Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
“The fuck you say!” Adam shot to a stand, his chair upending behind him.
The others were similarly alarmed, dropping utensils and bolting upright.
All the friendly ambiance of the room whooshed out with Audra’s news like the initial blast wave of a bomb, sucking a flood of shock and rage into the vacuum left behind.
Gage wasn’t as surprised as the others. Or maybe his shock had simply happened earlier, when he’d learned that he, himself, had inferior cybernetic parts.
Parts that didn’t work to the full expectation of the United States Army, didn’t function with his inferior CPU from China, and certainly weren’t integrated with the rest of him.
Not only was he a fucking cyborg who had to hide that fact, but apparently, he was a shitty cyborg to boot. So, no. He wasn’t shocked about Hawks being a cyborg, because he was too bitter about his own recent news.
Or maybe his jaded view of what his country’s government would allow stemmed from a deeper, more meaningful, more prolonged exposure to its apathy.
He had maintained his commitment to his duty, but getting pawned off to his crappy Pentagon job had been a gut punch on a thank-you-but-no-thank-you-for-your-service level.
Learning that the man whose job gave him ultimate control over the lives of cyborgs was actually being controlled by the country’s enemy?
Not as devastating as it should have been.
Cyborgs were already feared by society, forced to hide their existence, denied basic medical treatment, and ignored by the same institutions that created them. How much worse could it get?
“Wait, let me see if I understand this correctly.” Everett held up a hand as if to calm the panic racing through the group. “Audra, you’re saying that the Director of the Department of Cybernetic Oversight is a cyborg himself?”
She nodded.
“Do you know what parts? And when?”
“Uh, the exact details are in the micro-drive.” She glanced at Charlie. “But it’s been gradual over the course of several years, I believe. The first was a full CPU, then the replacement of body parts. He’s more machine now than man.”
“Why would Hawks willingly choose inferior cybernetic parts from China for himself?” Luann asked.
“Could you imagine the bidding war if he’d opened it up to American companies?” David shook his head. “They’d cannibalize themselves to get that particular contract.”
Adam leaned forward. “But to give it to a Chinese company instead, just to avoid all that…?”
“Not a Chinese company.” Audra corrected. “China. The country.”
“It’s not about being equitable or in cahoots with our enemy.
” Everett waived their concerns away. “With Hawks, it’s always about the accumulation of wealth and power.
He’s a public figure in a prominent government position.
If word got out he has cybernetic parts, he’d suffer the same volatile fear you all have to worry about.
Or worse. He’d lose his power, his money… everything.”
“You obviously know him better than we do, Everett. Why would he want cybernetic parts in the first place?” Eve asked.
“Why wouldn’t he? Think about it. Cyborgs are stronger, faster, and never get sick.
Your cybernetic parts slow the aging process of your organic halves.
Your CPUs are advanced computers with vast storage of data that can be retrieved immediately and calculated faster than a synapse fires.
All the early cyborg phases were with individuals sworn to uphold our laws, save us from our own foibles, rush into burning buildings, and support the foundations upon which this country was built.
” Everett planted his fists on the table.
“Dammit, if society didn’t fear you more than nuclear war or…
or spiders… cyborgs could absolutely rule this country.
More equitably and efficiently than we have in a few hundred years, I might add, and most likely with less risk of corruption. ”
Gage blinked at the passion with which Everett spoke about cyborgs.
Yes, his company was in the business of creating them.
And he was obviously in love with one, if the way he looked at Luann and touched her every chance he could get was any indication.
But his words seemed to spring from a deep well of conviction that surpassed even employment and love.
Gage was moved to admit out loud. “I’ve never heard anyone speak so highly about cyborgs before.”
“Get used to it, my boy.” Doc chuckled. “Around here, we happen to think cybernetic individuals are pretty amazing.”
“Sorry if I sound paranoid, but I’m new to this.
” Gage looked around at the others. “Everett, you said if society didn’t fear cyborgs, we’d be powerful.
Wouldn’t those already in power want to prevent that?
Wouldn’t they realize the easiest way to ensure this would be to encourage Hollywood and the news media to spin fearmongering stories? ”
“That’s exactly what they did.” Charlie interjected, his soft voice ringing with authority. “The intel Audra secured proves Hawks siphoned funds to a few crucial movie directors. After which, blockbuster anti-cyborg films were released.”
“It’s fuckin’ Nazi Germany all over again.” Adam muttered.
“People in power with powerful allies.” Eve groaned, rubbing her temples. “How do we fight that?”
“It would take an enormous army, and we’re only eight.” David agreed.
“Not necessarily.” Audra chewed on her thumbnail.
The others waited for her to collect her thoughts.
“Look, Hawks can’t control the minds and hearts of every citizen.
Paying directors to make big-evil-cyborg films is just the entertainment industry.
Same with the news media. But society is fickle.
Give them a few heartwarming stories about cyborgs and the tide will turn. ”
“It would take more than a few leaked videos of cyborgs saving stranded puppies and kittens.” David crossed his arms. “That kind of social media counter-campaign would have to be well-organized and funded. And no cyborg would be eager to be the face of a feel-good movement. Not with the way things are.”
Gage snorted. “No. But images of cyborgs as heroes would drive Hawks absolutely insane. I’d love to see that.”
“Assuming the voice in your head is Hawks, you already have.” Luann pointed out. “You single-handedly managed to piss him off, and he retaliated by making your leg go batshit crazy.”
“Too bad we couldn’t return the favor.” Adam chuckled. “I’d love to see him lose control of his cyborg parts.”
