Page 11 of Human Reclaimed (Cyborg Planet Alpha #2)

ELEVEN

TALIA

I handed the tiny bundle back to Vera with reluctance. The weight of that small life had shifted something fundamental inside me. In those moments holding the infant, all my preconceived notions about cyborgs crumbled completely.

“They’re beautiful,” I said, my voice husky with emotion. “And they deserve to be safe.”

As we left the maternity ward, memories flooded back—that fateful day two and half years ago when I’d opened the unmarked file on my military-issued laptop.

The footage had been grainy but unmistakable.

CyberEvolution scientists in sterile white labs with cyborgs strapped to metal tables.

The cyborgs writhed in agony as the “doctors” performed procedures that could only be described as torture.

I shuddered, drawing Rune’s attention. His intense blue eyes fixed on my face with concern.

“You okay?” His deep voice was gentle, a stark contrast to his imposing physique. The early morning sunlight filtering through the corridor’s windows caught his auburn hair, highlighting the golden strands in the longer hair on top.

“Just remembering.” I swallowed hard. “Two and a half years ago, someone sent me classified footage of CyberEvolution conducting experiments on cyborgs. Not just routine maintenance or upgrades—barbaric tests. They were trying to modify them for some purpose beyond combat.” My hands clenched into fists.

“I reported it up the chain of command, and two days later, I was honorably discharged. No explanation given.”

Rune stopped walking, his broad shoulders tensing. “What kind of modifications?”

“I couldn’t tell exactly. But the cyborgs were conscious during the procedures. Screaming.” The memory made bile rise in my throat. “I’ve spent the last two years looking over my shoulder, wondering when CyberEvolution might come for me.”

“But they never did?”

“No. Either they didn’t care about what I knew, or someone higher up protected me by getting me discharged quietly.” I met his eyes directly. “And now these pirates are capturing pregnant cyborgs and babies. For what? Black market research? More experiments?”

Rune’s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking beneath his skin. “It’s a possibility we’ve considered.”

We stepped outside the medical bay into the humid morning air of Planet Alpha. The colony was coming alive around us with people moving along the stone pathways between the buildings. The massive jungle trees provided shade from the twin suns.

“I won’t let it happen,” I said firmly, stopping to face him. “I can’t. Those babies, those mothers—they deserve our protection.”

His eyes softened as he looked at me.

“I already said I would help you yesterday. But now, it’s personal.” I ran my fingers through my hair, pushing it back from my face. “I’ve been hiding out for two years, Rune. Maybe I was discharged to be silenced or maybe to be protected. Either way, I’m done hiding.”

The corner of Rune’s mouth lifted. “I knew you were the right choice.”

“For the record, kidnapping is still a terrible recruitment strategy.” I raised my eyebrows at him. “But I’m here now, and I’m going to make sure your colony is the most secure settlement in this galaxy.”

He stepped closer, his presence enveloping me with warmth and the subtle scent of something fresh and clean. His sheets held the same scent last night when I slept in his bed. “I’m terribly sorry for how I brought you here, but I’m not sorry you’re here.”

My breath hitched at his proximity. For a man engineered for war, he moved with surprising grace. His eyes held mine, intense with an emotion I couldn’t quite name, but it sent electricity dancing across my skin.

“Let’s fix your perimeter.” I gestured toward the security center, needing to break the tension before I did something reckless again, like throw myself into his arms. “I’ve already thought of three more weaknesses in your grid that need addressing immediately.”

As we walked side by side through the settlement, my resolve hardened with every step. These people—human and cyborg alike—had built something precious here. A place where they could live free from Earth’s prejudices and CyberEvolution’s control.

And I would make damn sure no one took that from them.

I followed Rune through the security center’s main corridor, nodding at Sage who flashed me a smile as we walked past her.

Rune’s office sat at the far end of the building, a reinforced door sliding open at his approach.

I stepped inside and couldn’t help but smirk.

The space mirrored his quarters perfectly—meticulous organization and everything aligned with military precision.

Nothing out of place and not a speck of dust anywhere.

“Let me guess,” I said, running my hand along his spotless desk, “you alphabetize your books, too?”

A hint of color touched his cheeks. “Efficiency matters.” He pulled a chair alongside his and gestured for me to sit. “Especially now.”

As I settled beside him, that faint scent of something clean and fresh drifted from his skin. The same scent had filled my senses when I’d kissed him last night. I pushed the memory aside, focusing as he opened his laptop.

“Your initial assessment yesterday was impressive,” Rune said, his deep voice stirring something in me. “I’ve been thinking about those blind spots you identified.”

“Your calculations clearly missed three sectors.” I pointed to areas he’d previously deemed adequately secured.

His brow furrowed as he studied the display. “Yes, I know. I realized I didn’t account for the magnetic variations in those quadrants.”

“Most people wouldn’t.” I pulled out my datapad, my fingers tapping across the surface. “This planet’s unique electromagnetic field disrupts your standard frequencies designed to be used on Earth. We need to adjust them immediately.”

I sketched out the layered defense system I’d contemplated last night while lying in Rune’s bed tossing and turning.

My new defense system consisted of mobile sensor packs scattered throughout the jungle’s edge, a network of pressure-sensitive mines around the perimeter, and aerial drones programmed to detect and track movement patterns.

