Torc, page 11
part #17 of Galactic Cyborg Heat Series
Torc scented sadness. “We are very good at what we do Katherine.” She nodded biting her lip. Her entire body language telling him she was worried. “I will see you on the Space Station. Commander Dark will make sure you are safely on board and you have everything you need.”
Kate frowned. She looked into his face. Suddenly feeling the need to know every inch of it. See those passionate eyes staring at her. Would it be the last time? “It’s not going to be quick is it?”
“Even with the best engines, it would take months. With theirs, it will take longer.”
Kate felt numb. She’d only just come to terms with him being in her life and now, he was going. Maybe it was best? No… roared throughout her mind. That wasn’t for the best. She needed to keep it together. “Thank you for telling me.” They were the only ones at the back of the small cosy area, but it was far from private. Kate suddenly wished it was. She would have liked a proper goodbye. That time alone with him.
Desire filtered in her scent. Her neck and face flushed. Her need was rising. Her heart rate had picked up as well. Torc pulled back on his own. “Female....” He gave her warning. She looked surprised and shocked then softened looking at him.
She shrugged. “Sorry, it just happens thinking of you.”
Torc pulled her hand to him and kissed the palm then held it to his chest. He tried hard not to take in her taste anymore than he already had. “I would like nothing more than to spend this time with you,” he told her. “Time spent exploring how good you would feel around my cock.” He saw her face flame as the sex talk got real. It fired him on…
“Touching you, feeling you, making you beg for more…. Tasting your cum on my tongue and lips, swallowing you down is a delicious dream I want more than anything… I want you so badly impaled on my cock and naked in my arms, it’s about to burst but I can’t. Once wouldn’t be enough female. I want it all and you need to want it too. And if you chose that now, there isn’t time. I cannot bond with you and then leave. It’s not how it works for us. I will crave you above all others. Need you intensely those first few months. Day and night. It would not matter. The need would ride me, and I would be driven to find you and fuck you over and over again, until I exhausted you and let you rest. Then start all over again. Never sated Katherine. That’s how it feels to us. The passion is so strong. Overwhelming like a teenager with heightened emotions and needs. Everything is extreme. There are no rules. Coupled with the animal DNA and its own triggers and needs. It’s so strong. Stronger than you could imagine. And if we did that and I left…. I might not survive it.”
God that was hot…. Kate thought about fanning herself and just stopped herself in time. She probably had her mouth wide open and didn’t care. He was talking about the sex mating and the dangers that came with the rejection or separation of the mate for the Cyborg. The information she’d read on them had told her they ‘pined away’. His growl made her blink.
“You…’re growling. I thought I’d imagined that before?”
“And you’re fucking delicious. But I need to go. Now.” Torc let her hand go and stood. Being near her was making his life hell. He couldn’t have her, and it was more torture than he’d ever endured before. If she didn’t accept him, Torc’s logic told him he might not be able to remove that scar. He needed to get away before he took that scent and it broke him. “Thank you for sharing with me. I will treasure it. When I get back to the Station I’m coming for you.”
“I would like that,” she told him automatically and knew instantly that she meant it. Kate stared up at him. He gave nothing away as he backed up.
“Good,” he told her. “Make no mistake female. If you want this, I won’t be holding back. I’m going to want it all. Do you understand female?” He looked intensely down at her, his eyes were penetratingly clear. There was no mistake how sincere he was. He was all fire and passion. She understood alright. “All…. Of…. It….” He punctuated every word to her. Kate sat mesmerised as he walked away from her again. Only this time, it was different. She was hoping he was taking a piece of her with him. And more importantly, that he came back. Alive.
Kate took a shuddering breath, her chest tight. When had he become so important?
Chapter Six
Seven months. He’d been gone seven months. Kate entered the lift and pushed for the commercial ring. It was a relatively new addition to the Space Station. They’d removed the shops and commerce on the docking sections and created a whole new level below the Gallerea. What had once been living accommodation mixed with the odd shop was now a complete shopping ring. Cutting out and through several sections had opened it up, they’d put in internal lifts and walkways straight up into the Gallerea itself, opening up both levels. Creating something unique. Additional entertainment had been added and some café’s and bars.
The light streamed down from the globe roof of the Gallerea and walking around the Gallerea was now a combination of walkways that created a lattice work across the open sections to below and still allowed the park area, theatre, gym and places to eat and drink to have the space they needed. It was masterful in its conception. New lifts for security and medical had finished the remodel.
Kate exited the lift, nodding to a couple of people she knew, walking to her shop. It was her pride and joy.
Torc had been right about Councilman Dark looking after her and seeing her right at the Station. He had. He’d kept an eye on her after Torc had left with his men with the pirate’s ship. He was around at a distance. He never bothered her, was just there and when it came to docking, he was waiting with his men at her door to take her through disembarkation and had escorted her to her rooms. Rooms that were far larger than she’d expected. It had also been a surprise to find the room was on the same level as many other women. The majority married to Cyborgs.
