Chapter 8

Chapter 8

K nowing that Mattie couldn’t see as clearly as he could in the faint glow of the luminescence, J-418 kept a tight hold on her hand as they made their way along the tube and around a bend.

A huge cavern opened up in front of them, the walls covered in a delicate, bioluminescent lichen, its soft blue glow casting an ethereal light over the space. Veins of the strange mineral ran through the rock behind the lichen like an alien vine, seeming to writhe in the soft light. Twisted spires of rust-colored rock reached towards a ceiling spangled with more of the bioluminescent lichen, this one emitting an otherworldly amber hue, almost like the distant light of the sun.

“This… this shouldn’t be possible,” she whispered, her voice echoing in the stillness of the cavern. “Nothing like this has ever been found on Mars before. We haven’t discovered any trace of life or any free moisture.”

“But we’ve been introducing moisture into the atmosphere.” The giant power plants at the poles were releasing the polar ice into the atmosphere as water vapor. “Perhaps some of it made its way down here and the conditions were just right for the lichen to survive.”

“But where did it come from to begin with?” Her hand hovered uncertainly over the fragile growth. “I’m almost positive this isn’t anything humans introduced.”

“Perhaps some spores survived from earlier times.”

“From millennia earlier? You know we’ve never found any signs of life.”

He found it hard to believe as well, but he couldn’t come up with any other explanation. She hadn’t waited for a response, already beginning to explore the vast space, and he hurried after her. The cavern stretched farther than even his enhanced vision could perceive, an endless labyrinth of tunnels and chambers carved by ancient Martian waters.

Sylvester was still perched on her shoulder, watching everything with his wide, mechanical gaze, but he suddenly seemed to find his courage, launching himself into the air and swooping gracefully through the air. He found himself smiling as he watched the small bird’s jubilant flight and when he looked down, Mattie was smiling as well.

“I guess the mystery behind this place doesn’t bother him,” she laughed, then focused on the walls again. “I want to take samples, but I also don’t want to disturb anything.”

“Maybe just take readings this time,” he suggested. “Then we can compare them when we return, to see if we changed anything just by being here.”

“You mean the observer effect?” She sighed. “If you really think that’s a concern, maybe we should just leave.”

“I don’t think that simply looking at the lichen and taking readings is going to cause any damage,” he said firmly. “And it could be vitally important.”

She hesitated, then nodded, darting ahead to examine a vein of glittering crystals embedded in the rock.

“Look at these formations! The mineralogical implications alone are staggering.”

Her voice trembled with barely contained excitement and he smiled at her as they set to work. They spent several hours in the cavern and discovered that what had first appeared to be a single type of lichen on the walls was actually three distinct species—one of which produced tiny drops of clear fluid.

“I think that’s water,” she said excitedly. “See the dampness on the floor? If this can grow on the surface, it could change everything.”

He didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, but that was a big leap.

“Perhaps,” he said gently. “But it might need the darkness and stability of this environment.”

“True.” Her fist clenched as she gave him a rueful grin. “You don’t know how badly I want to take a sample, but I don’t want to cause any damage either. And botany isn’t exactly my field of expertise.”

“The rangers have a list of all the scientists present on Mars. I may be able to track one down.”

“Didn’t GenCon bring them all here?” she asked suspiciously.

“Yes, but most of them came with good intentions. They weren’t part of the corporate schemes.” She was still frowning and he flicked a gentle finger across her nose. “And I know someone who can help. She isn’t a botanist but she knows most of the scientists here.”

Her frown deepened. “She?”

He suppressed a completely unworthy delight at the hint of jealousy in her voice and nodded.

“Yes, she. The Judge’s wife, Addie.”

“Oh yes, I’ve heard about her.” Her face cleared as she smiled up at him. “I’d be willing to talk to her.”

“We should head back,” he said reluctantly, checking his internal chronometer. “It’s later than I thought.”

She sighed, shouldering her pack with visible disappointment.

“I could spend a lifetime studying this place.” She looked up at him, her eyes bright in the dim light. “I’m glad you were here with me.”

“I am too.”

She whistled for Sylvester, and they began the climb back to the surface. As they did, his augmented hearing picked up the low keening of wind across the plains above and he thought of the small shelter waiting for them, the fragile bubble of safety she’d carved out in this unforgiving landscape. Her home.

The weight of all he hadn’t said pressed down on him, heavy as the red dust beneath his feet.

They emerged, blinking, into the fading light of a Martian sunset. The cold already bit at exposed skin, a reminder of the long, frozen night ahead, and he urged her quickly across the open space between the lava tube and the shelter. As they crossed the area, Trojan came to meet them, greeting them both with soft indignant huff, and she laughed.

“I’m sorry we left you alone all day. You’d better come inside with us.”

Us?

“Are you sure? There’s no sign of a storm tonight.”

“I’m sure,” she said softly and opened the airlock.

She tugged him inside, Trojan crowding after them, and sealed the outer airlock behind them, the hiss of pressurization a familiar comfort.

She removed her mask with a grateful sigh, scrubbing at her cheeks before moving over to the small kitchen area.

“I hope you’re hungry,” she said, flashing him a smile over her shoulder. “I’ve been saving these rations for a special occasion.”

“You don’t have to waste them on me—I don’t really need the sustenance.”

