Chapter Four

Confronted by another Cyborg in her room, her denials of him, he couldn't hold back his emotions, they bled through the blocks. Turning on the Cyborg standing in his way. His own anger blew.

"How did you give her your seed when she is not your Mate although you say she is!" Both the female and 4 stilled. "It takes blood and cum to make her receptive to a mate's seed and she has to be a DNA match. So tell me, how did you do that if it wasn't forced and then how were you fertile!?"

Both so still, then Betty started to shake. His logic telling him something was wrong. Slumping back down on her chair. Her shock all over her. Part of him wanted to go to her and ease her concerns. He could sense and see her distress.

What did that mean?

What he'd said had hurt her. He hadn't meant to do that. But he needed to know and had acted poorly. His own emotions riding him.

Had he lost his only chance of legacy?

His reason and logic were warring with each other. He wasn't here for a female.

"I have never said Betty is my Mate. I have no data on what that is. And never touched Betty in a sexual way. Ever." 4 told him.

"The child?"

"Betty's sister. Their mother dying in childbirth. She chooses to take on the responsibility of her. Emily. My charge, my life and I do too."

"And your attraction?"

"To the child Emily. I do not understand it but wish to be her carer until she can decide when older what she wants from her life."

Sister, not daughter. Carrying identical scent and that of the male.

Things were making better sense. His relief at hearing it, all over his optic. His chest and shoulders suddenly lighter. Betty rubbed her head, he could sense the headache she now had because of him. Going to her and soothing her seemed the most natural thing to do but he held back.

He wasn't wanted.

"4 please take him and leave. Is Emily okay?"

"She is fine Betty." Nodding a little, not waiting on them leaving, she got up wearily threw back the covers on her bed and got in. Obviously deciding to ignore anything and anyone else.

It was clear she was done. 4 indicated the door and he snarled.

"Cut the shit I'm tired." She called out hearing it.

To his shock, he shut if off immediately. Blinking at the now sleeping form, his confusion all over his optic he looked at 4. Nodding to the doorway again, he followed him out closing the door and into the next room. The baby was sleeping there. Restless until 4 brushed a hand across her head and she settled down.

His chest constricted.

So close to being her child.

"If you would allow it, I'd ask to hold the child."

4 lifting her gently she hardly stirred and placed her in his arms. Holding her gently to him, her scent all around him, he was overwhelmed. Tears hit his eyes and he swallowed.

"My job here was to find you, not this. But I cannot deny how precious this is."

"A mission can take us many places." 4 told him.

He nodded. He knew that. "Your original mission was a special op. Closed circuit. You were programmed to wipe a world and re-seed it."

"We were."

"Does she know you were programmed killers? That if this had been your objective, she most likely would be gone now."

"Her father did. We do not lie. I do not believe he passed on the information to Betty. But this wasn't that world and the programming after years of failure on that ship degraded more with each fault. Where was the logic of survival when they placed us in such danger? By the time we got here, it was severely compromised and we could choose."

Rocking the child, it felt so right in his arms. "I understand. The same thing happened to us. Survival against all odds and yet, they were hurting us, killing us, sending us in as fodder. It made no sense. No logic and when the kill order came for all of us that were on world and that broke the last of the programming to be free. To survive we had to fight for that freedom."

Leaning down he breathed in the child. 4 growled. He held a hand up. "I am not scenting the child but the woman. I have no registered connection to this child other than she is the sister of my possible Mate." 4 calmed. "Why do you need to hide here?"

He told him. The bartering system in place. How anything that wasn't human could be bartered. It was how this world functioned. And that would include them once known. They'd be in demand again. Men and women wanting them. No freedom. Not like they had with this family.

The rules clear. If you horded you'd be made accountable. Betty's family had taken that risk and now she did. If it was found out, she'd be on trial for withholding from the community.

He understood and placed the child back down in her crib gently covering her up.

"You need to decide if you wish to leave or not." Pulling the datapad from his waistcoat he handed it to 4. "The latest computer upgrade for your ship. Strip out the damage and reload it. There is also an upload for you and your men if you choose to take it. It will not damage you."

"I cannot leave them here alone." 4 told him.

"You don't have to if she chooses to leave with us. The Empire will welcome them both."

"I'm not sure Betty will agree to that."

"That will always be her choice to make. You and your men have your own to make."

"We cannot leave her alone. She can not do this alone."

He walked out the room. He had nothing else to say. They would have to make their own choices.

