Page 21 of Human Reclaimed (Cyborg Planet Alpha #2)

TWENTY-ONE

TALIA

The stars still dotted the sky when Rune gently shook me awake.

I blinked, momentarily disoriented until his face came into focus above me, his auburn hair catching the first hint of dawn filtering through his bedroom window.

In the dim light, his blue eyes held a fierce intensity that told me everything I needed to know.

“They’re close,” I whispered, already reaching for my clothes.

He nodded, his jaw tight. “Tegan sent an alert. The drone picked up their signatures entering our outer sensor grid.”

I yanked on my tactical pants and laced my boots with practiced efficiency while Rune checked his communicator.

The routine felt so familiar—countless pre-mission mornings during my army days—yet entirely different.

This wasn’t just another mission. This was about protecting a home I’d never asked for but had somehow come to care about.

We swept through the silent pathways of the colony, the jungle’s morning symphony beginning around us.

The massive trees loomed overhead, their canopy blocking most of the faint pre-dawn light.

The air smelled rich and earthy, heavy with moisture—so unlike the sterile scent of Buffalo’s veterans’ facility, where I’d been just a week ago.

“Strange time to feel nostalgic,” I murmured.

Rune’s hand brushed mine. “Second thoughts?”

I shook my head. “Not about helping. Just remembering where I was before all this.”

“Before I kidnapped you.” His voice held a touch of rueful humor.

“Before you gave me purpose again,” I corrected.

The security center hummed with activity when we arrived. Tegan hovered over his console, his fingers flying frantically across holographic displays while Sage monitored satellite feeds at her workstation. Both wore grim expressions that tightened the knot in my stomach.

“Full report,” Rune demanded, instantly commanding the room.

Tegan’s green eyes flicked up. “Three capital ships, at least three smaller vessels. Approach vector confirms they’re aiming directly for the colony. No attempts at stealth. They’re coming in hot.”

Sage pulled up a three-dimensional hologram of the approaching fleet. “Atmospheric entry in approximately seventy-three minutes.”

I studied the fleet’s formation, my mind automatically calculating angles and vulnerabilities. “They’re spreading wide—classic pincer formation. They’ll try to flank us from both sides.”

“Just as we predicted,” Rune said, his shoulder brushing mine as he leaned forward.

“Send the drone for another sweep,” I instructed. “I want visual confirmation of their loadouts.”

Tegan launched the drone with a flick of his wrist across the control panel.

Within moments, magnified images of the lead ships appeared on screen.

The largest vessel bristled with weapons that made my blood run cold—pulse cannons, missile arrays, and what looked suspiciously like biological containment units.

“They’re definitely here for captures, not just kills,” I said quietly.

Rune’s communicator chimed. He answered with a swift tap. “Status?”

Aeon’s deep voice filled the room. “Bunker preparations complete. Awaiting your signal.”

“Give the evacuation order now,” Rune replied, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Silent protocol. I want every noncombatant colonist underground before those ships break through the atmosphere.”

As dawn broke over the jungle, bathing the colony in golden-violet light, I watched the evacuation begin on the security feeds.

Families moved with quiet efficiency toward the eastern cavern system, guided by Aeon and Olivia’s medical team.

The few small children clutched stuffed animals and comfort items while parents carried essentials.

The elderly were assisted by younger adults.

Despite the fear evident in their expressions, there was no panic—just determined resolve.

My chest tightened. This wasn’t just some military installation. It was a community. People with lives and dreams and futures. Just like Travis and Meredith.

“They’ll be safe,” Rune said softly, reading my expression. “The bunkers are reinforced and deep enough that even if the entire colony burns to the ground, they’ll survive.”

I turned to face him fully. “It’s not going to burn. Not while I’m here and alive.”

His lips curved into that half-smile that never failed to make my heart skip. “That’s my warrior.”

We moved to the armory adjacent to the security center, where brigade members were already gearing up.

Tactical armor pieces clicked into place as I pulled on my reinforced chest plate—a lightweight composite that felt more advanced than anything I’d worn in the army.

The helmet integrated a heads-up display that linked directly to the colony’s security grid.

As I adjusted my gauntlets, memories flooded back—Travis checking my equipment before our mountain mission, his usual joke about my “tiny arms” in the bulky army gear, Meredith triple-checking our comms. The weight of those ghosts pressed down on me, threatening to crush my resolve.

“I can’t lose anyone else,” I whispered, not meaning to speak aloud.

Rune paused in fastening his armor, his eyes finding mine. “Talia.”

“The mountain mission… I led them straight into an ambush. I gave the order that got them killed.”

He crossed to me in two strides, his hands gripping my shoulders. “This is different. We’re fully prepared. We have contingencies for our contingencies.”

