Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Marisol woke, sprawled on top of Free. A faint beeping had pulled her from a deep sleep. He must have heard it, too, since his eyes opened, and a low groan came from his parted lips.
She sat up, straddling his body. She’d learned every inch of it over the past few days. They’d made love as if their lives depended on it. Her muscles were achy even after sleeping, but she had zero complaints.
The buzzing noise came again, distracting her from admiring his muscular, sexy body. Her gaze ran over the nearest console. “We’re being hailed.”
Free sat up, touching the control on the side of the converted bed, and it began to shift into a pilot seat once more. “It’s Blade.” He leaned forward, put one arm around her to keep her on his lap, and opened a channel.
“Yes?”
“It’s time for you to take back control of your shuttle. I can’t pilot us both through the entrance.”
Marisol brushed a kiss on his cheek after hearing what Blade had to say. Free needed to fly so they could dock with the mining station. She wiggled her hips, forcing him to let her go. She stood, reaching for her discarded clothing resting in the other seat.
They’d spent the last three days making love, learning about each other’s bodies, and enjoying being together. The only time they left the cockpit was to eat, shower, or use the bathroom. She’d barely spoken to the M Clones.
Free quickly dressed. “Why the scowl? You are going to like our new home and the people there. I promise you’ll make friends.”
“I’m feeling guilty about how little time I’ve spent with the M’s. We’ve been acting like irresponsible teenagers lost to their raging hormones.”
Free chuckled. “That is an accurate description of how I’ve felt. You are intoxicating, my love.” His humor faded. “They are fully grown clones who aren’t newly activated. You’re not their leader or their parent.”
“I still feel responsible for them.”
“I understand. Let them know we’ll be docking in…” he studied the console. “Ten minutes.”
“I’m going to use the bathroom before I return.” Marisol went to leave.
Free grabbed her hand. “Hurry back. I want you at my side.”
“Is there any danger where we’re going?” She suddenly felt worried. It was possible that the other clones wouldn’t be accepting of having a Florigo in their midst. Her grandfather had caused clones a lot of misery.
“I just want you next to me. There’s nothing to worry about.”
She relaxed again. “Okay. I’ll be right back.” Marisol released his hand, unlocked the cockpit door, and opened it. None of the M’s were in the living space. She used the bathroom first and then went to their cabin door, touching a button to let them know she was there.
In seconds, MC-1 opened it. It was apparent that he’d been sleeping. He only wore sleeping shorts. Marisol kept her gaze on his face. “We’re about to dock with the mining station. You all should get dressed and ready to embark.”
MC-3 came up to his side. She wore an oversized T-shirt, also looking as if she’d just awoken. “MC-4 and I only have our security guard outfits to wear. None of your male’s clothing fit us.”
“Wear your security guard outfits,” Marisol decided. “I’m sorry we didn’t really have time to grab all our stuff from the other shuttle. I don’t have any spare clothing to give you since that bag was left in the sleeping cabin.”
“Won’t the other clones be alarmed seeing our females wearing human outfits from Clone World?” MC-1 scowled. “The other clones might attack them, believing they are humans coming to capture them.”
“I doubt that will happen. I’m sure it’s fine if your females just wear Free’s T-shirts. They fall long enough to cover them down to their thighs. Free has assured me we’ll all have access to clothing soon.” Marisol wanted to get back to the cockpit.
“I don’t want any of the males believing they can seduce our females into a relationship.” MC-1 looked mad at the very concept.
“All the males there already have females,” Marisol informed him. “Free has been telling me about his friends. “That’s not something you need to be concerned with.”
“Humans always take what they want from us. Your clone mentioned that a few humans will be there. I don’t want them trying to take MC-3 from me.”
Marisol’s patience wore thin. She really wanted to get back to Free. “Only one human will be a man, and he’s married. They are the parents of the woman who is with Blade. Stop worrying so much, and get ready to dock. Everything will be fine.”
MC-1 still didn’t look convinced.
“I got us off Clone World and found the escaped clones, didn’t I? You need to listen to me now, too,” Marisol snapped. “Get dressed in whatever you want. We’ll be there soon. Also, try to be a little less paranoid and more friendly. We’re going to live with everyone we’re about to meet. Remember that. First bad impressions tend to stick with people. So do good ones.”
She spun away, hurrying back to the cockpit. The doors remained wide open. She entered, staring out the front screen as they flew directly behind the larger shuttle in front of them. Free glanced back at her.
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes.” She took a seat, belting in. “They were sleeping. I had to wake them up.”
“I’m glad we’re not the only ones who have spent so much time in bed.”
Marisol smiled. “I doubt they were doing all the things we have since both couples were sharing a room. You should have let me give them your bedroom. It’s not like we used it.”
“I wanted you to have the option to be comfortable.”
“I was very content to sleep on top of you. That big mattress in your cabin wasn’t tempting since you weren’t sharing it with me.”
