Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Panic laced Charlie’s eyes. Gage had guessed correctly; Audra’s brother was a cyborg. It was the only reasonable explanation for why he’d reacted so calmly to the news he might be genetically predisposed to cancer.
The younger man stumbled back away from Gage. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Charlie can’t be a cyborg.” Audra defended her brother. Blindly, but then again, she was too close to the subject matter to have much clarity. “Or he surely would have told me.”
He whipped his attention back to his sister, mouth working to say something, but nothing came out. Maybe his years as a homeless man had saved him from much human conflict. He wasn’t very skilled at lying.
Doc brushed past Gage and wrapped an arm around Charlie, murmuring assurances as if to comfort the man.
But why? Charlie didn’t seem weak or in need of coddling.
He’d tracked down his own sister from whom he’d been separated as a toddler, tasked her with a challenging mission, then been her contact when the mission was completed.
He was by no means incompetent or incapable.
Then Doc looked around at the group that had gathered around the patio area, his arm still around Charlie like a father protecting his son. Gage had only been here for a week, but he’d never seen the Doc so indecisive, as if he wasn’t sure what to do or say at the moment.
David must have sensed Doc’s indecision as well. “Babe, we don’t keep secrets around here. And we help each other heal.”
Doc exhaled and nodded. Then his gaze fell on Audra. “Charlie, your sister deserves an explanation. In fact, it would be best if everyone knew.”
Charlie stared at the ground for several moments before offering a hesitant nod and mumbling his assent. Doc guided him to one of the chairs, then stood behind, with his hand on the younger man’s shoulder, once more in a fatherly fashion he didn’t use with any of the others.
They all filed into the patio area to hear whatever explanation was supposedly forthcoming.
Gage pulled Audra to him, bracing her against his chest and holding her close.
Whatever the announcement would be, she’d be most affected.
She grasped his arm slung across her chest like it was a lifeline.
As if she also understood whatever the next few minutes brought, she’d be devastated.
Charlie slouched in the chair. Gage wasn’t an expert on body language, but it seemed Charlie wanted to make himself so small they would no longer see him.
Was that a remnant of his homeless lifestyle or a preemptive response to the information Doc was about to share?
Doc patted Charlie’s shoulder, always the one to offer comfort and a steady, guiding hand.
“You’re all very aware of the cybernetic phases Preditech, in cooperation with the DCO, had rolled out over the years.” Doc looked at the group. “We are blessed to have a few of those individuals here with us.”
Gage grunted. Not sure anyone should consider themselves blessed to be in his presence, but whatever.
Doc voice softened, and a note of sadness threaded his next words. “Believe it or not, lots of unfortunate individuals had it worse than any of you.”
“Worse?” Adam spoke up. “I’m not saying it isn’t possible, Doc. But I can’t imagine what would constitute worse.”
“I can imagine worse.” Luann spoke up. “History is filled with atrocities that normal, hard-working, law-abiding citizens could never contemplate, much less put into action.”
“Unfortunately, you are correct, Luann. And our Charlie is just one of many who were victims of some of those atrocities.”
Charlie shrunk into himself even further.
Audra tensed in Gage’s arms, her fingernails digging into his flesh.
Doc addressed her specifically. “Charlie was part of an underground fighting ring. Like the dog fights or cock fights of the previous century, young men and women are recruited to fight one another. And when I say recruited, I mean kidnapped and forced. Losers die. Winners get sold to richer owners. Richer owners enhance them with cybernetic systems so they continue to win.”
Audra gasped and clamped a hand over her mouth.
Gage held her more tightly against his body.
He’d seen enough of war to understand the horrors that humans could allow—to an individual…
to a whole country—without batting an eyelash.
“Doc, is it safe to assume they got the enhancements against their will?”
Doc nodded. “And without anesthesia, proper medical attention, or recovery time.”
Charlie shrugged his shoulder and muttered. “It wasn’t that bad.”
David snorted and waved a hand to indicate the group.
