Cyborg Nation by Kaitlyn O'Connor (english readers TXT) 📗

“And I was thinking we have a tactical advantage, for once, and we would be fools not to utilize it when we are already agreed that Bronte suits us.”

Jerico and Gabriel exchanged a look. Slowly, they began to smile. “We have her,” Jerico murmured.

“Exactly,” Gideon agreed. “For months. If we can not figure out in that space of time how to win her....”

“We can manufacture a problem with the ship and squeeze in a few more weeks, at least,” Gabriel said thoughtfully.

Gideon frowned, turning his head to stare at the door of the sleeping quarters thoughtfully. “God help us! We will kill each other if it takes half that long. I am ready to tear her clothes off and try to convince her another way already!”

Jerico frowned. “Mayhap that is not such a bad idea,” he murmured thoughtfully. “We were fully programmed in that, at least.”

“Tearing her clothes off is a good idea?” Gabriel asked, his eyes glazed and vaguely unfocused.

“I told you his mind was on his cock,” Gideon said dryly.

“And yours is not?” Gabriel growled.

“Not that part of the idea,” Jerico snapped. “If we pleasured her she would not have as much time to consider that we are not skilled at flirtation and have no idea how to converse in a courtship, or what sort of things please a woman outside the bedroom … or any of those things.”

An expression of annoyance crossed Gideon’s features. “I tried that,” he said irritably. “She bit me. And I had not even gotten started.”

“Maybe it was the way you went about it?” Jerico asked uneasily, obviously reluctant to give up his idea.

“She was asleep … or just wakened, rather. If she had not … rooted all over me as we slept I would not have considered trying it,” Gideon said crossly. “I will certainly not object if either of you want to give it a try, but I have to tell you I do not believe that method of guerrilla warfare will work on Bronte. If she knees you in the balls, do not come to me to complain.”

Gabriel was frowning doubtfully. “It is hardly an ideal situation since we were sent to capture her. She is bound to hold a grudge over that.”

“I never said it was ideal,” Gideon said irritably. “Ideal would be a woman for every man—or two. Not one woman to five or six and having to share a mate or do without. Ideal would be if she was cyborg, as we are, and not an enemy.”

“The council is expecting the man,” Jerico pointed out.

“They expect a qualified pediatrician capable of also teaching parenting skills,” Gideon said testily. “And she is qualified.”

Jerico shook his head. “I mean—they expect a man. They will not have considered the laws pertaining to a woman who is human. The council may not allow us to contract with her even if we do manage to persuade her.”

Gideon and Gabriel exchanged a worried glance. “Then we will demand that they consider it. If she is to be a citizen, then she would have the same rights, and obligations, as every other. The laws governing the family units would have to pertain to her, as well—no less that two, no more than four.”

“I do not like that we do not have a fourth,” Gabriel put in. “As sure as hell, a damned Hunter will come wooing her once we land and then we will be made to look more brutish and uncouth by comparison!”

Gideon frowned, obviously no more pleased by that prospect that Gabriel, but seemed to dismiss it after a moment. “I do not see that we can do anything about that now. We will have to ‘discourage’ any that get the notion,” he said decisively. “But there is no sense in concerning ourselves about problems we do not have to face at the moment. If we do not convince her before we reach home, you may be certain the council will immediately be considering her as a potential mate, for there will be a great demand, and then she may decide that she wants nothing to do with any of us.”

Gabriel’s expression darkened. “I would feel better if we could contract with her before we land. Even if we could convince her to agree to contract, then there is always the chance that she might change her mind after we are home and she sees that she may choose from many more than just us three.”

“That is what the courting is for,” Gideon said irritably. “Theoretically, the female develops an affection and then she does not want to chose another.”

Gabriel glared at him. “I know that much, damn it! It is the way of getting them to feel the affection I do not understand.”

“I uploaded the data,” Jerico said helpfully.

Both Gabriel and Gideon turned to glare at him. “I also uploaded,” they said almost in unison.

“And it is little more than a list of generalities—no help at all that I can see. It is not the same as behavioral programming,” Gideon added, “which is not available to us. And it is certainly not the same as the ‘experience’ programming the Hunters have had since they were programmed to believe themselves human and have ‘memories’ to draw from, even childhood memories—which help them to understand human emotions far better than I do … or either of you.”

“They like gifts,” Jerico said stubbornly.

Gabriel surveyed the small ship. “I do not see flowers or chocolates,” he growled.

“We can give her the things we took from her office—there were books. She might find pleasure in having those to read.”

Gideon gave him a look. “She will no doubt be delighted when we give her what we stole from her in the first place!”

Jerico reddened. “At least she will not be bored!”

Gideon and Gabriel exchanged a look. Gabriel shrugged. “There is that.”

Gideon drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the arm of his chair. “She is more likely to curse us or throw them