Ares

by Jessie Rose Case

  Cyborgs now guarded and ran them. Each person in them, had been scanned for their DNA. Records had been searched for their IDs. Crimes had been listed and punishment had been given by the community Judge. The male had never been so happy. Apparently, he’d had little to do over the years and didn’t feel like he was pulling his weight. Ares knew he did now.

  He liked the male. Much to the annoyance of some of the older females, when his wife died, he’d refused to re-marry or be involved with anyone else. Ares could understand that, it was Cyborg. There being so few men at that time, made a refusal to re-mate difficult for him. However, Emmi’s grand father had made it clear it was each male’s choice. There would be no obligation or pressure from anyone. So he’d remained honourable to his first wife. Fought to defend the village when needed, until too old to do so. Then stayed and supported within the walls and taking the Judge position when the previous one died.

  Ares had found out he’d been ailing for some time. It was clear that he was often in a great deal of pain. He’d talked to him about the possibilities of nano technology and what it could do and the possibilities of using the med bed. Leonis asked to try it. He’d admitted then, that the pain was often more than he could bare. He’d rather go down fighting, Leonis had told him. Ares understood and had slapped him on the back.

  When he’d turned up the next day to speak with the medic and Ares. He’d made it clear he wanted to try whatever was possible. If he didn’t make it, that was ok. Without further hesitation he’d got in the med bed and closed his eyes. Ares had given the nod to his medic and the bed was closed. It ran its scan. Leonis had a lot of damage. Most from old injuries. The nano injector was added to the med bed and the process started. The time indicated it would be a month. The medic loaded the appropriate amount of enzymes and liquids and the bed started to do its magic.

  It would recycle waste and purify it. Using it in other ways to heal the body. What the body didn’t have, the bed would take from the enzymes and liquids. It was a simple process. If scanned for what was damaged. It was already loaded with human anatomy and optimum physicality for males and females and its job was to match it as close as possible. Telling you how long that might take. Sometimes as things were fixed, the time jumped forward. Having a positive knock on affect. In Leonis’ case, it had been nearer the four weeks before the bed was happy and powered down and alerted them.

  Leonis came out a new man. Ares smiled remembering the look on the males face when he looked in the mirror. His pain gone, so had the lines that had marred his face. He looked 20 years younger. Shocked, he’d taken his first tentative steps waiting for the pain to hit him and felt nothing. He had looked up at Ares in wonder and asked if it would last. Ares had shrugged his shoulders telling him they did not know but, the med bed was always available if something started hurting. Leonis had been so grateful that he’d nearly walked out half naked eager to show people how well he looked. Ares had called him back and given him some liquids while he dressed then sent him on his way. It had been a good day and now he ran their legal system with a whole new enthusiasm.

  The beds had been offered to help other’s too. Now the rest of the community had no pressing problems, it was about giving them a second chance and he’d been happy to do it. People’s lives in this community were improving. They had hope for the future. Many had found mates within his men. Ares were happy for them. Some females, were disgruntled and felt they were being cheated. A couple had gone so far as to dissuaded, a young female she was wrong to accept the mate bond. That the male was a mate to them. Ares had dealt with it swiftly. He’d requested both women attend a Council meeting.

  The other female was brought by her mate. He’d been very clear that if they had tried to prevent a mate bond, the punishment would be severe. Emmi had told them it was behaviour they would not accept in the community and they knew it and did it anyway. Their jealousy, their downfall. They would work the fields for five years. If they find their mate in that time, they will not be granted the ability to mate until their sentence was completed. It would be their mate’s choice, if he choose to accept them with this on their record. After the five years, they would be granted transport to another destination.

  There were those that felt the punished unduly hard. There had been talk of it being a game and nothing serious. That it had been taken out of context, the females wronged. Emmi had had to call a public meeting and lay it all out for them, leaving no ‘wiggle room’ as she called it. They had deliberately tried to ruin two lives for their own greed. Thinking it would aid them in their goal. It wouldn’t have. The Cyborg would never have picked them. It would have ruined two lives and that, was unforgivable. They’d been questions. And both she and he, had answered them. In the end, it had just been a reminder of what he’d told them all in the beginning.

  The situation had required change from both sides. A large number of his men were involved with females. The village was the females area and Ares had respected Emmi’s wish to keep things as normal as possible. But their original base was too far out for the females and she had given permission to set up camp nearer to the barricade. They had taken the opportunity to establish a security sector of their own right there. Ares had filled it with all the mated males. Buildings went up. A perimeter established around the female’s village. Jedd worked with Carolin his mate, to make sure they’re patrols were effective and not clashed. He’d kept the old base going and established four more further out. Their job, to scout and scan for insurgents. The men rotated every two weeks to keep them fresh. His ship in space patrolled the region keeping the unwanted away.

