by T. J. Quinn
“It’s a pity we didn’t check the debris that fell over me. We could have found their communication system still working,” Kirkcal said, joining the conversation.
“We had other priorities,” Bretdon assured him.
“Do you think the debris is still there?” James asked, curious. They’d had a bad start with James, but once the man assured himself they were no threat to his community, he had accepted their presence.
“No, soldiers usually return to the battlefield and destroy it all,” Bretdon explained.
“That’s a shame,” the other man said, shrugging.
“What about the colony you attacked right before you escaped?” Sandra asked, interested in the idea of getting her hands in a transmitter.
“They must have destroyed that too. We could go and take a look at it, but I really doubt we would find anything,” Bretdon said.
“I think it’s worth a shot. You told me the rendezvous place is relatively close to the colony, right?” the older woman asked.
“Yes, it is. I guess we could go there and check it out, though I’m sure we won’t find much.”
“Please an old lady like me, will you?” Sandra asked, with a smile. “Bring back any transmitter you find, even if it’s not working. We might find the way to fix it or to build one similar.”
“Very well, I can do that. I’m sure there will be a few vessels destroyed in the place.”
“Perfect. Perhaps you should leave in a couple of days, while we wait for the surveillance at the camp to ease off.”
Ophelia’s heart missed a beat, and she tilted her head to look at Bretdon. She didn’t want him to leave. She couldn’t bear the idea of being without him even if it was for a couple of weeks.
“That’s a good idea, Sandra. But instead of waiting two more days, I think it’s best, we leave tomorrow,” he said, smiling, while Ophelia’s heart sank in her chest.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Kirkcal asked.
“No, I believe it’s better if you stay here and work with Sandra’s men. There’s no need for both of us to go,” he replied, shaking his head.
“You have a point there,” Kirkcal nodded.
“Perhaps you should wait a bit longer, get some rest. You’ve just arrived,” Sandra suggested.
“There’s no need. If we can use the vehicle we took to Jackson city, we’ll have a pleasant trip,” he rejected the woman’s idea.
“Very well, as you wish. I’ll ask the kitchens to prepare enough food for you,” Sandra offered then.
“Thank you, that will be very helpful.”
A few minutes later, they headed back to their cave and Ophelia was making a huge effort to hide her feelings. She wanted to ask him to take her with him, but she wasn’t sure she would be able to take his rejection.
“Don’t forget to pack your coat. We’re going up the mountains, and it’s very cold this time of the year,” Bretdon told her the minute they entered their room.
“My coat?” she mumbled, astonished.
“Yes, and all of your warm clothes. If you don’t have enough, I’m sure Marian would be able to get you some,” he added, walking to his backpack and checking he had all he might need for the trip.
“You’re taking me with you?” she was finally able to ask.
He turned to look at her. “Of course, I am. I’m not leaving you behind,” he assured her before he went back to finish packing his things.
Ophelia took a few deep breaths, trying to slow down her heartbeat. She wanted to ask him why, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to hear a speech about responsibility or that he needed a warm body to entertain him at night. It was better not knowing, at least, for now.
What mattered was that he was taking her with him. She couldn’t believe how dependent on him she had become, especially when she had always said she wouldn’t let any man be the boss of her.
And now, here she was, barely able to breathe at the simple thought of being apart from him. What kind of spell had he put on her? This went way beyond the sizzling passion he awakened in her, that was for sure.
With another deep breath, she started packing her stuff again.
Bretdon glanced at Ophelia and almost sighed with relief, out loud when she started packing. He wasn’t clear about his reasons to want her at his side. He knew she would be safer in the caves, but the idea of spending so much time without her was distressing . He wanted her with him.
He had always found logical reasons for all he did, but ever since he had met this woman, logic was the last thing ruling his mind. He was acting on sheer instinct and a tangle of feelings he wasn’t able to identify.
All he knew for sure was that he wanted her with him and he was willing to do anything to persuade her to be with him as well.
That night, while they enjoyed the soft mattress for the last time in a few days, he made love to her with his mindset in showing her just how much he wanted her and how he relished the pleasure he always experienced in her arms.
When the sun came up in the sky, they hadn't slept much, but their bodies and minds were more relaxed than if they had slept a week.
Some people in the community came to say goodbye to them, and Bretdon enjoyed the feeling of being cherished by a group of people he barely knew.
All his life had always been about duty and work. Humans around him during his growing up years had never shown him any emotion. They had always treated him as a machine, regardless of the heart and soul hid within him.
The warmth of these people made him hope for a better future, one he had dreamed of for a long time.
Ophelia said goodbye to her new friends. Even Jonathan was there to say goodbye to them.
“I was really looking forward to working with you, but I guess this is more important, especially if you can bring back something we can use,” he said, with a faint smile.
“Yes, we’ll do our best. And when we get back, we’ll be able to work on that. It will be fascinating to work with alien technology,” she said with a smile.
