Thisstory is rated M for mature content. There are sexual conversations and scenes, if this type of thing bothers you then please do not read it. This is NOT an erotica novel, but is in fact a romantic story with sexual elements.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with their hands folded behind then, Vincent Wolfe and Paxton Hayes looked at the small dark haired woman in front of them. She was checking to ensure that their cybernetic parts were operational. They were surprised to hear that their commanding officer’s sister was the droid engineer aboard the Outrider, it would make their job a whole lot easier. Cyborgs weren’t illegal, but most people and military operations looked down upon them. In the past, some had shown erratic behavior and had become aggressive towards their own platoons. Though many years of research had put a stop to that for the most part, none of that eased the public’s mind.

They were not allowed on ships carrying anyone other then military personnel and only with the captain’s written permission. They were feared by all life forms, even though most had been in accidents that put them in such positions. Vince and Pax would have fought to the death to keep a cyborg off the ships they worked on, and yet here they were ones themselves. Of course, aboard the Outrider they hadn’t gotten the written permission, and were suppose to act like security droid and personal guards for the ambassador and the assistant ambassador.

No one but their commander’s sister knew that they were Cyborgs and not droids, not even the people that they had been sent to guard. The reason was simple enough, as droids couldn’t report back information that they had collected without consent from those that they were guarding. There had been several attacks on ambassadors and their assistants, the attacks had been so precise that it was determined that it had to be someone within the council. Their job aboard was two fold, protect the ambassador and the assistant, and report back on any suspicious behavior. Though, really the part about not getting caught for impersonating a droid was a duty that went unspoken.

Tony Corwin, he had to be at least seventy years old by now, and Vince wondered what the hell he was doing still on the council. He, of course, had lost the coin toss with Pax and had to protect the old man. Pax, the lucky bastard, got what they heard to be the ambassador’s pretty assistant.

“Ambassador Corwin should be here soon.” Corporal Leann Reyburn told them. “Now, remember to watch your speech patterns, and try not to follow them with your eyes too much.”

Vince wanted to snort, he wouldn’t have any problem with that. Watching an old man walking around his quarter’s naked all day wasn’t exactly something he wanted to stare at.

Leann walked over to her desk and finished the droid request for the two of them. They had both been put into black uniforms with silver strips on their shoulders, informing any military personnel that they were security. Pax felt a little uncomfortable standing perfectly straight, though he wasn’t in any pain. With his spine reinforced to carry the bulk of his new weight and cybernetic legs, he hardly got tired. He just preferred to stand in a more relaxed manner, not to mention the droid body parts that were thrown about Leann’s workshop like a battle had just taken place.

The workshop doors opened, and in stepped a woman around the age of twenty four, a full eight years younger then both men. Her hair was golden, and her eyes a light green, she had a skip in her walk. She was the assistant ambassador, they knew this from her uniform. Black cloth, but gold trim around the edges, as well as a star on each shoulder, the ambassador would have two stars.

“Hey, Leann.” She said with a smile, stopping in front of her desk. “Sorry, it took so long. Tony is down on the planet with the council, it was hell getting a message through.”

Pax gave a brief victory grin to his partner beside him, who only frowned in return. When Aurelia turned her eyes to look at them, they both emptied their faces immediately of all emotion.

“Will Tony be here soon?” Leann asked.

“Should be.” Aurelia responded, “Which one is mine?” Her voice held greedy excitement.

Pax wanted to grin at the possessive way that she was speaking about him. He felt like a new toy.

Leann walked out from behind her desk, “This is Pax. He’s already programmed to serve you, though there are some rules. I’ll explain when Tony arrives.”

“Was kind of hoping the other one would be mine.” Aurelia looked at Vince. “He’s taller and looks meaner.”

Both men were without a doubt gorgeous. Pax had short black hair, well built muscles, a strong jaw, and stood no more then six feet. Vince had a similar build, but with light brown hair, two scars over his left cheek, and was about two inches taller then Pax.

“They are exactly the same on the inside. Besides, wouldn’t you prefer the pretty boy following you around anyway?” Leann asked.

Vince took offense to that, but kept a straight face.

Aurelia shrugged, “Yeah, I guess so. The other one still looks meaner though.” She looked over her shoulder as another woman entered the workshop.

Her hair was long and blonde much like Aurelia’s, though she wore a dark brown robe that hid much of her body. She didn’t smile when she entered, instead frowned deeply at the two women. It was a second before Aurelia said her name, that Vince realized the woman was wearing an ambassador’s council garb.

