Stealing Coal (25 page)

how you allowed it to put its hands on you.”

“Coal isn’t a metal head. He’s twice the man you are.”

“Built them with big dicks, did they? Wait until you see mine. You won’t be

disappointed.”

“I meant he’s not a lowlife scum.” She paused. “I know you’re a big dick already

and if you open those pants, I’ll try to rip it off.”

“You better start learning to be nice to me. We’re going to be together for a very

long time.”

“Coal is going to come for me.”

“That stupid metal head thinks you dumped him. Right now he’s probably two

solar systems away and happy to be rid of you.”

The doors opened and Captain Varel cursed, curling his lip at Rune.

“I brought food for Jillian.” She walked toward a table with the tray she held.

“Get out,” Varel ordered her. “I didn’t tell you to do that.”

Rune ignored him, placing the food down, and pulled out a chair. “Sit, Jillian. It’s

warm. You should eat it soon before it cools.” She calmly stared at the captain. “If you

persist to harass Jillian I will escort you out of the room to rethink your ill-advised

plan.”

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Stealing Coal

“Goddamn androids. I’m going to dump you in open space, Rune. Do you hear me,

you useless pile of synthetic skin?”

Rune waved to the chair. “Sit, Jillian.”

“Fuck!” Varel spun and stormed out of the room.

Jill relaxed. “You have good timing. Thank you.”

“Timing had nothing to do with my bringing you food. I monitored the room and

noticed your accelerated heart rate, indicating fear. I also listened to Captain Varel’s

conversation with you by accessing the coms. You don’t want your body spoiled with

male fluids. You aren’t strong enough to stop any attempts males make to use your

body, the way I have been designed. No one should be forced to endure boredom. I

may not harm humans but nowhere in my programming does it state I am unable to

physically move them to another location. When the males have attempted to touch my

body I have secured them in cabinets in the cargo hold.”

“You what?”

“I lock them in cabinets. Eventually I release them before they suffocate if another

crew member doesn’t find them. Harming a human is against my programming. Please

eat before your food cools. I have been told it tastes better heated.”

“I think I adore you.”

Rune cocked her head. “Adore? I don’t understand why you would feel that

emotion where I am concerned.”

“If we get out of this, do you want to come with me? I have three androids on my

ship. No one would try to touch you.”

“I am the property of Captain Barney Varel.”

“He illegally traded to get you.”

Rune’s gaze drifted to the left, something Jill realized the android did when she

processed information. “An illegal transaction is null and void.”

“Exactly,” Jill agreed, sat down, and started to eat. “You don’t belong to that

asshole.”

“I will leave with you until a proper owner for me has been established.”

“You’re free, Rune. No one owns you.”

“You wish to own me?”

Jill hesitated. “I consider the androids on my ship friends. They are free too.”

Rune’s gaze drifted to the left and stayed there while Jill finished her meal. The

android focused on Jill finally.

“The probability of you leaving the
Cutter
and obtaining permission from Captain

Varel to take me with you is not in your favor.”

“I’m not going to ask him if I can take you. I’m asking you. You’re programmed to

make decisions, right?”

“Affirmative. I take facts, process them, and decide accordingly.”

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Laurann Dohner

“You―”

“Hold.” Rune’s eyes drifted left and she frowned. “Incoming shuttle approaching.

Processing specifications.” She paused. “They are ignoring hails.” She paused again.

Jill’s heart raced. “Could it be my ship? Is it the
Jenny
?”

“They used the moon to come closer to hide their signal before the sensors picked

them up.”

“Is it the
Jenny,
Rune? Answer me.” Jill rose to her trembling legs.
Please let it be

Coal
, she silently prayed.

Rune snapped out of her trancelike state. “Visual confirmed. Brace, Jill. The
Jenny

has just opened fire on the
Cutter
.”

Joy seized Jill and she made a fist, pumping air. “YES!”