  His logic told him as he crossed what was now an established security sector, with housing, vehicles, and food mess, that this was an improvement for all of them. But he didn’t feel it. He’d had to shut down his emotions. It was the only way to be around Emmi in any form. He could still feel and sense her need through her scent and body actions. It clawed at him every day to go to her, but he held it in check. Just. He would often have to leave early finding his control slipping or send Jedd in his place, unable to function around her. He was mated to Carolin and Ares was happy for them. They made a good team. She was a good female and had tried to bring Emmi and him together. But he knew from the information Jedd supplied, Emmi had shut that down. He gazed into the community through the now open entrance, across the village to Emmi’s house. He zoomed in and found nothing to give him cause for concern. Then swept his vision across the rest of the area as he walked on. Everything looked as it should.

  The designated meeting place was beyond the village. They’d set up an unofficial landing site. That was now approved by the Council as the off-world drop point, beyond the horse corrals. As the vehicles made little noise, the area did not affect the animals or community but allowed for quick and easy access when needed. Ares ran a hand down the neck of a couple of horses that came to the fence to follow him as he walked on. He had come to find some solace in being with the peaceful animals.

  His neuro net pinged. Ares allowed access. Your late my friend. Ares smiled. Dark.

  I’m here, bringing up the rear. He told him spotting the landing party up ahead being greeted by Emmi and her Council. Ares steeled himself against the shard of pain that would inevitably come. It bombarded him, and he staggered back.

  You are unwell. Dark roared through him. Ares shook his head. He’d left the neuro link open. He closed it down quickly, gazing at Emmi in her finery. She looked regal. Beautiful. He feared moving any nearer for what he might do. He was a broken Cyborg. They feared nothing and here he barely stood, fearing everything. He held his ground, the need to fall to one knee overwhelming. He would not be going nearer after all.

  Dark must have sensed his need. He and his mate pushed through the crowd and came towards him. Apart from the greeting party there were plenty of Cyborgs running point. Rage was after all, the leader of their people. Dark moved forward with his own team following. Ares clasped his arm in greeting.
Ares daren’t open his net again. “It is good to see you Dark,” he turned to the Doctor, “Mac.” She was frowning at him.

  “You don’t look good. You left your senses open?” He nodded. “You’ve lost weight. Not eating?” Ares shrugged

  “Eating some.” Ares noted she didn’t look happy.

  “Right, enough of the bull,” she turned to Dark. “I want all my equipment set up in the security post.” She grabbed Ares arm and linked her arm through it. “Home, now.” He smiled at the female. She was pulling on him, taking control. He looked at Dark.

  “Don’t make her angry.” Dark told him. Ares gave in and let her pull him along. She had no idea where they were going but it was the general direction, so he let her have her way.

  “You have mating fever. I told you, you had to be careful. It can manifest itself in a variety of ways. None of them good.” She was telling him. “How’s the female doing?” Ares shrugged, he didn’t know. Hadn’t spoken to her in weeks.

  “You met her at the landing point. How did she seem?” He asked hopefully. He’d take any information he could get.

  “She seemed withdrawn. Going through the motions. Polite.” That sounded about right, thought Ares, as they crossed the compound back to his command centre, the pressure on him lifted. He recognised the ping on his neuro net and opened it, now more in control.

  Why have you not dealt with this? Dark asked.

  She is the leader here. Has responsibilities. And, I fucked up. It has become a barrier.

  Why did you allow that to happen? Dark demanded.

  I hurt her mentally, said things that undermined her position here. I lost it, threw all my possession at her. Demanded she do as I tell her. I was led by my fears of loosing her. It was irrational, out of control. The fear was something I had not endured before. It swallowed me. I felt I was drowning and fought back, hurting her. He walked into the building, pointed out medical, communications, his office. Mac led him into medical and closed the door behind them.

  Did you tell her that? Dark demanded. Ares mentally shook his head.

  She will not talk of private things.

  “I’m going to run a full diagnostic, lay down.” Darks female told him. Ares smiled at her.

  “Thank you for trying but we both know what this is. She rejects me as her mate and my system is starving without her.” He watched her pout and tap her foot. Something the Admirals mate did often.

  “No giving up crap. We’re on top of this. Now lay down.” Ares didn’t want to argue with the female. She was a good woman, trying to help him. He was tired. It was an effort to get up each day. Go through the motions. To do his job. He was starting to wonder what the point of it all was. Without his mate he was nothing. Ares lay down and closed his eyes. He could sleep for a while…..

  ***

  Lea stood with her Council in what was classed as their regalia. She felt like a fraud going through the motions. They’d never had need of it before now. It had been made after one of the first ships had arrived to their colony, thinking they’d be a lot more and a more formal greeting needed. When no more ships came it had been put away. What came after that, were not diplomatic missions. She’d worn her hair down, platted back from the sides of her face to the crown, gold thread twisted within it. A long richly covered dress and cloak finished the effect. Carolin and her mother stood with her, Jedd behind Carolin and the Council behind him. Her dress was made of their finest goat wool, treated in such a way, that she’d been told it resembled ‘silk’. Lea didn’t’ know what that was but it was a richly finished piece of clothing. She could appreciate the skill. It had once belonged to her great, great grandmother. The cloak, her great great grandfather. Together, they were quite the look.

