Page 49 of Human Reclaimed
My chest tightened. This wasn’t just some military installation. It was a community. People with lives and dreams and futures. Just like Travis and Meredith.
“They’ll be safe,” Rune said softly, reading my expression. “The bunkers are reinforced and deep enough that even if the entire colony burns to the ground, they’ll survive.”
I turned to face him fully. “It’s not going to burn. Not while I’m here and alive.”
His lips curved into that half-smile that never failed to make my heart skip. “That’s my warrior.”
We moved to the armory adjacent to the security center, where brigade members were already gearing up. Tactical armor pieces clicked into place as I pulled on my reinforced chest plate—a lightweight composite that felt more advanced than anything I’d worn in the army. The helmet integrated a heads-up display that linked directly to the colony’s security grid.
As I adjusted my gauntlets, memories flooded back—Travis checking my equipment before our mountain mission, his usual joke about my “tiny arms” in the bulky army gear, Meredith triple-checking our comms. The weight of those ghosts pressed down on me, threatening to crush my resolve.
“I can’t lose anyone else,” I whispered, not meaning to speak aloud.
Rune paused in fastening his armor, his eyes finding mine. “Talia.”
“The mountain mission… I led them straight into an ambush. I gave the order that got them killed.”
He crossed to me in two strides, his hands gripping my shoulders. “This is different. We’re fully prepared. We have contingencies for our contingencies.”
“But what if?—”
“Look at me.” His voice dropped, becoming that intimate rumble that belonged only to our private moments. “You are the most brilliant tactician I’ve ever known. These people trust you. I trust you.” His forehead touched mine. “And I won’t let you face this alone.”
I drew strength from his closeness and from the steady rhythm of his breathing. “I can’t lose you.”
His hands tightened on my shoulders. “You won’t. I have far too many plans for us after this is over.”
“Plans?” Despite everything, I felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. “That sounds suspiciously like optimism.”
“I’m learning.” He brushed his lips against mine, quickly but fiercely. “From you.”
The moment broke as Tegan’s voice came through our communicators. “Forty-five minutes to contact. All units to defensive positions.”
I pulled back, straightening my shoulders. The weight of responsibility settled over me like my tactical gear—heavy but familiar. I could carry this. I would carry this.
“Let’s go make these pirates regret ever hearing about Planet Alpha,” I said.
Rune’s answering smile was pure predator. “That’s my fierce woman.”
Forty-five minutes later, from our command post at the edge of the settlement, we watched the approaching vessels break through the clouds. Their hulls gleamed dully in the morning light, their weapons bristling like teeth against the purple-gold sky. My heart hammered wildly, but my hands remained steady as I tapped the activation sequence into my tactical pad.
“Eclipse Phase I is live,” I announced over the comm. “All units confirm positions.”
A chorus of affirmatives flooded the channel as I locked eyes with Rune. His piercing blue gaze held mine, fierce determination etched into every line of his face.
“They’ve reached the outer marker,” Tegan’s voice crackled through our helmets. “Three minutes to mine range.”
I held my breath, watching the smaller vessels push ahead of the capital ships—scout vessels, eager to secure a landing zone. Exactly as I’d predicted.
“And… now,” I whispered.
The jungle erupted. The perimeter mines detonated in a synchronized pattern, creating a wall of fire that engulfed the smaller vessels. The explosions lit up the morning sky, sending debris spiraling in all directions as the scout ships disintegrated.
A cheer went up from our defense team. Rune’s hand found mine and squeezed.
“First blood to us,” he said, a smile briefly lighting his features.
But the victory was short-lived. The capital ships slowed but didn’t retreat, regrouping into a tight formation that screamed offensive maneuver.
