Ares

by Jessie Rose Case

Rage looked over at him. “How long before you leave?”

  “Week at most.”

  “I’d like to buy the female.” Kim had been drinking her sludge when Rage spoke. She choked on it and spouted it out again all over the table.

  Rage jumped up and started slapping her on the back and rubbing it. Kim’s eyes watered and streamed down her face. To her surprise, Rage’s hands were surprisingly gentle. Kim was lost between encouraging his touch and punching him.

  “I’m,” she wheezed, “not for sale arsehole.”

  Rage re-took his seat, he looked confused. “You are not his property?”

  “Fuck no.” Kim shook her head and looked at Mack. “No offense.” He was laughing. “You finding this funny Mack? Cos I can go work elsewhere.” She was pissed and was misdirecting her fire but she couldn’t help it. Fucking property?

  Mack paled. “No need for that Kim. It was just funny that he could think any male owned you.” Kim gave him her beady eye. He was flattering her and they both knew it. She let it go. Rage started speaking again and Kim thought she’d punch him after all.

  “If you have no male protector you need to come with us.” Kim put her hands up in an old-world way and hit them together.

  “Time out.”

  “What does that mean?” Rage asked the female confused by the shape she was making with her hands and the words.

  “It means you stop being an ass and listen to what I have to say.” He smiled at that.

  “And if I don’t?” He challenged. Kim raised her left hand and the gun in it.

  “You get another introduction to Mr Sparky.”

  Rage chuckled. He really liked this female. She pushed all his buttons and he knew he was being an arse, but he couldn’t help it. He liked her riled up.

  “Ok.” He told her and sat back. “How about you come and see our engines on the Marauder. Tell us how we can improve them. No stings and we will pay you a consultation fee for doing so. If they need up grading we will pay you for that too. I hear you have done this for others, yes?” He asked her.

  Kim stared at Rage like he was nuts. “Do I look stupid? Once I’m on there, how do I know you’ll let me off again.” Rage suddenly looked every inch his name. So did his friend.

  “That would be dishonourable, and we would log the job with the consortium to keep things above board.” Kim thought about it. It was clear they weren’t going to leave unless she agreed to something.

  She nodded. “Send me your current engine specs and I’ll look at them. Only if I find I can do something, will I come on board. Deal?”

  Rage nodded to Dark. He lifted his comm device and Kim’s data pad pinged. “You have the details. I’ll be in touch.” He watched her pick up the pad. She didn’t acknowledge him already engrossed in her work. Rage hoped she’d look up. He wanted to take in those eyes again. She didn’t.

  “Just one more thing, you owe me for two head injuries, a broken rib and sprained wrist. I’ll take payment now.” She told him.

  “You were injured?” Rage wanted to punch something hard. He turned and gave a nod to Mack and walked off the ship. Dam he wanted that woman and had plenty to make up for. He’d be having words with Pain.

  “Did you send her the original specs?” Rage asked Dark as they walked off the ramp heading towards their ship.

  “No. Too obvious. Gave her the second remodel.” Rage nodded.

  “Good. I need a drink.” Rage suddenly hated to leave the female. He feared she would convince Mack to up and leave. “Send Mack a bonus for waiting on us and the money to cover her injuries. Double for when she’s finished. If they leave he gets nothing.”

  Dark snorted. “You have it bad man.” Rage grinned and strode out for the nearest bar.

  “Yeah. She won’t know what’s hit her.”

  Kim had expected them to send her some crap. She’d got right on it so she could blow them out, but they hadn’t. What they’d sent was interesting. She’d bet it wasn’t their latest model either. It had already seen a couple of re-models. Two good ones by the look of it. No one kept the standard engine they came with. Ever. Not unless you were completely useless. Then you were gonna be bate.

  She looked over the specs. It was good. Not imaginative at all but functional. No creativity. Just logic. They didn’t love what they did and didn’t have her feel. Then again, no one had her feel on things. It was a job to them and that’s where they were going wrong, it had to be more than that. Kim smiled. This would be too easy.