“But what if?—”

“Look at me.” His voice dropped, becoming that intimate rumble that belonged only to our private moments. “You are the most brilliant tactician I’ve ever known. These people trust you. I trust you.” His forehead touched mine. “And I won’t let you face this alone.”

I drew strength from his closeness and from the steady rhythm of his breathing. “I can’t lose you.”

His hands tightened on my shoulders. “You won’t. I have far too many plans for us after this is over.”

“Plans?” Despite everything, I felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. “That sounds suspiciously like optimism.”

“I’m learning.” He brushed his lips against mine, quickly but fiercely. “From you.”

The moment broke as Tegan’s voice came through our communicators. “Forty-five minutes to contact. All units to defensive positions.”

I pulled back, straightening my shoulders. The weight of responsibility settled over me like my tactical gear—heavy but familiar. I could carry this. I would carry this.

“Let’s go make these pirates regret ever hearing about Planet Alpha,” I said.

Rune’s answering smile was pure predator. “That’s my fierce woman.”

Forty-five minutes later, from our command post at the edge of the settlement, we watched the approaching vessels break through the clouds.

Their hulls gleamed dully in the morning light, their weapons bristling like teeth against the purple-gold sky.

My heart hammered wildly, but my hands remained steady as I tapped the activation sequence into my tactical pad.

“Eclipse Phase I is live,” I announced over the comm. “All units confirm positions.”

A chorus of affirmatives flooded the channel as I locked eyes with Rune. His piercing blue gaze held mine, fierce determination etched into every line of his face.

“They’ve reached the outer marker,” Tegan’s voice crackled through our helmets. “Three minutes to mine range.”

I held my breath, watching the smaller vessels push ahead of the capital ships—scout vessels, eager to secure a landing zone. Exactly as I’d predicted.

“And… now,” I whispered.

The jungle erupted. The perimeter mines detonated in a synchronized pattern, creating a wall of fire that engulfed the smaller vessels. The explosions lit up the morning sky, sending debris spiraling in all directions as the scout ships disintegrated.

A cheer went up from our defense team. Rune’s hand found mine and squeezed.

“First blood to us,” he said, a smile briefly lighting his features.

But the victory was short-lived. The capital ships slowed but didn’t retreat, regrouping into a tight formation that screamed offensive maneuver.

“They’re pressing forward,” Sage reported from her station. “Calculating new approach vector.”

My comm unit suddenly crackled with a new signal—not on our encrypted channel. A cold voice filled my helmet.

“This is Admiral Voss of the CyberEvolution Reclamation Fleet. We demand the immediate surrender of Captain Talia Reed. She is to be delivered to the northern ravine within thirty minutes, or we will reduce your settlement to ash.”

My blood turned to ice. CyberEvolution. They’d tracked me here after all.

“I knew they were tracking me,” I hissed, ripping off my helmet.

Rune’s expression darkened, fury radiating from him in waves. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re not going anywhere.”

“If they’re here for me, maybe I should?—”

“No.” The word was like stone, absolute. Rune stepped closer, his massive frame blocking my view of the sky. “I will die before I let them take you.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of!” My voice cracked. “I’m not worth this. I’m not worth you dying for.”

His hands grabbed my shoulders, heat radiating through the tactical armor. “You are worth everything to me,” he said with fierce conviction. “Everything.”

The determination in his eyes told me arguing was pointless. This man—this proud, stubborn warrior—would walk through fire for me. The realization both terrified and exhilarated me.

Sage’s voice cut through our moment. “Commander, they’re requesting confirmation. The ravine exchange in twenty-nine minutes.”

A slow smile spread across Rune’s face—predatory and calculating. “The ravine. Where Talia set the explosive vine maze for the northern quadrant.”

I saw his mind working, processing the opportunity that had just fallen into our laps. The pirates had inadvertently chosen the exact location where we’d prepared our most elaborate trap.

“Sage,” Rune said, “acknowledge their demand. Tell them we need time to transport our… human captive.”

“You’re not seriously going to pretend to hand me over?” I asked.

His eyes gleamed with dangerous intelligence. “I’m going to make them think I am. While they prepare to receive you, our teams will move into position around the ravine.”

My mind raced ahead, seeing the strategy unfold. “We could trap their ground forces in the maze and then pick off the ships with the colony’s defense guns.”

“Exactly.” He put his forehead to mine, our helmets discarded between us. “Trust me, Talia. I meant what I said. I will die before I let them take you, but I much prefer the option where we both live, and they regret ever coming here.”

My heart thundered, part fear, part something far more dangerous—hope. For the first time since Travis and Meredith died, I allowed myself to feel it fully.

“I trust you,” I whispered. “But, Rune…” I gripped the front of his armor. “Don’t you dare die on me. I just found you.”

His lips captured mine in a fierce kiss. “I’m not dying today.”