“So you’re no longer hiding then?”
“Not anymore. Losing me was a costly shock—god, I love how much money I’m worth—and a setback. It created some political strife but it was for the best in the long run. Those that came into power after the war ended took into account that Cyborgs couldn’t be controlled forever. If they wanted our continued help and for us to never turn on them, we would have to be as free as any natural born man.”
“And your exile?”
“I’m not allowed to enter commercial air space or any Earthian-controlled colonies without prior notarized clearance from both the head the EPED and the fleet admiral in control of the region I’m visiting. I’m not allowed on any star port or waystation that is in full control of the government on pain of imprisonment. My contact with the civilized world is to be at the barest minimum,” Gunner said as he took the longer strands of her hair between his fingers started clipping away.
“Didn’t the government go after you when you deserted? Wouldn’t they try to kill you or lock you up? Even I knew that back then and treason is one of the highest crimes one can commit. You should be dead.”
“Power and freedom.” He smirked. “Elodie, I’m still employed by them.”
She deadpanned. “You are?”
“Yes.” Her strands fell softly around her shoulders in waves as he tugged her head back and forth and styled her hair. “The EPED or the Earthian Planetary Exploration Division. A pseudo-private corporation under the government umbrella. I’m a retriever for them and the job suits me. They can make use of me and send me to the brinks of the known universe to hunt and bring back whatever it is they want to study... Or to have quietly vanished from existence and in return I’m paid enough to keep my ship maintained and have purpose.”
“But after everything you’ve been through, don’t you want more?” She wasn’t exactly sure how old Gunner was but if he was created around the time the rest of the Cyborgs were, then he was at least twice her age.I would want more.
“Do you think I deserve more?”
“Yes, because you’realive and freeand scant few have the opportunities you have. You were exiled by the same people who are employing you, who created you. I would think you’d want more out of life than eternally roaming the edges of the known universe and working for them. Why not run?”
“I tried that. Nothing changed.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t understand. You could go off the grid, change your name, and get new upgrades. You could find a new ship and fly it so far away that no one would ever encounter you again. If you’re above the law why not just leave? You didn’t regret it then, what’s so different now?”
Gunner set down the scissors and ruffled her hair. “I don’t want to,” he said again and smiled, turning her around to face him. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve thought about it. I’ve tried and each time I turned back.”
“What stopped you?”
“What stopped me? There’s nothing out there and that scares me too. What else is there without this?” he asked, suddenly looking at her directly, intensely.
Her words from earlier were thrown back in her face. Gunner searched her eyes, imploringly, and she took a short step back, bewildered. The strings that pulled her to him cinched and wrapped around her heart. He rested his hands on the sink to either side of her.
He’s going to kiss me.
She dug her nails into the palms of her hands. He leaned down and she leaned back. Her lips parted and the guns on his cheeks pointed to his beautiful bow-shaped mouth.
If he kisses me...
But his lips never met hers.
“Well, are you ready?” The words breezed over her forehead and he took a step back.
She wasn’t ready. Not anymore. She was overwhelmed.
“No.” She licked her lips against the kiss he didn’t give her. “But it doesn't matter.” Elodie maneuvered around him, fleeing and leaving the bathroom behind. The courage she once held was now gone. “I don't want to be here anymore.”
Her heart raced as she collected the rest of her supplies, stopping at the table to pick up her contraption and a piece of piping she was going to wield as a weapon.
When she was done, she headed to the broken door. Her eyes briefly looked at the punctured wall, to the gel casings that littered the floor from the food replicator, and to the pile of blankets lying in the corner. The place had become a sanctuary and one she would always remember...but it was time to leave.
Gunner stood at the edge of the room quietly. Elodie refused to meet his gaze.
A surge of excitement shot through her. The taste of freedom was at the tip of her tongue. When he finally approached, he looked bleak but self-assured and she wondered what he was thinking.
It was time to go.
He didn’t say anything as he gripped the door panel and shoved it into the wall. Heavy plumes of heat and steam, damp with humidity, cascaded over them as the giant machines came back into view and the sounds of shifting metal with it.