  She’d found Mack and insisted the work was bogus and they should leave. He wasn’t having any of it. Wouldn’t budge. They couldn’t leave until the week was up. He’d given his word or some such crap. Still, it gave her time to finish off their own engines. Remix had come up with several apologies, some cheap parts and paid her what he owed her. He was sweating, hoping not to sour their relationship. Kim wasn’t sure about that. It still felt off. You couldn’t trust a guy who couldn’t keep his mouth shut. It was a known fact, ladies be warned.

  Still, even with her V status, she wasn’t much of a lady. Maybe she’d give the guy a break. She looked over her notes again on Rage’s ship. She could do a lot with it. Cash depending of course. Did she want to? That was the question. She wasn’t entirely sure he was on the up and up. That he wouldn’t go back on the deal somehow. He’d been contacting their ship daily for updates. She’d happily ignored him. Only Mack had got pissed this morning telling her to ‘man up’.

  Who the fuck wanted to ‘man up’? She didn’t. She was curious though. Rage hadn’t wanted to let her hand go and that was …… cute. More than cute if she were honest. Kim put down the data pad. She needed to get her mind off Rage. Pacing her room, she tried to ignore the send button flashing on the screen. She’d had it ready for the past two days. Mack was right. She was being a chicken. She knew it but it felt like a turning point. To send it was accepting that and she wasn’t sure she was ready for what came next.

  He was too big, too male and had all that dominant thing going on. She didn’t need it and he really annoyed her. Strangely though, for all his blustering, she just knew, he’d never intentionally hurt her. She liked that. He would protect her. She would be safe. But at what cost? And if she didn’t send something, like Mack said, they’d be back. And Rage would be pissed. She wondered what he looked like pissed. Aroused. Kim slumped on the end of her bed. Stupid thoughts weren’t helping. It was time to man up. Leaning over she looked at the flashing icon on the screen. Fuck it. Kim pressed send. Life had been a bit boring of late anyway.

  ***

  They’d been biding their time for four days. The men were edgy and he was barely hanging on from requesting a full assault on that ship. Taking what was his. He’d spent hours in the training area. He’d taken them all on one by one, beaten them down and demanded more. His emotions out of control. His logic nowhere to be found. They knew better than to press him. In fact, they were pissed at him. He understood their concern. His control slipping for a woman, a human. It didn’t happen to Cyborgs. They were the one’s in control. Not humans and not females.

  If she didn’t come through today, he was going over there, stripping her bare and fucking her for all the world to see.

  “We have a reply.” Rage looked up.

  “Thank the gods. He won’t rip someone to pieces now.” Burn told the crew. There was humorous chuckling around the bridge. Rage hissed. They smirked back.

  “No dam respect on this ship.” He mumbled. It wasn’t true and they all knew it.

  Rage rubbed his hands together. Suddenly feeling lighter than he had in days. He’d get her here one way or another.

  “So what we got?” He had to vocalise the request. Many of his men no longer had the use of their neuro net. No longer could they communicate electronically along their neural pathways. They’d been burnt out or cut deliberately by previous owners or handlers. It was unclear if they would ever be fixed.

  “You have three options. All creative and I don’
t understand some of it. Seems more like luck than anything, but she gave price options against capabilities. And, she assumed that what we sent her wasn’t up to date. She’s cleaver.” Rage couldn’t control the grin on his face or the pride washing over him. He watched Burn run through what she’d sent.

  “Not sure that’s possible.” He muttered.

  “Well?” Rage’s patience was paper thin and she’d pushed him to breaking point.

  Burn shrugged, “bottom line, she can get more than triple out of the engines if you want to pay for it.”

  Rage grinned. She was his. “Tell her we’ll take the full upgrade to the max. She starts tomorrow 8am. Pay her and Mack.” She wasn’t getting out of this. Rage rubbed unconsciously at his chest. It ached with a need he didn’t understand.

