The Outlaw Cyborg (Cyborgs on Mars #5) - Honey Phillips Page 0,18

city and never for more than a short journey in a rover.”

“Perhaps it would be better to take a rover after all.”

“I would prefer not to be tracked.” Her fingers flexed. “Do you think we could get to the supply depot without being seen?”

“I think so.”

“Then we will requisition some supplies there,” she said briskly and headed for the door to her office.

He gently reached out and stopped her, shaking his head. “Let me go first.” He saw her bristle at his authoritative tone, but while he might be willing to let her set the direction in most things, he would not take any chances with her safety. “I’ll make sure the path is clear.”

After a slight but noticeable hesitation, she inclined her head as regally as any queen. “Very well.”

He led the way out through her reception area and paused again. He could hear voices from the lower level rising up through the open atrium at the center of the building but this floor appeared to be deserted. Together they moved silently across the open area and into the maze of corridors to one side.

“The back stairs are this way,” she murmured.

They made their way to a concealed back entrance on the ground floor without encountering anyone else, although twice he brought them to a halt as he waited for a passageway to clear. Despite her initial reaction, she followed him without argument, and he was surprised to find how quickly and quietly she could move.

“You’re good at being stealthy,” he murmured as he cautiously opened the outer door and checked their surroundings.

“I developed a lot of survival skills over the years.” Her voice was matter-of-fact, but he suspected the story behind it was not.

“Good. It makes me feel a lot safer to know that I’m in such talented hands,” he said with a grin, and she actually smiled back, a genuine smile that made her entire face light up. The sight took his breath away, and he had to force his attention back to his task.

“All right, now.”

They headed for the canyon wall that formed one of the boundaries of New Arcadia and hurried along next to it. The majority of establishments populating the town faced the main street, and this area was deserted. They reached the supply depot without being seen.

The depot appeared to be deserted as well, and he began a rapid search for suitable equipment. Serena kept close to his side but once again she allowed him to take the lead. Fortunately, everything was neatly labeled and he found the row of travel supplies easily enough. He had just pulled down a small portable habitat when he heard the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked.

“You just put that back where you found it and keep your hands in the air. Step away from him, missy. I’m not going to let him hurt you.”

J-100 whirled in the direction of the voice, placing himself between Serena and the weapon. A weapon held by a withered old man with a heavily bruised face but one who held the gun with utter certainty.

“This might not kill you, but it will sure as hell slow you down. You let her go now.”

Before he could stop her, Serena peeked her head around his arm. “It’s all right, Cyrus. I’m here of my own free will.”

“Ms. Serena? Well, I’ll be damned.” The old man’s eyes traveled over Serena’s coveralls as she tried to step forward. J-100 immediately tugged her back against his side, and those sharp old eyes hardened. “I said let her go.”

“Really, it’s all right.” Serena patted his hand. “I know neither one of you is going to hurt me so stop acting like two old roosters.”

He glared at the older man, but he couldn’t deny that he only seemed interested in Serena’s wellbeing. With a grunt, he released her arm. Cyrus was not as quick to lower his weapon but when J-100 started to tense again, the older man sighed and finally let the gun drop.

“What are the two of you doing here?”

“You know the hybrids tried to take over the city?” she asked.

Cyrus nodded and briefly rubbed his bruised jaw. “Yeah. But I thought the Judge and that boy were gonna take care of it.”

“You helped them? Thank you,” she said sincerely with a soft smile at Cyrus. J-100 bit back his instinctive protest at her softness towards another man. “Fortunately, John had already arrived to save the day.”

“Reckon so.”

“Other cyborgs have come to help out as