Page 10 of Human Reclaimed (Cyborg Planet Alpha #2)

TEN

RUNE

When our kiss had ended, my heart hammered against my ribs with an intensity I’d only felt in combat.

My body hummed with electricity, every nerve ending alive and firing signals I’d never processed before.

I stared into her eyes, those startling blue depths that had challenged me from the moment I stepped foot into her recovery room in the medical bay this morning.

I swallowed hard, shifting my position on the couch to conceal my body’s extremely obvious reaction to her. “Yes. Unexpected but…” I searched for the right words. “Not unwelcome.”

Her eyes darkened at that, and for a brief moment I thought—hoped—she might lean in again. But wisdom prevailed over desire.

“We should get some rest,” I said, the words catching in my throat. “Tomorrow will be another full day. Security assessments, perimeter walkthroughs…”

“Right. Of course.” Was that disappointment in her voice? The thought sent another wave of heat through me.

I stood carefully, making sure my tactical pants didn’t reveal too much of my predicament. “You can take the bed. I’ll sleep out here.”

She rose to her feet, our bodies suddenly close in the limited space between the couch and table. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist,” I said firmly, though every fiber of my being screamed otherwise.

I led her to my bedroom—a simple space with a large bed covered in dark linens, a small desk, and shelves lined with tactical manuals and, embarrassingly, several works of classic Earth literature I’d been studying to better understand human emotions.

“Bathroom’s through there,” I pointed to a door on the right. “Extra blankets in the storage unit if you get cold.”

Talia stood in the center of my most private space, looking somehow both out of place and perfectly at home. The sight of her there stirred something deep within me—not just desire but a longing for permanence I’d never acknowledged before.

“Goodnight, Rune,” she said softly.

I hesitated at the door. “Goodnight, Talia.” The words felt inadequate for the storm of feelings they attempted to contain.

Back in the living area, I stretched out on my too-small couch, staring at the ceiling.

Sleep was impossible. My lips still burned with the memory of hers.

My mind replayed the kiss in an endless loop, analyzing every second and every sensation.

I’d kissed others before, but this—this was different.

This was a supernova compared to a candle flame.

I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes. What was happening to me? I’d brought Talia here for her tactical expertise. To help save our colony from pirate raids. Not to upend my entire existence with a single kiss.

Yet I couldn’t deny the truth that had been building since she swam with me in my private oasis this morning. Talia Reed wasn’t just a resource. She was becoming essential to me.

The night crept by in restless fragments.

I drifted between half-dreams filled with blonde hair catching sunlight, blue eyes flashing with challenge, and the phantom pressure of lips against mine.

The sounds of the jungle outside—the rhythmic calls of nocturnal creatures and the rustle of wind through enormous leaves—usually lulled me to sleep.

Tonight, they were just background noise to the chaos in my head.

The harsh buzz of my wrist communicator jolted me fully awake. I glanced at the time—0500 hours—and felt a spike of dread when I saw the source of the call.

Medical bay.

“Shit,” I muttered, sitting up and running my hand through my disheveled hair. I knew exactly what this was about—someone had discovered Talia’s empty recovery room. I’d have to explain my decision to Commander Helix and face Aeon’s knowing look.

I crept to the bedroom door and eased it open. Talia lay sprawled across my bed, one arm flung above her head, and her blonde hair splayed across my pillow. Her face in sleep had lost its guarded expression, revealing a vulnerability she rarely showed while awake.

Something tight and warm expanded in my chest. She looked perfectly right there, as if the space had been waiting for her all along. The sunlight filtering through the small window cast dancing patterns across her sleeping form, highlighting the curves of her body beneath the thin sheet.

This human woman had somehow destroyed all my careful logic and planning in less than two days. But I didn’t regret a single second of it.

I crossed the room to where Talia slept peacefully in my bed. I watched her for a moment longer—the gentle rise and fall of her breathing along with the way her lips parted slightly.

“Talia,” I said softly, placing my hand on her shoulder. “We need to go.”

Her eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to recognition. As she sat up, the sheet fell away, revealing the white curve of her bra against her tanned skin. I immediately turned away, heat crawling up my neck.

“Sorry,” I muttered, my voice rougher than intended. “Your clothes are on the chair.”

I heard rustling behind me, the soft sounds of her dressing. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Someone noticed you weren’t in the medical bay.”

“Shit.” I heard a zipper sound as she fastened her pants. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

I turned back to find her pulling on her fitted white T-shirt, her hair tousled from sleep. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I’ll take the blame.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Yes, I do.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m the one who brought you here unauthorized.”

She stepped closer, and before I could react, she leaned in and pressed her lips against my cheek. The contact sent electricity racing through my veins.

“Thank you for letting me sleep in your bed,” she said softly. “It was much more comfortable than the medical bay.”

