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eyebrow, waiting.
Yes, she admitted. It was deemed a relevant issue. It was better to have stronger descendants
with pure cyborg DNA than risk genetic anomalies.
Some of our children are flawed! Blackie yelled. That s why so many of them need medical
attention after birth.
Eve crossed the room to stand in front him. He appeared ready to go after the female cyborg.
Parlis slowly attempted to stand but his broken arm hung uselessly at his side.
We were incorrect. Jazel lowered her gaze and her tone. We didn t realize the extent of our
own damage due to our dependency on some of our implants. It wasn t a foreseeable outcome at that
time. I do regret my compliance. We failed to take emotions into account. I am saddened that so many
canine units were murdered and accept partial responsibility.
Cyborgs suddenly rushed through the doors and took charge of the injured Parlis and surrounded
Jazel. Come with us, one of them stated. You re under arrest.
This isn t over, Parlis swore. We did the correct thing. It was to protect our race. Someone
had to make the hard decisions. That s all we re guilty of.
It is over. Zorus sighed. You made a grave error and you will be punished for your actions.
Goodbye, my old friend. I would wish you long life but we both know your days are numbered.
Eve watched them being removed from the room. They ll die?
Blackie pulled her into the circle of his arms. Yes. I will volunteer to end their lives if I m
allowed.
They are the reason only two of your line survived, Eve. Zorus moved closer. The council is
aware of how adding that many women to our population could have benefited our race as a whole.
They and I are not in agreement with Parlis that your canine genetics would have been detrimental to
our gene pool. We mourn their loss.
Conflicting sentiments choked Blackie. It was over and Eve would be safe. But he d lost a friend
in Parlis, a hero, though his reputation had been built on lies. Only time would heal the wounds
inflicted upon his soul, knowing his blind faith in the male had been misplaced and cost him decades
with a woman who should have been at his side instead of struggling to survive on her own.
Eve was his priority now. Do you wish to speak to the council or go to our home?
Home.
He turned his head, staring at Zorus. She is owed a few things.
Name them. The council is still linked with me. He pointed to the top of a pillar. They can
see us.
We want a new home outside the council building. I m certain you understand this request.
Zorus paused, probably discussing it silently with the other members. He nodded. I
remembered that request. Arrangements have been made.
He stared at Zorus. We d also like to join in a family unit of only two. She is not to be
considered a cyborg woman. Canine units mate for life with one male. To join her to other males
would be psychologically traumatic. It s how they were created.
Zorus frowned.
It isn t up for debate. They were designed to be completely loyal to one mate. She holds no
interest in other men.
Zorus lowered his head to study Eve.
I ll kill anyone besides Blackie if they are dumb enough to climb into my bed. It isn t
happening. Her voice deepened and her canines elongated to show off her teeth.
A sense of pride filled Blackie when he watched the council member stumble back a step,
surprised and wary of his mate. We re mated, Zorus. The canine units need absolute monogamy.
Zorus remained quiet for too long.
We owe her and her surviving littermate, Blackie argued.
The council member held his gaze and gave a sharp nod. Agreed. They are just curious about
her and wish to ask questions.
What do they want to know? Eve jutted her chin out, a sign of stubbornness Blackie found
endearing.
Would you follow me? They d like to see you in person.
We re fine here, Blackie protested. She doesn t need to feel overwhelmed. Ask their
questions.
Is she anatomically human?
For the most part, Eve answered. If you re talking sexual parts, yes. Strip me naked, which
you d better not consider really doing because I d fight that since I m not into show-and-tell, and I
look completely human. I don t have a tail or anything. I have the cool sliding teeth and fingernails.
She lifted a hand and peered up at the camera. See? She extended her fingernails, turning them so it
was clear how long they were. I can also deepen my voice. My larynx isn t limited to human sounds.
I m also stronger than most Earthers and I don t age the way they do. My line was created just weeks
after cyborgs were. I m the first in my line.
I asked Jazel if you could have children to establish they were already aware of that fact. Do
your units have single births or multiples?
Eve hesitated and turned her head to stare up at Blackie. Um, I thought we d discuss this part in
private but the two of my line who had children when we were still on Earth had more than one.
Barbra had three at once and Debbie had two.
Blackie was stunned. He hadn t considered that canines tended to have litters instead of just one
child.
You okay, Handsome? She bit her lower lip, peering up at him with concern.
Yes. He d adjust to the information.
The council will agree to a family unit of only two if you agree not to limit the amount of
children you have.
What does that mean? Blackie didn t enjoy the implications.
Zorus didn t look pleased but he represented the council. Your woman and her sister are
unique.
Eve growled. You want to turn me into a breeder, in other words. Just expect my sister and me
to& what? Drop a litter every year?
Could both of you do that? Zorus appeared interested. Your race was created female. Were
they able to create male offspring?
We could probably have children that fast but we won t. Eve flashed her fangs. I m sure it is
possible but I m not going to allow you to turn me in to some kind of baby machine and neither is
Danica. Only two of our line had children before they were executed. They delivered at full term just
after twelve weeks of gestation since we heal so fast and our engineered genetics seemed to
accelerate the pregnancies. I remember what happened to them when it was discovered they were
pregnant. Both were taken away by security and locked up so they could test the shit out of them.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Were the offspring all female? Zorus wasn t ready to let it go.
Yes. She frowned. But there were only two pregnancies in our line so don t just assume for a
fact that we can only have girls. The fathers of those babies might have had something to do with their
sex if it wasn t by genetic design.
Blackie reeled from that information, imagining Eve able to bear him numerous children in a
short span of time. It also alarmed him a bit if she was only able to birth females. He took an
aggressive step forward and glowered at the camera.
Enough, he demanded. She and her littermate paid the ultimate price for what they did for
cyborgs. You are not going to ask or expect them to replenish our population with females. The
number of children we have and the timing will be decided between her and me. That is not
negotiable.
Zorus glanced at the camera and seemed to be listening.
What are they saying? Eve peered up at Blackie.
I don t know. I m not linked into their conversation. He wished he were.
I wanted to tell you about the pregnancies privately but it never came up. Are you freaked out?
He turned her so they had direct eye contact. I am not freaked out, if that means what I think it
does. It is a surprise but I already decided I wanted to have children with you. I just didn t expect to
have more than one at a time.
It might have just been a fluke.
He arched his eyebrows, not believing that.
Yeah. She dropped her gaze to his shirt. That s what Cameron and his team came up with too.
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