Page 8 of Human Reclaimed
RUNE
I punched in the access code to Talia’s room in the medical bay, my fingers tapping on the keypad with practiced precision. The security panel beeped softly, and the door unlocked with a satisfying click. A strange flutter disturbed my usual calm—anticipation, excitement, and something I couldn’t quite define. This feeling had plagued me since bringing her to Planet Alpha last night.
My mind replayed the moment I’d carried her from our ship after landing. Her body had been warm against my chest as I moved through the colony’s central plaza under the twin moons. Her blonde hair had spilled over my arm, catching the silver light. She’d looked peaceful then, her face relaxed in sedated sleep. Beautiful. Perfect.
I shook the thought away. This woman wasn’t here for my admiration. She was here for Planet Alpha’s survival.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
I barely registered the room’s details before a blur of movement caught my eye. Talia launched herself from the armchair by the small table, a flash of metal gleaming in her hand. She was fast—faster than I’d anticipated.
“You son of a bitch!” she snarled.
I pivoted, catching her wrist mid-strike. A medical scalpel. Where had she gotten that? The blade missed my throat by inches. I twisted her arm gently but firmly, using her momentum against her. In seconds, I had her disarmed, the scalpel clattering to the floor.
“Let me go!” Talia thrashed against my grip, her body a coiled spring of fury and determination. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
I held her wrist carefully, mindful of my strength. “I’m not here to hurt you.”
“Bullshit! You kidnapped me!” Her blue eyes blazed with fury, her chest heaving. “Where am I? What is this place? What do you want from me?”
I couldn’t help but admire her courage. Most humans would be cowering in fear after waking on an alien world, yet here she was—attacking a cyborg nearly twice her size with nothing but a stolen scalpel and raw nerve.
“Captain Reed,” I said, keeping my voice deliberately soft. “I understand you’re frightened and angry. You have every right to be. But I need you to calm down so I can explain.”
She stilled slightly, surprise flickering across her face at my tone. “How do you know my rank?”
“I know quite a bit about you.” I loosened my grip slightly, testing her resistance. “Your service record is exceptional.”
“My service record?” Her eyes narrowed. “So this is a military base? Who sent you? CyberEvolution?”
I shook my head. “No. We’re independent of Earth and CyberEvolution.”
“We? Who’s we?” Her gaze darted to the windows, taking in the alien landscape beyond. The remnants of her breakfast—blue fruit and protein porridge—sat nearly finished on the small table beside us. She’d eaten despite her situation. Practical. I liked that.
“If I release you, will you listen without attacking me again?” I asked, holding her gaze. “I promise no harm will come to you here.”
Talia’s jaw clenched, a muscle working beneath the smooth skin of her throat. “Fine,” she said after a long moment. “But stay where I can see you.”
I released her wrist and stepped back, giving her space. She immediately retreated to the bed, perching on its edge like a bird ready for flight. Her eyes never left mine, wary and calculating.
“My name is Rune,” I said, resisting the urge to step closer. Something about her pulled at me in ways I couldn’t explain. “I’m the commander of the security and defense forces here on Planet Alpha.”
“Planet Alpha,” she repeated, testing the words. “So, I’m really not on Earth anymore.”
“No.”
“And you brought me here because…”
I weighed my next words carefully. “We need your help.”
Talia let out a sharp laugh. “So you kidnapped me? Ever hear of a job offer? A phone call? An email?”
“Would you have come willingly if we’d asked?” I raised an eyebrow, already knowing the answer.
She fell silent, which was answer enough.
“Look,” I said, taking a tentative step forward. Her body tensed, but she didn’t recoil. “I know this isn’t ideal. I know we’ve violated your trust and your freedom. But what we need—what our colony needs—is critical.”