“That supposing we’ll be able to recognize the components of the transmitter,” he replied.
“Yes, I guess, but I’m sure we’ll find a way.”
Jonathan nodded, and a few moments later, she were climbing into the vehicle. Bretdon started the end engine and drove away.
“This man you were talking to, who is he?” Bretdon asked, a few minutes later.
“His name is Jonathan. He’s a systems engineer, like me, and we were supposed to work together, during my time there,” she explained, surprised with Bretdon’s tone. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought he was jealous.
“I guess he was disappointed, then,” he said, with a sarcastic tone.
“I don’t see why; we barely know each other.”
He snorted his disbelief. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep? You must be tired after last night,” he suggested, with a naughty grin.
She chuckled. “Yes, I’m a bit tired.”
She closed her hazel eyes and let herself fall into a pleasant slumber. By the time she opened her eyes again, the sun was starting to set. She couldn’t believe she had slept that long.
“You should have woken me up,” she grumbled, as she stretched her body.
“Why should I? You clearly needed some rest. How are you feeling now?”
“A bit numb, but I’ll be alright. Are you planning on traveling all night?” she asked, already used to his endurance.
“No, I’m already looking for a place for us to spend the night,” he replied. “I know this isn’t a comfortable place for you.”
“I can take it, you know that,” she protested.
“Yes, I do, but there’s no need. There’s no hurry since we have to wait a couple of weeks before we even consider going for your mother.”
“I know, but I guess we could be of help at the caves,” she suggested, furrowing her eyebrows.
“I guess, though I’m sure Kirkcal will be very helpful for
them, and it will do him good knowing some people really appreciate his help.” He wanted time alone with Ophelia, though he wasn’t ready to admit that.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“There’s a cave not far from here I believe we can use. I haven’t detected any wild animal in it,” he announced. “It has a small stream running inside of it, and though I’m sure the water will be freezing, you’ll be able to wash.”
“Thank you, that will be perfect.”
Chapter Twelve
It took them another half an hour to get to the cave he had spotted. By the time they arrived, it had started snowing, and the skies were as dark as they could get.
Shuddering a bit, she ran from the vehicle into the cave and waited for Bretdon to join her. He was unloading the food for that night as well as the blankets and the self-inflating mattress. It was nice traveling with some comfort.
Sandra and her people had provided them with all they could possibly need.
“This is a lot more comfortable than what we had last time,” she pointed out, with a grin.
“I guess we became part of their group,” he replied, winking.
“Or the purpose of our journey is more important to them,” she stated, with a hint of cynicism.
He chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure there’s some of that too,” he nodded.
He arranged things for her as she grabbed a flashlight and entered deeper into the cave. Like he had said, there was a stream running through it, probably from a spring located inside the mountain.
“How’s the water?” Bretdon’s voice sounded right next to her.
She was kneeling near the stream with her hand in the water. “Very cold, as expected,” she replied, tilting her head to look at him. “Look, there’s even a small pool you’ll be able to enjoy,” she added, pointing at the pool, just a few yards away from where she was.
Bretdon smiled and walked straight to the pool. It was deep enough for him to stand into it and have the water at the height of his chest. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me in here?” he asked, as he started to take off his clothes, revealing a very hard shaft.
“Oh, yes, I’m quite sure, thank you,” she replied, shaking her head. “I would freeze to death.”
He jumped into the water, without even flinching. She knew he was able to control his body temperature, but it still amazed her.
“I’ll keep you warm,” he promised.
She chuckled. “Thank you, but I’ll pass.”
“I’ll warm the water for you,” he insisted.
“How the hell would you do that?” she asked, surprised.
“By raising my body temperature. The water won’t be hot, but it will be warm enough,” he explained.
“Wouldn’t that be dangerous to you?” she asked, getting up and closing the distance between them.
“No, of course not. Come, I want you with me,” he asked again, stretching out his hand.
She let out a deep sigh. “I’m sure I’ll regret this,” she mumbled, as she shed her clothes.
By the time she finished undressing, the water was at the right temperature, and he helped her in.
She shuddered a bit as the cool water covered her body, but like he promised he quickly warmed her up, with his kisses and caresses.
After he stole her breath with a few kisses, he pulled her up and captured her hard nipples with his mouth. Playing with them for a while, he kissed, licked and nibbled, while she moaned and squirmed in his arms, each caress dragging her closer to the edge.
At some point, he slid his hand between them, right until he found her throbbing clit and started playing with it, rubbing and pulling until she was sobbing and begging for more.
But he didn’t stop, he wanted her to come, so he increased his pace, and after a few moments he had her screaming out his name, as waves of pleasure rushed through her.
Pleased, he made her lean over the edge of the pool, looking away before he leaned over her.
His hot body pressed against hers and she was able to feel his hard shaft poking her buttocks. She let out a moan, still lingering in the waves of pleasure he had conjured for her.