Kate hadn’t argued for somewhere else. The whole experience had been a bit mind-blowing and she’d been eager to get to her shop. When they’d escorted her to it, she’d stood shocked, just gazing at it in wonder. Tears came to her eyes and she couldn’t hold them back. It was better than she could have ever imagined. It seemed bigger too and when she looked up that first time and saw she could see through the new walkways right up into the Gallerea, it had almost been too much. Her original shop had been under the security offices, there was no view just the floor above it. She now knew that her original shop was the new security and medical lift. They had cut straight through it. There had been some talk of it being further along originally nearer medical but, now it was between them both.
She didn’t know why it had changed just glad it had. In return, she’d been given this.
Kate looked up as she approached her shop hearing the music, laughter, glass clinking and chatter. She stopped at her shop and grinned. She couldn’t help it. It got her every time. Placing her hand on the pad the security screens lifted and she looked at the displays in the window. She’d made them look like women having a good time. On the right at a bar having drinks on the left, sitting and having coffee with friends. The digital 4D images continually played. There was a 10 minute roll over. She never got tired of looking at it. Every month she changed the images. The models in the 4D vids were wearing her clothes. It was quite a buzz.
Kate waited for the door to open and walked in. Her ideas for storage and display were on all the walls. Rolls of materials fitted on rollers. Other ornaments were displayed on boards or racks around them. Everything you could think of to make garments was there for you to see. “Computer lights on.” The whole place sparkled.
Striding through the shop, she checked her racks of clothing. They ran down the middle of the shop. In circular moving rack, they slowly made their way through the entire shop on a loop. Touching it stopped its slow movement and then it started again. These were her ready to ware items. All the designs she’d created on the ship that she’d sent to the Space Station to be printed, ready for her arrival.
Kate walked on, everything was just as she’d left it the night before, walking into the dressing area she checked it was all clear and tidy for the day ahead. Of course she’d checked it the night before, but it had become habit. Then she checked the store room where clothes that were waiting for next fit were stored or finished garments hung for pick up were waiting.
Satisfied, Kate turned into her kitchen and turned everything back on, asking the replicator for coffee. It wasn’t the real stuff but it would do. Then she carefully opened the real coffee and made up the machine. Her customers loved it and it was an expensive but nice perk. Her clothes were not cheap. They were her creations and the price reflected that.
Not that she thought she over charged. She charged what it cost to make and her mark up. If she sold more than ten a week, she covered her costs and after that, started to make a small profit. Not that she had expected to make a profit at all for the first year. Her success had blown her away, but she was still cautious. Anything could go wrong.
On her second day at the shop, she’d been like a crazed woman. Getting it all up and running when she’d had visitors. The Admirals wife and her friends had called by. Mac the Doctor, wife of Dark, as well as several other officers’ wives had called in to welcome her and have a look around. Kate went from complete panic having very little ready to enjoying the company and banter explaining her vison. She’d made firm friends that day and they in turn had supported her. Spreading the word, offering support. And when her opening day finally came, a large number of ladies were waiting for her and over the next couple of weeks she’d been inundated with purchases and orders. So much so, that she’d had to employ two ladies to help her and thankfully, not looked back.
Going to her office Kate sat down and opened her vid screen sipping her drink as her contact messages came up. She heard her two workers coming in. Both called out to her. Kate smiled. Jacqueline would check the shop where she was stationed and look at today’s appointments with her. Jane would be walking back towards her heading into the work room. She was a very good seamstress. Both were older ladies. Both, had survived the pirate attack, if surviving meant living with the memories.
Kate had heard it all not long after arriving and was once again, glad that Torc had tried to save her from that.
Jane popped her head in. “Morning boss, need anything?”
Kate shook her head. “No, I’m good. I’ll be in later.” Jane nodded and headed to the Kitchen. No drinks were allowed for staff in the workroom or shop but in the kitchen no problem. Kate scrolled through her messages. Requests for new appointments were growing. Jacqueline showed her face at the door and knocked. Kate waved her in.
“Morning, your first appointment is at 10 and then we have a full day. Not one spare. Several last fittings and three new customers for measuring up and design work.”
Kate leant back in her chair. “It’s going well isn’t it.”
Jacqueline nodded. “Really well. They love your designs. Here’s a list of the ready to ware we sold yesterday. We need re-stocking in some places. Any more thoughts on taking next door and making it a work area?”
Kate didn’t think she could afford that yet. But she did need more help. Jacqueline was right. She didn’t have time to do much of it herself like those first few weeks. What she really needed was a bigger ready to ware section and people to help her create them. Kate nodded. “Its on my list to talk with the commissary, see if we can get a deal.”
Jacqueline nodded. “Good, the sooner the better.” She handed her another list. “That’s what I was asked for this week alone.”
Kate took it and looked at the list. It was huge. “This much?”
“Yep, you’re a hit.”