“Charlie, you’re talking to cyborgs who had top-notch treatment during our transition, and the experience nearly broke each of us.
You don’t have to pretend yours wasn’t the most agonizing, nightmarish experience one human being could force on another. ”
“We haven’t suffered to the extent you have, Charlie.” Luann’s voice with thick with emotion. “But we understand the cruelty of it all. You are made of strong stuff to have survived.”
“Charlie is one of many who escaped their fates. He found his way to me, and together, we’ve worked to save others.”
“That’s what HydroFoods Inc. really is, isn’t it?
” Eve mushed her lips together, her habit when she was either nervous or working out a puzzle such as the one Doc had just laid at their feet.
“It’s not just a legal front for your Bat Cave here.
But also for your underground-railroad-type efforts with fight club escapees. ”
Charlie tensed. “We’re not supposed to talk about it.”
Doc squeezed his shoulder. “Charlie has spearheaded it. Most of them are in the nearby homeless camps. Some have moved on, but we still keep in contact.”
“David, you said we needed an army to fight to save cyborgs.” Adam pointed between Doc and Charlie. “Looks like Doc’s been amassing one for years.”
“We’ve spent years being forced to fight.” Charlie straightened in his chair. “We just want to live a peaceful existence.”
“Don’t we all.” Gage cocked an eyebrow at the younger man. “But every day we cling to the false idea of a peaceful existence, and tell ourselves that if we just keep our heads down and not rock the boat, we might get to grow old and die alone, more cyborgs are made and suffering.”
“When are we going to stop settling for a rubber biscuit life and telling ourselves it’s filet mignon?” Luann leaned against Everett, who wrapped a comforting arm around her.
“Babe, you’re the one who’s nurtured and spearheaded this rebel alliance.” David stepped forward. “What was your plan?”
Doc shrugged. “To continue as is, until we could find a chink in the armor we could exploit.”
“We found that chink.” Everett nodded toward Audra. “Well, Audra did. Time to exploit it.”
She wasn’t listening, focused instead on her brother.
She tugged against the safety net Gage had created with his arms. He dropped them and she kneeled in front of Charlie, her face wet from tears.
“You’re a cyborg? Is this why you aren’t worried about getting cancer?
Because your cybernetic systems filter out any cancer cells? ”
“I doubt my owners cared enough to spend the money on those systems.” He shook his head. “But I’m nearly entirely machine at this point. There isn’t enough organic left for me to worry over something like cancer.”
“Were you one when you found me in D.C. all those years ago?” When he nodded, she placed her hands on his knees.
He flinched, but quickly recovered and leaned toward her.
“Charlie, why didn’t you tell me then? I was more than willing to take on the mission you gave me…
you should have known then that I wouldn’t hate you or fear you for being one. ”
“I… when I tracked you down, I heard some stories about your adopted family.” He touched her cheek like she was delicate crystal. He obviously didn’t know his sister. “You’d already been so neglected and unloved. I didn’t want to burden you anymore.”
“Can we…” She swallowed hard, as if past a lump of emotion.
“Can we get to know one another again? Take is slow and easy, so it’s not overwhelming?
You’re the only family I have.” David cleared his throat loudly, and she glanced at him before looking at Charlie again, this time with a smile on her face.
“I mean, you’re the only blood relation I have.
Let’s not keep secrets from each other anymore, even if they are painful.
Let’s work together to help each other heal. ”
Charlie hesitated a few heartbeats, then nodded. His eyes glittered with relief, and he grunted when Audra hugged him tightly.
“She’s a hugger, Charlie. Better get used to it.” Gage chuckled as he gently pulled Audra away from her brother for fear she’d suffocate him. “And you, beautiful, are making me jealous. I want to be the only one you throw yourself at.”
She laughed, tearful and ripe with joy, against his chest, her arms banded around his waist. “Oh, trust me, you’ll get plenty of body slamming from me.”
A combined round of laughter and exaggerated groans surrounded them. David, being closest, shoved at Gage’s arm with a snort. “Get a room, you two. No slamming bodies in community areas.”