Free smiled, his attention focused on sensors. “We’ll have use of a real bed very soon. I would bet that Big never reassigned the living quarters I chose in the past. I think you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
It was pitch dark out the front view screen. Her gaze dropped to the console in front of her. It showed that they were traveling through a wide tunnel passage of what appeared to be surrounded by solid rock. Masses of boulders blocked some of it, and they had to fly around them.
“We’ll be there soon,” Free assured her.
Marisol nodded, seeing that Blade’s largest ship was ahead of them and the other one behind them. It made her a little nervous that they seemed to be flying so close together, but she trusted Free’s piloting skills. Soon enough, she saw that the tunnel ended. They’d reached the clone’s home base.
All three shuttles docked, and Free shut down his engines. Marisol reached for her belt to unbuckle.
“Wait.” Free turned off their gravity stabilizers.
Marisol felt her body tug downward for a split second, but then that strange feeling disappeared just as quickly.
“Natural and artificial gravity isn’t completely in sync with my shuttle. It’s safe now.” Free stood, holding out his hand to her.
Marisol clutched onto Free as they left the cockpit. The M Clones were assembled in the living space. The two females wore Clone World security uniforms for the human staff, and both males sported Free’s spare clothing.
“Have you decided on names?” Free addressed them all.
“We’re keeping what we’re used to for now,” MC-1 informed him. “We may change our minds later.”
“There is some comfort in familiarity.” Free inclined his head. “Let’s go. I’m certain that Big is eager to greet us.”
“Remember what I said,” Marisol told the M Clones. “These are our people. Even the human ones. Be on your best behavior, and don’t allow paranoia to take hold. We’re safe here.”
MC-1 frowned.
“I trust Free with my life and yours.” Marisol showed the four clones her hand linked with Free’s. “It’s going to be fine.”
“We’ll follow your lead,” MC-1 finally sighed.
“Good enough.” Marisol smiled up at Free. “I’m ready. Are you?”
“Yes.” Free led them to the docking door in his cargo hold and punched in a code. The exit door unsealed, and they had to step a few feet forward. That secondary door automatically slid open, revealing a huge interior docking port.
A couple exited the shuttle docked behind theirs. The male was tall with blond hair and blue eyes. Marisol instantly recognized him. It was Figures. The shorter woman at his side had white hair and bright green eyes.
Marisol looked left to see a B Clone exit from the largest shuttle. It was easy to identify what he was with his above-average height, overly muscular body, and black hair. Those models were built to intimidate for security purposes. It had to be Blade.
Motion drew her attention as a group of people entered the docking port area. It was another B Clone with a blonde woman. A second woman with long, wild brown hair broke from the others, running at Blade. He opened his arms as she nearly slammed into him. The B Clone easily lifted her off her feet, kissing her eagerly for all to see. No one needed to tell Marisol that they were a couple. One who had been apart and were happy to see each other again.
Her gaze went to the older couple hanging back. The woman looked enough like the long-haired brunette that she guessed they had to be the parents. It helped Marisol figure out who the humans were.
The B Clone with the blonde approached, them holding hands. His attention was focused on Free, a smile on his lips. Marisol knew that had to be Big.
“It is so good to see you again, Free. I’ve missed your scowling face.” Big stopped feet away. “Do you hug?”
Free shook his head. “I only like Marisol touching me.”
That’s when Big’s dark blue eyes fixed on her. Marisol met his gaze. “Hello. You must be Big. We never formally met on Clone World.”
“I’m Gemma.” The blonde at his side smiled at her. “Welcome to your new home, Miss Florigo. And thank you so much for helping these guys get away from Clone World. I’ve heard about what you did. None of us would be here if it weren’t for you.”
“Call me Marisol. I’m no longer a Florigo, thankfully. I’d like to introduce you to the four clones that escaped with me. They are all nervous, as you can imagine. I promised them they’d have better lives. Please don’t make me a liar.”
Big’s eyes widened, seeming surprised by her words.
“They are going to love it here,” Gemma quickly gushed. “I am so happy to see more people. Our community is really small, so every new person is extremely welcome. I don’t know if Free told you about the mining station, but a few thousand people used to live here. Now we’re…” she glanced around. “Fourteen.”
Marisol introduced the M’s, learning Hailey and Anna’s names. Both women remained quiet. The older human couple stayed back. Her gaze kept going to them.
“Those are my parents,” Hailey whispered. “Sam and Klista. They were worried it might upset some of you because we’re the only humans here. We come from Maglis. It’s a mining planet, and I never once visited Clone World.”
Blade hugged her closer to his side. “Sam and Klista have no bias against our kind or hold prejudices. That’s what Hailey is attempting to get across.” He seemed to be studying the M’s.
“They were my medics,” Marisol admitted. “My highly classified medic team.”
