Page 46 of Human Reclaimed
Her blue eyes widened slightly. “We agreed to focus on the mission. The pirates?—”
“I know what we agreed to.” My voice came out rough. “But what if tomorrow is all we have? What if?—”
She pressed her fingers to my lips. “Don’t say it.”
I pulled her against me, burying my face in her hair. “I can’t lose you, Talia. Not when I’ve just found you.”
“You won’t lose me.” Her arms wrapped around my waist, her head resting against my chest. “I’m too stubborn to die. You know that.”
“Promise me you’ll follow the evacuation plan if things go south.” My hands framed her face, tilting it up to look at me. “No heroics.”
She smirked. “Says the man who once charged into enemy fire to save a whole squadron of cyborgs he didn’t even know.”
“That was different.”
“Was it?” Her fingers came up to trace the small scar on my jaw. “We’re the same, you and me, warriors who’ll do whatever it takes to protect our people.”
I leaned down to kiss her, softly at first and then with mounting urgency. Her body melded against mine, warm and solid and real. When we broke apart, I kept her close.
“Please stay,” I whispered. “Not for tactics or planning. Just stay for me.”
She nodded, her fingers intertwining with mine. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Later, as moonlight spilled across my bed, I held her sleeping form against me. Her golden hair splayed across my arm, her breathing deep and even. I memorized every detail—the slight furrow between her brows, even in sleep, the curve of her shoulder, and the weight of her arm draped across my chest.
Destruction might occur in two days’ time. The pirates were coming for us, and our colony—my home—faced its greatest threat yet. But at this moment, with Talia warm and safe in my arms, I allowed myself to imagine a beautiful future beyond the coming battle—a future with her here, safe and happy.
I woke before dawn, Talia’s warmth still lingering on my skin as I slipped from my bed. The weight in my chest had grown heavier overnight. One day. We had just one day to prepare for what was coming.
While she showered, I found myself staring at the defense grid schematics, willing them to reveal any weaknesses we’d missed. My fingers traced the perimeter lines, following the layered defenses Talia had designed with such elegant precision.
“Second-guessing me already?” Her voice carried a teasing note as she emerged, her hair damp and gleaming.
“Never.” I handed her a mug of synthesized coffee. “But four days becoming one doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.”
She took a long sip, her eyes never leaving mine. “We’ve done everything we can do. The acceleration just means they’re desperate.”
“Or they know you’re here and don’t want to give you any more time to help us build up our defenses.”
The morning suns shone brightly as we quickly made our way to the security center. Several colonists hurried past us, carrying supplies toward the cavern bunkers. The entire settlement vibrated with purposeful tension.
Once inside the security center, we found Tegan hunched over his console, his eyes narrowed at the satellite feeds. Sage stood nearby, her blonde ponytail bobbing as she gestured emphatically at something on the screen.
“They’re definitely approaching from the northwest quadrant,” Tegan announced without looking up. “Atmospheric readings confirm at least three capital ships.”
Talia moved to his side. “Show me their formation.”
I watched her study the data, her mind calculating possibilities faster than most battle computers. The way her brow furrowed slightly when she concentrated sent a wave of tenderness through me.
“Let’s call in the brigade,” I said. “Final briefing in five.”
As they gathered, I surveyed the faces of my brigade. These were my people—cyborgs who’d fought alongside me in different battles, and humans who’d joined our colony seeking refuge or purpose. All of them looked at me and now, remarkably, at Talia.
“The fallback sequence needs another rehearsal,” Talia stated, pulling up a three-dimensional map of the jungle maze. “The timing between phases one and two was still off by twelve seconds in yesterday’s drill.”
“That’s the difference between life and death,” I added, my voice rising. “Every trigger point, every escape route has to be perfect.”
For three hours, we drilled them relentlessly. Talia moved among the teams with calm authority, correcting positions and suggesting adjustments. I caught Sage watching her with something like admiration.
