Warborg - Star Panther Read Online Free Page A

refocused on Martin. “The problem I have is, from this point on, I have to start setting up your container differently for each type of work.”
    Martin hesitated. “I guess as far as I’m concerned there’s never been a doubt in my mind. Lord knows I’ve thought about it a lot, I want to be a warborg Doc. I was fighting when I landed in this friggin’ bucket and I’d just as soon keep fighting while I’m in it.”
    Swain sighed and rubbed his temples for a moment. “If you’re sure that is what you want, so be it. But Martin, are you sure? Being a warborg has some nasty drawbacks. First, the container is setup entirely different from all the others making it completely incompatible. You will never be able to do anything else without a complete biological transfer. You will have to start over from scratch if you change your mind later. In fact once your container is installed in a ship it becomes so integrated that voluntary removal becomes problematic. Second, as a warborg you can never go back to Earth without being physically disarmed, an expensive, long and involved process. I know how stupid it sounds, but there are enough borgaphobes on Earth to make it stick. Lastly, the survival rate isn’t good, a life span measured in months, not years and quite frankly, many die slow ugly deaths. Are you sure Martin, really sure?”
    “Yeah Doc, I know what I want. You don’t know how many times we were out there getting our butts kicked when the warborgs showed up. A lot of the guys were afraid of them, I wasn’t. They never said much, just saved our asses, gave a cursory sign off and left. As trite as it sounds it’s about honor Doc. Some of those guys didn’t make it back bailing us out, now it’s payback time. No Doc. There’s no question.”
    A slow sad smile crossed Swain’s face. “Well, I figured that would be your decision the instant I read your personnel file while you were still unconscious.” His smile brightened noticeably. “And that, Captain Morgan, is why at this moment you are sitting in an insulated titanium re-enforced ceramic container rather than the usual aluminum one.” The smile turned into a true grin. “You know Captain, it is really nice to guess one exactly right once in a while.”
    “Captain Morgan? Ahhh . . . Doc. What happened to Martin?”
    Swain leaned back chuckling. “From the moment you made your decision Captain Martin Morgan was officially back on active duty.”
    “Oh, some duty. Sitting in a brain bucket learning how to count my goddamn toes. Call me Martin, Doc. At least until I feel like I’m really doing something useful again.”
    “Alright Martin, and you are doing something useful. You are going through the most intensive re-habilitation possible. Never forget that . . . never.” Swain ended the statement leaning forward in his chair, staring Martin right in the cameras.
    “Yes sir,” was the only reply.

              4: Back On Line
     
     
    Martin’s doorbell interrupted his listening to some ancient rock and roll. ^Hello.^ The figure that appeared in his mind wasn’t Maria, it was a Commander in full uniform. It was the first strange cyborg he had encountered. Almost in a panic he shut down the music, mentally jumped to his feet and saluted, at least that’s what he hoped he did. ^Sir!^
    The figure studied him in silence for a moment. ^Captain Martin Morgan.^
    ^Sir, yes sir.^ Martin’s mind was whirling, What is the proper protocol?
    ^At ease Captain^
    ^Thank you sir.^ Martin was still thrashing, Christ, I still don’t even have a form yet.
    ^I’m Commander Briton, ranking officer of the cyborg cadre for this battle group.^
    ^Yes Sir.^ THE Commander Briton! Oh great, way to make a goddamned first impression, boneass.
    The Commander offered a slight smile. ^Relax Captain, I’m here in an informal capacity.^
    ^Very well sir. Ah, what can I do for you?^ Martin was still fumbling, but didn’t feel quite the complete idiot.
    The