Page 28 of Koha'vek
Late sunlight poured over the ridgeline, bathing the cabin porch in warmth. I sat outside, sharpening a blade more out of habit than need, but the rhythm helped settle the thoughts that wouldn’t leave me alone.
The com link that Raven gave me sat on the table, blinking softly and steadily—an open channel connected to the colony.
Connected tohim. I still remember feeling betrayed when he disappeared without a word. Then, that despicable Gar’hako took over command.
I stared at it longer than I’d like to admit. I might have left with him, had I known.
I hadn’t spoken to him in years, not since we both served on the Earth garrison in Northern Montana before things fell apart. Right after the abductions, human trafficking started happening right under our noses.
Back then, Veklan was a leader—proud, disciplined, always toeing the line. I was the one always looking to the past, to ancient Mesaarkan codes of honor and restraint. We clashed more than once over enforcement procedures. He believed in order, and I believed inintegrity.
Then one day he disappeared.
Vanished from the base without a word.
I thought he’d died—or been caught. I understood, even if I hadn’t forgiven him for leaving without telling me.
But now I knew the truth.
He hadn’t abandoned our people.
He’d chosen a different kind of loyalty.
Just like I had.
I picked up the com link and turned it over in my palm. Raven thought we should talk, coordinate, and maybe even support each other.
I wasn’t sure if Veklan would even take the call.
But I was more tired of silence than I was afraid of rejection.
I tapped the transmission line.
“Koha’vek here.”
The connection remained silent, just long enoughto make me second-guess myself.
Then: “Veklan.” His voice was still deep, calm, and almost weary.
“I wasn’t sure you’d answer,” I admitted.
“I wasn’t sure you’d call.”
That felt fair.
“Blackwood says the Council is deliberating,” he added after a moment.
“He told me the same.”
“You think they’ll grant it?” he asked.
I leaned back against the cabin post and looked out at the woods. “I think it’s easier for them to say no. But I think Raven’s trying to give them a reason to say yes.”
Veklan gave a quiet grunt. “He’s different. Not just for a cyborg. For a soldier.”
“Because he sees the bigger picture. The cyborgs’ mission changed after the signing of the peace treaty. They came back to rebuild and protect civil society. I’ve learned that some of their kind are a bigger threat to that than we are.”
“Yes. It was humans who kidnapped his mate. Your help in getting her back didn’t hurt our cause.”
