B Clones Read online

  The pirate stopped a few feet away from Gemma and demanded her attention when he gently gripped her shoulder with his bog hand. She turned her head, peering up at him. She had to admit, he really was super good-looking. That was the only highlight of this current nightmare.

  “You have memories?”

  “Of course I do.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched. He appeared angry. “Who are you?”

  She sighed. “Fine. I’ll play along. My name is Gemma Grady, but I’m not that famous singer. She was killed in the same hotel blast that did this to me.”

  He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I believe I understand what is going on.”

  “Oh, good! Well, tell me the wonders of the universe and then let me wake up from this bullshit dream.”

  “What is the last memory you have, Gemma?”

  “I’m in the hospital waiting for my sons to arrive. I need to tell them goodbye. The doctor wouldn’t flat-out say it, but I’m hurt too badly to survive my injuries.”

  He blinked a few times, scowling. “You’re dying?”

  “Yes. This is my version of a realty bitch slap, via dream, right? I get it. My life is over. Eighty-percent burns means I’m toast.” She paused. “Burnt toast. Bad pun, but there it is. They were pumping me full of the good drugs so I’m not in pain.”

  “This isn’t a dream.”

  “Right. I’m really in outer space.” She glanced down at her body. “And way younger than I used to be. Like that’s possible.” She looked up at him. “With a big hot space pirate. Totally believable.”

  “I detect sarcasm in your tone,” the robot stated.

  “And that’s why I’m calling you Sherlock,” she muttered. “You’re quite the sleuth there, horror-arms-on-wheels.”

  The pirate holstered his weapon and forced Gemma to face him when his free hand snagged her waist and twisted her toward him. She had to tip her chin back, since he towered over her. His eyes were even more attractive up close. They were a deep midnight blue.

  “I hate to be the one to break this news to you, but you aren’t in a dream state.”

  “Right. That’s exactly what a dream person would say.”

  “Are you aware of what a clone is, in your time period?”

  “Sure. It’s something we joke about; how we could get more stuff done if there were like, four of ourselves.”

  “The technology wasn’t perfected until 2076 for human beings, but JDJ Cryo Corp began harvesting brains and tissue from body sources around the year 2000, according to rumors. They targeted well-known celebrities in the hopes of selling their bodies when they perfected cloning technology in the future. I believe that is what happened to you.”

  “Uh-huh. Okay.” Gemma wondered how long the pain meds would keep her locked in this dream.

  “You share the exact name as a celebrity?”

  “I just said that. Some guy with a camera even thought I was her. That singer was at the hotel, too, but the nurse said she died. Hence this stupid nightmare.”

  He eased his hold. “You don’t believe this is real?”

  “No. As I said before, they’re giving me the good drugs. I’m not feeling any pain…except for suffering through this.”

  “Your original body died. What year do you believe it is?”

  Gemma had to resist rolling her eyes. She just wanted to wake up to see if her sons had arrived yet. But this damn dream wouldn’t end. She was trapped, peering up at a fantasy guy who still waited patiently for her to answer him. She sighed, deciding to continue to play along, since she had little choice. “It’s 2020.”

  He gave her a look of pity. “It’s 2141. I’m a clone as well, but not the same type as you are. I was engineered and designated to be a security model.”

  “I thought you were supposed to be a pirate?”

  “I didn’t like being told what to do. You and I were both grown inside a clone manufacturing plant on Earth. We have that in common.” He addressed the robot. “Why weren’t her memories wiped?”

  “Mr. Florigo ordered the clone to be as realistic as possible. He didn’t request a blank. She’s a new addition to Clone World Incorporated.”

  “That’s cruel and illegal,” he seethed. “Wasn’t he worried she’d have a meltdown?”

  The dream pirate may have been speaking to the robot, but Gemma answered anyway. “No, this dream is cruel and should be illegal. I still might have a meltdown though, if this doesn’t end soon. I want to wake up to say goodbye to my sons. Aren’t you supposed to be robbing this spaceship? Get it over with already.” Gemma backed away from him until he had to release her.

  He shifted his focus back on her. “I’m sorry. This must be very confusing for you. Keep believing it’s a dream, if that helps keep you calm. I worry about what will happen when you finally realize the truth. Laws were passed banning manufacturers from giving clones the memories of the original source material, after the first dozen went insane.”

  “I think I’m handling my pending death pretty well, besides having this weird space dream.”

  “Are you deeply religious?”

  She frowned. “That’s none of your business.”

  “It’s very relevant. Please answer. Do you believe in a soul that a God created just for the body you were born in?”

  Gemma frowned, hoping the dream wasn’t about to turn into a guilt trip, like the ones her parents used to give her after she’d stopped going to church. Then again, maybe it would wake her from the nightmare. “I don’t go to church or buy into any certain religious beliefs.”

  “Then perhaps you have a chance of surviving.”

  That was the last thing she’d expected to hear from his lips. It threw her a little, but she recovered. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “We’ll discuss this later. I’m not going to leave you to die. I’m taking you with me. Go onboard my ship and wait for me. I targeted this transport specifically because it’s heading to Clone World.”

