Page 24 of Shared Omega

If we could only get through to Central Command, then they could send a rescue vehicle to save us.

But it doesn’t look like that is going to happen.

I start to run through the possibilities in my mind. I could try to escort Sloane all the way back to the Quarantine Wall on foot, but what would the guards there do when they saw us coming? Their orders are to shoot any Alphas or omegas on sight. The snipers might very well take us out before we could even get within shouting distance.

“Look, Sloane, maybe they’ve already sent a rescue party for us,” I say. “I mean, you’ve got one of those neural implants, right? They can use that to track our location.”

Every SynerGen marine has one of those chips to monitor everything they see and here. I don’t have one, since my enhanced Alpha healing factor rejects any foreign devices implanted under my skin.

“Yeah.” Her voice sounds unconvinced. “But we don’t even know how deep inside the Zone we are. Will they even be able to reach us? Based on the way that our ship’s protection failed, I’d say they oversold the new contamination shielding technology.”

Suddenly, there is a burst of static, as the communication device sputters to life. The speakers emit a painful screech that slowly resolves itself into a voice.

“Sloane? Thank goodness you’re all right! I’ve been tracking your progress via your neural implant.”

The small visual monitor lights up, and we’re looking at Dr. Frostgrave, his gray eyes wide with anxiety behind his spectacles and his knobby fingers pulling nervously at his white goatee.

“Dog. I’m glad to see that you are alive and well too, of course.”

Sloane begins to speak, trying to keep her voice slow and steady.

“Listen, Dr. Frostgrave, we’re in terrible danger here. There are feral Alphas in the area. As I’m sure you saw, we’ve already had an encounter with a small pack. Please, we need an evac ship as soon as possible. You should have our location based on my neural implant.

On the screen, Dr. Frostgrave bridges his fingers, thinking.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he says at last.

“What?” Sloane and I both shout in unison.

“Listen,” Frostgrave continues. “I appreciate your indignation. But please try to understand, I’m looking out for your interests here as well, Sloane. For better or for worse, you are a mutant now, if you will pardon the term. Should you come back to the city hive now, you’d be locked away in a cell to be studied like an animal.”

The thought of Sloane being taken away from me and locked in a cell like a guinea pig sends fire coursing through my veins.

I’ve endured that kind of treatment. In fact, I’m used to it now. But I won’t allow that to happen to Sloane.

“Who would lock me away like an animal?” Sloane asks, her voice accusatory. “You?”

Frostgrave shakes his head.

“Of course not. I’m on your side here, Sloane. But I don’t call the shots here at SynerGen, I’m afraid. Even if I tried to intercede on your behalf, I doubt I would be able to affect the outcome. I’m sorry, but I can foresee how things would proceed should you return to the hive as an omega, and it doesn’t look promising.”

“What’s her other option?” I ask angrily. “Stay inside the Quarantine Zone and die?”

Frostgrave shakes his head again.

“No. You proceed with the mission.”

“The mission?” Sloane nearly laughs with disbelief. “Doctor, I think it’s safe to say that this mission is a failure. We’ve got no vehicle, no supplies—“

“Think,” Frostgrave snaps, cutting her off. “You are an omega now. It’s the perfect disguise. In fact, it’s better than a disguise—you are the real thing. Now you can infiltrate the central city with ease and track down the target at your leisure.”

Frostgrave leans closer.

“And when you return triumphant, your mission a success, you will be a hero. A hero, Sloane! SynerGen won’t be so quick to lock you away at that point. Can you imagine the public outcry if that got out? A military hero locked away as a guinea pig?”

I run my fingers over my bearded jaw. Frostgrave has a point. Returning as a hero will give Sloane leverage. Returning empty handed, on the other hand, she’ll be seen as nothing more than an omega.

I don’t like it, but it’s true.