Baring Grudge

By Cynthia Sax

No one in the universe is more determined than a cyborg warrior tracking his female.
***
Grudge, a C Model cyborg, has been assigned a mission – safeguard a Humanoid Alliance space station for his kind. Honor was once all he had, and he is determined to fulfill his duty.

That resolve is tested when a tiny human female enters the space station and sets the prettiest little explosives the warrior has ever seen. She is Grudge’s genetic match, the one being manufactured for him. He wants to touch her, kiss her, claim her in all ways, but first he has to stop her from blasting him into the next galaxy.

Taelyn has a self-appointed mission—to destroy every battle robot the Humanoid Alliance has ever manufactured. A huge gray-skinned, blue-eyed cyborg warrior with mismatched arms won’t prevent her from achieving her goal. She’ll escape him, leaving destruction in her wake.

Before she departs, she’ll experience one toe-curling moment of hatred-edged passion with her handsome foe. She’ll show him how skilled with detonations she truly is. He will have his universe rocked.

Then she’ll disappear.

Her cyborg, however, has no intention of ever letting her go.
***
Baring Grudge is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a determined, damaged warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an explosive game of predator and prey played across galaxies.

Baring Grudge is the third of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cynthia Sax
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781987971439

Cynthia Sax

Cynthia Sax lives in a world filled with magic and romance. Although her heroes may not always say, “I love you,” they will do anything for the women they adore. They live passionately. They play hard. They love the same women forever. Cynthia has loved the same wonderful man forever. Her supportive hubby offers himself up to the joys and pains of research while they travel the world together, meeting fascinating people and finding inspiration in exotic places such as Istanbul, Bali, and Chicago.

Book preview

Chapter One

Grudge’s self-appointed mission was to blow up as much shit as possible.

The C Model cyborg enjoyed blasting objects, ships, and beings to pieces. He liked the big booms, the plumes of fire, the impact of it. But he also viewed it as payback.

An enemy warrior had tried to blow him up, had 22.3256 percent succeeded in that task. Grudge curled his purely mechanical left arm. He sought to return that favor.

The detonation of the Humanoid Alliance space station they’d recently commandeered would have to be delayed, however.

He strode along the hallway. His boot heels rang against the white tile floor. There was no need to be quiet. His brethren and a brethren’s female were the only beings in the structure.

Cadet, the leader of their cyborg retrieval team, wanted to convey the ships and the weapons they’d found within the structure to Mercury Minor, their home planet. That would take time.

He could wait…impatiently…as long as he was the being to orchestrate the destruction.

Grudge reached an intersection and turned right, moving toward the docking bay.

Rancor stood in the middle of the hallway. He was face-to-face with one of the deactivated robot guards. The D Model had a wide grin on his face.

Whatever you’re planning, I’m in. Grudge wouldn’t miss the chaos that was certain to ensue.

Cadet told me to clear the robots out of the hallways. The warrior’s eyes glittered. She didn’t tell me to put them back in their storage chamber.

We can’t blow them up. Grudge relayed that regretful truth. It might compromise the space station’s structural integrity.

That would lower the intensity of the demolition, and it would irritate their leader. They would have to relocate the warships faster.

"We can’t blow up the robots inside the space station. Rancor hefted one of the manufactured guards over his right shoulder. But if we jettison them, we can blast them to bits outside it."

Frag. Grudge grinned. His friend had the best ideas.

He picked up two of the artificial beings. The guns on the warships are massive. The newly obtained vessels were designed for battle. The robot bits will be tiny.

The warships are fast also. Rancor shoved a robot headfirst into a chute. Its shoulders got stuck in the narrow space. The D Model gave it a solid whack with both of his hands. There was a loud crack. And the robot slid out of sight. I’ll set speed records this planet rotation.

Rancor was their number-one pilot. He had set all their existing records.

The freighter almost peeled apart during your last attempt at breaking records. Grudge had found that thrilling. The panels were rattling.

