Omega Road: Science Fiction Mpreg Romance: Omega Path, #1

Chapter One

CASSIAN

Diego and I scurried up the hill away from the railroad tracks. Shhh…, I said. My friend’s dark hand shook as it tangled in his black, curly hair. This time he nodded instead of shouting.

Okay Cassian.

We wouldn’t be lucky again. Thin fingers went around his black neck-collar. It was a nervous tic, but it would keep him quiet. My black gloved hand pulled down a springy branch. I looked through the air-filter mask’s glass holes to the overturned, armored train. I didn’t see them yet and wondered if that was the best term.

Undying horde? Childhood monsters? Something to avoid? Yeah.

On the other side of the smoking train was an algae-covered swamp full of twisty, black trees. We were on higher ground in the forest, but alligators might come out this far. Trains didn’t travel much anymore. This was mostly a cargo run, and heavily armored although now, half the gun slots sat against the dark, caked-in dirt. The other side pointed to the sky. Neither was an ideal angle against Rot-Jobs or whatever else might come. The thick white steam at the train’s front and the billowing black smoke at the end would call everyone – raiders and other opportunists – for miles.

I motioned for us both to press against the dirt. Diego’s darker skin helped him blend in. My bulky brown jacket and pants served as impromptu camouflage. The black gas mask wouldn’t help, but I didn’t want the glass eyes to flicker against the sun. I wouldn’t take it off unless it was necessary. I needed a reliable way to hide my Omega status. Especially away from the Institute.

Diego’s lean, well-developed biceps flexed, as he pointed toward the swamp. There’s nothing wrong with my own light blue eyes, but enhanced ones like his were always green. His Alphas wanted artistic children who could see more color and detail.

It took a few more seconds before my eyes saw what he did. From the algae-covered swamp at least twenty green things with rotted flesh shambled toward the train. Just as quick, several gunshots rang out. I slowly aimed my gun at the group. From this distance, I’d be lucky to hit any.

They were all different, yet the same. I couldn’t be sure which were female or male. Bits of slicked-back, patchwork hair clung to mostly bald heads. All were missing their nose, and their skin clung to their bones. Any tighter and they’d look like living, green-grey skeletons. Several wore armor plating over their thin bodies. Dings of bullets hitting metal came. Either they were ineffective, or the Rot-Jobs didn’t care.

A shaky murmur got my attention. I rested a black-gloved hand on Diego’s bare shoulder next to the top of his grey tank top and squeezed. I pointed two fingers to my eyes and then down to the ground. He shook his head no.

My lips thinned. I kept my gun aimed at the overturned train either to help someone or ourselves. Shakes started in Diego’s hand, then vibrated up until his shoulders and head quivered. It’s not like I couldn’t blame him. What Uplander doesn’t know about them? If we had parents, they might’ve threatened us with stories of Rot-Jobs taking away misbehaving children. I read they did something similar before the bombs; bad children who didn’t behave wouldn’t get presents from a bearded man in the frozen wastes. I don’t know what it was like back then, but it sounded better than now.

More shots rang out. Some reminded me of thunder in the sky. Others sounded like dropping a spoon on the floor. I hoped the big ones hit something not human.

Diego’s deep voice lowered to a whisper. I wish I could have worn something of yours. He had on a grey tank-top, leggings, and a fake, black-colored claiming collar. A silent lie that he was sick but not contagious – just undesirable enough so nobody would try something. We were both Omegas, but he couldn’t pass for an Alpha even with my bulky clothing. He didn’t have the pattern recognition trait, so he couldn’t imitate their swagger.

They used to lie to us back at the Institute and say there wasn’t much difference between Alphas and Omegas. Maybe they were trying to improve our lives or feel less guilty. The sign over the delivery room, flashed in my head: ‘Making Humanity Better.’ Genetic alterations created us, and I spent most of my adult life pregnant as a result.

My face twisted into a frown. I did my part.

Diego yelped and shame flashed over my face as I realized I dug into his skin. I mouthed a Sorry, while several quick gunshots from the train rang out.

We almost stayed inside the train, but you can’t stay anonymous after an attack. During the ride everyone’s in their own world. After? Papers get checked, and the few passengers questioned. With my gas mask and Diego’s collar, people stayed away. Afterward, they might look for someone to blame. It was too risky. I’m not going back.

There were monsters here and back ‘home’ – nobody with rotten, green flesh but just as horrific inside. Beautiful skin, perfectly white teeth, and long needles. Their true creature came out when they strapped you against the delivery table and spoke about the ‘Greater Good.’

Diego turned to me and touched his nose. I shook my head no. The Rot-Jobs who still had their noses wouldn’t be attracted to our smell thanks to the mixture. It was something I came up with before our escape. One of the few things I can thank the doctors for.

They didn’t want us educated or stupid; only smart enough to follow instructions. Reading was fine if it wasn’t deemed dangerous or subversive. Nothing about explosives or anything which said Omegas should be free. Not that there were Omegas back then. Biology was safe enough. I wondered if they’ll discover it’s what gave me the idea. It took six months of planning, secreting away chemicals, and research.

