Captive Omega

by Riley Carver

  I wipe my eyes with my sleeve and face her again. I try to be half as put together as she is. I have an idea, and I’m hoping she’ll help me with it. “Okay, I’ll trade you a secret for a favor.”

  Peggy looks intrigued. “What can I do for you?”

  “Please dismiss Cevelii. I don’t need an attendant other than you. I have a team of guards, after all.”

  “That’s a big favor. I can probably make it happen. But I’ll need a big, juicy secret in return,” she laughs.

  “Don’t worry. I probably have the juiciest gossip of anyone on this ship.”

  Peggy’s grin widens, and I am relieved when she says, “It’s a deal. Tell me everything.”

  Drax

  I want to break something. The impulse is an unfortunate one, especially because I just finished dealing with the fallout from the smashed monitors. The Omega will never understand what it felt like to say no to her. My cock is throbbing. It’s taking every bit of my focus to try to make sense of the readings I’m seeing on the screen in front of me.

  And those readings don’t make any sense. There’s a blip on the monitor that is rapidly approaching. It can’t be a ship, though. The alarm system would have gone off hours ago. Plus, my ship’s been cloaked this whole time. The blip is on a trajectory that leads straight for us. Statistically, it’s almost impossible that would happen unless they knew where we are.

  I shove the crewmember to my left out of my way and look at his monitor. The repairs have been completed; I checked myself that all systems were operational. But now an error message appears on the screen.

  I tug on my horn in frustration. Amiran looks up from what he’s doing and notices my distress.

  “What is it?” he asks.

  I keep my voice low. “We’re coming under attack. Someone has manually disabled the alarm system.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “They’d have to be small enough to get through the vents, but it is possible. We don’t guard the alarm system—there’s never been a need to.”

  Amiran thinks for a long moment. “How did they find us in the first place?”

  “I’d really like to know that too. Right now, it doesn’t matter. It’s too late to do anything but fight them off. We’ll have plenty of time later to find out who’s responsible for this.”

  Amiran takes his seat and begins preparing his battle station. As much as I hate the idea of the Omega distracting me, I know that the control room is the safest place for her right now. I radio her guards to bring her here and close my eyes for a second, willing myself to ignore the desire that overtakes me anytime I speak her name. I have to keep her safe.

  Kira

  There’s a big commotion at my door. I’m playing my video game again—I don’t care what Drax calls it. I’ll never be able to think of it as anything but a fun game. I’m trying to make a particularly hard shot, one that I’ve missed six times in a row. The next thing I know, my room is filled with guards.

  Two approach me and grab my arms and haul me up from the floor where I’m sitting hunched over the cube.

  “Hey! What’s going on?” I say, trying to wriggle free. I hate it when they treat me like this. I thought I had finally convinced everyone that they need to communicate with me instead of tossing me around like cargo.

  “Commander’s orders,” one of them grunts.

  It figures. Just when I think I have a real connection with Drax, he reminds me of my place.

  “Can I walk wherever we’re going?”

  The guardsman doesn’t say anything. He hoists me up and dashes down the hall with me. I guess that’s my answer. The way he carries me is nothing like the way Drax does. I can’t help but think of Drax’s touch, which is so frustrating considering how mad I am at him—again. Actually, my default state is being mad at Drax, now that I think about it. Maybe that’ll help me stamp out my ridiculous crush.

  We’re heading in the opposite direction of the shower bay and med bay. I try to crane my neck to see what this part of the ship looks like. Mostly, it looks the same: hallways with flashing lights embedded in the walls and metal grating for the floor and ceiling.

  Then we reach a large open space. It’s about the size of my high school cafeteria. There are chairs and screens on one side. Machines that look like exercise equipment are on the other side. It’s empty, save for a handful of soldiers. As we run by, I see Cevelii sitting in the corner.

  She’s got a big blanket in her lap, and she’s embroidering it using some kind of high-tech tool. She sees me and holds eye contact with me, blinking slowly. I don’t know what her deal is, but I’m glad I don’t have to see her every day anymore.

  After I told Peggy all about my tryst with Drax, she kept her word. I’ve been left blissfully alone, except for when the guards come in to take me to see Peggy in the med bay. Peggy thinks it’s hilarious that I have it bad for Drax. I wince thinking about how she laughed at me. She warned me that Alphas like Drax only care about moving through the ranks.

  “He knew it was risky to mate with you, but he also knew that it would be easy to deny,” she said. “It’s unlikely that anyone would challenge his authority. And you’re on suppressants, so it’s impossible for you to bear his young. I’m glad you had your fun, but it’s definitely going to be a one-time thing. The second time you mate with an Alpha, you pair bond.”

  I didn’t ask her any questions about pair bonding. I’m still not ready to know what awaits at the collection center.

  The guards rush me past the lounge and up a short ramp. Halfway up the ramp, it’s obvious to me that we’re going to the control room. There’s nothing else this room could be. Seeing Drax barking orders confirms that I’m right.