Cadet threatened to expel me into space if I didn’t slow down. Rancor laughed as he grabbed one of Grudge’s robots. The freighter wasn’t manufactured for speed, not like that warship on Suhail al Muhlif D was.

They chattered about past flights and explosions as they stuffed more and more robots down the chute. There were numerous adventures to relay.

The two of them had been employed on thousands of missions as part of the cyborg retrieval team. Before they’d met each other, while they were under the control of the Humanoid Alliance, they had fought in many more battles.

And cyborgs never forgot anything. Every detail was captured in their databases.

I caught that missile. As Grudge shared that moment, he slammed his hand down on a robot’s foot, propelling it into the chute. And I threw it back at them. They didn’t project I’d do that. The looks on their human faces before it hit them amused me for planet rotations. He laughed and he picked up another robot, put it headfirst into the disposal space. They—

He stopped talking and straightened. According to his lifeform scans, a cyborg was approaching them.

Rancor snapped to attention also.

The being headed in their direction was female and a C Model. The newcomer had to be Cadet, their leader. There was a 62.1258 percent probability she wouldn’t approve of their activities.

Grudge had no regrets. For solar cycles, after he’d been partially blown up, his adventures had been severely restricted. He reveled in taking part in antics when he was given the opportunity.

Cadet came into view. She was clad in black body armor as they were, had the gray skin, black hair and energy infused eyes of their early cyborg models.

Their leader looked at Grudge, at Rancor, at the robot partially stuffed into the chute. She closed her eyes for one, two heartbeats, then opened them again.

"I did ask you to clear the hallways. She shook her head. Have your fun now. We’re gathering in the docking bay at the end of the shift, and I expect the two of you to be there. Do you understand?"

We understand. They said that in unison.

Grudge had donned the blank mask all cyborgs had perfected, his lack of expression belying his inner glee. Cadet not only hadn’t reprimanded them, she’d authorized their plans.

The C Model turned her head and narrowed her eyes at him. Their leader always seemed to read his programming. She must have processed his celebratory mood.

He ruthlessly purged his emotional system and gazed back at her.

A moment passed.

Cadet released a deep sigh. Be in the docking bay at the end of the shift.

She gave him one more hard look and walked in that direction.

Rancor expelled his breath, lowering his shoulders. She didn’t stop the jettisoning of the robots. He grinned. We have the best of leaders.

We do. Grudge nodded and pounded the robot, sending the artificial being to its doom.

He had been a fraction of a warrior when Cadet found him in the used-goods market, displayed amidst the scrap metal and the cracked viewscreens. The merchant had sold him to her, his seventh owner, for an embarrassingly low price.

She had freed him, had sourced his missing parts, had given him a role, a place on her team.

He gave her his loyalty in return, would kill for her, die for her.

Every warrior in the space station would do that.

We have until the end of the shift to eject as many robots as we can. Grudge sensed their opportunity for fun would be greatly limited once they gathered in the docking bay. I’ll convey them here. Being a C Model, he was larger and stronger than Rancor—a more recently manufactured D Model. He could carry more robots. You dispose of them. The faster we work, the more targets we’ll have to shoot.

Grudge strode toward the remaining robots. Purpose filled him.

If his projections were correct—and they were always correct—working at cyborg speed, they could jettison three thousand and twenty-two robots.

That should provide them with sufficient entertainment.

Grudge and Rancor labored until the last possible moment.

You won’t make it in time, D Model. Grudge ran as fast as he could through the hallways. You’re too slow.

Frag you. His friend was a breath behind him. I’m only slower than you on the ground. In the air, I can’t be matched.

We aren’t in the air right now, are we? Grudge laughed as he ran into the docking bay.

Heads turned.

Cadet scowled at him.

He swallowed his mirth and skidded to a stop near Strain and his female. His boot heels left grooves in the floor tiles.

Rancor slid into place beside him. The D Model huffed and puffed.