  As the Cyborg soldiers gave way to the dignitaries, Lea stepped forward and introduced herself, shook hands and then introduced her sister and mother. She’d noticed that Ares had not made the roll call again. That was becoming a habit, she thought distractedly as she introduced the Council members. She wondered sadly, if he no longer wanted to be apart of the community. It pained her. She’d hardly seen the male of late. Granted, it was at her request, but it still hurt her. Not that she’d admit it. She was glad to be introduced to the medical expert. She’d come with high expectations of helping those females that had been prisoners of the pirates. Her cousin needed help. She’d barely moved from her bed, ate or showered. She did not engage with anyone, not even her and they’d been close.

  Lea realised that wasn’t actually true. She did engage with the male that calmed to be her mate. He’d never left her side in all these months. Always sat quietly, almost unseen, either in the room or just outside of it. Pressed her to eat, shower, change clothes. His constant presence not claustrophobic as Lea had expected her cousin to find it, but apparently reassuring to her. When Lea had demanded he leave initially, Faithney had become aggressive, told her to mind her own business. Lea had thought that was a breakthrough, but her mother reported, she’d gone back to her usual behaviour. Lea could imagine she had so much to recover from and she hadn’t pushed it again. Lea watched the medical specialist leave the podium they’d set up and go after her husband, pushing through the crowd that had gathered.

  She looked ahead of them wondering where she was going. Then spotted Ares standing in the foreground. Her chest ached. He looked as he always did, so in control. From her periphery she saw the other Councilman introducing themselves to the Admiral and his wife. Lea couldn’t take her gaze away from Ares. A lump formed in her throat. She didn’t know how much more she could take of this. Every day things became harder and harder to get through. His pull on her not diminishing. She’d hoped that some time would weaken her feelings but that wasn’t happening. Part of her was glad he was keeping his distance, the other part, desperate for his touch. Lea swallowed. She couldn’t go there. Any slight give in her fortitude and her body betrayed her. She’d lane awake at night with images of Ares surrounding her, in her. Giving her such amazing pleasure that her body would cry out for the real thing. She’d had to distract herself. Set up a training room in her home. She’d go for hours around it, exhausting herself, finally too tired to think of him or anything else and crashing. It wasn’t healthy, she knew that but didn’t know what else to do.

  Ares had greeted the two people and moved off. She was sorry to see him leave. She’d been so confident that what she’d found with him had been special. Right up to the point when he’d told her what he expected her to do. How she was tearing him apart doing what she had to. She couldn’t change that. These were her people, her responsibility. So she’d done what she had to and walked away. His face had told her everything. For once, it showed exactly how he was feeling. His anger, frustration and fear, were clear for her to see. And that’s, what shocked her. Cyborgs didn’t show emotion. They were ruled by logic and yet, there stood a male who was upset, conflicted, who wanted to protect her, realising he couldn’t and it had torn him apart. She’d caused that.

  She’d been brought up knowing, she had no control on the outcome of her life. Now knowing how Cyborgs were created, she had thought that Ares would understand that but clearly, he didn’t. He was born to fight, to war. Above all, to protect his people and he was very good at it. That was no different from her and from what she’d heard and seen, there were few who could match Cyborgs in strength and skill. She however, had to rely on other skills to survive.

  It was evident to Lea that Ares was used to being in control. Of being in command. The fact that he couldn’t be in control of this, was something new to him. Something he feared and that, had compromised his judgement when it came to her. They both knew it. Lea was sure that had never happened before either. She made him weak, made him doubt himself and make the wrong decisions. She refused to allow that. She felt the movement of someone moving closer to her.

  “He is a magnificent male.” Jealousy assaulted her. She gripped her fists and tried for calm. Lea turned to the female. The Admirals mate.
Kim. Lea knew instantly her jealously was misplaced. This female only had eyes for her mate. She turned back to the group of three walking away. One the Doctor her cousin so desperately needed.

  “He is.” She whispered.

  “Then why are you miserable and so is he?” Lea half smiled and looked down at her hands. Her scars were all gone now. She took a breath and turned to the female and smiled sadly.

  “I am not the female for him.” Kim tilted her head and looked at her.

  “Cyborg DNA doesn’t make mistakes Lea. What it also doesn’t do, is help you find a way to make it work. That, is up to you but make no mistake, you are his mate.” Lea heard it and knew her to be right. And that was the problem, she couldn’t see a way forward.

  ***

  Ares came back on line. His systems worked through his system update. Ran a diagnostic check. Found everything to be working within parameters. He blinked and watched the systems check results cross his optic.

  “There you are.” Mac told him. Ares looked over as his optic cleared and he focused on his visual.

  “What did it tell you?” He asked getting up. Dark was sitting in the corner.

  “It told me what we already know. Your system is reflecting your nature. Your bonded. Your blood is saturated with mating pheromones. And your fighting your nature. It’s affecting your system. You’re having to shut more and more off, as they become tainted in your systems desperation, to connect to your mate. It’s making you ill, stopping you functioning.” She looked over at Dark.