Testing Truth (Cyborg Space Exploration #6) - Cynthia Sax Page 0,8

scope, was beyond any of their experiences.

The mission had to be completed. She couldn’t leave her brother to be restrained and tortured.

And it had to be completed without any harm to her team. It might not be done, as Valentin would say, but she loved her royal dresser, her private secretary, her royal guard. She couldn’t lose them.

Nancy straightened her shoulders. What she needed was a plan. She didn’t have any ideas…yet. But maybe the broadcast from Nereid Negative One would give her some insights.

She could do this. Her resolve solidified. She had to do it.

Failure was unthinkable.

Chapter Three

Excitement surged through Truth’s circuits as their fighter ship approached the planet they were assigned to explore. Dissent sat beside him on the bridge. The J Model was more subdued.

They were hailed as soon as they entered the atmosphere.

“You’ve entered Nereid Negative One controlled space.” The male voice informed them of a fact they had already processed. “What is your purpose for doing so?”

“Our ship has been damaged.” Dissent’s tone was flat.

That damage had been caused by the J Model’s female and Future. Truth grinned. The two of them had pummeled the fighter ship so severely, it had required repairs before it left the Reckless.

“Your fighter ship is registered to the Humanoid Alliance.” The male must have a visual on their vessel. “You were manufactured by the Humanoid Alliance, cyborg.”

A lifeform scan would have relayed their identities. The male didn’t conceal his hatred for their manufacturers.

It was a hatred Truth and Dissent shared. “We were manufactured by them, but they no longer control us.” That information should have been known throughout the universe by now. “When some of the cyborgs escaped the Humanoid Alliance, they killed the human crew and took the fighter ship as their reward.”

That information had been relayed by those cyborgs, were part of their collective databases. They processed the history of all the vessels they utilized.

There was a long pause.

Truth and Dissent continued their approach. Dissent’s right index finger hovered above the button to activate their shields.

The beings on Nereid Negative One prided themselves on blowing up one Humanoid Alliance ship. They could attempt to blow up another.

“You are authorized to land, cyborgs.” The male finally relayed that decision. “We look forward to hearing stories of your rebellion.”

The transmission ended.

“I look forward to battle.” Truth cracked his knuckles. “It won’t take much to provoke the locals. They sound on edge, ready to fight.”

The planet’s surface was gray, covered with dust. The settlement consisted of a couple of structures. Lifeform scans relayed less than one hundred beings on the surface.

“Our mission isn’t to provoke the locals.” Dissent’s tone was dry. “Collect their genetic data first.”

“Yes, we’ll collect that first.” Truth would complete the mission. “Then we’ll have our fun.”

He was going to love Nereid Negative One.

It didn’t take long to complete 76.5896 percent of their mission. They landed, transferred credits to the bots to repair the exterior of their fighter ship, circled the tiny planet 2 times on foot. There was nothing to note except flat terrain and knee-deep dust.

They explored the smaller domiciles, touching those inhabitants, gathering their genetic information, before heading to the beverage outlet. That structure held most of the beings currently located on Nereid Negative One.

Truth walked through the doors. Dissent followed him closely. They stopped inside the structure.

Heads turned. An assortment of beings glowered at them. They were all humanoids, all heavily armed. Most of them were male. Their scars and the state of their weapons designated them as warriors.

And they appeared to hate cyborgs.

These beings won’t react well to being touched. Dissent stated that truth.

I have a plan. Truth grinned.

Our mission is to collect their genetic information, not kill them. The J Model reminded him.

Fraggin’ hole. He was no fun.

I have another plan. Truth stepped forward. “We’re no longer under Humanoid Alliance control.” He whooped and lifted his arms as though in victory. “Fermented beverage for everyone. We’re paying.”

The humanoids cheered. The six-armed Gegenee distributed the beverage-filled containers.

North’s female has influenced you, D Model. Dissent’s transmission lilted with humor.

Her “give them a show” strategy is effective. Truth jogged around the perimeter of the chamber, slapping hands, shoulders, collecting both congratulations and the humanoids’ genetic material.

Dissent did the same. Between the two of them, they completed their assignment in mere moments. The data was obtained.

We should return to the Reckless. The J Model was eager to reunite with his female.

Truth had nothing waiting for him on the ship except boredom. Or we could stay