Strain glowered at them and lifted his fragile human female higher against his chest, rumbling with unhappiness. The warrior was damaged, had viewed beings as threats before finding his female. He was more wary now that he had located her.

Any warrior would be cautious. Compatible females were rare. A cyborg only had one genetic match, and many of them would never meet that revered being.

Grudge projected he wouldn’t be worthy of that honor. He wiggled his toes inside his left boot. But if a miracle occurred and he did meet her, he wouldn’t let any other being venture near her.

He would safeguard her with everything he had.

"Now that we’re all here. Cadet frowned at them. We can begin."

Everyone else in the docking bay, including Grudge, became silent and still, giving their leader their full attention.

Look around us. She extended her arms. We’re surrounded by ships. Many of them are Class A Warships, the best that have ever been manufactured. As of this planet rotation, these vessels belong to us. We’re claiming them on behalf of cyborgs everywhere, both our freed and yet-to-be freed brethren.

Grudge and the other warriors cheered. Pride expanded his chest. They were no longer at the mercy of the Humanoid Alliance—their brutal manufacturers. They were a military force.

We’re claiming the ships whether a certain arrogant ass wants them or not. Their leader muttered that aside.

She’s talking about Power again. Strain’s female made that not-so-quiet observation.

Grudge quashed his inappropriate laugh.

There was a 98.1259 percent probability the chatty human female, as Cadet referred to the D Model’s genetic match, was correct. Their leader was talking about Power, the head of the cyborg council and her most hated nemesis.

But Cadet didn’t appreciate any comments made about the male.

She glared at Strain’s female before shifting her gaze to the other warriors.

We have more ships than warriors. Her lips lifted slightly. That’s a good problem to have, but it is still a problem.

Not if we fly them at full speed. Rancor said that under his breath and nudged Grudge.

Grudge grinned at him.

One of us will stay here and guard the space station. Cadet shared the plan with them. The rest of us will fly the first set of ships, loaded with as many weapons as they can bear, to Mercury Minor. We will retrieve more warriors and return here to claim the rest of the vessels.

Grudge tilted his head to the side, pondering the dilemma facing him.

He wanted to fly one of the new warships, try out their big guns, shoot robots with Rancor. Energy surged through his circuits merely processing the thrills that would give the two of them.

But he desired to blow up the space station more. It was the size and shape of a fraggin’ moon, might be the closest he’d ever come to blasting a planet to bits.

And it was one of the Humanoid Alliance’s most precious weapons. He folded the purely mechanical fingers on his left hand into a tight fist. Destroying their beloved tool of war would give him some much-desired vengeance.

He couldn’t forgo the opportunity before him.

I will remain here. He stepped forward, volunteering for that role.

Silence fell in the docking bay. Everyone gaped at him.

C Model, what are you processing? Rancor stared at him also. We can fly Class A Warships.

For his flying-obsessed friend, that was a reward without equal.

Grudge had more explosive goals. I’ll fly a warship during the final transfer. He met Cadet’s gaze. I’ll guard the space station while you retrieve more pilots.

The C Model looked at him. Her lips twisted.

One, two, three heartbeats passed.

Grudge didn’t back down, didn’t withdraw his offer. He had earned the right to blow up the space station, wouldn’t allow anyone else to take that from him.

Cadet finally nodded. Grudge, I will speak with you. The rest of you load the ships with weapons and prepare to leave.

Fraggin’ hole. The decision is made now. His friend didn’t hide his disappointment. You’ll miss some fun, warrior. Rancor bumped against him. But I’ll shoot robots on your behalf.

I’ll jettison more of them while I wait for you to return. Grudge slapped the male’s back. I’ll beat your record then.

You might surpass my robot kill rate. The D Model walked with the rest of the warriors. They headed toward the weapons storage chambers, preparing to load the ships with guns. But you’ll never beat my flying speed record.

His friend’s laughter drifted behind him.