That drew everyone’s attention. Big was the one to speak. “Are you ill? Is that why you decided to finally join us and be with Free? The mining company took their surgical unit with them after abandoning the station but left behind some medical equipment. We’ll do our best to help you.”
Free tensed at her side. Marisol clung to his hand to keep him from moving. He looked upset. “I didn’t join up with you before because I died shortly after reaching Barlish station. I couldn’t get into an escape pod to reach Free because my body was being secretly flown to DJD Clone Corp to have an unblanked copy of me made. I’m not sick. I’m a clone.”
The shock on Big’s face was almost comical. His expression matched that of Figures and Blade, too. The others, besides her M Clones, just seemed stunned.
“I didn’t know the truth until recently.” Marisol shared how she’d discovered the truth and why she’d brought her medic team with her. She gazed at the white-haired woman. “Learning that Figures had used that secret fund to order an unblanked copy of you is what alerted me that at least one of them had survived and how to find him. I guess I should thank you.”
Anna smiled. “I wouldn’t say I’m a copy. I used to be old. Now I’m all new and shiny. My Fig has a generous heart, and I’m glad his good deed of giving me a second chance at life brought you all here.”
Figures put his arm around her and drew her closer to his side. “I was desperate to save Anna in any way possible. She was kind to me, and I wanted to spend more time with her. Then she captured my heart.”
Marisol couldn’t help but smile. It was clear that the two were in love. The older human couple finally approached.
“We prepared a feast,” the woman announced. “I’m Klista. Sam and I have taken on the parental role for everyone here. I hope you don’t find that presumptuous. We just want to make you feel welcome and at home.”
Marisol smiled. “Thank you. We appreciate that.”
“Clones don’t have parents,” MC-1 commented.
Marisol shot him a dirty look. “It seems like we do now. That’s wonderful. A feast means lots of food. I’m really looking forward to that after exiting off nutrient bars for so long.”
“We do appreciate that.” Free backed her up. “I am hungry.”
Marisol did a head count. There were fourteen people. “Where are the R clones?”
Big answered. “Rod was here but left to go investigate what DJD Clone Corp is doing by opening what we believe is a secret laboratory on a space station. Ram is currently out of communication with us, but Rod told us not to be alarmed.”
That intrigued Marisol. “What kind of secret laboratory and why on a space station?”
“That is what Rod plans to find out. Earth banned creating and testing unblanked clones. We’re afraid they are going to attempt something equally as horrific on our kind,” Blade shared.
“I hope my grandfather has nothing to do with this.” Marisol felt sick at the thought.
“Why would you say that?” Free turned toward her, his gaze holding hers.
“He’s the one who is their number one customer. He’s also ordered a lot of illegal clones. Look at me. I survived thinking I was still human for over three years. DJD Clone Corp obviously is aware of that since they grew this body and transferred my birth chip.” She held up her other hand he wasn’t holding. “I passed every security scanner I went through.”
Big suddenly moved closer. “What are you talking about?”
Marisol turned to him and held out her palm. “I still have my original birth chip. DJD Clone Corp was somehow able to do the impossible by transferring it.”
“What in the hell is that?” Anna had moved closer, too.
“Humans who leave or live away from Earth are embedded with a data chip inside the palms of their hands shortly after birth,” Big explained. “They are supposed to be coded to that human’s DNA. Removing it, transferring it into another body, or even attempting to hack the data on one is supposed to destroy it. The human authorities use scanners to safeguard that clones aren’t permitted to enter Earth, some other planets, and most space stations near Earth.”
“I don’t think I had one of those when I was still human,” Anna admitted.
“They began using them about fifty years ago,” Marisol told her. “You should have been given one at birth.”
“Oh. That explains it. I was born way before then.” Anna smiled at the M Clones. “You four are being so quiet. I haven’t been here too long. I’d be happy to give you a tour of the station after we eat.”
“We both will,” Figures offered. “I’m sure you’ll need clothing and other things to make you feel at home.”
“Speaking of, during dinner, you can tell me what sleeping arrangements you prefer.” Big met their gazes, staring at Free the longest. “Your quarters haven’t been touched except I had your bots clean and Magna stock your kitchen.”
That perked Marisol’s interest. “Who is Magna?”
Gemma was the one to answer. “Not who. What. Magna is a silver robot that cooks. Some of the nicer apartments have them. It freaked me out the first time I saw it because I watched way too many horror movies.”
“Let’s move this to our quarters and eat while the food is hot. I didn’t use a Magna to cook. I actually enjoy doing that myself. We’ll all exchange stories and get to know each other better.” Klista motioned everyone to follow her and her human husband. “Come on.”
Free lifted Marisol’s hand, kissing the back of it. “We’ll eat and then go to our quarters. I think you’ll like where we’ll live.”
“I know I will.” The mining station would be her new home, and the people living there hopefully would become her friends.