Page 64 of Human Reclaimed
“Good disorienting or bad disorienting?” She smiled brightly.
“Good. Definitely good.” I straightened, suddenly aware of the curious glances from passing colonists and the two guards. “We should probably get to that meeting before Helix sends a search party.”
Talia slipped her hand into mine again as we went through the heavy doors. The familiar smell of polished stone and the faintest hint of jungle flora filtered through the chamber’s ventilation system. My pulse quickened—not from any physical exertion but from the simple sensation of Talia’s fingers intertwined with mine.
“Ready for this?” she asked, giving my hand a final squeeze before we needed to adopt a more professional stance.
“With you? Always.” The words fell from my lips with surprising ease.
We made our way to Helix’s office, where I rapped twice on the door before it slid open. Inside, Helix sat behind her desk, her blonde hair pulled into a tight braid, while Aeon stood beside her with his characteristic measured stance. The deep scars across his forearms caught the light as he extended his hand in greeting.
“Commander Rune, Captain Reed,” Helix acknowledged us with a nod. “Good to see you up and about. Olivia mentioned you were… recovering well.” The slight pause and arch of her eyebrow told me that mine and Talia’s relationship was no longer a secret.
“I heal quickly,” I said, taking a seat beside Talia at the small conference table. “Let’s get to business. I assume we’re here about the truce violation?”
Aeon nodded, his blue eyes somber. “We’ve compiled the evidence.” He activated the holographic display, bringing up the footage from my body cam during the northern ravine confrontation. “This is damning.”
The recording played, crystal clear. Delia’s voice echoed through the room: “Admiral Voss will be pleased. He paid top price for Captain Reed’s capture. Plus bonus pay for any pregnant cyborgs and hybrid babies we collect here. Release her and back away slowly.” She’d pointed at Talia.
Helix tapped a few commands, bringing up another recording—a transmission received across all our comms just before the attack.
“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 jaw tightened at hearing those words again. My hand instinctively sought Talia’s beneath the table, and the warmth of her fingers calmed the rage building inside me.
“We’re connecting with Dr. West in two minutes,” Helix announced. “Aeon will lead the briefing.”
As the connection initialized, the familiar face of Dr. Naomi West appeared on the viewscreen. Her dark hair was pulled back, and the dark circles under her eyes suggested she’d been working long hours.
“Commanders,” she greeted us, her gaze lingering on me and then Talia with undisguised curiosity. “I understand there’s been an incident?”
Aeon stepped forward. “Dr. West, two days ago, our colony was attacked by pirates working under direct orders from Admiral Voss of the CyberEvolution Reclamation Fleet.”
We played the recordings for her, watching as her expression shifted from professional neutrality to obvious shock.
“This is…” She shook her head. “This is an egregious violation of the truce. I had no knowledge of this operation.”
“Admiral Voss directly threatened our settlement and demanded we surrender Captain Reed,” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice. “We consider this an act of war.”
Dr. West’s shoulders stiffened. “I understand your anger, Commander Rune. I assure you that I will personally take this evidence to the highest levels. Admiral Voss will face military tribunal for these actions. This was not sanctioned by Earth’s governing council.”
I studied her face, searching for deception but finding what appeared to be genuine concern. Talia remained silent beside me, listening intently. I knew she had more information from her interrogation with Delia, but without hard evidence, she was playing it close.
“We expect swift action,” Helix stated firmly. “Our truce was made in good faith six months ago. We’ve upheld our end.”
“And we intend to uphold ours,” Dr. West assured us. “I’ll contact you within twenty-four hours with an update on the proceedings.”
After exchanging a few more details, the call ended. For a moment, the office remained silent.
Then I stood, squaring my shoulders as I faced Helix and Aeon.
“I’d like to propose something,” I began, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in my chest—nervousness, perhaps? “Captain Reed has proven herself not only loyal to our colony but essential to our survival. I nominate her for the position of strategic commander, to work alongside me in the defense of Planet Alpha.”
Talia’s head snapped toward me, surprise evident in her widened eyes.
Helix and Aeon exchanged glances. “This would be unprecedented,” Helix said slowly. “A human in colony leadership.”
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures,” Aeon replied thoughtfully. “Captain Reed’s strategies saved our colonists’ lives during the attack.”