A loud noise filled the room, followed by rapid repeats of the same sound. The

lighting flickered, the gravity stabilizers cut out, and Jill’s feet left the floor as the

emergency lights turned the room an eerie pale yellow as power failed. The weightless

sensation had her crying out in fear, her arms and legs flailing. She tried to grab

something and then the room around her violently moved. Jill hit the wall hard,

bounced off, and realized she hadn’t moved, it had.

A hand gripped Jill’s upper arm, tugging at her floating body, and she turned her

head. Rune had grabbed hold of a bulkhead beam to keep them from being batted

around the room while keeping hold of Jill to tether her there as well.

“The computer is down,” Rune stated, a baffled look on her face. “I’m unable to get

any readings.”

“We need to get to the cargo hold now. Coal will try to force dock to get to me.”

“All power is out. I have no way to open the doors or locate the whereabouts of the

crew to avoid them if we attempt to escape to the cargo hold.”

“You’re strong, right? Can’t you force the door open?”

“You are correct. I’m able to do that.” Rune pulled Jill closer to the bulkhead beam.

“Hold on.”

Jill had to move slowly without gravity, but she managed to get a good grasp on the

metal. She watched Rune turn her body slightly, push one hand against the wall, and

propel her body toward the door. The android moved gracefully as she floated down

the wall to the door as if she did it every day.

“I can do that,” Jill muttered, knowing she needed to reach the door when Rune got

it open. She mimicked the move but when she pushed against the wall, releasing her

grip on the beam, her body started to twist in circles as she floated.

“Damn it!” She fought dizziness after a few spins. “It looked easy.”

* * * * *

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Stealing Coal

“Ready?” Coal gripped the weapon. “If any humans attempt to breach the
Jenny

from that shuttle I want you to use lethal force unless it’s Jill. You remember her, don’t

you?”

“Affirmative, Sir. Lethal force unless it is Jill.”

“Kill those assholes if you see them. I plan to.”

Anger propelled Coal forward with a determined purpose. He unlocked the door to

the docking sleeve and stormed through it to the other ship. He had to shoot out the

lock pad to destroy it and reach a hand inside to find the safety release. He got the door

to the
Cutter
open.

He took a step inside only to discover he had an unforeseen problem. He’d knocked

out their engines but he’d also managed to make them lose power. A growl tore from

his throat as he realized he needed gravity boots to move about the ship faster to search

for Jill. He turned, moving quickly, and entered the cargo hold of the
Jenny
again.

The doors to the interior opened, startling Coal, and his weapon rose instantly,

training on the other male’s chest. He stared at Sky. The cyborg froze upon spotting

Coal. Sky blinked, staring back at him.

“You should be unconscious.”

Sky hesitated. “I enjoy swimming on Garden. Working for Councilman Zorus

pisses me off and the only thing that cools my temper is icy water with vigorous

exercise. I can hold my breath for a very long time. I fooled the android into believing

the gas put me to sleep.” Sky swallowed. “What are we doing?”

“I attacked the
Cutter
and I’m going after Jill.” Coal didn’t look away from the other

male. “Arm? Do you have more avarios-gas balls? Sky is willing to take some deep

breaths now so I may complete my mission.” His voice became threatening. “He has

that option or being shot.”

“Affirmative, Sir.” Arm turned toward them.

“You could knock me out but wouldn’t you like some help?” Sky smiled.

“Everyone is unconscious except Zorus and the human but I see you fused their door

sealed. You also took the computer offline to prevent him from taking control of it.” He

paused. “No one is going to know if I help you get your girlfriend back.”

Suspicion narrowed Coal’s gaze. “Why would you do that?”

“Why the hell not?” Sky chuckled. “Besides, I like Jill. She’s cool. You two are cute

together. I’m all for getting her back for you but this time don’t lose her again.”

“It’s not logical for you to risk punishment if you’re caught helping me.”

“Logic is overrated and I’m already in deep shit with Zorus over trying to warn the

human he bought about what a prick he is. He said when I get to Garden he’s going to

make me sorry for interfering. You want my help or not?”