“Tony, it’s about damn time!” Aurelia snapped.

She didn’t even look at the two droids in the room, just came to stand in front of Leann’s desk. “Can we hurry this along?” Tony asked.

“Sounds like someone isn’t as happy as their sister to get their security droid today.” Leann teased, walking behind her desk and offering Tony a data pad to sign.

Vince was confused were their two Ambassador Tony Corwins and if there were, why had he never heard of it? He thought over the information that he had read about the ambassador, and nearly smacked his own forehead. Antonia Corwin was his daughter, she must of taken over for him when he retired, he had read that she was the assistant ambassador for him. Damn his commander for making him do all the investigating himself. He knew he should of watched a couple broadcast council meetings.

Pax tried to hide a grin, which informed Vince immediately that he had known about this all along. Normally, he would of punched him in the shoulder right there, but punishment would have to come later. He was too busy pretending to be a droid.

Suddenly, Tony was in front of him, checking out her new droid. “Had to make him human-like, didn’t they?”

“What you wanted a big glowing piece of metal flowing you around all day?” Aurelia asked.

“At least then people would know a big, strong droid was my guard, not some human.” Tony began to walk around the two men, her hands folded in front of her.

Vince felt a little exposed under her gaze, and she wasn’t afraid to check out everything that he had to offer including his behind and package.

“Why does he had a big bulk in the front here? I mean is that really necessary?” Tony asked, pointing to his crotch.

Leann turned three different shades of red, “It’s to be realistic, Ambassador.”

“My god, Tony!” Aurelia squealed, “Do you have to be so uncouth?”

“What he’s a droid? He doesn’t have feelings, and even if he did, I called it big. It would be a boost to his hypothetical ego.” Tony snapped.

“Well, since you are at it, why don’t you just tell him to pull down his pants, and show it to you.” Aurelia looked over to Leann, “Can we do that?”

Tony whacked her sister on the neck, “Don’t be perverted, Aura.” Leann opened her mouth to answer her, but Tony shot up her hand to silence her. “Don’t answer that, she would do it.”

The ambassador turned her eyes back to her new droid, holding her hand out she touched the skin on his arm, then his lower cheek with her index finger. Aurelia rubbed the welt that was forming on her neck, and glared out the corner of her eye at her sister.

“I was told that these are experimental droids.” Tony began, “I don’t feel comfortable being a test subject for these things.”

Leann nodded, “Well, they aren’t exactly experimental, especially these two units. They have been tested, and are in perfect condition.”

“Tested? So, I am getting a used one?” Tony asked, her eyebrow arched upward.

“Damn it, Tony, why do you have to be so damn picky?” Aurelia sighed.

“I am not being picky, only ensuring that I have received the best droids that engineering technology has to offer. After all, if regulations call for him to be my shadow, then I want to know he won’t go haywire on me. Especially, if I am being attacked.” Tony twisted her eyes back to Vince. She could of sworn she could a hint of annoyance in his eyes.

“I assure you, Ambassador Corwin, that these two units are top of the line. Your father has been speaking with the head of security for some time now, he demanded nothing but the best. You have gotten the best.” Leann tried to ease the tension that she was starting to sense between the two sisters.

Tony sighed in defeat, “Very well, truth be told I was just looking for a reason to send them back. Tell me about upkeep.”

Leann grinned, “This new technology can overheat, and it’s recommended that you keep them offline for six to eight hours. Maybe during the evening, or when you aren’t doing much.” She was trying to buy them a sleep schedule. “Also, they have a better speech program, and may use words or terms that you are not accustomed to hearing droids speak.”

“What about energy, do they need to be plug in or anything?” Aurelia asked.

The question seemed to excite Leann, “They use regular food…” She slow her speech, when Tony narrowed her eyes at her. “It’s true, I’ll send you a report on their systems.” It would be much easier to trick Aurelia then Tony, as the ambassador had gone to college to become a droid engineer. Though her father talked her into politics instead.

“Yes, I would like to see how that works.” Tony’s words were spoken with disbelief.

“Disposal of by products can be done by the droids, like any other droid does.” Leann meant using the toilet, but she wanted to ensure that Tony remembered that all droids disposed of their waste that way. “Ambassador, I assure you that you have nothing to worry about from these units. Now, because of their complicated systems, please, bring them only to me if they have any programming errors or system malfunctions.”

“Alright.” Tony’s voice held her skepticism, as she walked with Leann towards the exit.

