Page 3 of Cyborgs' Origins
Izzy’s answering grin was positively impish. “Of course, Simone. Whatever you say. I suppose his open-mindedness is stored in his ass?”
Shaking her head, Simone turned her attention back to the task at hand, determined to immerse herself in the intricacies of their work, but try as she might, a part of her couldn’t quite banish the image of Tiberius’s intense gaze, or the way his presence seemed to command the very air around him. With a silent sigh, she pushed aside those errant thoughts, refocusing her mind on the groundbreaking discoveries that awaited them.
IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED, Simone and Izzy fell into a rhythm, their days consumed by the intricate dance of scientific exploration. The laboratory hummed with activity, a hive of intellectual curiosity and cutting-edge technology.
As they delved deeper into the intricacies of cybernetics, Simone was captivated by the sheer scope of the possibilities that lay before them. Each breakthrough, and each incremental step forward, only fueled her determination to push the boundaries of what was achievable.
“Izzy, take a look at these neural interface readings,” Simone called out with excitement several weeks after their arrival.
Izzy hurried over, her eyes widening as she took in the data streaming across the holographic display. “Are those what I think they are?”
Simone nodded, barely containing a giddy laugh of triumph. “If I’m interpreting these readings correctly, we’ve achieved a seamless integration between the synthetic components and the brain’s neural pathways.”
Izzy’s lips curved into a broad grin. “Do you realize what this means? We’re one step closer to unlocking the full potential of cybernetic enhancements.”
Simone mirrored her friend’s elation, her heart pounding with the thrill of discovery. “Exactly. With this level of integration...”
As they delved into the data, dissecting each nuance and implication, Simone was transported to a realm of pure intellectual exhilaration. This was the essence of scientific exploration, the pursuit of knowledge that could reshape the very fabric of human existence.
In the midst of their fervent discussions, the door to the laboratory slid open, admitting Tiberius. Simone’s stomach fluttered with anticipation, a reaction she had grown accustomed to suppressing in the mercenary commander’s presence.
“Commander.” She greeted him with a warm smile, her cheeks flushed with the excitement of their latest breakthrough—and his proximity. “Impeccable timing, as always.”
Tiberius arched an inquisitive brow, his gaze flickering between Simone and Izzy. “I take it your research is progressing favorably?”
Izzy beamed, her enthusiasm infectious. “See for yourself, Commander.” With a few deft keystrokes, she projected the neural interface readings onto the main display, the intricate data streams dancing across the holographic surface.
As Tiberius leaned in to study the information, Simone was captivated by the intensity of his focus, and the way his brow furrowed ever so slightly as he absorbed the implications of their discovery.
“Remarkable,” he said.
Clearing her throat, she forced herself to maintain her composure. “We’ve achieved a level of integration betweensynthetic components and the brain’s neural pathways that was previously thought impossible.”
Tiberius’s gaze met hers, his eyes lit with genuine interest. “And the applications of such a breakthrough?”
Simone had a surge of pride, tempered by a sense of humility in the face of the vast unknown that still lay before them. “Potentially limitless, making all the things we previously discussed possible.”
A flicker of emotion passed across Tiberius’s features, too fleeting for Simone to decipher. “Interesting,” he said.
Before Simone could respond, Izzy spoke, her tone tinged with gentle teasing. “Simone’s never been one to think small. She likes thingsbig.”
Simone shot her friend a playful glare, but her heart wasn’t truly in it. She was riding the crest of scientific discovery, and nothing could dampen her spirits.
Her cheeks flushed a moment later when Tiberius suddenly shifted, looking uncertain. Without thought, her gaze went to his front, which was amply protected against damage, thus denying her a peek to assuage her curiosity about just how big the commander might be.
When she looked up, she met his gaze. He seemed amused and aroused as he nodded to her. As Tiberius excused himself to leave them to their work, Simone watched his retreating form with appreciation. Beneath his gruff exterior, she had glimpsed a glimmer of intellectual curiosity, a hunger for knowledge that resonated deeply within her.
As if she was just interested in his mind. Even she couldn’t fool herself into believing that. Despite her embargo on romance, her thoughts and attraction to the strong merc were leading her astray.
Turning back to Izzy, she was met with a knowing smirk. “What?” she asked, her tone defensive.
Izzy held up her hands in a placating gesture. “Nothing. Just observing the way you light up whenever our stoic commander graces us with his presence.”
Simone scoffed, but the heat in her cheeks betrayed her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Izzy’s answering grin was positively impish. “It’s okay to have a fuck toy and a life outside of the lab, Sim.”
Shaking her head and refusing to answer, Simone turned her attention back to the data before them, determined to lose herself in the intricacies of their research. Try as she might, she couldn’t quite banish the image of Tiberius’s hard body, or her curiosity about how he might taste if she kissed him.