Coal took a deep breath, lowering his weapon. “We need gravity boots. They have

no power.”

Sky strolled into the room, still grinning. “Awesome.”

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Laurann Dohner

Shaking his head, Coal moved to the cabinet that contained them. “You’re a unique

cyborg.”

“I could say the same thing and I like that about you. Now let’s go get your woman.

I suggest using some handcuffs to keep her in your bed when you get her back. Women

tend to find trouble when you let them out of one.”

Coal stared wide-eyed at the other male. Sky shrugged and accepted the gravity

boots handed to him.

“What? I’m the expert on all things human. Take my word, my man. Chain her to

your bed and keep her there. She won’t protest too much if you keep her happy while

she’s in it.”

* * * * *

Jill slammed into another wall, wincing as her shoulder took the hit the hardest.

Rune turned her head.

“If you would just do as I do, you would glide instead of bumping into things.”

“I don’t have your coordination.”

“That is true. I will guide you.”

Rune reached back, grabbed a handful of Jill’s shirt, and then used her other hand

to push off from the wall. They floated down the hallway in a straight line.

“I feel stupid,” Jill muttered. “I should have asked you to do this when we left the

room.”

“We are almost there.”

A scream suddenly pierced air. It gave Jill chills as the terrified sound cut out. Her

heart pounded hard and Rune slowed their momentum by releasing Jill to open her

arms, brushing the walls with her outstretched fingers. Jill bumped into her back but

used her hands to cushion the impact.

“That was a male,” Rune stated.

“Human?”

“Do cyborgs scream?”

Jill bit her lip. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“I could access a door to remove us from a traveled corridor.”

“No.” Jill forced air into her lungs, trying to push down her fear. “We want to find

the reason for the scream and I’m hoping its Coal.”

A whining noise nearly deafened Jill and lights blinded her as the power came back

on. The gravity stabilizers also came back but someone had adjusted them to return

slowly. Jill saw the deck coming slowly closer to her and released Rune, happy she

wasn’t turned head down as her feet brushed the floor and then her knees.

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Stealing Coal

The return of gravity had her fighting not to throw up. Her sluggish body seemed

to suddenly weigh a ton. She lay on the floor where she’d landed. Rune didn’t seem to

suffer any of the effects since she stood up quickly.

“Are you going to take a nap? This isn’t a good time to do that. You are in danger.”

Jill bit back a curse. “Really? I thought I’d just close my eyes for a few minutes.”

“That wouldn’t be wise.”

“It’s called sarcasm, Rune. Learn the definition of that word sometime. I’m trying to

lift myself up but I have to readjust to the gravity.” Sweat broke out on Jill’s forehead as

she pushed up with her arms. “Could you help me?”

Rune bent and gripped Jill to pull her to her unsteady feet. “Follow me. While I

can’t severely harm humans I can push one back if one attempts to attack you.”

“That would be great.” Jill lifted her leg and took a lurching step. “I think they

overcompensated on the gravity.”

Rune’s eyes shifted left.

“You don’t have to check.”

Weapons fire came from somewhere near them. “Gravity is unstable.” Rune met

Jill’s annoyed gaze. “I’m missing one crew member’s life reading but two new ones

have entered the
Cutter
. They are one corridor over, heading this way. Should we avoid

them?”

“No!” Tears filled Jill’s eyes. “It’s got to be Coal.”

“This makes you feel sadness that he has boarded the
Cutter
?”

“No. These are happy tears. Just find the new life readings.”

“This way.” Rune spun around. “Follow me.”

Joy and excitement spurred Jill on. Weapons fire sounded again, someone yelled a

curse, and then they were turning a corner. Rune suddenly stopped, her arms jerking

out to the sides, and she blocked Jill from walking.

“I have a visual on two cyborgs and one crew member.”

Jill moved, going on tiptoe, and stared over Rune’s arm. One of the crew ran toward