---

Outside of the workshop, Leann bid them goodbye, and returned to her duties. Vince and Pax walked behind the two women, as they discussed what had happened on the planet. Aurelia seemed genuinely interested in what had occurred, though she was next in line for the position and needed to ensure she knew the happenings of the council.

Tony offered her a disk, “I need you to change this recording into text format.” She could think better when she saw the council’s meetings in writing. “Also, I want those reports done by this evening. I have to go to the captain’s office, so I’ll be back in an hour.”

Aurelia nodded, “Ok, I’ll get on that.” She fell silent for a moment, “You want to tell me, what happened back there?”

Tony didn’t look at her, “Back with Leann?”

“Yeah, back with Leann.”

She slowly shrugged her shoulders, “I am not really all that keen on this whole security droid thing. We don’t know who has been killing the ambassadors, could be droids.”

“You had a security droid before.”

“I wasn’t exactly in love with my last security droid, and he had to disappear.” She sighed, “I kind of hoped they would send me a woman this time around though. Kind of eerie to wake up in the middle of the night and have a male form standing near your door.”

Aurelia giggled, “You can be too funny.” She turned down a hall to her left, and Pax followed her.

Vince was a little surprised that Aurelia hadn’t even said goodbye to her sister. Of course, it was more along the lines of wanting to say his farewells to his partner. He felt suddenly alone, now that Pax had ventured off with his target. Tony didn’t really seem to mind his presence now, but something about the way she looked at him in the workshop had him on edge. She was a smart girl, he would give her that much, and not shy about asking questions.

He looked downward towards his crotch, he had gotten a little boost to his ego when she called it big. The urge to look over at Pax with a cocky grin had to be fought off.

Paying too much attention to himself and not her, he didn’t notice her sudden stop. The collision only last a moment, but it was enough to send her forward. Tony twirled around once she got her footing.

“What the hell?” She barked.

“I am sorry,” He had to think of an excuse quickly, “perhaps there is a problem with my distance receptors.”

“Yeah, there is a problem with you alright. I don’t know if it’s with your receptors.” She placed her hands on her behind, and Vince realized that he must of grab her rear to steady himself.

“I am a droid, I do not make sexual advances, Ambassador.”

“That wasn’t an advance, that was an assault.” She sighed, before rolling her eyes. “Forget it.” Walking over to her quarter’s door, it slid open when she placed her thumb on the pad beside it.

Vince was impressed with her quarters, even his weren’t as nice. She had a small kitchen and an entertainment area in the first room, and what he assumed to be the bedroom and bathroom doors along the right wall.

Tony watched him take a protective stance beside her door. She gave him a glance over, before she pulled her robe off and threw it on the couch. Next to come off where her shoes and pants, until she was in nothing but her black underwear and bra.

Remembering Leann’s advice, Vince tried not to watch her undress, but the black under clothing had almost been too much. He snatched a quick peek as she headed towards her bedroom. The robe hadn’t been very revealing, but the clothes she presently were in showed much more then he had expected to see. Her body could of easily belonged to a goddess, her skin tone even, and her muscles well toned.

A warning light went off in his head, telling him that this was a trap, she was testing him. He had seen the uncertainty in her eyes when they were in Leann’s workshop, she new something was up. It made him wonder why she hadn’t asked to see his circuit boards or anything, she just accepted Leann’s word for it.

Tony emerged from her room in her black officer’s uniform. Aboard the Outrider, she helped bridge communications with the military and the government, but she also had another purpose. The Outrider explored planets that were not yet populated, at least not by humans, and other space traveling life forms. Populations were getting out of hand, and new planets had to be found. Tony’s duty was to ensure that any intelligent beings found on uncharted planets got their say within the Coadunation Government’s council. Which was a nice way of saying, she helped them merge more easily with their government, whether they wanted to or not.

He watched her walk to the bathroom, not even sweeping her eyes past him. The less she looked at him the better, not only did it stop her from noticing his un-droid-like habits, but he was already tossing away Leann’s advice. Don’t follow them with your eyes, kept repeating over in his mind, but he already couldn’t help it. Tony may of proved herself to be snobby, but it was a trait that he found attractive. She was better then everyone else, or at least she thought so. If she had been a man, they would call her confident and strong willed. He slowly shook his head, maybe it was just him. She did show a lighter side to her sister, perhaps she just didn’t like having a security droid around.

Exiting the bathroom, she began to pull on her socks. “Hand me my shoes, bot.” She ordered without even looking up at him.

Vince realized that she had never been told his name nor did she ask. Without hesitation, he picked her shoes up from where she had dropped them. As he approached her, she held out her hand, but again didn’t bother to look up as she adjusted her sock. “My name is Vince.” He said, dropping the shoes beside her, then taking his place at the door.

