Page 5 of Human Reclaimed
“When Reed was heading tactical operations for the Eastern Joint Command,” Tegan finished. “Her fingerprints are all over these methods—not because she’s working with them but because they’re copying her playbooks.”
I nodded, feeling a strange mix of admiration and unease. “She understands these strategies better than anyone. If we want to protect our pregnant women and our children…” I trailed off, thinking of Helix cradling little Helena, one of the first cyborg-born children on Planet Alpha.
“Was there really no other way?” The question escaped before I could contain it. “Taking her like this—it mirrors what they did to us during the war. Treating others like resources to be harvested.”
Sage’s blue eyes softened. “We tried diplomatic channels. Three formal requests for strategic consultation, all denied.”
“We’re not CyberEvolution,” Tegan said firmly. “This isn’t about experimenting or control. We’re fighting for survival.”
I closed the display, the blue light vanishing. “She deserves to be treated with dignity. Not as a weapon we’ve acquired but as a person whose expertise we desperately need.” My voice dropped lower. “A remarkable person.”
Sage’s knowing smile made heat flood my face.
“Remarkable, hmm?” she teased. “I thought you said she was just a strategic asset.”
“She is,” I answered too quickly. “But also something more.”
“Care to elaborate on ‘something more’?” Tegan’s eyebrows arched.
I turned toward the viewport, watching as we accelerated into the jump sequence. Stars stretched into luminous streaks around us.
“When I was carrying her to the ship,” I said slowly, choosing each word with care, “something felt… different. Not about taking her against her will. That felt wrong. But about her. About her being with us.”
The admission hung in the air between us.
“So, our fearless training commander has a heart after all.” Sage grinned, but her tone was gentle.
“We all do,” I replied quietly. “That’s what separates us now from what they tried to make us back then.”
Suddenly, the comm system activated with a melodic chime. The display flickered to life, revealing Aeon’s imposing frame beside Olivia’s smaller one. They sat shoulder to shoulder in the medical bay, its pristine white surfaces gleaming behind them.
“Alpha Team Sigma, do we have confirmation on successful extraction?” Aeon’s deep voice filled our cockpit.
I leaned forward in my seat, acutely aware of Talia’s unconscious presence just a few compartments away. “Confirmed. Target secured without complications. We have already informed Commander Helix. Also, Captain Reed is…” My voice faltered unexpectedly. I cleared my throat. “She’s resting comfortably.”
Olivia’s green eyes narrowed slightly, catching something in my tone. “Expected arrival time?”
“Six hours if we push hard through the atmosphere,” I replied, running calculations in my head. “We’ll need the medical bay prepped for her awakening.”
My fingers tightened on the armrest. The thought of Talia waking disoriented and afraid stirred something primitive in my chest—a fierce need to shield her from unnecessary distress. Not just because she was our strategic asset against the pirates, but because… because I couldn’t bear the thought of fear in those fierce blue eyes.
“I want her recovery room prepared with special considerations,” I continued, ignoring Sage’s knowing sidelong glance. “Nothing that suggests confinement.”
Aeon tilted his head. “Special considerations?”
“She shouldn’t feel like a prisoner,” I insisted. “She needs to be treated as an equal, a colleague with a shared purpose.”
Olivia’s expression softened with understanding. “I remember how terrifying it was waking up on a strange planet against my will.” She tucked her brown hair behind her ear. “The disorientation alone is traumatic.”
“Exactly.” My relief at her understanding was immediate. “She should have a space that offers dignity. Privacy. Comfort.”
“And a view of the beautiful colony,” Olivia added. “Seeing our settlement helped me realize this wasn’t some military base. It humanized everything.”
I nodded. “The east recovery suite has those floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the central plaza.”
“We’ll have it ready,” Aeon promised. “And, Rune?—”
“Yes?”