Staring at her door, he didn't want to go. His optic told him that. But he wasn't her hero. He wasn't anyone's hero. He didn't know how to be that for anyone. Not that she was asking that of him.

In fact she'd made it clear she didn't want him around at all.

Hardly surprising as he'd insulted her.

Giving himself a mental nod he turned to the Cyborg he knew was standing there waiting. "She's right, I've done my job. There's nothing more for me here. My ship is in space. We'll be here a while until you decide. Once you do, if you choose to stay you know that will be complicated for all of you but again that is your choice to make. If you change your mind after we have left, on the new upload is where to find us and a link to us."

"And where will you be while we decide?"

"Not here, checking out a few things." Turning away from her door he made his way passed the male to the top of the stairs and turned back to him when he realised he wasn't following. "You are not coming?"

"No. I'm watching over both of them and will give Emily her next feed, then one of the others will take over."

"They are never alone?"

"Never."

"Does she know that?"

"She does and chooses to see it as us caring for Emily. But she sleeps better knowing we are here. Before that and her father gone, she hardly slept at all. Stress and worry, then her mother died in childbirth and she was in shock, not sleeping at all, until we came into the house and took over. Then she crashed for 3 days, woke, thanked us and we moved in, made changes to downstairs to accommodate two shifts. We have bedrooms here and in the barn but we rarely use them. Rotate the men back to the ship to continue to try to repair the computer damage but your upload will help with that. We'll soon start trials."

"That will worry her then."

"Most likely. She wants us to be free, says it often enough but it will be at a detriment to herself."

He was honest with the male. "I misjudged her. A worthy female. My emotions are not on and are bleeding through the blocks, I'm acting irrationally. My apologies."

"You have a connection to Betty?" He gave a nod. "Is it possible that she has a connection to you? Your arrival triggered her dreams. She dreamed of you last night."

He gave a nod. Not unexpected in a potential Mate.

"The bonding need, it drives us. More sensitive females can feel it. If she is rejecting me, I need to leave. The bonding will continue to drive us both."

"Betty has been alone all this time. At a time when she should have been exploring her life, she was stuck here working with her parents unable to leave as they needed her help to keep us a secret. No one else could be let in. It was too big a risk. Not that she ever complained. She didn't. Just accepted it. Until her parents were both gone and then the reality of her situation hit her. She needs to go to towns nearby twice a year to sell goods. She used to do it with her father but now, she's been doing it alone. It's her income and explains how she and her family can do all this. It is a double-edged sword. She needs to produce enough to keep investing in the business but also enough to feed us all and the animals and make it look like only the family are doing it all. There are no other workers registered here. And now, there is only her registered and Emily.

"She knew that and pushed it going to town nine weeks ago. Took too much and raised suspicions. A man called Beale who knew the family came looking. He was scared off but saw us. Making trouble in town for us all. I went with her to another town yesterday, keeping a low profile I was still spotted. An offer was made by two women. Betty sent them packing but, they will talk. It won't take much for someone to put two and two together and people to come looking."

"How do we stop that?"

"She registers a marriage, more workers. Makes it look right."

"Can we do that without distressing her more?"

4 gave a nod. "We've been talking about it for some time. I infiltrated the community hub for information. We can make it look like a man and his crew came to her aid via marriage. It can be registered via the community hub. That if anyone checks, it looks right. There are some obscure villages on the dark side we found when we first arrived. I can use them as fake originating locations. Lay enough intel to make it look real. It will take time for any checks to be made and give her some time to decide."

"Do it."

"You here will make her think of us leaving."

"She needs to think on it."

"Tomorrow she has another delivery to make."

"She going alone?"

"I would prefer she does not but, me going with her drew too much attention last time and it's too long for Emily it will be difficult to take feed for three days for her. If I go I will have to stay out of sight and look after Emily. It will not be easy."

"You stay here, I'll shadow her. She won't see me."

"This one is the furthest out. It's an overnight on the trail, there and back. Betty knows where to camp."

"I'll manage. Stay close but not so she sees me unless something happens."

"This town is less lawful than others. It's the one I'd rather she stayed away from, but she will not knowing it's important to do the deliveries."

He gave a nod. "I'll see to it."

****

The wagon loaded she checked it was secure, not that she had to 4 had already done that. She knew he couldn't go with her this time; the journey would be too long and difficult for Emily. 4 knew that and would care for her.