  ***

  A banging on her door woke her. Kim looked over at the clock, 6am standard time. What the hell?

  “Go away,” she mumbled at the door, then turning over.

  “Not going to happen sweetness. Rise and shine your escort is here. Breakfast then work. So get that dam sweet ass in that shower or I’m coming in to join you.”

  Kim rolled back and looked at the ceiling of her cabin. Rage was outside her door? She had a sweet ass? And he might come in and join her in the shower? Had she gone to a new reality?

  Kim shook her head. “I don’t start till 8. Fuck off.” She could hear him laughing.

  “Not a morning person firefly? Get up I have REAL coffee.”

  Kim was close to telling him to fuck off again, she really was. But dam, real coffee? Shit.

  “I’ll be out in 10.” She called back throwing off the flow blanket. A girl had to know when to cave right?

  She’d actually been 11 minutes. She’d taken a bit of extra time with shaving those essential places. And God knows why! And she’d chosen those panties she liked so much, they were completely impractical. They’d be up her arse all day. But she’d still worn them and was in the kitchen, wet hair and all ready to go.

  “Feels like a first date.” Rage told her as she walked in. Kim faltered. What date? Her newly shaved legs giving her an itch. She fought back a flush to the face.

  “Didn’t know Cyborgs did first dates. I’m here to work, you promised real coffee. Let’s go.”

  Kim stormed through the ship and down the loading dock with Rage behind her. She wondered if he was checking out her ass.

  “How’d you get on the ship anyway. Mack’s not up so the ship’s in lockdown.” He caught up with her.

  “Coffee’s this way Cher.” Kim gritted her teeth and followed him.

  “So how’d you get on the ship?” She asked again. Rage just smiled.

  “I have my skills you have yours.”

  Ok that was annoying he wasn’t telling her shit. She hated not knowing things.

  Rage escorted her to a high-end café on the top level. Kim hadn’t been here before. It was nice. Expensive, but real nice. She’d been to the top level many times while in Port. She loved the glass ceiling of the stars and the open space. It gave a sense of openness although still in an enclosed box. You could almost imagine being land based. Kim guessed the Cyborgs had plenty of credits. This wasn’t going to be cheap. He indicated an empty booth. Kim slipped in and picked up a menu. Dam. Just reading it made her mouth go crazy with anticipation. She was sure she was drooling.

  The waitress appeared from nowhere and was all over Rage.

  “Well hello gorgeous, what can I get you?” She purred.

  Kim rolled her eyes at the obvious come on. “Coffee, the good stuff and we’ll eat.” He told her. His eyes never leaving Kim’s face. After patting him and calling him stud, the waitress made her way to the counter.

  Seriously?

  “You into females? Your staring at our waitress.” Rage asked her. Kim turned back to him with a seriously pained expression.

  “Well who wouldn’t … stud.”

  Rage bit back his smile. “I agree she’s quite the specimen.”

  “You can say that again.” Rage heard her mumble. The waitress returned with the coffee and poured two cups. He watched as Kim’s eyes went wild at the smell.

  “We’ll have two fully loaded, all the real stuff no substitutes,” he told the waitress handing over both menus. “Extra eggs, fresh rolls on both plates.”

  Kim couldn’t stop looking at the coffee. It was dark and smelled delicious. The few times she had real coffee, had been for celebrations and treats. Although with some of her new income, she could probably buy it regularly. It just seemed such an extravagance. She ran her finger along the rim of the cup. It was hot and steamy.

  “If you don’t want it I’ll have it.” Rage’s hand reached out to her cup. Kim looked up and hissed at him.

  “Wanna loose a hand?”

  Rage drew back the hand and smiled. She was feisty. He loved it. He watched as she picked up the cup with reverence and sipped. He could read in her face the moment the taste hit her buds. She looked shocked, surprised, elated and then relaxed and took another.

  “So Kim, tell me about yourself.”

