your quest to fight for us."

  "Ma'am, I would like to make another appeal then."

  Exasperation covered her face. For a man with a death sentence looming, Goren had every right to ask for whatever he wanted.

  "This is it, Private Goren. After this, I must cut off this transmission." The High Commander placed her palms flat on top of her desk as though she were going to push herself up and spring over her desk and through the screen to choke the life out of both of them.

  Cyborg or not, the High Commander was known to be a ruthless, killing machine herself, taking out whole armies on her own. She didn't get to her spot by sitting back and allowing others to fight for her.

  "If no treatments will work on me, if I'm not able to continue fighting for the Federation, I want to be infused with accelerator."

  "Private, you heard what I just said to Lieutenant B'Luven about the use of accelerator with your condition. Although it will speed up your death, you would be in excruciating pain."

  "I'm in more pain not doing what I love. If I can't fight for the Federation, I don't want to live. I'd rather hurry this up." The tear that had been peeking out of he corner of Goren's eye finally gave up the fight also and rolled the side of his face.

  "No. I understand why you would want to speed up the inevitable, and I applaud your devotion, but unless some law has changed within the last couple of centuries, it is still illegal commit suicide. That's what you're asking me to approve. Lieutenant, secure this soldier's weapons and escort him to sickbay immediately." Without confirmation that Adam would follow her orders, she ended the transmission.

  Adam turned to the man and held out his hand. "I'll need all of your weapons that you have on you right now, soldier."

  Without hesitation, Goren handed Adam his handgun, then raised his arms in the air and spun to show he had nothing else on him. When he stopped and faced Adam, Goren coughed. A stream of blood oozed from his mouth. Goren wiped the side of his mouth with the back of his hand and dragged his hand over his pants, blending the blood with his sand-colored camouflage pattern.

  Adam had seen fellow soldiers lose limbs, eyes, and even have a part of their cranium blown off. That he could handle. All of that happened during combat when it was expected. To see Goren coughing up blood in the office shook him to his core.

  "Head to sickbay, Goren." Adam made sure to disable the laser on Goren's weapon before securing it in his belt.

  Goren pivoted and marched to the doorway. Adam followed. He felt like he was walking a prisoner to the death chamber. His shoulders drew together when he felt that imaginary knife plunged into the center of his back.

  "My father was a Federation general," Goren mumbled as he continued ahead. "His father was also a general. And my great-grandfather on my mother's side was almost a High Commander."

  "Sounds like the military is in your blood, son. I know what you mean. My father was a lieutenant also. But things change. People change. Not all chang
e is good. Sometimes you just have to accept your fate." Adam reached forward to pat the young man on his shoulder.

  As though he knew the touch was coming, Goren accelerated his march. "I was supposed to make my career in the Federation. I was going to make it to lieutenant or general."

  "Get comfort from the fact that you conducted your brief career in a way that would have made many generals jealous. My father wasn't content with an impeccable career. He wanted more. It cost him in the end."

  Adam didn't mean to share so much about his personal life. He hadn't spoken about his father in several years. But he felt this man was owed something. Maybe knowing that Goren wasn't alone in his plight would ease his mind during his final hours.

  While Adam spoke, Goren's gait turned into a trot. He missed the corridor leading to the infirmary. "I need to go out a hero!" He ran into his living quarters with Adam chasing behind him.

  "Goren! I order you to stop, soldier! Come back!"

  Adam couldn't reach him before Goren ducked inside of his chambers and locked the steel door.

  With a closed fist, Adam pounded on the portal. "Open this door!" He screamed but there was no way Goren would have heard him through the thick steel.

  Arresting his panting breath, he opened the communications panel next to Goren's door and entered a series of codes to override it.

  In the panel, he said, "Lieutenant Adam B'Luven requesting entry."

  He waited a beat before the auto-response came back with, "Access denied. Occupant is non-responsive."

  "Rank number 789382, Lieutenant Adam B'Luven suspects that the occupant in this room has weapons and will do himself or others harm. Demand that the quarters be open for inspection immediately and that the dome be in lockdown mode."