  The guards take me to a closet-size room at the far end. There’s a window in the door, so when they dump me in, I stand up and try to understand what’s going on. I don’t have to wonder for long. Soon I hear loud alarms and then Drax’s voice over the intercom. He’s addressing everyone on the ship.

  “This is your commander. Initiate the Code Red Protocol. I repeat, initiate the Code Red Protocol.”

  As his announcement ends, the ship lurches violently. The lights in the control room flicker. I feel myself starting to panic, and I swallow hard. I spent so much time worrying about the collection center and my life on Fysi that it never occurred to me I could die on the way there.

  Chapter 11

  Drax

  I try to block out the smell of the Omega as I dole out orders. Her presence arouses me, of course, but I’ve trained my whole life for this. I know exactly how to pinpoint my focus. Sometimes I feel like more of a conductor than a captain, and this is one of those times. I gesture my commands and stalk around the control room.

  I can see from my screen the trajectory the enemy ship is on. I instantly decide on an evasive maneuver. Before our thrusters engage, we get hit by a small missile. I check the readings, and the damage isn’t catastrophic. I know two things then: It’s the Avekis, and they want to take the Omega alive.

  It’s a strange development, but I don’t have time to consider the implications right now. As our thrusters kick in, we execute a barrel roll. I won’t let the ship sustain any more damage than it already has.

  We have enough fuel reserves to use hyperdrive, but I have to double-check our coordinates and decide where we’re landing. Amiran stands behind me at the ready.

  “We’ve evaded the enemy. Chart a course to Vylrin,” I say. Amiran nods and gets to work. When he’s programmed the path, I get back on the intercom.

  “Prepare for hyperdrive in T-minus sixty,” I say. Then I run across the room and pull the Omega out from where I’ve stowed her. She lets me drag her to an empty chair—what used to be Cres’s station—and strap her in tightly.

  Hyperdrive is never fun, even for soldiers who have trained for it. I feel bad for the Omega, but it’s the only way to evade the enemy ship. “It’ll be all right,” I say, and I can hear the gruffness in my voic
e.

  I give a ten-second warning over the intercom before strapping myself in tightly too. Vylrin is a nice enough planet. We’ll be able to make repairs to the ship, refuel, and figure out who the fucking traitor is who served us up to the Avekis.

  Kira

  Watching Drax handle the attack on the ship is incredible. He moves around the entire control room aware of everything everyone is doing. I watch from my little window until Drax comes for me. When he tries to comfort me, I get a bad feeling that this hyperdrive is going to hurt.

  I’m not wrong. The second Drax pulls a huge switch on his control panel, I feel like all my skin is being pulled back. The pressure builds and builds in my ears. I sweat profusely and grip the sides of my chair. Finally, we jolt to a stop.

  Drax comes over to check on me a few minutes later. “Why aren’t we moving?” I croak.

  He chuckles lightly and puts a clawed hand on my shoulder. “We are back to our normal speed, little Omega. It feels like we’re not moving because it’s such a stark contrast to hyperdrive. You did well. Most Fysian soldiers go unconscious when they experience hyperdrive for the first time.”

  I mewl at his touch and try to rub my face all over his hand as he adjusts my hair. He reacts like he’s touched something hot and jerks his hand away. He calls another Alpha over and instructs him to return me to my chamber.

  I want to protest, but I’m too tired. All this excitement has been exhausting. I’ve spent the last few weeks locked in a single room playing video games, sleeping, eating, or talking to Peggy. If Drax wants to send me away now, fine.

  The Alpha escorts me back. He frog-marches me there, but he isn’t rough. He immediately leaves, and I see why Drax seems to trust him so much. I don’t know how anyone can keep themselves in control when there’s a mix of Alphas and Omegas involved, I think as I sink onto my chair.

  I pull off my uniform bottoms and my panties, both of which are soaking wet. I can’t help it anytime I’m around an Alpha, but it’s worse when I’m around Drax. I’m too tired to fish out a clean uniform from my pile of clothes, so I wrap the blanket around myself and sleep half-naked all night.

  I get dressed quickly in the morning because it’s almost time for my breakfast tray. I’ve been trying Fysian foods, and I’m almost excited to see what will be brought to me. There ends up being a big surprise with my breakfast, and it’s not the food.

  Peggy limps in with my tray, and I can barely contain myself. “You’re back!” I yell. “I’m so happy you’re back!”

  Peggy smiles broadly and leans heavily against the wall.

  “Do you want a chair? You’re still recovering,” I say. It’s really strange to see her plodding around when I’ve gotten used to her bouncing off the walls.

  “That won’t be necessary, Kira; thank you. As soon as you eat your breakfast, we’re leaving.”

  “What? Are we near the collection center?” I feel my heart start to hammer in my chest.

  “No, we are about to land on Vylrin so that we can repair the ship. We’ll dock at a shipyard, and the crew will get to go to the city on leave. The commander feels you’ll be safest in some accommodations in the city while the repair team is on board.”

