Free Adam 483: Man or Machine? by Ruth D. Kerce Page B

his shout of pleasure so loud she was surprised that crew members hadn’t busted in to investigate.
    He’d promised her something extra special tonight, extra-kinky with specially designed toys he planned to fashion himself. She could hardly wait.
    What he didn’t know was that she had erotic plans of her own. After she finished with him and his cock, he wouldn’t walk for a week. And he definitely wouldn’t seek pleasure outside her body or bed ever again.
    “Captain?” Hanson interrupted from his station.
    She looked up. “What?”
    “A patrol ship is coming up on us from behind. They’ve opened communications.”
    Tyree immediately went on alert. Her heartbeat increased, and her pulse began to race. She set aside the electronic pad and stood, looking toward the monitors. “Confirmed patrol ship?”
    “Yes. I have a visual.” He brought it up on his screen for her to see.
    The compact ship sported the silver, yellow and orange colors of an official patrol. “Okay.” She turned toward Corporal Pratt. “Put them on speakers.”
    “Yes, Captain.”
    A moment later, a male voice filtered onto the control deck. “This is Space Patrol Ship 1-1-4. Prepare to be boarded.”
    “This is Captain Tyree Samou, salvaging for Jenway’s Ambassador Samou. What is this about?”
    “We have reason to believe you’re harboring a male Cyborg on board. As such, we have authority in this sector to board and search your ship.”
    Tyree gasped. Adam. No!
    “Incoming pod, Captain,” Hanson informed her in a low voice.
    “There is no Cyborg on this vessel.” Raising her chin a notch, she fought to keep her voice steady. She didn’t want them suspecting her of deception.
    “We will make that determination. We’re coming aboard. Our pod is docking in your bay now. Any resistance will be deemed a criminal act and result in the confiscation of your freighter.”
    “Cut communications.” She raked her fingers through her hair, pulling the bun from its neat coil. “Shit!”
    “Captain?” Hanson asked with concern in his voice. “Your orders?”
    She glanced around the command deck. Each crew member looked at her expectantly. But suspicion knifed through her at what she didn’t see. “Where’s Ridgeway?”
    “I…don’t know,” Hanson answered. “He left about fifteen minutes ago, and didn’t say where he was going.”
    “Accompany me to the docking bay.”
    “Yes, Captain.”
    After a short, silent, but tense ride in the lift, Tyree and Hanson arrived at the freighter’s docking bay. They spotted Ridgeway already there, talking to the space patrol team. Tyree was so mad she expected steam to come out of her nose. “Ridgeway, what are you doing up here?”
    At the sound of her voice, the group of men standing next to the official hunter green pod turned toward her. The large yellow and burnt orange star painted on the side served as a reminder of just how much trouble awaited her.
    “Captain,” Mick greeted. He glanced at her loose hair.
    She flipped the long strands behind her back.
    “I’m doing my duty and following regulations, Captain. Let me handle this situation. We’ll talk later.”
    Had he just issued an order to her ? Talk later, my ass . “Excuse me, Corporal?” If the patrol weren’t here, she’d grab him by the collar and jerk the insubordination right out of the idiot. “What the—”
    “Captain.” The patrol leader stepped forward, his face a mask of concentration. “My name is Lieutenant Stanton. My team will search this ship now.” He didn’t wait for her permission but simply moved forward, leading his men.
    She rushed to follow. “This is completely unnecessary.”
    “Then there will be no problems,” he answered over his shoulder.
    She glanced around for Hanson. He’d disappeared. What the hell was going on around here?
    She could tell from the smirk on Ridgeway’s face that he was the one who had alerted Space Command. She wondered how long he’d been in contact with