She'd have to go it alone this time.

Seeing the camping set up rolled up, food and drink to take with her, she wouldn't be using a campfire. It was draw attention and be seen for miles. Her father never cared for this next town. It was more lawless than the others. He always kept her close and did his business quickly leaving as soon as he could. She'd try to do the same.

Spare wheel where is should be, the truck was loaded. Satisfied she turned to 4 holding Emily and hugged them both, kissing Emily on the head. "You be a good girl for 4. Don't cause him any trouble. I'll be back in 3 days." She kissed her again and looked up at 4.

"You sure you want to do this?" he asked.

"We have a contract. Can't afford to have them come here. It's not the first time I've gone to this town. I'll be fine. Stick to what Dad did. In and out no lingering."

"Don't let them take advantage of you. Stick to the price."

She nodded. "I will. The Grocer isn't that bad."

With one last kiss to Emily she opened the door and stepped up closing it behind her. Turning the solar truck on she set off. Putting in her destination the truck almost ran itself. And rode for the next hour before eating her breakfast sandwich and drinking the coda.

Keeping an eye on the area around her, she saw nothing to worry her. Patting her gun reassuring herself that she was armed if it was needed. She didn't care for this town much herself.

But she was determined to get this done. It might be the last time she had 4 to rely on with Emily. He could leave soon. They all could. She would need this payday if she was going to have to hire men to replace them. That thought not sitting well with her. There were few people she knew and fewer she'd say she could rely on.

Some old school friends might be worth a look at.

But she was going to need a dozen to help her. Sighing she concentrated on the road. Lunch soon passing and the sun starting to go down as she hit their usual camp site.

This time, she wouldn't use the tent. She had the whole front seat to herself. She'd sleep there.

Her father would sit up most of the night guarding the truck and her but she couldn't do that and drive next day. 2 nights and 3 days of that and she'd be useless. She'd have to get some sleep and hope to stay invisable.

Pulling up near the river the rocks that were so familiar, parking in the shadows creeping across the land. It would be hidden by them, not a blot on the landscape for anyone to see. Taking her gun and wash bag, while she could she went to the river, did her toilet and washed up. Keeping an eye on the land around her. Before heading back to the truck.

Spotting she had a visitor. Dropping her bag, she pulled her gun and moved in. A scout. Coming out of the trees as he started to undo the cover on the truck. They both knew he had no right to do that.

"Take your hands off my goods." He turned to face her. All smiles. She knew him. Had seen him before in the town she was going to. "You're a ways from town."

Lifting his hands he stepped back and gave a nod. "True. Was following a thief and then came across your tracks."

"That why you're making my business yours?"

"No harm in checking."

"You know doing that is dangerous. Could get you killed."

"I'm not looking for trouble. Thought we could share a fire for the night."

"I'm not making one or looking for more friends."

Rubbing his chin he didn't look happy. "You alone this year? Heard your father died."

"He did. But I'm not alone. Never am."

He hesitated then looked beyond her. Like he was staring at something, but she couldn't think what or maybe he was thinking better of his choices. She didn't know. Tipping his hat he looked back at her.

"Don't get into town too late. It will be rowdy. New people are in town from the Darkside." Giving a nod she went to her food parcel and grabbed a wrap and the spare water bottle. Throwing both to him. He tipped his hat again. "Appreciated. I'll be camped further downriver if you need anything."

"Thanks, but I won't."

He nodded looking around again. "You're in good shape, hope it stays that way."

Turning he walked to his solar bike and straddled it climbing on stowing the food and drink. Starting up his bike he was gone. Dropping her arm, the gun in it she wasn't sure what that was all about. But it wasn't the first time her and her father had had visitors on the trail.

Going back for her bag she picked it up and climbed back into the truck, sitting sideways watching the sun go down eating her own meal and drinking. Pulling the truck blankets over her she was soon asleep.

A light sleeper, she'd no doubt that if anything did happen, she'd wake.

Undisturbed she slept through to the pre-dawn. Waking and stretching, looking about her making sure she was alone. Opening the door stepping out she shook the blanket and herself, heading back to the river to do what she needed to do. Getting back she walked the truck making sure it was all still secure, then back to the bench front seat. Pulling her breakfast and drink from it standing and eating watching the sunrise.

It would be a full day today. She needed to get back on the road arriving in town around mid-day, dealing with the Grocer with a little chat while unloading the goods, get paid not lingering and out again.