“Here’s where your current grid is most vulnerable,” I said, highlighting a section of the eastern perimeter. “Twenty-five percent porous, not the twenty-two you calculated.”

Rune leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine. The contact sent electricity coursing through me.

“And if we recalibrate the shield harmonics here and here…” His finger traced across the screen, barely an inch from mine.

“Exactly.” I inhaled slowly, trying to steady my breathing. “The shield would adapt to the jungle’s electromagnetic fluctuations instead of fighting against them.”

He turned to look at me, those blue eyes filled with unguarded admiration. “You’re brilliant. You’ve spotted weaknesses I never saw and came up with solutions I never considered.”

The praise warmed me in ways that felt dangerous. I was used to military men dismissing my strategies and arguing with my assessments. Rune’s open appreciation felt like stepping into sunlight after years in shadow.

“Just doing my job,” I murmured, suddenly aware of how close we were sitting, how easily I could lean in and?—

Rune closed the distance between us, his lips finding mine with surprising gentleness.

Unlike our first kiss—tentative and exploring—this one burned with certainty.

His hand cupped my face, his other hand tangling in my hair as the kiss deepened and grew hungrier.

My body responded instantly, leaning into him, as my hands gripped his shirt.

For a moment, I let myself forget everything—the pirates, the security systems, the fact that I was kidnapped. There was only the heat of his mouth and the surprising tenderness in how he touched me.

I pulled back reluctantly, my breath coming fast. “We should… we need to focus.” My voice sounded husky even to my own ears. “These protocols won’t implement themselves.”

Disappointment flickered across his face, but he nodded. “You’re right. The colony comes first.”

“For now,” I added softly, surprising myself with the promise in those two words.

His eyes darkened as he turned back to the screen. “For now.”

The air between us crackled with tension as we forced our attention back to the security plans.

My skin still tingled where his hands had been moments ago, and I found myself stealing glances at his profile as he worked.

The strong line of his jaw, and the focused intensity in his eyes were distracting in the best possible way.

“What about if the pirates breach our defenses?” I asked, pulling up a new schematic on my datapad. “We need a contingency plan.”

Rune leaned back in his chair, his muscular frame shifting as he considered my words. “You’re right. We’ve designated the eastern cavern system as our emergency location, but we haven’t fully prepared it for a large-scale evacuation.”

“Show me,” I said.

He pulled up a topographical map of the colony and surrounding areas. The eastern caverns looked like a natural fortress—defensible and hidden.

“Perfect for emergency housing, but you’d need more than natural caves for two hundred colonists.” I traced the outline with my finger. “We should construct basic bunkers near the entrance. Nothing fancy, just enough to shelter everyone if we evacuate.”

Rune nodded, his eyes lighting up with admiration that made my stomach flip. “We could pre-position supplies, medical equipment, and weapons caches.”

“Exactly.” I smiled, feeling more in my element than I had in two years. “A full evacuation protocol with designated routes from each sector of the colony.”

“Operation Eclipse,” Rune said suddenly.

“What?”

“The name for our contingency plan. Operation Eclipse. A temporary darkness before the light returns.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re quite poetic, Commander?”

He smiled. “No. That would be a first.”

Two hours later, we stood in Commander Helix’s office presenting our completed plans. The sunlight shining through her windows highlighted the golden notes in her blonde hair as she scrutinized our proposal.

“Operation Eclipse,” she said, testing the name on her tongue. “The security enhancements are sound, but this evacuation protocol…” She tapped her finger against her desk. “I need to see it put into action before giving full approval.”

Rune straightened his shoulders. “We can organize a live fire drill tonight.”

I looked at him in surprise. “Tonight? That’s ambitious.”

“We need to be ready,” he replied, his voice firm. “Every day we delay is another day we’re vulnerable.”

Helix nodded. “Make it happen. I want a full report on my desk tomorrow.”

As night fell over the colony, I stood beside Rune at the edge of the training grounds, watching as he briefed the brigade. The twin moons cast silver light across the jungle clearing, illuminating the faces of forty heavily armed soldiers.

“This is not just a drill,” Rune’s deep voice carried across the assembled troops. “This is preparation for a real threat. Captain Reed will be observing your performance.”

I felt oddly proud as he mentioned my name, as if I belonged here among them. The brigade moved with precision I’d never witnessed before—not even in Earth’s elite forces. Their reaction times were extraordinary, each soldier anticipating the others’ movements with uncanny synchronicity.

“They’re incredible,” I whispered to Rune.

He nodded, pride evident in his expression. “They train together daily. Many fought together during the war.”

The exercise progressed flawlessly until a sudden shout caught my attention. One of the younger soldiers had miscalculated, sending a plasma blast ricocheting off one of the massive jungle trees.

I felt the heat before the pain—a searing flash across my left shoulder that knocked me off my feet. The world tilted as I hit the ground, my vision blurring.

“Talia!” Rune’s voice sounded distant, panicked in a way I’d never heard before.

His strong arms lifted me from the ground. The last thing I saw before the pain overtook me was Rune’s face, his blue eyes wide with fear as he shouted over his shoulder.

“Drill’s over! Everyone stand down now!”

The world swayed as he carried me through the colony, his heartbeat thundering against my ear where my head rested against his chest. Despite the burning pain in my shoulder, I felt oddly safe in his arms, wrapped in his strength and the warmth of his concern.