  “Clone World? What’s that? I’m just dying to know.” She managed to resist rolling her eyes again.

  “No birthed beings were comfortable with the idea of clones mingling with Earth society—”

  “Birthed beings?” Gemma interrupted, arching her eyebrows.

  “Humans born from other humans.” He paused. “As opposed to being grown in a tank in a manufacturing plant, the way clones are. Birthed beings and clones are seen as two vastly separate entities. Rico Florigo bought a small planet and opened a theme park featuring clones. It’s for amusing rich people, giving them the opportunity to meet some of their favorite celebrities from the past and watch them perform. You were obviously created to be a singer. They probably built you a concert stage to entertain guests.”

  “Another epic fail, since, as I said, I can’t carry a tune. Then again, this is a dream. Maybe I have a rock star voice.” Gemma looked down at her chest. “I mean, check out my boobs. Definitely young celebrity material. They’re all perky and perfect. They sure don’t look that way that in real life anymore. I’d dubbed them my landslides after nursing two babies.” She glanced up at him.

  His mouth gaped but he recovered fast. “Go aboard my ship. I’m clearing out the cargo, and I’ll need to remove gravity in this transport to make it an easier task.”

  “Of course you are.” She became suddenly amused. “Gravity is one mean bitch. Boob pun. Now you’re going to just shut it off?”

  Big sighed. He didn’t seem to find any humor in anything she said. “You’re not going to cooperate easily, are you?”

  “Nobody has ever accused me of being easy.” She laughed at her own joke. “Maybe for you, though. You’re serious stud-muffin material.”

  He didn’t respond, instead walking back toward the door. He bent a little, stepping through and peering at something out of her view. Then he turned his head and met her gaze. “Don’t startle.”

  “Give it your best shot. Maybe it’ll jar me awake.”


  He turned back to whatever was out of her view—then Gemma felt a little lightheaded as her feet began to lift off the floor.

  Fear jolted through her as the weightless sensation took over. It was possible she was dying in real life right this second. She’d heard of the soul leaving the body, and wasn’t it rumored to feel this way?

  “Don’t be afraid.” Big’s voice distracted her enough to look at him. He floated, too. He gripped the edge of the doorframe and pulled his large body through the open door, pushing off the wall. He drifted toward her, opening his arms. “I’ve got you.”

  “I am reporting you to the authorities at the first opportunity,” the robot said, making its presence known. “I’m recording this entire episode.”

  Big reached Gemma and snagged her around her waist. He pulled her close, and she clutched at him. He adjusted her in his arms until they faced each other. “Wrap around me.”

  “Now we’re talking. Floating space sex is better than dealing with Sherlock. You’re not nearly as annoying.” She released the tight shirt stretched over his muscular chest and slid her arms around his neck. She didn’t hesitate to spread her legs, wrapping them around his hips as they slowly floated around the cavernous space.

  Big closed his eyes. “Damn…”

  “What?”

  He opened them, his face inches from hers. “I’ve been out here alone for too long,” he muttered. “I wouldn’t mention sex, Gemma. Especially not right now. A distress signal was sent as soon as I damaged the engines on this transport so I could dock with it. I have about twenty minutes to unload the cargo onto my ship and get out of here if we stand a chance of being beyond the range of a patrol cruiser. They’ll open fire on my shuttle if we’re caught. The authorities won’t bother arresting me. I’ve hit enough targets that it’s an automatic death sentence.” He lowered his gaze to her mouth. “You’re tempting…but I want to survive. Hold that thought until we return to my home base.”

  “No floating sex?” she pouted, disappointed. He was a hunk, and it was her dream. She should get to enjoy something about it. The name she’d dreamed up for him certainly implied he must be well endowed.

  “I’ll turn off gravity and we can do whatever the hell you want later. Right now, I’m taking you to my ship and unloading this cargo.”

  He bumped into a wall and unwrapped one of his arms from her waist. “Tuck your head and hold on tight.” He shifted his body and looked over her shoulder, using the wall to kick off.

  They moved fast, and she twisted her head, watching as they flew through the room. They nearly bumped into the robot, who’d managed to stay on the floor somehow. They cleared the doorway and entered a corridor. Big turned his body and his back bumped the wall. It slowed their momentum a little as his body dragged against it, but then he drew up his knees and rolled them until his feet were pointed away from the door they’d just gone through. He straightened his body and tightened his hold around her waist.

  Gemma grinned. It was like an amusement park, but she was riding a man.

  The bump against another wall stopped them. He reached out with his free hand and pushed on the wall. She glanced down the corridor when the rounded a corner and saw another room through an open door. Big kicked off once more, then they were flying headfirst toward that door, lined up with it, Gemma lying atop his body.

  She was tempted to release his shoulders and sit up. “This is kind of fun.”

  “Not for me. You’re slowing me down.”

  They floated down the hallway and through the open door. Big reached out and snagged the edge of it, bringing them to a halt. He released her waist and grabbed the other side. He spread his legs once he had them turned around, bracing his entire body in the opening.

  “Wouldn’t this have been faster with gravity? You know, like to just walk?”