Taking a breath, she hoped it went that way.

Finishing up getting back in the truck she started it and got moving. Following the directions she knew making sure she stayed on the track. Going off it could be deadly. Some of the flora and fauna were not friendly on her world.

Her father told of the tales her ancestors passed on. Years of clearing deadly plant growth, making the land they used people and animal friendly. Much of it trial and error. But in other places like out here, they were not checked and grew rampant.

Unable to go any faster, she made town just after lunch.

Parking up outside the Grocer's she made her way in. Mr Boddings coming to her excusing himself from a customer to do so, someone else taking his place.

"Betty, good to see you, I was worried on hearing about your father that you wouldn't be able to make it."

She shook the hand he offered her. "No change on the farm Mr Boddings, dad made sure of that and that we could full-fill our contracts. It's as good as always and I put a little extra in there."

He dropped her hand and escorted her outside going to the truck bed pulling the cover off and taking a sample tasting it. He nodded. "Not diluted and good quality. This is real good as always. Oh congratulations are in order. My best to you." He gave her a nod and called his two men to unload the truck. "The contract is met. I'll do the transfer. Come in, how about some coffee while we wait for them to unload."

It was a strange thing to congratulate her on but she said nothing and took the coffee watching Mr Boddings go back to work. By the time she'd finished he was back over with the electronic pad showing she'd been paid. Putting her thumbprint on it it was recorded.

And as she did, a ruckass broke out in the street.

"Not again." Mr Boddings sighed. "We've some new people in town causing trouble. You'd best be going Betty. See you next season." She shook hands and left seeing the fight breaking out across the street further up. Heading her way. Truck in gear, she rounded the street and headed back out of town.

And kept going until she made the camp site once more.

Well passed dark this time. Having the moons lighting her way, locking up the truck she took her gun and wash bag and repeated her trip to the river as she had last time. Getting back and stretching her legs for a bit. Taking the last of her food. Saving a bit for the morning.

Sitting on the bonnet looking at the stars. Her world was beautiful with its two moons.

She didn't know how it compared to Old Earth although by the images and vids, the colours of her world were very different and yet had similarities too. And guessed that was the way of things.

Watching the stars, finishing up her food she drank, the night all around her.

Then heard the scrap of a boot, then another, her hand on her gun she turned towards it. Her water forgotten. From the shadows came a body she recognised.

The newby. Was he following her?

Knowing he'd made noise deliberately, so she'd know he was there. They didn't make noise. So he'd wanted her to hear him. Approaching slowly he came towards her lit but the moons.

"You been following me? No one asked you to do that. What are you doing here anyway?" Her feathers ruffled she was biting off words.

He came to within arm's reach. "Someone had to keep an eye on you unseen. 4 is busy with the farm and Emily."

"I don't need help." She hissed at him now right in front of her.

Suddenly his hand was around the side of her neck pulling her to him, his lips gently on hers. So shocked by the move she let him. His lips moving on hers, his tongue running along the seem of her lips. He pulled back, his thumb stroking her neck.

"You listening now female?" Staring at him wildly she gave a slight nod. "Good. 6 men are following you from the town." Blinking she looked the way she'd come seeing no one but knew better than to think he lied. They didn't lie. "You carrying anything of value?"

She shook her head. The credits went straight into the account when the transaction was done. "Nothing. Just the truck. And that's not worth following for."

His thumb distracting on her neck as he stroked it. She swallowed. It felt far too good. "Can they take the credits from you? Make you transfer them over?"

"I don't see how. They'd have to be a reason to do so. That would need a recorded trail to follow. A business set up. A bank account. Goods paid for and transacted, all of which would have to leave an electronic paperchase."

"Then that leaves you." He told her quietly.

"Me? I'm unmarried and I'm not in a contract that can be bartered or sold and under my family's protection."

"What family Betty?" He asked her so quietly and gently tears threatened. He was right, her family were gone.

Was she fair game now?

Shit….

"You think they're coming for me and the farm? I can't let that happen. The others…."

"I won't let that happen."

"How are you going to stop them?" She looked around. "I need to leave."

"And be picked off in the dark? No you make a stand. Bloody noses so they know better than to try again."

"Shit…. I don't know."

Picking her up, he carried her back to the car door and deposited her in it. Nestling between her legs. He lifted them to his waist and moved into her. "What are you doing?" She squeaked. He was touching her in all the places that her body hummed.

