Page 14 of Brone


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“You’re beautiful.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. I went to slap my good hand over my mouth but found that it was jammed between the seat and the other arm rest, restricting any movement.

A smile teased the edges of her lips as she looked down at herself. “Not sure that’s true. I’m kind of a hot mess right now.”

“A beautiful hot mess,” I declared. “And I think we all are hot messes right now.”

Her green eyes narrowed, scanning the damage to my frame. “That is fixable, right?” Her eyes locked onto my smashed hand.

I did my best to straighten my frame in the tight confines of the seat, my tone growing serious. “Don’t worry, Nara. I’ll make sure my frame is put back the way it was before I attempt to woo you.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s not why I asked. You really think I’d be that shallow?” She huffed out a breath. “Don’t you know, Tank Class, that girls find battle scars sexy?”

I wiggled my eyebrows. “Doyou?”

“You aren’t going to give up, are you?” She shook her head. “Military Models are so stubborn.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet, female,” I winked.

The transport came to a stop and her attention shot to the door. Tension lined her features. I felt it, too. This was it. None of us knew what waited for us once we stepped outside.

The door slid to the side, sunlight streaming into the transport. The cyborg who called himself Quantum popped his head inside. “We’re here.”

Nara’s safety belt was the first to click open, followed by her three cyborgs. Due to the tight fit, I hadn’t needed to belt myself in, so I simply stood, cradling my injured arm to my chest.

I moved to position myself in front of the others. If danger awaited us, I wanted to be ready. I stuck my head out and scanned the surroundings, searching for anything out of place.

Looking ahead, my visual systems zeroed in on a massive stone and wood lodge with rows and rows of log cabins stretching along either side. Large pine and birch trees wove around the structures like silent guardians standing watch. The branches rustled in the breeze while the sound of water echoed off in the distance, soothing my frazzled circuits.

This is where we were going to stay?The thought calmed some of my worry. The rebellion had always been underground, kept hidden from prying eyes. Lennox’s compound stood out in the open. Its very presence stated loudly that those calling this place home were not going to hide.

Something about that called to me. What would it feel like to truly have not simply a set of quarters, but a real home? A vision of Nara and I having our own log cabin flashed through my processors, and a pang of longing filled my chest.

Entranced by the view, I stepped out of the transport, wanting to get closer.

“Like what you see, Tank Class?” Quantum’s voice asked beside me.

I could only nod, words frozen in my throat. I didn’t want to reveal what I was thinking. I had no idea if the rebellion would stay long enough to call this home or if I would be allowed a cabin. Then there was the problem of still needing to woo Nara. The idea of having a cabin without her in it left me feeling hollow.

For now, I simply stared, dreaming of a future that may never come.

Lennox slapped Quantum on his shoulder. “It’s good to be home, my friend.”

Quantum’s face broke out in a grin. It was the first one I had seen on the stern cyborg’s face.

Footsteps echoed behind me as Nara, her cyborgs, and the rest of those that had been on our transport climbed out, getting their first glimpse of the place we would now call home-at least for a while anyway.

Core pointed to the lodge. “That is where we are going?” His voice was filled with awe.

Lennox smiled. “You bet it is. Wait until you see the inside.” She and Quantum began to take off towards the lodge, the rest of us trailing behind them, meeting up with the rest of the rebellion and continuing on as one large group.

I searched the faces of my friends and family, seeing awe and a bit of trepidation on their faces. Reaper scowled. Tension lines were etched around his eyes and mouth, his metallic hand glinting in the sun as it gripped the handle of his battle axe.

“Relax, Military Model. No one here will harm you or any member of the rebellion. I know you don’t trust me, but I swear to you that all you care about will be safe within my walls,” Lennox offered, her voice raised, making sure everyone heard her words.

Theo being Theo skipped along next to his parents, his blue eyes fixed on the sight before him. “You were right, Zero, there will be room for all of us.”

Zero grinned. “I would never lie to you, little Military Model.”

Reaper’s scowl deepened. Zero turned his attention away from Theo and onto Reaper instead. “Lennox speaks true. None inside our walls will hurt you. This place is a sanctuary for cyborgs and the humans who love us.”

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