Page 26 of Human Reclaimed
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.”
