As we wait for the release day for Doc’s Orders (July 16th), I’m sharing the first chapter.
Read the first scene here: http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=6869
Today, I’m sharing the third scene.
“Humans scare easily.” Chuckles shrugged.
“There might be some logic behind their fear. This is the first lifeform scan.” North displayed a flattened image of the planet.
A gathering of four hundred and sixty-seven humanoids was situated in one area. There were also several small groups of beings spread out on the land mass. Some were human. Most were humanoid.
“This is the second lifeform scan.” North shared that image.
The large gathering remained. Many of the small groups were gone.
“If we wait, we won’t have to collect any genetic information.” Chuckles pulled his female closer to his body. “They’ll all be dead.”
“The large group will remain.” Captain studied the main viewscreen. “Their numbers were static.”
Captain had been given orders by Power, the leader of the Cyborg Council. He and the Reckless’ crew were to gather information on life-sustaining planets in the cyborg-controlled sector. Power expected Captain to transmit data about one of those planets within sixty-two planet rotations.
“Scanning a group that size should take less than a shift, Captain.” Doc assured their leader.
The crew of the Reckless had never failed a mission. And they wouldn’t fail this one. He and the fingertip sensors he’d developed would ensure they didn’t.
“We have sixty-two planet rotations.” Captain didn’t move on that deadline. “We won’t put warriors in peril to complete the task early.” He looked at Doc. “Are the fingertip sensors functional?”
Doc tilted his head. “I’ve tested them.” The sensors resembled a thin layer of skin, were designed to be attached to a cyborg’s fingertips and had the ability to gather vast amounts of genetic and other biological information about any being that warrior touched.
“He’s tested them on himself.” Truth’s tone was dry.
“Those tests were in controlled situations.” Doc ignored the D Model. “There might be some modifications needed once we’re in the field.”
“Then you will lead the team.” Captain made that assumption.
Doc should have expected to be assigned the role of team leader. They were gathering specs about living beings. As Chief Medic, he had the most experience performing that task.
The prospect of exploring an unknown planet, facing danger and extreme challenges, filled him with trepidation. He had intentionally chosen a ship-based role, seeking to control his stimuli, attempting to keep the organic part of him restrained.
With this assignment, that buffer would be stripped from him.
There might be substances on this planet no one has yet encountered. Truth transmitted that message through a private line. Think of the experiments you could run utilizing them, G Model.
That suggestion was more valid than the D Model realized.
If Doc focused on gathering substances, on future experiments, on the science of the mission, he should be able to complete it with no negative repercussions.
“I’ll lead the team.” Doc accepted the responsibility.
Yes. Truth cheered through the transmission lines.
Captain nodded, appearing pleased with Doc’s response. “You’ll be accompanied by two other warriors.”
Oh. Pick me. Pick me. Truth’s transmission bubbled with excitement.
“If the humanoids in the large group resemble humans, having a J Model in the party might put them at ease.” J Models were the most human-like cyborgs on board the warship. “I choose Dissent.” He deliberately shared his number two choice first. “And…”
And me. Truth was relentless. I have your back, G Model. Didn’t I remind you about this debrief?
I’m a cyborg. I don’t need to be reminded…about anything. But the male did have his back and that might be needed on this mission. “Truth is skilled with communications.”
Chuckles, the Communications Officer, grumbled his disagreement.
Yes. Truth cheered again. This is going to be so much fun.
A shift later, the D Model was having fun. Doc, however, was annoyed.
They had been dropped on the surface of Khambalia 5, their systems immediately adjusting to the planet’s high temperatures and the toxins in the air.
The shuttle had returned to the Reckless.
There hadn’t been a safe site for it to land. Very little of the land mass was stable, its fragmented crust constantly shifting.
And some of the locals were hostile. Their arrival had attracted a pack of four-legged creatures.
The beasts circled them, growling and snarling. Saliva dripped from their muzzles.
A fog hung over the terrain, layering a haze over their surroundings. The gray eyes and gray fur of the predators almost blended into their surroundings.
The creatures sported sharp claws on all of their feet and long canine teeth. And they were fast. Their movements would be undetectable to human eyes.
Doc and his two brethren were cyborgs, however. They could easily track the beasts, could avoid the teeth and claws.
That would take time and Doc preferred to concentrate on their mission.
Reading the next scene (available July 8th) here: http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=6875
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Doc’s Orders
She wants both sides of her cyborg—the medic AND the beast.
A fully functional cyborg is balanced. His machine half and his organic half work together to produce the perfect warrior.
Doc isn’t fully functional.
The G Model operates at the two extremes. When his machine is in complete control, he’s the logic-driven medic, saving lifespans. Once his organics take charge, he becomes the savage beast…and beings die.
Both sides of Doc want to be the first to claim his female.
Allinen is one of the few beings in her small settlement who wasn’t born with a fated mate. Determined to belong somewhere, she has crafted a plan to leave the planet.
That plan doesn’t involve a huge stormy-eyed male who alternates between cool seduction and out-of-control ravishment. Doc isn’t her fated mate. Allinen knows that. But his dual nature and forbidden embraces tempt her to forget forever and indulge in more immediate delights.
Neither side of Doc views their relationship as being temporary. Her conflicted cyborg is prepared to battle her family, her planet and death itself to keep her.
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