“Why couldn’t we?” Doc turned to Everett. “Someone, possibly Hawks, hacked Gage’s cybernetics. Couldn’t we do the same?”
“In theory, yes.” Everett stood and paced, pondering the question.
The others casually ate and waited while he worked through the possibilities.
Everett had created the standard in cybernetics, having leap-frogged modern prosthetics technology into advanced and seamless mechanic-organic integration.
Other companies still struggled to catch up with Everett Dean’s genius.
China might as well chisel in stone by comparison.
Gage clenched his jaw. Lucky him. He got the bottom-of-the-barrel cyborg parts.
Bitterness soured the flavor of his taco in his mouth, which was both a waste of a taco and a waste of time.
He hadn’t used his cybernetic parts these past several years, so why did he care that his weren’t top of the line?
He glanced at Audra, who ate in contented silence.
And then at the others, who also ate and chatted quietly.
This was why he cared. Not for himself, but for what he could offer to a rebel alliance, or a beautiful woman.
This we’ll defend. He finally had another opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a worthy cause, and he was nothing but junkyard parts.
“Gage, we’ll need your help.” Everett stopped pacing and turned to the group. “Your systems are more similar to what Hawks has than anyone else here. We’ll need your feedback while we figure this out.”
Audra tensed beside Gage. “You mean, you need him as your guinea pig.”
“It won’t be like that—”
Luann tried to reassure her, but Everett stopped her with a hand on the shoulder.
“Yes, you’re correct Audra. We’re trying something we’ve never done before.
In order to ensure it works on Hawks, I need to test it on someone.
I’m at least giving Gage a choice. If he’s willing, then he’s my guy.
If not, then I’ll figure something else out. ”
“But he’s been through so much already—”
Audra’s voice rose with her protest. She was working up to a proper fit on his behalf, and Gage didn’t want to see her so upset.
He brushed a hand along her thigh to get her attention.
“It’s okay, beautiful. They can’t hurt me or humiliate me any more than Hawks already has. And if it helps, then count me in.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes and she shook her head. He brushed a knuckle along her cheek. “It’s one step closer to helping cyborgs, right? It’s also one step closer to keeping you safe. And I’d suffer through losing my leg again and again to make that happen.”
Doc stood and addressed them all, an enigmatic Buddha smile on his face. “My dears, let’s table this conversation until tomorrow. It’s been a big day and Audra and Gage still need to settle in. David and I will clean up dinner, so I’ll go ahead and wish you all sweet dreams.”
The others agreed and shared their goodnights.
Gage looked at Audra as she said her goodbye to her brother, who refused to crash for the night in the bunker in spite of Doc’s insistence.
She looked happy, but exhausted. She’d definitely had a big day.
She’d been through so much these past few weeks—past several years, actually, trying to fulfill a mission to help cyborgs—and was still the same feisty, selfless, beautiful woman he’d watched from afar.
Now that her mission was complete and she no longer had the responsibility of infiltrating Pentagon secrets, maybe she could relax and enjoy her life.
Maybe he could be part of that life.
Earlier, in the lab, she’d clung to him and begged him to never leave her.
While his heart had soared with joy, she’d been caught up in an emotional moment.
He shouldn’t pin too much hope she truly wanted him around.
And even if she wanted him around, that didn’t mean she wanted more from him.
One desperate fuck on a boardroom conference table was not a promise of any sort.
He’d be wise to remember that. Even as his own heart clamored for more from this woman, he’d take whatever scraps of friendship or affection she’d throw his way.
Yes, he was that desperate to be in her life.
Yes, that made him pathetic.
No, he didn’t care. Because it was more than he’d had, ever.
Gage hung back when Doc approached Audra. “My dear, we have plenty of private bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. We also have clothes and toiletries if you need any. And whatever we don’t stock, your brother is handy at securing for us.”
“Thank you, Doc.” She grabbed his hand and held it in hers. “I don’t mean to pry. But how did you meet Denn-er, Charlie?”
Doc didn’t answer her immediately. Instead, he placed his other hand over hers and sighed deeply, his voice soft with regret. “I can. But there is more to that story than even I know, and Charlie has never felt… safe enough… to share it with me. Perhaps he’ll open up to you.”
“I wish he would. But in spite of being siblings, we were separated when I was eleven, and I’ve only seen him a couple times since then.
” Her voice grew watery with regret. “He’s my little brother and I…
I should have protected him. I should have been there for him.
I wish I could go back and do things differently. I—”
She choked out a sob and pulled away from Doc, turning toward Gage as if instinctively seeking out his comfort.
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her as she clutched at his shirt and cried.
It was more than his heart could bear, seeing her so filled with shame for a past she couldn’t control.
He had no tender words to ease her heartache.
No wisdom to share to put any of it into perspective.
He couldn’t command her to snap out of it like he might a soldier during battle. He could only offer her his truth.
“Well, I, for one, am grateful for it.”
His words shocked her enough she pulled back and blinked at him. “Wait. You’re happy I deserted my brother for decades?”
“The way I see it, if your past had been different, you might not be here in my arms right now.” He wiped at her moist cheeks with his thumb and shrugged. “I’ll take every victory, no matter how small, I can get. Having you in my life is the best thing to ever happen to me.”
The anguish on her face faded as joy softened her features. She buried her face against his chest again, as if shy. “Well, there is that.” Her voice was still thick with emotion, but it didn’t sound like sadness or regret. “Doc, I think it’s time you showed us to our room.”
Doc’s smile was broad and victorious. He winked at Gage “Excellent idea, my dear.”