“It’s not a waste—it’s a celebration, and there’s no one I would rather share them with.”

He returned her smile, his heart swelling with an emotion he couldn’t quite name.

“Every meal with you is a celebration, Mattie.”

Just as they had the previous night they took turns showering, and it already felt like a comfortable routine. The food was as delicious as it had been the previous night and once again they lingered at the table, discussing the cavern and trading increasingly outrageous theories as to the source of its existence.

He was still laughing when she rose from her seat and came to stand in front of him as she had the night before.

“I want you to share my bed again,” she said softly. “And not just to sleep this time.”

His breath caught in his throat.

“Mattie…”

She pressed a gentle finger to his lips.

“Shh,” she breathed, her eyes luminous in the dimness. “No more talking. Not tonight.”

She tugged him gently to his feet, then carefully unbuttoned his shirt, her hand trailing down his bare chest, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Then her hand drifted lower, cupping his erection. He’d been erect since the moment she stood in front of him, her sweet scent filling his head, and his cock throbbed against her palm as she gave him a gentle squeeze.

“Please,” he murmured, not even sure what he was asking for, but she seemed to understand.

She freed his erection, the cool air of the shelter a sharp contrast to the heat of her hand, then grasped him again, her small hand trying to encircle his shaft. The sensation was incredible, but even more incredible was the fact that it was Mattie touching him, Mattie’s hands on his body. He fought the urge to thrust into her hand, a distant part of his brain reminding him that he couldn’t simply do that—he would have to earn this pleasure, have to prove to her that he deserved to be touched like this, that he would be worthy of her affection.

“My turn,” he growled, slowly unbuttoning her shirt.

She shivered as he pushed it open to reveal her small, perfect breasts, her nipples already flushed a dark red. Her hand tightened on his cock, stroking him faster, her thumb sweeping across the sensitive tip.

It was too much for his already fragile control. He gathered her against him, claiming her mouth again as his hands roamed her body. She was so soft and warm, so perfect, and he couldn’t get enough of her. His cybernetic side tried to reassert its control, warning him that he was going too far, but he pushed it aside. This was his chance to be a real man, to be with a woman. He was tired of being a lone cyborg, of existing as a separate entity from humanity. He wanted this. He wanted her.

With a growl he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. She clung to him, peppering kisses on his face and his neck as her legs wrapped around his waist, the heat of her pussy like a brand even through their clothes. He laid her on the narrow mattress, his eyes never leaving hers as he finished undressing her. He needed to see all of her, to explore every inch of her delicate form.

He stripped off the open shirt, baring her torso to his delighted gaze before teasing and twisting her nipples, her cries of pleasure spurring him on.

“You’re so gorgeous,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “So fucking perfect.”

She gasped as he trailed kisses down her body, his hands still working her nipples. When he reached her waist, he undid the button of her jeans and yanked them down, exposing her completely.

He paused for a moment, imprinting the sight of her in his memory, before kneeling in front of her and spreading her legs. He inhaled deeply, the scent of her arousal driving him wild. He licked her, his tongue tracing the line of her pussy before moving higher, finding her clit.

She gasped again, her hips bucking as he teased her, his hands keeping her pinned to the bed. He explored her with his tongue, tasting and licking and sucking until she was writhing against him, her hands clutching his hair. He felt her orgasm building, the sweet ache of pleasure radiating from her core as he devoured her.

And then she shattered, her body arching off the bed as she cried out his name. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen and he couldn’t wait any longer. He stripped off his own clothes and took himself in hand, guiding his cock to her entrance, then forced himself to stop.

“Yes?” he growled.

“Oh yes,”

He locked eyes with her as he began to work his way into her impossibly tight, wet heat, her body quivering around him. Her eyes went wide and startled and he almost hesitated, but she wrapped her legs around his waist and urged him on until he’d sheathed himself to the hilt.

He paused for a moment, both of them trembling, their gazes still locked, and then he began to move. He drove into her, his strokes slow and deep, savoring every inch of her. She rocked her hips, meeting his thrusts, her nails raking his back as she clung to him.

He knew he wouldn’t last long, not with the way she was tightening around him, not with the way her pleasure was making his own soar to new heights. He reached between them, finding her clit and circling it with his thumb, wanting her to come with him.

She threw her head back with a hoarse cry, her muscles contracting around him as she came again, and this time he followed her over the edge. Pleasure exploded through him, sending wave after wave of bliss crashing over him.

He buried his face in her neck, his breath ragged as he struggled to regain his composure. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as they rode out the aftermath of passion together.

Finally he lifted his head to look at her, his heart clenching at the sight of her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright as she smiled at him. She looked more beautiful than ever, and he knew in that moment that he was hopelessly, helplessly, in love with her.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly.

Her smile widened.

“I’m perfect.”

The tenderness in her voice threatened to undo him and he rested his forehead against hers for a long moment.

“I don’t want to leave you.”

She laughed softly, her breath warm against his cheek.

“Then don’t. I told you I wanted you to stay with me tonight.”

He hadn’t meant just tonight. He never wanted to leave her, never wanted to be separated from her. He wanted to stay here, with her in his arms, forever.

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak, and she snuggled into his embrace. He pulled her closer, breathing in the scent of her, and wondered how he was ever going to let her go.