Kate blew out a breath. She hadn’t realised it was so much. “Ok, I’ll put in a request today.” Jacqueline left her. Kate looked at the list again. She really did need that help. Kate fired off two requests. One for the shop next door to be annexed asking what it would cost her and the second to workforce. She needed about six staff to work the printers for that many requests. She’d also need more equipment to go with them.
Kate pulled up her revenue from the past four months since she’d opened. It was surprisingly good. With half cost deposits on all new orders, it kept them healthy but there was no doubt that it was the ready to ware ranges that made her the most money. In time, that might change but right now, that was were the money was. Kate mulled that over. If she didn’t act on that, someone else would. News had got around that it was good business. There were a number of cheap outlets, she’d been in each one as part of her research. Checked out the materials and the prices. They were at a premium because nothing was manufactured on the Station.
That’s where she benefitted. Her printers made it all on the Station, that meant she paid less for the materials, needed less storage on the shipping rather than whole garments and had less shipping costs than the completed work. It made her competitive and the ready to ware ranges not that much more expensive for the on the rack items. Plus her clothing was better quality, and styling to boot.
Kate made her mind up. It was the way to go. She’d make it work.
A flashing icon on one of the vid mails caught her eye. It was from Torc. She’d not heard from him since he’d left. Kim, the Admirals wife had mentioned it a few times that on secret missions, ‘radio silence’ was needed. Communications could be picked up and put them at risk.
Her imagination went crazy. Butterflies stirred and her palms became sweaty. Why was he communicating now? She noticed the time stamp. The middle of the night. Something was wrong…
She couldn’t stop her hands shaking as she pressed to view the message. Torc came up. He looked tired… “Hello Katherine, I’m sorry this has taken longer than anyone thought. The Admiral has given me permission to talk to you. We’ve found them. It wasn’t easy. Information we have gained I have passed on along with this message. If you are hearing this, it means the Admiral has it. We are on our way.” The ship suddenly rocked behind him. Sparks flew and Torc was thrown to one side. He righted himself. Kate’s heart flew into her mouth. He was under attack. She knew that feeling only too well.
“They know we are here, but the intel had to be sent. There are too many of them to stand and fight, the Admiral is sending support. I will make it. I promise you.” The ship rocked again behind him more violently. Torc straightened and smiled. “Don’t you worry about this. We are Cyborg. I will be seeing you soon female. I have missed you. We will have our time….” He starred at the screen as if decided what to say next. The ship rocked again behind him more sparks. His eyes glazed over for a second, then he looked back at her. “Soon. Screen off.”
“Noooo…” Leapt to her lips. He was being attacked. She needed to do something. Coming out of the vid mail she saw another below it from the Admiral. She guessed he didn’t sleep much.
Kate pressed the message. “Ms Conner. I’m sure you have now seen the message from Torc. His intel was vital to us. He has done the Empire good service this day at risk to himself and his crew. They had no option but to expose themselves to send the message, know that. I have sent ships to aid him, but they will take weeks to get to him. He is a strong leader and fighter. You know this. Have confidence in him. He is Cyborg and we will have him back.”
The message turned off. Kate sat there stunned. A large lump in her throat. No one said anything about not coming back…. Her hands started to shake again, and she gripped them hard. She started to hyperventilate. Kate tried to control it. Closed her eyes and took slow deep breaths.
“Slow and even Kate.” Opening her eyes Kim was standing in her doorway.
“You know?” She nodded coming in and around her desk, grasping her shoulder, then hugging her.
Kim nodded. “Rage said getting the intel had been risky. They’d made it out but in order to send the information, Torc knew it would trigger an alert but needed to do it anyway. They were planning another attack on the Station. He couldn’t take the chance that he didn’t get the intel out in time to us.”
Kate felt wet on her face and rubbed her hand across it. Tears? She was crying? A huge sob caught her. “He….. going to make …….it?”
Kim nodded hugging her as tears continued to fall. “He’ll make it.”
***
Someone want to tell me how they keep finding us? The ship took another hit.
Still working on our ion trail emissions. That third hit in the same place continues to cause us problems. We don’t have the parts to fix it completely. These ships are shit. Shields down to 78%. Engines 89%. Issues with several systems.
Find a way to fix the ion trail. He told him.
Affirmative. We are working on it. Looks like they have predicted our course back to the Space Station and co-ordinated attacks in relation to it. They must know we are heading to the Space Station it’s the logical answer.
Options?
The logical action would be to take evasive manoeuvres away from the predicted route. However, that comes with its own risks. Torc looked at the predicted stats that crossed his optic. We are unable to inform the Admiral of our new route. If we take that route, his ships will therefore not find us. If our enemy continue to track us and we get caught out in an ambush in the wilderness, we will be alone with no back up coming. If the ships systems fail, we will be dead in the water until we can fix it. If we can fix it.
Torc got the message. They were fucked. Their back up was at least six weeks away. Luckily, they’d been closer than the Space Station, but they still had to make it to them damaged and being pursued. So our best outcome is to run towards the Admirals ships and hope we can outrun our unwanted guests and fix the ion trail emissions on the way.