  Kim looked up confused. “You still here?” Rage bellowed in laughter. So it would be like that. “And you’re paying for this.” She told him giving him a beady eye.

  Food arrived and her coffee was pushed to one side. Kim looked at the plate. Then looked at Rages. There was enough food for an entire army. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten like this, if ever. She watched Rage pick up his knife and fork and dig in. There was no syn food on his plate and that was twice the size of anything she’d seen before, and real bread. She grabbed her own. Rage was setting a mighty fine example and she was determined to follow it.

  “You going to leave that?” Rage asked her when Kim eventually leaned back and rubbed her belly. Kim looked down at her plate. She couldn’t manage another bite. But o did she want to. It was so dam good. All that deliciousness but her stomach was screaming NOOooo. She shook her head.

  “I’m done.” She told him sadly. Rage scrapped her left overs onto his plate and added three slices of bread. That just pissed her off. Where did he put it all?

  She sipped heaven and checked out the male opposite her. Clearly he had no problem eating. Dam the man could eat enough for an entire planet. He was all lethal grace. And, they were soldiers.

  “So, you guys from the Federation, the Corp or private hire?” Rage finished his mouthful.

  “Were once Corp, no longer.” Kim nodded. There were plenty of ex-soldier’s out there.

  “So now your what? Traders? Merc’s? For hire?” She asked.

  “We’re searchers. Looking for others of us that might be lost.” Kim frowned.

  “How come they’re lost?” Rage finished off his meal, wiped his mouth with finesse that surprised Kim, and grabbed his own cup taking several gulps.

  “Some don’t know their lost. Some don’t know the war’s are over. Some are too damaged.”

  “Then how do you find them?”

  “We have some records. We use those. Go places, search. Ask around. Have people who help. Do the math. Whatever we can.” She watched him drink some more. He even did that gracefully.

  “Have you found any?” She asked. Rage grinned at her.

  “Yes lots. They have their own ships and are seeking as well.”

  “And when you find them all, what will you do?” He put his mug down. Kim thought he looked sad.

  “We won’t find them all.” He motioned the waitress over. “Check please.”

  Kim was glad his ship was a walk away, she needed the exercise. Her stomach was complaining in a good way. She needed to work it off. As she turned the corner and got the first real look at it, she stopped. Hell. It was a Demon flight class ship.

  “This yours?” She asked knowing the answer. Rage grabbed her arm.

  “Come on it won’t kill you. Unless you fuck up my engines, then I might.”

  It was way bigger than any craft she had ever been on. Ga
laxy class. An inter world ship. No wonder it dragged its ass. Look at all that re-enforced metal. She’d not seen it on the vid screen when they’d attacked.

  “You know all that metal is going to drag like a bus right?” She told him still focused on the beauty of it.

  “That’s why you’re here sweetness.”

  “Look you didn’t say anything about this.” She pulled her arm free stopping at the ramp. She pointed to the craft. “This has to weigh far more than you told me. The stresses will be heavier. I have to celebrate for that and you guys.” She looked him up and down. “How many of you and how much weight your carrying, plus cargo weight. It will all add to the load.” Rage grabbed her arm gently and walked her up the ramp.

  “You can do that now.” He told her calmly. Shit. Why did everything always turn out to be more than she’d planned for? Distracted she suddenly realised she was inside the hold of the craft and 8 men were standing in front of her.

  Now she was here, she wasn’t sure they were men. They were just too big. Too tall. Moved …… too smooth. Too ……… silent. And they looked kinda similar. All lethal and far too good looking. One or two had some nasty scars. One had an artificial hand. One an eye. A couple were clearly communicating between themselves. Movement from the back caught her eye. Out of a crate a naked male sat up and turned towards them. She recognised that crate.

  Holy fuck. Cyborgs.

  “Well that explains a lot. Your man over there appears naked and in need of some assistance. Engine room. Now.” One of the men looked from her to Rage. Rage must have agreed or something cos the new guy pointed and she walked towards him and followed him deeper into the ship……