Page 44 of Human Reform
My fingers hesitated over the command keys at my workstation.Once I did this, there was no going back.I might wake up with no memory of Alora’s taste, her touch, or that beautiful mind that challenged everything I thought I knew about myself.The thought made my chest constrict painfully.
But I would still be me.And she would still be her.And maybe that would be enough for us to find our way back to each other.
I stared at the monitor, the code for the minor security alert already loaded.One press and I’d set everything in motion.
“This is for the colony,” I whispered to myself.“And for her.”
I pressed the key.Immediately, the alert system blared through the security center’s speakers—not loud enough to panic the colonists but enough to grab everyone’s attention.
“Security breach detected in hydroponics dome, sector three,” announced the automated system.“Security personnel respond immediately.”
Tegan’s head snapped up, his green eyes narrowing.“That’s strange.The dome’s scanners were fine this morning.”
“I’ll handle it,” I said, standing with a casualness I didn’t feel.My heart pounded against my ribs like a war drum.“Get the team from the central processing hub to assist me.”
Sage crossed her arms.“You?Volunteering for fieldwork instead of staying behind your precious screens?That’s new.”
“If you’d prefer to go instead…” I challenged, letting my voice drop to that growl I knew intimidated most.
“Easy, tiger.”She raised her hands in mock surrender.“Just making an observation.”
Tegan gave me a long look.“Something’s off with you.”
“Just doing my job, Lieutenant.”I stared him down, daring him to question me further.I outranked him, and we both knew it.
He backed down first, turning to his console.“I’ll alert the processing hub team.”
“Good.”I strode away from the main operations area, the portable drive with Alora’s patch prototype burning a hole in my pocket.
I moved quickly through the security center, trying to focus on the task at hand.But all I could think about was Alora—the way her gray eyes lit up when she figured out a solution, how her body fit perfectly against mine, the small sounds she made when I?—
I shook my head.I needed to stay completely focused.
When I reached the central processing hub, four security team members were already preparing to leave.
“Processing hub team, report to the hydroponics dome immediately,” I ordered, my voice leaving no room for question.
“Is there a breach?”Kel asked, his hand already on his weapon.
“Potentially.I’ll monitor from here.Go.”I stepped aside as they filed out and then shut the door behind them.
Alone at last, I moved to the main console and began the archive process.My fingers tapped frantically over the controls, setting up my neural framework backup to Alora’s private workspace.
“Save memory index, emphasis parameters alpha-one through delta-seven,” I instructed the system.Those should hopefully capture everything about Alora—every moment, every touch, and every word.
The screen flashed: BACKUP INITIATED.ESTIMATED TIME: 10 MINUTES.
I sat rigidly in the chair, watching the progress bar inch forward.I rarely sweated, but now I felt a drop slide down my temple.Ten minutes.Just ten minutes to preserve everything that had suddenly come to mean so much to me.
When the backup completed, I inserted the portable drive containing Alora’s patch prototype.The screen prompted me for confirmation to proceed with my neural framework alteration.
I hesitated only for a moment before pressing YES.
“Neural framework modification commencing,” stated the system’s cool voice.“Subject must remain stationary for complete integration.Shutdown imminent.”
My vision began to blur around the edges.I gripped the armrests of the chair, determined to face this with control.
“Estimated time: twenty minutes.”
