“How do you feel this morning?” I asked.
“I’m okay, I think. When that Mesaarkan burst into the store, I had a flashback of my sessions with Gar’hako. I couldn’t let that happen again. I don’t believe he thought I would actually shoot, or he wouldn’t have hesitated long enough for me to fire first.”
“You did the right thing. He was part of a human trafficking operation on a mission to abduct people to sell offworld in a slave market.”
“I just knew I wouldn’t let him take me.”
“That’s exactly why I taught you to shoot. Now, you have an ion rifle here, and you know how to use it—because I need to go back to work.”
Zaya didn’t say anything for several moments, frowning. Then she sighed. “I’m not surprised after what happened yesterday. It’s only logical that your team must go after them. And we finished getting everything ready for winter so I could handle the chores on my own. Will you be gone long?”
“Most of the time, I will probably get back every day or so. It just depends on what develops. But I have an idea. I will get you a wrist com that will be more convenient to wear while you are doing chores outside the house. Then you can call me if you need me.”
“And I was just getting used to having you around all the time,” she said. “Yeah, I know what I said in the beginning about having my alone time. But it turns out that you are easy to be with.” Zaya smiled and reached out to touch my arm.
“As are you, my mate. I’ve also ordered some bee drones with cameras for security around the ranch. They will be paired with my CPU and your wrist com, so you will know if anyone is approaching. The house will be equipped with an AI defense system.”
“Okay, but I will still miss you.”
“And I will miss you every minute.” I took her hand and brought it to my lips, wishing that I didn’t have to leave her at all.
Chapter Fourteen
Steele
“As soon as I install the security here at our ranch, I will be available to go on patrol to search for Mesaarkan bases,”I told Sergeant Rowe over the Cyborgs’ com channel. “That should only take another day. I just got the drop by drone this morning.”
“Commander Dark is sending us a six-man team of newbie protectors for foot patrol in town in a couple of weeks. They are waiting for sky cycles to arrive. But that works out just fine because our team can’t be in two places at once. The newbies should be here the day after tomorrow,”said Sergeant Rowe.“Lieutenant Hawk has ordered us to divide the mountains into quadrants for each of us to search. These mercenaries have likely dug out the side of another mountain for their operations.”
“It would be hard for them to hide anyplace in the open. Their hover crafts and shuttles have a distinct style.”
“Do you think you’ll be ready to join us in three days?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. The AI defense system I acquired seems pretty straightforward. I should be able to complete installation by then.”
“Acknowledged. I’m sending you the coordinates of your search area. Notify me when you begin your search.”
“Yes, sir. Will do.”
“Rowe out.”
“Nova out.”
A day later, the AI security and defense system arrived. I installed a dozen bumblebee-sized drones at key locations on the land surrounding the ranch house. Setting up the AI computer was a simple task that even Zaya could have accomplished. Connecting the weapons to the system was a little more complicated; however, I had no trouble completing it.
While I did that, Zaya fed the animals and cleaned the stalls. I would have been glad to clean the stalls and feed the animals for her, but I could see that she really wanted to do it herself. I processed that this was a time when she wanted to be alone. I knew she wasn’t happy that I was going on patrol, and I felt torn about my decision. Yet, I ultimately believed that it would keep not only Zaya but also our surrounding community safer if we could root out these rogue Mesaarkans.
Zaya had already completed her chores and returned to the house by the time I finished installing the weapons arrays and testing them. I found her in the kitchen preparing our evening meal without using our food processor. She looked up as I walked into the kitchen.
I went to her and put my arm around her. Zaya set down the vegetable she was peeling and turned to me, sliding her arms around my waist and laying her cheek against my chest.
“It’s okay,” she murmured. “I know you have to do this, and I wouldn’t try to stop you if I could. All I ask is that you come back to me.”
I wondered if she knew how hard it would be for me to leave if she asked me not to. I wrapped my arms around her, and we held each other for a long time.
Although I had finished installing the defense system, I decided not to leave until morning. I wanted one more night with my beautiful Zaya before going on the mission. The last several weeks with her had been the best of my life. My virtuallife in stasis barely touched the surface of what it meant to love and be loved.
I kissed her just to bask in the feel of her lips on mine. Of course, my cock sprang to life, but I did my best to subdue it. Ending the kiss, I framed her face in my hands and stared into her stunning hazel eyes, deep green with gold flecks around the iris.
