Containing Malice (Rebel Cyborgs #1) - Cynthia Sax Page 0,60

from his wrist sockets and jumped to his booted feet. “It is—”

The door to the chamber opened. Patch rushed into the space. The J Model’s gaze fell on Illona. His expression was too warm, too appreciative.

Malice rumbled a warning. Fellow medic or not, he would smack the male into the floor tiles if he dared to touch her.

The J Model glanced at him and straightened. “Cadet is waiting in the hallway. She wants to talk to you.” His gaze swept over them, lingering too long on Illona. “All three of you.”

Malice had seen enough. He grunted, stalked toward his female.

“Our patient appears to have stabilized.” She darted a glance at him. Her gaze returned to Patch. “Her gauze requires changing.” She talked faster. “Clean her while you—” She squeaked as Malice hefted her into the air.

He strapped his arms around his female, securing her high against his chest. “He will tend to the patient. You’re no longer her medic, my female.” He carried her out the door.

Valor assured the humanoid females they were safe. His friend then followed them.

Cadet wasn’t alone in the hallway. Grudge, the C Model with the bared-to-the-mechanics arm, waited there with her. They both scowled at Malice when he emerged from the chamber with his female.

He glowered back at them and folded his form protectively around his little human.

“We won’t damage her, C Model.” Cadet sighed. “We will transport you wherever you want to go.” Her gaze shifted to Illona. “Wherever ANY of you want to go.”

Malice rumbled, not liking that implication. The cyborg wouldn’t separate them.

“But before you answer that question, consider these inputs.” Cadet held up her hand. “There are cyborg- and human-friendly settlements on Mercury Minor, our home planet. And there are cyborg-human couples, a few triads. No one would damage you.” Her gaze once again fixed on Malice’s female. “Any of you. The newly freed cyborgs have their own area and only mix unsupervised with humans and humanoids once they’ve grown accustomed to their presence, when they won’t damage any beings.”

Malice would never rely on another being’s assurances regarding the safety of his female. His chin lifted. He would never leave her side, would protect her his fraggin’ self.

“Patch relayed you saved the human female’s lifespan, Medic Illona.” Cadet addressed his female. “On behalf of our community and her not-yet-identified warrior, I thank you.”

Malice’s female glowed. “It was my role.”

She was too blasted modest. Pride expanded his chest. His female was skilled at repairing beings.

“It’s a role we very much need filling on Mercury Minor.” Cadet’s tone was sincere. “We have no one who has expertise on human and humanoid repairs. There are 1,035 humans and humanoids on the planet, and 97.1981 percent of them are female. Male cyborgs are taking on the tasks of repairing beings, but they require trainers. Patch relayed you were skilled at that role also.”

“He learned quickly.” His little medic redirected some of the praise.

Malice squeezed her. He was honored to be her warrior.

“The role of Lead Medic to the humans and humanoids on Mercury Minor is yours if you desire it.” Cadet surprised both of them with that offer, his female jerking in his arms. “You will have your choice of domicile, will have the best medic bay we can fabricate, the best equipment and supplies we can obtain.”

“Whoa.” Illona glanced at him as though needing to confirm the female’s words.

Malice nodded. Cyborgs didn’t lie.

“I project you will want to stay by your female’s side, C Model.” Cadet’s tone turned dry. “But we also have training structures and mock battles and other tasks to keep a warrior occupied.”

He grunted. Stopping his female from damaging herself would fully occupy his time.

Cadet glanced at Valor. Her nose wrinkled. “Patch relays you have eased some of the humanoid females’ emotional damage, E Model. There is always a role on Mercury Minor for cyborgs who are skilled at interacting with newly-arrived humans and humanoids.”

“I would have a role on your planet?” Valor’s disbelief irritated Malice.

“Their processors would have to be fraggin’ malfunctioning not to give you a role.” He frowned at his friend. “Your prowess in battle and your loyalty would be coveted by any being.”

“I’m damaged.” The E Model held out his arms.

“You are damaged if you project that diminishes your value, you illogical bag of bolts.” Malice shook his head. “I should—”

“If you stay on Mercury Minor, there are rules.” Cadet interrupted their communications. “You can receive transmissions, but you can’t transmit. You’ll keep your recording abilities deactivated