Testing Truth (Cyborg Space Exploration #6) - Cynthia Sax Page 0,72
first shifted behind the female. His jaw was jutted. He had no model type or number inked on his cheek.
Future was freeborn, Truth had explained to her. He was the couple’s son.
And he looked to be as moody as any Royaume youth. That realization eased some of Nancy’s fears.
“Valentin.” She prompted her private secretary and father for the formal introductions.
He cleared his throat. “Her Royal Highness Princess Nanette of the planet Royaume and her Consort, Prince Truth.”
“Fraggin’ hole. He’s calling himself a prince now.” A cyborg positioned near the Captain scowled. He leaned heavily to one side, was accompanied by a human female who was also dressed all in pink. “What is next? Will he—”
“Chuckles.” Truth’s Captain leveled a hard glance on the male.
Chuckles stopped talking but continued to scowl at Truth.
Truth smiled cheerily back at him. “Did you miss me, you grumpy bag of bolts? I missed you.”
“He can’t miss you.” Dissent, one of Truth’s best friends, joined the conversation. They spoke with him via the viewscreens multiple times a planet rotation. “None of us can miss you, Prince Truth.” The human-appearing cyborg had one of his arms wrapped around his human female, Greer. “You’re bright pink and you sparkle.”
“The enemy can see you the length of seven battle stations away.” A warrior carrying an extremely active cyborg baby shook his head. That was North, the Captain’s second-in-command. Nancy had seen him on the viewscreen also.
“We have a new addition.” A tall female with pale skin, red eyes, and black spiked hair sauntered up to Nancy and pounded her on the shoulder.
That enthusiastic greeting threatened to crush her. It took all of Nancy’s willpower not to wince.
But she accomplished that feat because she was a princess, Truth’s princess. She wouldn’t embarrass her cyborg by showing weakness in front of his brethren.
“Myrina the Magnificent might no longer be the newest female on the Reckless, but I will always be the best warrior.” The female raised her arms in triumph.
The warriors around her cheered.
“There will be no testing of those skills for twenty-one more planet rotations.” Doc frowned at Myrina. His white jacket made him easily identifiable.
His female, Allinen, also wore a white jacket. She dazzled Nancy, glowing brighter than any being she had ever seen.
“Silence.” Truth’s Captain barked that order.
Everyone obeyed him.
Nancy stiffened, instinctively reacting to the authority in the male’s voice.
The big cyborg met her gaze. “Captain Vector of the Reckless.” He straightened to his full, rather daunting, height. “This is my female Kasia and our offspring Future.”
“We’ll be good friends, Princess Nanette.” The female, Kasia, smiled. “One can tell a lot about a being by the code on her ship.”
Nancy didn’t know much about code, but she recognized a fellow leader when she met one. “Call me Nancy, and thank you for all your assistance during my brother’s rescue.”
“You’re Truth’s female.” Kasia shrugged. “That makes you one of us.”
Nancy beamed. She was one of them. Truth’s brethren had accepted her.
“I love Captain’s female.” Her cyborg stroked her side while expressing his caring for Kasia.
His affection for his Captain’s female didn’t impact Nancy’s place in his heart. Nancy understood that now. She was his primary focus.
He loved her more than everyone, everything else.
“I know you love her.” She gazed up at her cyborg. He had an open, caring heart. She adored that about him. “You’ve told me that seven times.”
Kasia laughed. “Truth loves everyone.”
“I had to train so I could handle the love I feel for my female.” Truth brushed his lips over Nancy’s forehead, leaving a fizzing trail of nanocybotics on her skin. “That intensity of adoration isn’t for the unskilled.”
“Ugh.” Chuckles made a gagging noise. “Doc, scan Truth. He must be malfunctioning. His chatter lacks logic.”
“I’m afflicted with love.” Truth lifted Nancy’s hand and kissed her gloved fingers.
Chuckles made more gagging noises.
“I like your dress.” His female, Bettina, moved closer to Nancy. “And your head decoration.”
“Thank you.” Nancy beamed at her. “I like your garments also.” She drifted with purpose to the right. “My mother, Marthe, fabricated my gown and chose my tiara for this planet rotation.” Nancy dragged the female out of the shadows, forcing her to leave her hiding place. “She loves pink.”
“I love pink also.” Bettina hugged Nancy’s mother, which surprised the sparkles off her. “I craft neck- and finger- and other decorations.”
“Do you?” Marthe’s eyes shone with excitement, her shyness forgotten. “Have you ever crafted a tiara?”
They chattered.
Nancy listened to the conversation and looked around her.