Page 13 of Human Reclaimed
I cleared my throat, suddenly aware of how territorial I sounded. “I mean, I’ll accompany you both. A short tour of the colony and perimeter would be beneficial for Captain Reed to understand what she’s helping us protect.”
Talia looked up at me, her blue eyes assessing. The fitted white T-shirt she wore accentuated curves that my eyes kept betraying me by noticing.
“That would be nice,” she said. “Very helpful, actually.”
I caught Sage’s knowing smirk but chose to ignore it. We guided Talia outside, where the late morning sunlight filtered through the jungle canopy in scattered patterns across the stone walkways. The humid air wrapped around us like a living thing, carrying the sweet scent of wild blossoms.
Talia’s breath caught as she took in the full scope of our settlement for the first time. Her eyes widened, tracking the unexpected harmony of our structures with the wild jungle. I found myself watching her face more than the familiar sights of my home.
“This is…” she started and then shook her head in disbelief. “I expected military barracks and sterile structures, not… all this.”
“Disappointed?” I asked, unable to keep the hint of pride from my voice.
“No. Very impressed,” she admitted, surprising me with her candor. “I never imagined cyborgs would build something so… beautiful and lively.”
We walked through the central plaza where colonists—both human and cyborg—gathered around small vendors. The few small children chased each other around the circle, their laughter echoing off the stone buildings. Talia’s gaze followed them, her expression softening.
“Those children—are they…”
“One is half-human, half-cyborg—a hybrid, the other is a cyborg,” Sage explained. “The first generation born free.”
I guided them toward the council chamber, its spiraling roof catching the sunlight. “Our leadership meets here,” I explained. “Commanders Helix and Aeon make most executive decisions, though we operate with a democratic system for colony-wide issues.”
As we continued toward the marketplace and then the hydroponics dome, I noticed Talia’s analytical gaze taking in every detail. Her tactical mind was clearly at work even as she absorbed the culture shock.
“Your integration of technology with natural materials is effective,” she noted as we walked the perimeter, where security officers maintained vigilant positions. “But your eastern quadrant has blind spots. And these sensor arrays…” She pointed to one of our detection systems. “They’re angled for ground assaults, but pirates will likely come from above.”
I felt a strange warmth in my chest at her immediate engagement with our problems. She wasn’t just observing. She was already planning, already helping us.
“You’re right,” I acknowledged. “Our aerial defense network needs strengthening.”
She turned to me, studying my face with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. “Why me, Rune? Other than the fact that these pirates have somehow stolen my playbooks. There must be tacticians closer, even among your own people.”
“None with your specific expertise in countering asymmetrical and challenging threats.” It wasn’t the whole truth, but it wasn’t a lie, either.
She nodded, seeming satisfied with my response. “So, what do you do here, specifically?” she asked suddenly. “Besides kidnapping humans.”
I deserved that barb. “I train our defense brigades. And occasionally enjoy the simpler pleasures our new world offers.”
“Like what?”
The genuine curiosity in her voice caught me off guard. “I have my favorite places. Spots where Planet Alpha reveals its true beauty.”
Sage glanced at her wrist communicator and gave me a sly look. “I should get back to my station. Those security protocols won’t review themselves.”
Before she left, she leaned close to my ear. “Try not to look so obviously smitten, Commander.”
Heat crawled slowly up my neck as Talia turned to face me fully.
“So,” she said with a challenging glint in her eyes, “what is your favorite thing to do on this planet of yours?”
I took a breath, savoring this unexpected opportunity. “I could show you. A private tour to my favorite place, if you’d like to see the real Planet Alpha.”
A smile—small but genuine—curved her lips. “Lead the way, Commander.”
My heart knocked against my ribs with a force that reminded me how human I truly was now. Despite everything, despite how we’d brought her here, she was giving me a small chance to prove myself. It was more than I deserved, but I’d take it, and I’d show her she could trust me.
SEVEN
