Page 28 of Human Reclaimed (Cyborg Planet Alpha #2)
TWENTY-EIGHT
RUNE
I stepped outside my quarters for the first time in two days, squinting slightly as Planet Alpha’s suns bathed the settlement in golden morning light.
Talia’s hand was warm in mine, her fingers laced through my own with a casual intimacy that still surprised me.
After forty-eight hours mostly confined to my bed—though hardly resting as Olivia had prescribed—the humid jungle air felt invigorating against my skin.
“You look better,” Talia said, her blue eyes assessing me with that tactical precision I’d come to admire. “Though I can’t imagine why, considering how little actual sleep you got.” Her lips curved into a knowing smile that made heat pool in my abdomen.
“You weren’t exactly enforcing the doctor’s orders,” I replied, pulling her closer as we walked down the stone pathway toward the council chamber.
The settlement hummed with morning activity around us—colonists tending the hydroponics gardens, my brigade running training drills at the perimeter under Tegan’s temporary command, and the few children laughing as they chased each other between buildings.
Everything was back to normal after the pirate threat had been neutralized two days ago.
Talia’s laugh—a sound I was hearing more frequently now—sent a rush of satisfaction through me. “I tried! You’re just… persuasive.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I recall you being equally persuasive last night when you?—”
“Commander Rune!” A young female colonist approached, carrying a basket of blue-tinged fruits. “It’s good to see you recovered, sir. The whole colony’s been talking about how you and Captain Reed saved us from those pirates.”
I felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through me at her words—pride, perhaps, but mixed with something deeper. Before Talia, I would have simply nodded and continued on my way. Instead, I found myself asking, “How’s your mother, Yasmin? Did she deliver safely?”
The girl’s face lit up. “Yes, sir! A healthy boy. She named him Orion.”
“Another child for our future,” I said, the words feeling right in my mouth. “Give her my congratulations.”
As we continued walking, Talia bumped her shoulder against mine. “Look at you, making small talk. Being all… friendly.”
I frowned slightly. “Is that unusual?”
“The Rune who kidnapped me ten days ago wouldn’t have stopped to ask about a baby.” Her expression softened. “I like seeing this more relaxed side of you.”
We approached the circular council building, its stone and salvaged metal architecture gleaming in the sunlight. My thoughts turned to the upcoming meeting.
“What do you think Helix wants to discuss?” I asked, my thumb absently tracing patterns on Talia’s hand.
She shrugged, her blonde hair shining in the light. “Probably the truce violation. Admiral Voss clearly authorized Delia’s attack in direct breach of our agreement with CyberEvolution.”
“The body cam footage should be conclusive enough,” I agreed. “She told us Voss promised her bonus pay for capturing pregnant cyborgs and hybrid babies here.”
Talia’s expression hardened. “And he paid a fortune for my capture up front. Don’t forget I was on their shopping list, too.”
I stopped walking, turning to face her. The two guards stationed at the council chamber entrance pretended not to watch us.
“That won’t happen ever again,” I said, my voice dropping to the low register that always made her pupils dilate.
“I’ll personally burn any ship that tries to take you from Planet Alpha. ”
Her eyes widened at the intensity in my tone. “Easy there, Commander. I’m not going anywhere. Remember?” She reached up, her fingers brushing my jaw. “I’ve made my choice. I’m staying with you.”
Those four words—I’m staying with you—ignited something fierce and protective inside me.
I leaned down, claiming her mouth in a kiss that was probably inappropriate for a public pathway, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
When we pulled apart, both slightly breathless, I rested my forehead against hers.
“I’ve never felt this intensely about anyone,” I admitted quietly. “It’s… disorienting.”
“Good disorienting or bad disorienting?” She smiled brightly.
“Good. Definitely good.” I straightened, suddenly aware of the curious glances from passing colonists and the two guards. “We should probably get to that meeting before Helix sends a search party.”
Talia slipped her hand into mine again as we went through the heavy doors.
The familiar smell of polished stone and the faintest hint of jungle flora filtered through the chamber’s ventilation system.
My pulse quickened—not from any physical exertion but from the simple sensation of Talia’s fingers intertwined with mine.
