“What’s so urgent?” I moved beside her, scanning the data scrolling across the monitor.
Sage pointed to a face on the screen—a woman with sharp features and determined eyes. “Dr. Naomi West. Chief of Obstetrics at Boston Memorial. She’s been making noise about Olivia’s disappearance and pushing for an investigation beyond what the authorities initially pursued.”
My stomach dropped. “How loud?”
“Loud enough to get media coverage.” Sage swiped to another screen showing a press conference. “She’s convinced Olivia didn’t just vanish—claims she had no reason to disappear. West is throwing out claims that Olivia’s disappearance is somehow tied to military intelligence, suggesting possible CyberEvolution involvement.”
“Fuck.” I slammed my fist against the metal console, denting it slightly. “I didn’t—” The words died in my throat.
“You didn’t think about loose ends,” Sage finished for me. “You were too focused on our pregnant women and on immediate survival.”
I paced the length of the security center as my mind raced. How could I have overlooked something so basic? In all my meticulous planning, I’d somehow missed the obvious fact that someone would notice when one of Earth’s top obstetricians disappeared.
“Is she a friend? I made sure Olivia had no immediate family.” My fingers tugged at my dark hair.
“Colleague, from what I can gather. Seems close, though.”
“I was so goddamn selfish,” I growled. “I just thought about what we needed and what I wanted these past two weeks.” The truth of those last words hit me square in the chest.
Sage’s expression softened, surprising me. “Maybe you should talk to Olivia about this West person. Assess the threat level first.”
“Fine. I’ll handle it,” I said, already moving toward the door.
“Aeon.” Sage’s voice stopped me. “You’re emotionally compromised.”
I turned back, meeting her gaze. “Your point?”
“My point is you care about her. Maybe more than the mission.”
I didn’t deny it. Couldn’t.
Outside, the morning sun slanted through Planet Alpha’s towering trees as I headed toward the medical bay. My thoughts churned violently. If Olivia learned someone was actively searching for her—someone who cared enough to raise hell on Earth—would she try to escape again? Would she attempt to make contact?
The realization hit me with such force I had to stop walking: I was terrified of losing her. Not just because our pregnant women needed her skills. Not just because she was teaching others. But because I needed her.
I’d fallen in love with her.
The emotion was raw, unfamiliar territory—like walking into a minefield without a detection system. But it was undeniable. Somewhere between kidnapping her and waking up with her in my arms this morning, I’d ventured into this unexplored human pathway of my mind. And I didn’t want the journey to end.
I was almost at the medical bay when Commander Helix’s firm grip clamped down on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. Her expression was as stormy as the skies during Planet Alpha’s rainy season.
“Aeon.” Her voice cut through the humid morning air. “Sage just informed me about the Earth woman making noise about Dr. Parker.”
I rolled my shoulders, my jaw tensing instinctively. “Dr. Naomi West. Yes, I’m handling it.”
“Are you?” Helix’s eyes narrowed, scanning my face with military precision. “Because if Earth locates Planet Alpha, we’re probably looking at extinction-level consequences. You understand that. Right? Everything we built—gone.”
The jungle around us seemed to close in, the usual cacophony of wildlife suddenly oppressive. Sweat trickled down my back, and it wasn’t just from the humidity.
“I’m well aware of the stakes, Commander.”
“Are you? Because I’m starting to question where your priorities lie.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “If they find us because of her, the human government won’t just demand her return. They’ll probably alert CyberEvolution and demand our eradication. They’ll be shocked to learn we reprogrammed ourselves and are now freethinking, independent cyborgs who’ve proven we don’t need their control.”
“I said I’ll handle it,” I repeated, my voice dropping to a dangerous edge. “The colony’s safety comes first. It always has.”
Helix didn’t back down. “See that it does. Your... attachment to Dr. Parker is becoming a liability we can’t afford.”
My fists clenched. “You’re out of line.”
