“I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you at the Enclave, because I enjoyed spending time with you.”
“Maybe in the Spring we will be able to visit after I have learned all the steps to blocking out the random thoughts. The programs Teag gave me require dedication and discipline, and I am at a disadvantage because I have no psion mentor to guide me.” Iris explained to her.
“After what happened, I did some research. The Wholaskans are the best psion mentors in the galaxy, but you would have to go there,” Danya explained.
“Yes, I did the research as well. There are other psions here, but I doubt they are any better off than I am. At least I have their guides in the programs Teag gave me.”
“Most of the psions went to Aledus long before the war. Then they had a civil war between the psions and the Normals, and it was a bloodbath. A lot of the psions fled, and the world is in chaos,” Danya told her.
“Jolt said we could contact Velran if I need help, but I am getting better. It hasn’t bothered me with this number of people here. That’s a start,” Iris said. “The medication stopped working after Jolt’s thoughts, and feelings broke through. Then he left the next morning.”
Iris didn’t want to tell her friend that it happened when she made love to Jolt, though Danya could probably guess.
“I thought you were distressed,” Danya said. “I should have commed Teag.”
“But, no. I had to run off and get myself lost in the woods. Then Jolt came for me,” Iris said. “He was so understanding.”
“It makes you wonder sometimes,” Danya said. “I find it hard to reconcile the man who shares my bed every night is the same man who ripped the head off Jacob Black, the same man who spend eighty years killing Mesaarkans.”
“Maybe they found a way to turn off that part of their psyche and put it behind them. Now they pick their battles,” Iris said. “When I was in Farringay at their barracks, I overheard some of the newbie cyborgs talk about what Jolt did to those gangers that attacked me. It was hard to believe they were even talking about my Jolt.”
“More of the women are paring up with cyborgs at the Enclave now that Jacob Black is gone. Even some that already have children. Fierce as they are warriors, they love their females as fiercely. Pity anyone who does harm to them,” Danya said.
“They may have been bred to be killers, but they have honor as well.”
“I know they have done a lot of good at the Enclave and in old Chicago,” Danya said. “But without more support from the Federation, they can only do so much. It’s taken hundreds to rebuild one city and a starport. At this rate, it will take hundreds of years to rebuild Earth’s infrastructure.”
“I guess we’re lucky they found us and we are part of it now. I was dying when Jolt found me,” Iris told her.
“It’s no wonder he went after the men who hurt you. When he told Vyken, he offered to help, but Jolt wanted to do it alone.”
“He didn’t give me details, but I overheard some things that made me certain it was pretty gruesome,” Iris said. “It’s tough to see Jolt as a cold-blooded killer with that boyish face and the way he has been with me from the beginning.”
“It must be programmed into their genes because they are very protective of females, even those who are not mates. Vyken told me they would only use force against females in combat using lethal weapons against them.”
“Wish they could program that into the gangers. The only value they place on women is for sex or to make us sex slaves for the smugglers they deal with.”
“Jolt’s company took out most of them who didn’t surrender.”
“But the overlord got away.”
“It doesn’t matter. His compound was leveled, and his gangers were killed or captured. It will take him a long time to get back the power he lost.”
“Good,” said Iris watching the cyborgs putting the finishing touches on the house. “I am really grateful to everyone for helping to build our house. In some ways, I wish we didn’t have to live so far away. It’s been a long time since I had a friend.”
“I know what you mean. Before the cyborgs came, it was just Dad and me. But we have our tablet coms, and withStarfirepatrolling the system, we can contact each other any time we want practically.”
“That will be handy. I am hoping by spring I will be able to master blocking out unwanted thoughts so we can visit the Enclave and new Chicago.” Iris mused. “I wonder if we have children---will they be psions?”
“I think you have to consider the possibility,” Danya said. “Do you think it’s a bad thing if they are?”
“Not entirely,” Iris smiled feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. It was exquisite sharing thoughts and feelings with Jolt when they made love.
“The way you are blushing, I don’t have to be a telepath to guess what you are thinking.” Danya laughed. “We’re passionate women with passionate mates.”
Then Iris got a vision of Danya looking up at Vyken as they were about to couple. As Danya watched her friend’s face, she knew Iris had seen her vision. Then she was blushing as well but laughed at Iris’s stunned expression.
“Oh, God, Danya! I didn’t mean…”
