Page 85 of Shared Omega

The data slate that Lily has been using to transmit to the city hive is part of SynerGen’s private network, which means all of its messages are routed through SynerGen’s central communications hub. The messages were being intercepted and blocked from being spread to their intended recipients.

With the technology at our disposal, I can only see one solution to this.

We need to send a team back to the city hive to infiltrate SynerGen’s communications hub. From there we can unblock the messages so they can be transmitted throughout the entire public network.

Like I said, it won’t be easy.

But as far as I can see, it’s the only chance we’ve got.

When I finally finish speaking, the audience is silent, as are the council leaders lined up on the stage beside me. I’m getting the impression that my suggested plan is going over like a lead balloon.

Addom scratches his chin thoughtfully.

“This infiltration you are describing sounds dangerous. Suicidal even. Who do you propose to send on this errand?”

I look between the two Alphas standing on either side of me. Of course I have already discussed it with them too.

“I will go,” I answer, “Along with my mates, Dog and Truk.”

Another wave of murmurs passes over the crowd. Addom growls the crowd back into silence before turning toward me again.

“Are you sure you’re ready to do this, Sloane?”

I stand up a little straighter and meet his eyes with the toughest look I can muster.

“Hell yeah, I’m ready,” I answer. “SynerGen betrayed me. They lied to me and set me up on a suicide mission. There’s nothing I want more than to get back at them now.”

I raise my voice so everyone can hear.

“I may be an omega, but I’m a marine first, and I’m not going to back down from danger.”

A new commotion breaks out among the Alphas in the audience.

“No one has ever left the Zone to attack the city hive before. The Outsiders are sure to retaliate against us.”

More voices join in, shouting in agreement.

Down in the front row, Lily stands up on her seat so that her small form can be seen above the crowd.

“Listen, the Outsiders have been coming into the Zone for years. They’ve killed the Alphas and omegas, and they’re just going to keep doing it forever unless something changes. The only way to stop them is to bring down SynerGen. It’s the only way to—“

Her voice is drowned out by more shouts and cries. For a moment, it seems helpless, like the gathering is simply going to descend into chaos. Even Addom cannot restore order.

Then another voice explodes through the theater like dynamite.

“Shut up!”

The voice is so loud and so close, I nearly leap out of my skin. I whirl around, wide eyed with surprise.

“Kane?”

The theater chamber grows silent as the silvered, bearded Alpha strides forward from behind the tattered stage curtains and takes the stage beside me.

“You all know me here.” His voice rumbles like a distant thunderstorm. “You know I have no love for Outsiders, and that includes those among us here today.”

He gestures toward Lily.

“But Addom’s omega is right. For decades the Outsiders have been invading our homeland and killing our people. I should know that better than anyone. I lost my own sister Talia to their guns. Well, the time has come for that to change. The time has come for us to take the fight to them. I know full well that I most likely will not return from this journey, but I swear this: the Outsiders will remember me when it is over, for I will leave a trail of bloody corpses in my wake.”