"Making it look right." And kissed her again, this time with more urgency. His tongue slipping between her lips and duelling with her own. For a moment she was lost to the sensations bombarding her. As the cab light came on inside lighting them both up. Forgetting the possible danger she was in.

His body moving against hers, she was on fire.

His hands caressing her but not where she needed them.

Holding back joining in she wasn't sure what was going on. Until he broke from her mouth and his lips at her ears. "They're here, do not get out. No matter what." He stared at her. She gazed back dazed. He brushed her lips again. "Do you hear me Betty? Do not get out of this truck. If I go down, use the gun and go."

"What?.." She whispered shakily. And not from the passion now.

"I can take them, but if it comes to a fight, it will be bloody. You okay with that? If they came for you and the farm, it's a prize they won't willingly give up."

Giving another nod, he passed her her gun. Staring at her. "I didn't come for you but I will not lie, you are more than I ever imagined. A worthy female."

He moved and she grabbed for him. Suddenly her fear for him very real. "Be careful."

"I will be fine." He told her and then she heard the horses. And gripped him harder, her eyes wide. "My name is Furi. Named for the emotion that has always been a challenge for me to hold back. I struggle to hold it at bay. When pushed, it rises to the surface, and I become my name."

That wasn't comforting her any.

He stood back and walked around the truck door closing her in, her eyes all on him not seeing the men on horseback until he moved towards them. Illuminated by the truck lights.

She held her breath as he stood alone confronted them. She had to admit he looked deadly as he pulled twin swords from his back and saw the indecision on the faces of some of the men facing him.

The leader pushed his horse forward. She knew him, the tracker from before.

"Under the terms of this world, a female unprotected, without family needs a male guardian. Her property becoming his. We are here for the woman." He called out. She sat stunned. She'd never considered this, and she should have.

"That will not be happening. As you can see she is with me." Her relief at hearing his words hitting her.

"Then it will be a challenge for the right to have her."

"Then you will all die." And as he said it, suddenly several things happened at once.

The six men moved. Guns drawn Furi moving so fast she couldn't keep track. The sound of gunfire going off left and right. Gripping the steering wheel she watched in horror as the six men confronting Furi took injury after injury, it was a deadly dance from one man to another. Trying to avoid injury Furi was caught by gunfire more than once taking the hits head-on, but he didn't go down, the aggressors pouring with blood, from both sword and gunfire, some on the ground now no longer moving, horses running off in the commotion. It was chaos.

3 down and 3 to go.

Her fingers white in her grip. Furi finding himself surrounded, she'd never seen anyone fight like that. Her eyes wide, she watched him battle to stay alive. Then got caught again and her heart sank. "Furi!" She called out automatically. And before her eyes, he roared and struck taking out another two and then there was just the leader left and him.

Her fingers beyond painful as she gripped that wheel. She knew Cyborgs could take a lot of damage. She'd seen it over the years. Farm accidents that would have killed a human. They with time recovered as if nothing had happened and now he was putting himself in danger for her.

She'd not even been nice to him.

Tears hit her eyes as the two men circled.

"You took a big risk for her. Why?" The tracker asked.

"She's my registered wife."

Stunned she didn't know what to think. 4 had told her she needed protection.

Was this what he meant? Someone recording a marriage?

It wouldn't hold up to scrutiny. But maybe give her some time.

The leader dropped his gun and stood. "It's recorded?"

Furi gave a nod. "It is."

"She chooses you?"

"You saw us in the truck, heard her fear just now."

The leader nodded again. "There was no way we could win this was there?"

"No. She belongs to me."

"Then we will withdraw. Tend our wounds and let the town know."

"You came with the towns blessing?"

The leader nodded. "Her farm produces high-grade produce. It's valuable and much sort after."

"That was a risk. Lose and she could choose not to provide for you any more."

"We know but the council felt it was worth it. She was supposed to be alone. 6 of us would have taken her easily."

"I wouldn't bet on that. She's well trained, more so now."

"You are not from around here?"

She gripped that steering wheel harder. The tracker knew. Furi wasn't exactly being discrete.

"No. The union is recorded as Darkside, her father having made the preparations before he died. I accept it."

That was clever. She knew they couldn't lie. He'd told him in a roundabout way a statement that was likely recorded on the community hub so he wasn't lying at all in the way he said it. And she knew her father had made preparations for Emily's birth.

"I'd appreciate a hand with my men."

"Granted."