ship spun around so fast that even the inertial dampeners didn’t reduce the feeling of nausea that swamped her. She watched the government ship as they accelerated dangerously toward it. She clenched her fists. When she was sure they’d hit it, the jumper dipped and flew under the police vessel just in time. They fired, and veered away. “Punch it!” The sudden momentum shoved her back against the chair. The air forced from her lungs as they hit full burn. She struggled to breathe as pressure threatened to crush her chest. As suddenly as it came, it was gone, as they reached a constant speed. Galen slapped Torin on the shoulder. “Nicely done.” “Thank you, I’ll take a fucking bow later.” Galen walked back to his seat and collapsed into it with a grin on his face. “I was a little worried there. I didn’t think they would be able to respond so fast to your abduction.” “Bully for you. Are you actually happy about this? You were almost caught and you’re smiling.” He shrugged. “Cyborgs were built for battle. It’s exciting. Cheer up, Jamila. We made it out alive and soon we’ll be on the ship. You’ll get to roam, within reason. And you’ll get some food. I’m sure you’re starving.” “Like I’d eat anything you’d give me.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to poison you. I need you.” “Until you don’t need me, and then you’ll kill me.” He glanced away from her. “It won’t come to that.” “So you say. Forgive me, but I find it hard to believe someone who’s betrayed me. It’s a fault of mine.” He sighed, closed his eyes, and settled back in his seat. She shook her head, and looked away from him. The other cyborgs watched her. Why? The gaze of one flickered to Galen, and his eyes narrowed. What was he thinking? Probably that she and Galen were closer than they were. At least she’d never actually slept with him. Though, she’d done everything but. Shame swept through her. She was an idiot. She knew she wasn’t some uptight prude, but this? Letting a cyborg slave go down on her, and then being screwed over by him? Things couldn’t get much worse. She closed her eyes and tried to think about something else.
Chapter Eight She jumped as the click of her harness being released woke her. Her head pounded. “Whoa, easy there. You’re safe.” She blinked up at Galen and smiled tightly, trying to ignore the pain in her head so she didn’t take it out on him. His eyes widened. She glanced around and realized why he was shocked. She was surrounded by cyborgs, and on her way to some space station in a dangerous part of the solar system. She should be cursing this man. She pushed herself to her feet and swayed as a spike of pain jabbed her right behind the eyes. Galen grabbed her elbow. “Are you okay?” She shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I have a migraine.” He frowned at her. “That doesn’t sound fine. Don’t worry, we’ll get you food and water and a painkiller. “Food and a painkiller sound lovely.” He shook his head. “Are you having any dizziness?” She sighed. “No.” “Good. Tell me if you do. We’ll have to go to medical.” He led her off the jumper before the other cyborgs finished collecting their gear. They stepped into a huge cargo bay. She stared at the cyborgs bustling around multiple smaller ships as they unloaded crates and made repairs. “I’ve never seen a ship this big unless it was a government ship. He chuckled. “And who do you think we steal ships from? It would hardly be sporting to take them from plain old citizens when it’s the government we want to take down.” She gaped at him. “Take down? You’re an anarchist then?” “No. We don’t like who’s in power now. They’re corrupt. They made us like this. They continue to turn people into cyborgs, and by doing so they’re destroying lives. You don’t know how many people they’ve ripped from their families. Sometimes their families