A small victory pounded in his heart, when he saw that she had looked up at him. Though, he realized that it was probably an erratic behavior that would get him sent back to Leann.

Tony dropped her eyes to her shoes, and without another word, pulled them on. Standing up, she checked her hair and make-up in the mirror one last time. Walking to the door, it slid open as she approached.

Her eyes slowly found his, “Come along, bot.” The name was spoken like a dare, as if she wanted him to correct her again.

Vince said nothing, as he followed her out of her quarters and into the hall. He fought a grin off, before questioning what the woman was up to. His thoughts then went to Pax, and he wondered if he was faring any better with Aurelia.

---

They made their way to the captain’s office, Tony never paying any attention to the man behind her. When they entered, all the head officers were present, and one stood offering his seat to her. Vince took his position next to the door, and watched the proceeding. No one questioned who or what he was, though he suspected they were all informed that a security droid would be boarding at the last planet. He was also wearing a security uniform but that slipped his mind.

Captain Graham sat behind his desk, balding but what hair he had left was silver. His uniform was white with black and gold trim. He had greeted Tony with a smile, though they were told to treat her like an officer aboard ship. “Glad that everyone has arrived. I have… news.”

They awaited patiently for him to finish.

“I have discovered that I have fallen ill, and have only a year left in my life.” He waited for everyone to give their condolences, “With that said, I have decided to retire early and spend what days I have left with my children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to Commander Carnell will not become captain of this ship.” He gave his second in command a sympathetic look, and those close to him patted Carnell’s back.

“It’s alright.” Carnell announced, “I just got this position a year ago, I understand.”

Graham’s eyes went to Tony, this time holding sympathy for her. “The new captain will be Tyler Mikolas, though he is much younger then I am. He has an excellent record, absolutely impeccable. I know that he will be a fine captain for the Outrider.”

Tony tried not to frown or gasp at the sound of her ex-husband’s name.

“I was given the honor of hand selecting my replacement, and I really do think he is the best choice.” Graham stood up, “He will be boarding tomorrow when we stop off at Beroge.”

Everyone stood from their seats, when Graham dismissed them. After another wave of condolence, they began to shuffle out of his office. Graham turned his attention to Tony. “May I speak with you?”

She nodded, and removed her arm from Commander Carnell’s. Vince didn’t like the man already, as he had immediately came to her side when they were dismissed. His light brown hair pulled back into a short ponytail, defiantly against military regulations. Deep dimples impaled his face when he had smiled at her. Tony waved goodbye to him, before turning her interest to the captain.

Graham began to speak before Carnell was even out of the office, “I know that you and Mikolas have a shady past, and I did not select him knowing that. He informed me of some of your history when I spoke to him earlier today. This won’t cause any problems for you, will it?”

Tony shook her head and smiled, “Don’t you worry about anything, Captain. We separated on good terms, and I don’t think we will have any trouble getting along. After all, I see you maybe once or twice a month. I think I can manage.”

Graham grinned, before sitting down. “That’s good to hear, Ambassador. I like to think that we have become friends, you have been here for what eight years?”

She nodded, “Back when I was assistant to the assistant ambassador.” The words were spoken with a chuckle. Her father had just pawned her off on the assistant ambassador, who put her to work on menial tasks. He, unfortunately, died off planet during an operation, which was the only reason that Tony was an ambassador now. At twenty six, she was the youngest ambassador on the council.

“They past by so quickly, didn’t they?” Graham sighed, leaning back in his chair.

Tony took a seat again, “What is it?” She was asking about his disease.

“Ah, something to do with my brain. Eating away at it, soon I won’t even be the man you see before you.” He looked up at her, “Eight years, and I didn’t even know that you were ever married. Was he aboard this ship?”

She giggled, “Of course, for four years, Captain. You never met him, he was an officer?” After she asked the question, she rather wished she hadn’t.

“You know, he did seem to be familiar with me. Maybe, I did know him.”

“Yes, I think you did, but he is rather forgettable.”

Graham laughed out loud, “An ex-wife would say that.”

She shrugged, “Will there be a going away party?”

“No, no. I would… I would rather go silently into the night. I came in here like a thunder storm, but I would rather leave without any notice.” Folding his hands on his lap, he looked down at them. “Like your father did.”

“Keep in contact after you go. I would like to hear how you are doing.” Tony stood up.

The old captain didn’t respond, and Tony took that as her cue to leave.