My hands itched to pull her against me. Instead, I cleared my throat and gestured toward the door. “We should hurry.”

We walked briskly across the settlement, the morning light filtering through the massive canopy. Colony members nodded as we passed, their curious glances noted but ignored.

Commander Helix’s expression when we entered the medical bay could have frozen water. She stood with her arms crossed beside Aeon and Olivia.

“Commander,” I said, stepping forward. “The absence of Captain Reed from her assigned quarters was my decision. I believed more comfortable accommodations would be beneficial to her cooperation.”

Helix’s gray eyes narrowed. “You took it upon yourself to relocate our guest without authorization?”

“Yes, Commander. I felt it was appropriate given her security clearance and her willingness to help our colony.”

Helix studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she sighed. “If you believe it’s a better arrangement, I’ll allow it. She is under your direct supervision after all.”

Relief washed through me. “Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your understanding. I promise any major decisions will go through you first.”

She nodded sharply and left the medical bay, the doors hissing shut behind her.

Aeon’s knowing look was almost worse than Helix’s disapproval. I recognized that expression—the same one I’d given him when he’d fallen for the human doctor, Olivia. His piercing blue eyes had that irritating gleam that said he understood exactly what was happening.

Olivia gave a gentle smile that matched her husband’s knowing look. She stepped forward, her white coat swishing around her petite frame.

“As someone who’s been a captive,” Olivia said, her voice warm with understanding, “I sympathize with wanting more comfortable accommodations.” She glanced at Talia with genuine empathy. “Being locked up like a prisoner doesn’t exactly inspire cooperation or trust.”

Talia’s shoulders relaxed slightly. I hadn’t noticed how tense she’d been until that tension eased from her body.

“Well, if Commander Helix isn’t going to throw me in the brig for letting you out,” I said, trying to sound casual despite the lingering heat in my face, “perhaps Aeon and Olivia could show you more of what we do here.”

Aeon nodded, his expression softening. “We’d be happy to. In fact, we have several new mothers who delivered just this week.”

“New mothers?” Talia’s eyebrows rose. “The pregnant cyborgs you mentioned before?”

My chest tightened at the genuine interest in her voice. She wasn’t feigning it. That much I could tell from the way her blue eyes had brightened.

“Yes,” Olivia answered. “Both cyborg mothers and human-cyborg hybrid babies. The maternity ward is just through here.”

As we walked through the curved corridor, the lighting adjusted to our presence. I found myself walking closer to Talia than strictly necessary, drawn to her like a magnetic field I couldn’t resist.

“I didn’t realize up until yesterday,” Talia said softly, “that cyborgs could have children.”

“Many were designed with fully functional reproductive systems,” I explained, feeling oddly proud of this fact. “CyberEvolution intended us to be completely human in every biological sense.”

“Just with enhanced capabilities and programmed loyalty,” Aeon added with a hint of bitterness.

“Until you broke free,” Talia finished, glancing at me with something like respect.

We entered a softly lit room where three transparent cribs held tiny infants. A cyborg woman with copper-colored hair sat in a rocking chair, cradling a fourth baby against her chest.

Talia’s breath caught audibly. “They’re so small.”

“This is Vera,” Olivia said, gesturing to the mother. “She delivered twin girls three days ago. Completely healthy.”

Vera looked up with tired but radiant eyes. “Would you like to hold one?”

I was about to intervene—surely that was too much to ask of Talia—but before I could speak, she stepped forward, her hands already outstretched.

“I’d love to.”

Something twisted in me as I watched Vera place the tiny bundle in Talia’s arms. The fierce army strategist transformed before my eyes, her expression softening as she gazed down at the infant. She cradled the baby with practiced ease, swaying gently from side to side.

“You’ve done this before,” I observed, unable to hide my surprise.

Talia nodded without looking up. “My sister had twins. I helped for a short time after they were born.”

The baby made a soft, cooing sound, and Talia’s entire face illuminated with a smile that knocked the breath from my lungs. I’d never seen her look so unguarded and so genuine.

“They’re targeting these innocent babies,” she said softly, her voice hardening even as her touch remained gentle. “Those pirates we saw in the footage yesterday.”

“Yes,” I confirmed, stepping closer to her. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

She looked up at me then, and the fierce determination in her eyes made my heart race. This wasn’t the reluctant captive anymore—this was Captain Talia Reed, tactical genius and protector.

“I won’t let that happen,” she said, steel in her voice. “We’re going to fix your defenses, Rune. Every last weak point.”

At that moment, with her holding a cyborg newborn while planning battle strategies, I realized I was in serious trouble. The pull I felt toward her wasn’t just physical attraction or admiration for her skills. It was something deeper and far more dangerous—something I hadn’t dared name yet.

“I know you will,” I said, my voice rough with unexpected emotion.