Page 50 of Human Reclaimed
“They’re pressing forward,” Sage reported from her station. “Calculating new approach vector.”
My comm unit suddenly crackled with a new signal—not on our encrypted channel. A cold voice filled my helmet.
“This is Admiral Voss of the CyberEvolution Reclamation Fleet. We demand the immediate surrender of Captain Talia Reed. She is to be delivered to the northern ravine within thirty minutes, or we will reduce your settlement to ash.”
My blood turned to ice. CyberEvolution. They’d tracked me here after all.
“I knew they were tracking me,” I hissed, ripping off my helmet.
Rune’s expression darkened, fury radiating from him in waves. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re not going anywhere.”
“If they’re here for me, maybe I should?—”
“No.” The word was like stone, absolute. Rune stepped closer, his massive frame blocking my view of the sky. “I will die before I let them take you.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of!” My voice cracked. “I’m not worth this. I’m not worth you dying for.”
His hands grabbed my shoulders, heat radiating through the tactical armor. “You are worth everything to me,” he said with fierce conviction. “Everything.”
The determination in his eyes told me arguing was pointless. This man—this proud, stubborn warrior—would walk through fire for me. The realization both terrified and exhilarated me.
Sage’s voice cut through our moment. “Commander, they’re requesting confirmation. The ravine exchange in twenty-nine minutes.”
A slow smile spread across Rune’s face—predatory and calculating. “The ravine. Where Talia set the explosive vine maze for the northern quadrant.”
I saw his mind working, processing the opportunity that had just fallen into our laps. The pirates had inadvertently chosen the exact location where we’d prepared our most elaborate trap.
“Sage,” Rune said, “acknowledge their demand. Tell them we need time to transport our… human captive.”
“You’re not seriously going to pretend to hand me over?” I asked.
His eyes gleamed with dangerous intelligence. “I’m going to make them think I am. While they prepare to receive you, our teams will move into position around the ravine.”
My mind raced ahead, seeing the strategy unfold. “We could trap their ground forces in the maze and then pick off the ships with the colony’s defense guns.”
“Exactly.” He put his forehead to mine, our helmets discarded between us. “Trust me, Talia. I meant what I said. I will die before I let them take you, but I much prefer the option where we both live, and they regret ever coming here.”
My heart thundered, part fear, part something far more dangerous—hope. For the first time since Travis and Meredith died, I allowed myself to feel it fully.
“I trust you,” I whispered. “But, Rune…” I gripped the front of his armor. “Don’t you dare die on me. I just found you.”
His lips captured mine in a fierce kiss. “I’m not dying today.”
TWENTY-TWO
RUNE
I tapped my body cam to ensure it was recording, making sure to capture every moment of this “exchange.” The jungle floor cushioned my footsteps as I led our small contingent toward the northern ravine. The morning light broke through the dense jungle canopy, casting shifting shadows across the path ahead.
Talia walked beside me without her helmet on, her hands bound loosely in front—a convincing prop for our performance. Despite the restraints, she moved with the fluid grace I’d come to admire, with her blonde hair pulled back in a tight braid and her blue eyes alert and calculating.
“Remember,” I whispered, “when I give the signal, drop to the ground. The explosive vines will detonate fifteen seconds after I activate them.”
She tilted her head toward mine. “And you’ll be where, exactly?”
“Close enough to protect you but far enough to draw their fire.”
“That’s not an answer, Rune.”
