Page 7 of Human Reclaimed
I pressed my forehead against the glass, trying to organize my thoughts. Different planet. Locked room. Abducted by cyborgs.
“But why me?” I whispered, watching two small children—human and cyborg—play with each other in the plaza. “What could they possibly want with a discharged army strategist turned volunteer for veterans?”
The puzzle pieces refused to fit together. Whatever was happening here—this peaceful coexistence—contradicted everything Earth had told us about cyborgs. Which meant someone had lied. And given my discoveries about CyberEvolution before my discharge, I had a sinking feeling about which side that might be.
I backed away from the windows, a new determination hardening inside me. Someone had gone to considerable trouble to bring me here. Soon enough, they’d come to tell me why. And when they did, Captain Talia Reed would be ready with a fierce determination for answers.
I turned and began a systematic search of the room, my bare feet silent on the polished floor. Years of army training had taught me to evaluate any space for tactical advantages. This place—whatever it was—looked more like a medical recovery room than anything else. I might find something useful in here, maybe something I could use as a weapon.
The door was solid and clearly locked from the outside. The windows were seamless and, upon closer inspection, made of something far stronger than glass. I tapped it with my knuckle, hearing the dense thunk that suggested bulletproof or similar material.
“Standard protection protocols,” I muttered, running my fingers along the window frame. “They know what they’re doing.”
I checked under the bed, inside the small adjoining bathroom, and behind the minimalist artwork on the walls. Nothing useful yet—until my eyes caught an unusual glint in the far corner of the room, half-hidden beneath the edge of a sleek cabinet.
Dropping to my knees, I reached under and extracted a small medical scalpel. About three inches long with a wickedly sharp blade, I knew that kind of tool would never be intentionally left in a prisoner’s room.
“Well, hello there,” I whispered, carefully testing its edge with my thumb. “Someone made a mistake.”
I quickly tucked the scalpel into the pocket of my tactical pants just as I heard the electronic beep of the door lock disengaging. In one fluid motion, I was back on my feet, positioning myself against the wall with a clear view of both entrance and windows.
The door swung open to reveal a woman with warm green eyes and shoulder-length brown wavy hair. She was petite but moved with a confident grace that spoke of someone comfortable in her own skin. In her hands, she balanced a tray carrying several bowls of what appeared to be food—strange-looking fruits in vibrant purples and blues alongside something steaming that smelled impossibly delicious.
“Good morning,” she said with a smile that reached her eyes. “I’m Olivia. I brought you some breakfast.”
I remained against the wall, watchful of her movements. “Where am I? And why am I here?”
Olivia set the tray down on the small table and gestured toward it. “You should really eat something first. The sedative they used to bring you here can leave you nauseated and weak. Trust me. I know the feeling.”
That caught my attention immediately. “You know the feeling? So you’re a prisoner, too?”
A complicated expression crossed her face—something between amusement and remembrance. “No. Look, I understand what you’re going through. The shock, the anger, and the desperate need to make sense of everything.”
My fingers brushed against the hidden scalpel in my pocket for reassurance. “So you were kidnapped, too? From Earth?”
“You should really eat.” She pushed the tray closer to me. “The blue fruit? It tastes like a cross between a mango and blueberries. The protein portion will help clear your head.”
I took a tentative step forward, my hunger suddenly making itself known. “If you understand what I’m going through, give me answers. Why am I here? What is this place?”
“Rune will be here shortly to brief you on all the details regarding the mission.” Olivia adjusted something on my breakfast tray, not quite meeting my eyes.
“Mission?” I barked out a harsh laugh. “What mission? I didn’t sign up for anything.”
Olivia glanced at the sleek device on her wrist—something like a watch but clearly more advanced. “I’m sorry. I really need to get to another patient. The medical bay has been busy today.”
“Patient? So you’re a doctor?” The pieces began shifting in my mind. “Is that why I’m in here? Am I sick? Injured?”
“You’re perfectly healthy, just recovering from transport.” She moved toward the door. “You’re in the medical bay because it’s the most secure facility we have here, and Rune wanted to ensure you were comfortable when you woke up.”
“Who’s Rune?” I stepped forward, desperation leaking into my voice. “And why does he care about my comfort after having me kidnapped?”
Olivia paused at the doorway, her expression softening. “He’s… complicated. But he’s not what you might think.” She touched a panel beside the door. “Eat your food, Talia. You’ll need your strength for the conversation to come.”
The door closed behind her with a soft click as the lock engaged, leaving me alone with more questions than answers. I stared at the mysterious food, my stomach growling despite my suspicion of this place and these people.
“Medical bay. Mission. Rune.” I picked up a piece of the blue fruit, turning it over in my fingers. “What the hell have I gotten myself into this time?”
FOUR
