Page 42 of Human Reclaimed
“I meant what I said,” I murmured, my voice soft but firm. “You’re everything to me.”
She looked at me, her eyes filled with a warmth that made my chest ache. “And you’re everything to me,” she whispered. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I want you in it somehow.”
I held her tighter, the weight of her words settling over me like a warm blanket. For the first time, I felt like I belonged with someone. And I wasn’t going to let that go. Not now, not ever.
We soon climbed out of the pool together, water cascading down our bodies in silver streams under the moonlight. I couldn’t stop watching Talia—the way her skin glistened, and how her hair clung to her shoulders in wet ropes. Something about seeing her like this, completely naked and exposed, filled my chest with a strange ache.
“We should probably get back,” I said, reluctantly reaching for my tactical pants.
Talia nodded, wringing water from her long blonde hair. “Duty calls.”
We dressed quickly, our clothes clinging uncomfortably to our damp skin, and began the trek back to the settlement. The jungle path was illuminated only by Planet Alpha’s twin moons, casting everything in a dreamlike glow. I walked close to her, our hands occasionally brushing.
“Can I ask you something?” Talia’s voice broke the comfortable silence between us.
“Anything.”
“Do you ever think about the others? The cyborgs who didn’t make it?”
The questions hit with physical force. I stopped walking, my throat suddenly tight. “Every day.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have?—”
“No,” I cut her off, gently taking her hand. “It’s okay. I just… don’t talk about it much.”
We resumed walking, but slower now. The weight of memories pressed down on my shoulders.
“I was one of the lucky ones,” I said finally. “To survive the war. To receive Benjamin’s reprogramming code before CE could deactivate us. Sometimes I wonder why I deserved to live when so many others died.”
Talia gently squeezed my hand. “Survivor’s guilt. I know it all too well.”
“It’s more than that.” I picked my way carefully through the words, still unaccustomed to expressing these deeper feelings. “They were my brothers and sisters in arms. They deserved to be here, experiencing freedom, learning to feel things beyond duty and programming. Learning to love.” I glanced at her. “I wish they could have seen what we’re building here.”
“I think they’d be proud,” Talia said. “Especially of you.”
We walked a few more steps in silence before she continued.
“I admire what you’ve endured, Rune. What all of you had to go through. You never deserved to be used as cold, calculating weapons. And I swear, if we make it through this, I’ll put an end to CyberEvolution’s crimes if it’s the last thing I do.”
The fierce loyalty in her voice made my chest tighten. I pulled her to a stop, turning her to face me.
“I appreciate that more than I can say. But maybe we should focus on surviving the next five days first.” I tucked her damp hair behind her ear. “We’ll deal with CyberEvolution when the time comes.”
She looked up at me, her blue eyes reflecting the moonlight. “Fine. Pirates first, corrupt corporations second.”
When we reached my quarters, I keyed in the access code and ushered her inside. The door had barely closed before we were reaching for each other again, peeling off the clothes we’d just put on.
After making love right there against the wall of my living room, I guided her to my bedroom. We fell into my bed together, limbs tangled and hearts racing.
Later that night, as Talia slept curled against me, her head on my chest and one arm thrown possessively across my torso, I stared up at the ceiling, thinking. Four days ago, she’d been my prisoner—a valuable tactical asset and nothing more. Now, she was my everything.
I ran my fingers through her soft hair, marveling at how quickly my world had changed. For once, I found myself imagining a future beyond duty and survival—a home, a family, things I’d never dared to want before.
As sleep finally began to claim me, I made a silent prayer to whatever forces might be listening. Let us survive this. Let me have time to build a life with her. Let me show her all the ways I’m falling in love with her.
Tomorrow would bring preparations for battle, but tonight, I held the beginning of my future in my arms.
NINETEEN