He slid his hands underneath her arms and cupped her breasts, clamping her still hard nipples.
“Are you ready for me, sweet girl?” he murmured in her ear, biting her earlobe and ripping a small cry from her lips.
“I’m always ready for you,” she managed to say, while she felt his cock brushing her entrance.
He slid one of his hands back to her pussy, and guided his shaft inside her, sliding it slowly, relishing on the way she stretched to welcome him.
Soon, her walls were clenching around him, eager for more and he didn’t waste any more time and started to thrust in and out of her. They were so aroused, the passion burning inside them was so intense, it only took them a few moments to fly up to the splended world of paradise. Wild waves of pleasure washed through them tirelessly, until they came with a loud roar.
As always, Bretdon’s essence pushed Ophelia again and again over the edge until she was completely drained, in the arms of her lover.
When the waves subsided, Bretdon helped her wash and carried her out of the pool and right to where he had installed the mattress and lit a fire.
“Was it worth it?” he murmured, as he helped her get dressed.
“It certainly was,” she replied, giggling at his efforts to put her sweater on.
He kissed the tip of her nose and covered her with the blanket. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Stepping aside from the mattress, he walked to where he had left the food he had brought into the cave for their evening meal.
“Do you need any help?” she asked, leaning her head on her hand, to watch him walk around the place, still naked.
Though he had some scars here and there, his body was a walking work of art, and she didn’t get tired of looking at it.
“No, I can do it. Just stay there, I’ll make you dinner.”
She smiled and snuggled up in the blanket he had covered her up with.
Now that there was nothing else in her mind, her doubts about the future returned. Would he take her with him when he left the planet? She knew he didn’t have to take her with him anymore. She also knew she would be in trouble if he decided he no longer wanted her once they were on another world. But she wasn’t ready to see him leave.
Her silly heart insisted she would never find someone like him, and it had nothing to do with the fact he was a cyborg. Kirkcal was a cyborg too, the blueish tone of his skin was more faded than Bretdon’s, but he didn’t inspire any feelings in her, other than friendship.
Her dark thoughts changed the expression on her face, completely and Bretdon soon noticed it.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, with a frown. “Are you feeling alright? You look as if you were in pain.”
And she was, in a lot of pain, but she couldn’t simply talk to him about it. The last thing she wanted was to scare him away before time.
She shook her head and gave him a faint smile. “I’m alright. Just a bit worried about mom, that’s all,” she lied, blatantly.
He walked towards her with their food and took a seat next to her. “We’ll get her out of that place, I promise you.”
“I know you will, I just wished they had never taken her in the first place,” she replied, sighing.
He handed her the plate. “I know, but in the end, everything will be alright.” He paused. “I guess you’ve regretted meeting me a million times,” he said, in a low tone.
Startled, she turned to look at him. “No, why do you think that? I know things haven’t been exactly easy ever since we met, but I’ve never regretted it.” She chuckled. “You brought adventure to my extremely boring life. I’m not happy that my mother was dragged into this situation when she had nothing to do with it, but that’s all.”
He looked at her with his eyebrows furrowed, as if he was having trouble believing her words.
“I r
eally didn’t think when I decided to stop you that this would go so far.” He rubbed his face. “All I was able to think was finding a way to free myself, no matter what.”
She nodded. “That’s understandable. I guess I would feel the same way if I was in your place.”
He leaned towards her and kissed her cheek.
That night, they slept in each other’s arms, and when the sun started showing its face on the horizon, they continued their journey. It took them four days to reach the rendezvous place.
But when they got close, Bretdon realized they couldn’t finish their trip. The place was taken by soldiers.
“They must have found out it was a meeting point for cyborgs,” she said, worried.
“Yes, most probably. More and more cyborgs are escaping, and I guess they are getting worried.”
“But they’re not doing anything to prevent it.”
“Exactly. They would never admit they are treating us wrongly,” he agreed, with some resentment.
“What will we do now?” she asked, looking around, worried they could be under surveillance.
“We’ll go straight to the Taucet colony and see what we can find there. I could face the soldiers at the meeting place, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She shook her head, dreading the idea. “No, we don’t need any more conflicts. With luck, we’ll find something we can use to get you in touch with the other cyborgs.”
“Yes, that’s what I’m hoping.” He turned around the vehicle and headed towards the colony.
“I’m sorry you weren’t able to leave your friends a message,” she said, patting his shoulder.
But she wasn’t. In fact, she was quite relieved. That meant we would stay with her more time than planned and she couldn’t help feeling happy for it.
“It’s alright, we’ll find a way,” he said with a smile.
“Of course, we will.”
The journey towards the colony was a bit shorter, and a couple of days later, they were arriving at the ruins of the colony.
The place was a total wreck, but Bretdon was determined to find anything they could use underneath all the debris left behind.