  It hits me all at once that I’m going to land on an alien planet. I assumed I’d be taken straight to the collection center on Fysi without much chance to explore my surroundings. It’s strange, but I feel a rush of excitement. I have no idea what to expect, a feeling I’m starting to get accustomed to. But this is like a quick vacation from my imprisonment on the ship. I can barely contain myself. I clap my hands like a kid going to Disney World.

  Peggy cocks her head. “This is good news?”

  “I mean, it’s not good news that we were attacked and the ship is damaged. But it’s good news that I’ll get to see a new planet. Do you think I’ll be the first person from Earth to step foot on alien soil?”

  Peggy considers my question for a while. “The invasion took place at 700 locations on Earth simultaneously. Considering the other Fysian vessels are on a course straight to Fysi, which is about two more weeks away, there’s a decent chance you’ll be the first.”

  It’s a lot to take in. I’m an underemployed twenty-something from San Antonio without any training as an astronaut, and I’ll be the first of the human race to explore an inhabited planet. I’m in awe.

  Peggy sees my reaction and looks like she’s trying to work something out. “I keep forgetting that Earthborns don’t planet hop. You’ve not made many strides in space exploration. I’m trying to think about what it would be like to grow up without taking trips through space, but I’m afraid it’s impossible. Fysians generally study on another planet when we reach the equivalent of what you call high school on Earth.”

  A blue light flashes in my room, and I look to Peggy for an explanation.

  “That means we’re docking now. It’ll flash green when it’s time to disembark.”

  Docking takes another fifteen minutes or so, and I feel the thrum of anticipation. While we wait, Peggy and I make small talk, and she tells me all about Vylrin. Apparently, it’s a flat planet covered in a grass-like plants. Peggy says it’s not that exciting because the plains stretch on and on and aren’t that interesting to look at. The only notable feature, at least in Peggy’s mind, are the steam geysers that dot the landscape.

  The green light flashes once before it’s replaced with a red light. Drax’s voice floats through my room over the intercom.

  “This is your commander. All tier two staff must stay aboard the ship. Permission to disembark has been revoked.”

  Peggy looks at the ground and sighs heavily. “I’m sorry, Kira. I’m tier two staff and you get your classification from mine. We’re not allowed to leave.”

  Immediately, I feel stupid for getting excited. Of course I’m not going to see Vylrin or any other planet except Fysi. I can tell from the way Peggy has hunched over that she’s in pain and that she feels bad about the situation.

  I ask her to come sit down next to me, and I’m happy that she agrees. She still isn’t moving the way she usually does. She’s normally light on her feet and graceful, but since she saved my life, she’s been limping around. The reminder of her injuries adds to the defeated mood that hangs in the air.

  I put my head on Peggy’s shoulder and ask what she thinks is going on.

  “The only time that leave is canceled is when the commander of a ship has determined that a planet is not safe for their crew. It’s strange because Vylrin is one of the safest planets. There’s no crime, and the environment is stable. I’m not sure what’s happening. We should find out soon. In a case like this, a member of tier one staff will disembark and file a report. That report is usually posted for all staff to read.”

  “Does that mean Drax is going out to explore a dangerous planet?”

  “No, the commander is too important to send on a fact-finding mission. He’ll likely send Amiran, his second in command.”

  I think of the Alpha who dutifully delivered me to my room after the ship was attacked.

  Peggy’s gone silent, so I look up at her. She’s got a glint in her eye. “What?” I ask.

  “I can hack into the live feed of the ship’s exterior if you want. Maybe we’ll be able to see for ourselves what’s going on.”

  I love it when she breaks the rules.

  “Yes, absolutely.”

  Peggy swipes her hand to bring up my screen. Then she gestures to bring up a holographic keyboard. She types rapidly, and before long, the live feed is broadcasting into my room.

  We both gasp in unison when the feed comes up. From the camera’s vantage point, all we can see is smoke and rubble. There’s nothing left on Vylrin.

  Drax

  I help Amiran suit up. He’s rejected the idea of taking a Beta squad with him. As we landed, our sensors detected no life on the planet. He’s likely right that there’s little risk left. I wish he were less stubborn. But I remind myself I trust his instincts almost
as much as I trust my own.

  “I’ll find a fuel reserve,” he says. “Then I’ll come straight back and we’ll be able to make a new plan.”

  I clasp his hand and wish him a safe mission. He grins and says, “Try not to worry too much about me while I’m gone,” in a teasing voice. I laugh.

  “I’m only worried that you survive long enough to radio the coordinates of the fuel reserve,” I retort.

  He snickers and starts walking down the gangway to the dock. When he turns back to look at me, I give him a salute. He nods and hustles out into the unknown.

  I have to send a message to the Upper Council, but I’ll wait until Amiran fills us in on some details about the state of Vylrin. It doesn’t make sense that the planet’s decimated. So far, the rising tensions between Fysians and the Avekis haven’t affected anyone else. It’s possible the Vylrians fought—and lost—a war of their own. But the Avekis are best known for their slash and burn warfare. My gut says this is an escalation. If the Avekis are hitting common spots where Fysians refuel, then an official declaration of war can’t be far off.