Page 48 of Human Reclaimed
“Rune?” she murmured sleepily.
“I’m here,” I whispered, pressing my lips to her forehead.
I tightened my arms around her as if I could somehow keep her safe through sheer force of will. Tomorrow would bring what it would bring, but tonight, in this moment, she was mine to hold.
“I’ve got you,” I promised, the words a prayer against her skin.
As she drifted back to sleep, I found myself doing something I hadn’t done much of since I was reprogrammed. I prayed. Not to any specific deity but to whatever forces might be listening in this vast universe. I prayed for strength. For victory. For one more day, for one more night, for a lifetime with this extraordinary woman in my arms.
TWENTY-ONE
TALIA
The stars still dotted the sky when Rune gently shook me awake. I blinked, momentarily disoriented until his face came into focus above me, his auburn hair catching the first hint of dawn filtering through his bedroom window. In the dim light, his blue eyes held a fierce intensity that told me everything I needed to know.
“They’re close,” I whispered, already reaching for my clothes.
He nodded, his jaw tight. “Tegan sent an alert. The drone picked up their signatures entering our outer sensor grid.”
I yanked on my tactical pants and laced my boots with practiced efficiency while Rune checked his communicator. The routine felt so familiar—countless pre-mission mornings during my army days—yet entirely different. This wasn’t just another mission. This was about protecting a home I’d never asked for but had somehow come to care about.
We swept through the silent pathways of the colony, the jungle’s morning symphony beginning around us. The massive trees loomed overhead, their canopy blocking most of the faint pre-dawn light. The air smelled rich and earthy, heavy with moisture—so unlike the sterile scent of Buffalo’s veterans’ facility, where I’d been just a week ago.
“Strange time to feel nostalgic,” I murmured.
Rune’s hand brushed mine. “Second thoughts?”
I shook my head. “Not about helping. Just remembering where I was before all this.”
“Before I kidnapped you.” His voice held a touch of rueful humor.
“Before you gave me purpose again,” I corrected.
The security center hummed with activity when we arrived. Tegan hovered over his console, his fingers flying frantically across holographic displays while Sage monitored satellite feeds at her workstation. Both wore grim expressions that tightened the knot in my stomach.
“Full report,” Rune demanded, instantly commanding the room.
Tegan’s green eyes flicked up. “Three capital ships, at least three smaller vessels. Approach vector confirms they’re aiming directly for the colony. No attempts at stealth. They’re coming in hot.”
Sage pulled up a three-dimensional hologram of the approaching fleet. “Atmospheric entry in approximately seventy-three minutes.”
I studied the fleet’s formation, my mind automatically calculating angles and vulnerabilities. “They’re spreading wide—classic pincer formation. They’ll try to flank us from both sides.”
“Just as we predicted,” Rune said, his shoulder brushing mine as he leaned forward.
“Send the drone for another sweep,” I instructed. “I want visual confirmation of their loadouts.”
Tegan launched the drone with a flick of his wrist across the control panel. Within moments, magnified images of the lead ships appeared on screen. The largest vessel bristled with weapons that made my blood run cold—pulse cannons, missile arrays, and what looked suspiciously like biological containment units.
“They’re definitely here for captures, not just kills,” I said quietly.
Rune’s communicator chimed. He answered with a swift tap. “Status?”
Aeon’s deep voice filled the room. “Bunker preparations complete. Awaiting your signal.”
“Give the evacuation order now,” Rune replied, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Silent protocol. I want every noncombatant colonist underground before those ships break through the atmosphere.”
As dawn broke over the jungle, bathing the colony in golden-violet light, I watched the evacuation begin on the security feeds. Families moved with quiet efficiency toward the eastern cavern system, guided by Aeon and Olivia’s medical team. The few small children clutched stuffed animals and comfort items while parents carried essentials. The elderly were assisted by younger adults. Despite the fear evident in their expressions, there was no panic—just determined resolve.