Never is a long time, D Model. Grudge couldn’t resist that bit of bravado. It wasn’t a lie, as fabricating the truth wasn’t possible for their kind. Never was a long time.

It would take him that duration to learn to outfly his friend. That was how outmatched he was.

His gaze shifted back to Cadet.

Their leader didn’t appear pleased by his offer to stay on the space station. Her lips were flat, and her expression was dark. She indicated with a twitch of her head that he should come closer to her.

He obeyed that silent command, striding up to her, his head held high. Cadet might be uncertain of his aptitude for the role he’d volunteered to assume, but he had no doubts. He was meant to remain on the space station, was meant to have the reward of blowing it up.

Why do you want to stay here? Cadet lifted her eyebrows. What are you planning?

I want to be the warrior placed in charge of the space station’s demolition. He didn’t hide his motives. Lying wasn’t an option for his kind, his leader was too perceptive to fool, and he wanted her to consider him for the role. I’m not leaving the structure until that task is completed. By me.

He crossed both of his arms, the fully functional right limb and the purely mechanical left, in front of his body armor-clad chest. Weapons decorated the protective garment. He widened his stance, bracing his big boots apart, sending the message he wouldn’t be swayed from his course.

"The space station will be destroyed. Cadet’s head dipped. But not before we relocate all the ships. The round trip from here to Mercury Minor and back will take at least thirty-six planet rotations. We will then have to stagger the departures. A large fleet would be detected entering the sector. She lowered her voice. It would bring us unwanted attention."

Power, the self-appointed leader of the Cyborg Council and Cadet’s sworn nemesis, was unaware she was retrieving their brethren left behind during the mass rebellion. The ass wouldn’t approve of the fleet, the weapons, or the warriors she was accumulating.

Frag. There was a 99.9999 percent probability the E Model wouldn’t tolerate him. Grudge flexed the fingers of his left hand. He was permanently damaged, hadn’t warranted a rescue from the male. When he’d called for help through the transmission lines, only Cadet had answered.

Only Cadet had his loyalty. His lips flattened. Power could suck on the butt of a gun.

You have earned the right to blow up the space station, warrior. Cadet met his gaze. Your service over the solar cycles—to your brethren, to our team—has been exemplary.

Grudge stood straighter. Praise from their leader was rare and hard-earned.

There is no one I trust more with that task. Cadet lifted her chin. It is yours if you desire it.

I desire it. Exhilaration lit up his circuits.

He’d be in charge of obliterating the space station. It would be the largest, the most valued object belonging to the Humanoid Alliance—the enemy— he’d ever destroyed.

I would never ask you to stay on the space station for the entire duration. Cadet relieved him of that obligation. That would lack excitement, and there are many other warriors with more…sedate temperaments.

He would be bored out of his processors. There was an 85.1287 percent probability that would be the truth.

And the destruction of the space station was no longer tied to guarding it. He could blast robots to bits with Rancor, fly a Class A Warship to Mercury Minor, and oversee the explosion of the imitation moon.

But someone had to assume the guard detail. And he had said he would stay.

I will remain on the space station. His word was his bond.

After his arm and leg had been blown off and he was retrieved by the scrappers, he had been sold as a hunk of junk for a handful of credits. He had been at the mercy of those human and humanoid buyers and assigned the most menial processor-numbing of tasks.

Humiliated and tortured and cut off from his brethren, honor had been the only thing he had left.

He wouldn’t discard it now. The role of guarding the structure is mine.

Cadet’s forehead furrowed with thought lines. She gazed at him for three, four, five heartbeats.

"You do require extended access to the systems, to the structure, to devise the best demolition strategy. She pursed her lips. And there is a possibility the Humanoid Alliance has detected our commandeering of their plaything. They could attempt

Reviews for Baring Grudge

[Nona · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A chattering C Model, a dominant and confident human female and a sweet but a bit menace offspring...
And for once it wasn't the female who needed rescuing. ;-)
I liked this latest book from the cyborg universe and would recommend it!