  “I’d already turned gravity off on my ship before I realized you were on that shuttle. It was only supposed to be carrying plasma crates.” He met her gaze. “Let go. This is my cargo hold.”

  She peered at the room that looked a lot like the one where her dream had started, only this one stood empty of crates.

  He released the doorway with one hand and fisted the back of her sports bra. “Let go.”

  She unwound her arms and legs. Her body started to drift away from his, but he kept hold of her.

  “See the chair over there with the belts? Strap in.” He adjusted his hands, opening one of them along her lower back and giving her a push. It sent her flying. It wasn’t fun without him to cling to. Her arms and legs flailed.

  “Relax,” he called out. “Put your arms out to stop you from hitting the wall. I’ll be back. Strap in.”

  She stopped fighting the lack of gravity and put her arms straight out as the wall loomed closer. “This is going to hurt,” she muttered.

  She hit the wall—then started to float away from it.

  “Shit!” She frantically grabbed for something and caught hold of a part of the chair. She reached out her other hand to snag one of the belts. It reminded her of a child’s car seat.

  “This dream sucks,” she muttered. “A hunky pirate and no sex. At least I don’t have to deal with Sherlock anymore. I hate robots. Horror movies are full of them.” She had to work to maneuver her ass into the seat and get the harness straps secured over her shoulders. It buckled at her waist, and at least, she was secured.

  Gemma lifted her head, staring at the open doorway. “Now what?”

  Chapter Two

  Big glanced at the device on his wrist that linked him to the main computer on his shuttle. Finding the female had put him behind schedule. Not that he could regret that. He didn’t. To hit a transport heading toward Clone World—with a clone onboard—was a blessing he hadn’t expected.

  She was a fellow clone, and she needed help. The fact she was an attractive woman was another bonus. She had beautiful pale blue eyes and dark blonde hair.

  He was still shocked that he’d hit a transport with a clone aboard. Clone World always had more security when they were hauling bodies. A well-armed cruiser escorted those shipments, as well. Clones were much more expensive than plasma crates.

  Then again, Gemma was an illegal purchase Rico Florigo would have wanted to hide from the authorities. The company who’d made her clone wouldn’t have wanted anyone to know about her, either. They’d broken a major law by creating a clone with source material memories. That would get them massively fined, if not temporarily shut down.

  It also explained the repair droid. It was there to hide the fact that the clone was an illegal one, in case of a stasis failure. The droid would have been programed to take charge of the situation by refusing to allow the clone to order the automated ship to send a distress signal.

  Big had been lying to Gemma when he’d said the asshole owner of Clone World had probably built her a stage to perform for guests. It would be stupid to allow the public to get close to her. Someone might figure out her memories weren’t blanked if they asked her questions about her life and realized she wasn’t speaking from a script.

  Birthed beings feared clones with memories. The humans would have demanded that she be destroyed.

  Big snorted, imagining it wasn’t just Gemma’s voice Florigo wanted for entertainment. She was a very attractive woman. The Clone World owner must have had her made for his personal use.

  He unstrapped another container and sent it floating into the corridor. The repair droid rattled off threats of his pending arrest. He ignored it. He’d have shot the thing to keep it silent but then he’d have to contend with any floating parts that broke off. It wasn’t worth the hassle.

  He glanced at the device on his wrist again. Time was almost up. A lot of traffic passed through the shipping lanes to Clone World. The planet not only got regular deliveries of plasma, but also food and other supplies to keep the resort well stocked.

  Then there were the guests.

  Clone World was a popular vacation destination with people fr
om Earth. With his bad luck, a large passenger cruiser might happen along. They featured heavy weapons systems to protect humans from attacks. One glance at his unauthorized shuttle and they’d attempt to destroy it.

  The last thing Big needed was to have to defend himself against living humans. The authorities would respond to that by beefing up security in the travel lanes. They might even send a few shuttles to specifically seek him out. It might not affect him, since he wouldn’t need to hit another transport for a long while. They’d never find him. But his fellow freed clones would be put at risk. They also had to steal to stay alive. Big wasn’t willing to bring heat down on them.

  He hurried to take the last crates of plasma stored on the transport. It was a good amount that would last two clones for years to come.

  Gemma was a gift from fate—if he could keep her from having a meltdown once she understood the truth. He’d deal with that after he flew them out of the travel lanes and they were safe.

  He pushed the last container into the long hallway he’d created by docking with the transport. He had to close the door behind him to keep anything from floating back into the cargo hold. It finally silenced the annoying droid. He worked his way through the crates and around the corner, braced himself, then started to send the remaining crates straight toward his ship, one at a time. Gemma was out of the way of being hit, he hoped. He sent them easy, just in case, not applying much pressure to get them moving. She’d be able to block them from hitting her with her hands.

  His thoughts remained on Gemma as he continued to work. Everyone had heard the horror stories about when JDJ Cryo Corp had first tested clones with their memories intact. The original dozen, as they had been called, had all gone very wrong.

  Two clones had killed the employees tending to them in a revenge tactic, or possibly in a fit of blind rage over what had been done to them. None of the dozen had volunteered to become clones. They’d woken, only to learn their fate. That couldn’t have been pleasant.