“Ready for this?” she asked, giving my hand a final squeeze before we needed to adopt a more professional stance.
“With you? Always.” The words fell from my lips with surprising ease.
We made our way to Helix’s office, where I rapped twice on the door before it slid open.
Inside, Helix sat behind her desk, her blonde hair pulled into a tight braid, while Aeon stood beside her with his characteristic measured stance.
The deep scars across his forearms caught the light as he extended his hand in greeting.
“Commander Rune, Captain Reed,” Helix acknowledged us with a nod. “Good to see you up and about. Olivia mentioned you were… recovering well.” The slight pause and arch of her eyebrow told me that mine and Talia’s relationship was no longer a secret.
“I heal quickly,” I said, taking a seat beside Talia at the small conference table. “Let’s get to business. I assume we’re here about the truce violation?”
Aeon nodded, his blue eyes somber. “We’ve compiled the evidence.” He activated the holographic display, bringing up the footage from my body cam during the northern ravine confrontation. “This is damning.”
The recording played, crystal clear. Delia’s voice echoed through the room: “Admiral Voss will be pleased. He paid top price for Captain Reed’s capture. Plus bonus pay for any pregnant cyborgs and hybrid babies we collect here. Release her and back away slowly.” She’d pointed at Talia.
Helix tapped a few commands, bringing up another recording—a transmission received across all our comms just before the attack.
“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 jaw tightened at hearing those words again. My hand instinctively sought Talia’s beneath the table, and the warmth of her fingers calmed the rage building inside me.
“We’re connecting with Dr. West in two minutes,” Helix announced. “Aeon will lead the briefing.”
As the connection initialized, the familiar face of Dr. Naomi West appeared on the viewscreen. Her dark hair was pulled back, and the dark circles under her eyes suggested she’d been working long hours.
“Commanders,” she greeted us, her gaze lingering on me and then Talia with undisguised curiosity. “I understand there’s been an incident?”
Aeon stepped forward. “Dr. West, two days ago, our colony was attacked by pirates working under direct orders from Admiral Voss of the CyberEvolution Reclamation Fleet.”
We played the recordings for her, watching as her expression shifted from professional neutrality to obvious shock.
“This is…” She shook her head. “This is an egregious violation of the truce. I had no knowledge of this operation.”
“Admiral Voss directly threatened our settlement and demanded we surrender Captain Reed,” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice. “We consider this an act of war.”
Dr. West’s shoulders stiffened. “I understand your anger, Commander Rune. I assure you that I will personally take this evidence to the highest levels. Admiral Voss will face military tribunal for these actions. This was not sanctioned by Earth’s governing council.”
I studied her face, searching for deception but finding what appeared to be genuine concern. Talia remained silent beside me, listening intently. I knew she had more information from her interrogation with Delia, but without hard evidence, she was playing it close.
“We expect swift action,” Helix stated firmly. “Our truce was made in good faith six months ago. We’ve upheld our end.”
“And we intend to uphold ours,” Dr. West assured us. “I’ll contact you within twenty-four hours with an update on the proceedings.”
After exchanging a few more details, the call ended. For a moment, the office remained silent.
Then I stood, squaring my shoulders as I faced Helix and Aeon.
“I’d like to propose something,” I began, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in my chest—nervousness, perhaps?
“Captain Reed has proven herself not only loyal to our colony but essential to our survival. I nominate her for the position of strategic commander, to work alongside me in the defense of Planet Alpha.”
Talia’s head snapped toward me, surprise evident in her widened eyes.
Helix and Aeon exchanged glances. “This would be unprecedented,” Helix said slowly. “A human in colony leadership.”
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures,” Aeon replied thoughtfully. “Captain Reed’s strategies saved our colonists’ lives during the attack.”
My heart pounded as I waited. The thought of Talia not only staying permanently but of building something lasting together here on Planet Alpha filled me with a potent mixture of hope and longing I’d never experienced before.
“I support the nomination,” Aeon said finally.
Helix studied Talia for a long moment before nodding. “As do I. Welcome to Planet Alpha’s leadership, Commander Reed.”
The pride that surged through me was overwhelming. I turned to Talia, not bothering to hide my smile. “Looks like you’re stuck with me now.”