After several close calls with Neo-Dogs and a chase, we got on the train and headed away, not to the mythical Omega Road, but somewhere real. Far away to the West.

That’s the dream for every Omega – to escape and live their own life. Not something the government or gangs would let us do, hence the chemicals. Technically it wasn’t a bad smell; almost like sugar or honey. After the forced pregnancies, I decided I didn’t like it anymore. Still, I smelled like an Alpha. Thick, muggy odor and the bulky clothing hid the skinny, light-brown-haired Omega inside.

Would it have been better if I were an Alpha? From what I saw, it didn’t seem bad for them. People listened when I spoke. They never did that before. All I had to do was talk and things happened. I was believed, respected, or feared. Maybe all three. I wouldn’t have met Diego, but I would have treated my Omega well. Although, statistical probability shows you would have been an Alphahole. I rubbed my arm through the thick material and frowned.

Diego pointed up toward the thickly forested background mountains. I wagged my finger no. It was too close to where we came from. Most Rot-Jobs couldn’t smell well but their eyesight and hearing were excellent. I suspected they were modifications like us, although I’m certain radiation helped mutate them further.

More shots came, then stopped. Diego’s eyes were wide when he looked at skinny green things tear sheets of metal they shouldn’t be able to move. Human screams came and mixed with growls until I couldn’t separate either. I steadied the gun and bit my lip in thought. Sometimes I read stories for fun and for a break from life. A few had men and women who would have rushed down toward the tracks. They would defend a train full of people against monsters.

That wasn’t me. I couldn’t stand up to an Alpha or even the Beta scientists. My cheeks puffed out while I thought. Diego motioned to a tall Rot-Job. Metal plating hung over his front, but he left his back exposed. Diego’s eyebrows pinched, and he pressed his hands together to beg.

I looked at the black and silver pistol. Our ancestors called it a Beretta. I never figured out why, all I knew was I had fifteen bullets. Maybe if I still had access to the Institute’s machines, I could make more. I let out a low sigh hopeful they wouldn’t be able to hear from this distance. I waited until the Rot-Job stood still and fired. A sound between a pop and a small explosion rang out. Its green skull burst over thin shoulders, then the thing fell forward and rolled to the right. One dead one was only a tiny portion, but hopefully it was enough.

I pointed to my eyes then to Diego. His gaze narrowed and mouthed his thanks.

Okay, I whispered. Let’s get out of here.

We followed some of Diego’s ideas and went up into the trees, just enough so nobody would see us. I kept a mental map in my head of the railroad tracks and the charts I memorized from the Institute. We were near what the Old Ones called a railroad hub. Maybe there are supplies we can salvage. The train derailment wasn’t part of our plans – I was hoping we could stay hidden in the back car. Walking along the railroad would take us deeper into Rot-Job territory. Previously, it wasn’t much of an issue. The train had armor, although it didn’t do them much good.

Let’s hope we have better luck than them.

We walked for an hour in silence. Although, from Diego’s darting gaze and pursed lips, he had his own internal conversation. He’ll tell me when he’s ready.

He squeezed the round, grey rock in his hand while I touched my gun more times than was healthy. I remember reading a story about the ‘Ancient West.’ A man invented a special gun, I think. I would have read more, but I made the mistake of telling the doctors what I was reading. The inventor said something about all men being created, but a gun made them equal. I didn’t believe that; Alphas could go wherever they wanted. Heavy metal hefted in my gloved hand and I frowned. This weapon had fifteen bullets. Once empty, I’d be an Omega again. Who am I kidding? I’m still one.

Diego let out a long moan, not unlike an animal. I stopped in mid-step, and he mumbled something like On Meta Rose. I stared and waited for him to speak up. Omega Road? he asked.

I turned away. It’s a legend and another way for them to be cruel.

From behind I heard heavy breaths. So were Rot-Jobs.

There’s no place where they treat us good, only less worse. I took a few steps and heard no matching stomps behind me. Diego, please. It’s not real.

He pointed in the western direction the train was going, and I raised my eyebrows. There’s more of those things that way. He had a point. The only reason we risked going through the area was because of the train’s guns and armor.

Aren’t, he said, there choices South? He drew a respectable, detailed map in the dirt and old names came; Mexico, Alabama, Florida.

I stared for over five minutes while I debated. I dreamed of seeing the blue ocean in California, but there were water and beaches there too. In my mind, I didn’t see his map. Alphas insisted on their way, and I wasn’t one. Omegas cared about others. I saw us on a boat I could fix up. We could sail the ocean and see what was along the coast. If it were dangerous, we’d move on. I didn’t believe in the mystical Omega Road, but legend said it was south.

I sighed loudly and tried not to be an asshole about it. We were two Omegas traveling together. One is irresistible to the wrong type. Two was asking for trouble.

***

Chapter Two

CASSIAN

I had packed for a speedy railroad trip to a better life – not a week-long trek toward Florida. It was plenty of time to wonder if I made the correct decision by staying away from the train. A resounding ‘yes’ echoed within. Our transportation was an overturned, smoldering coffin when I left.

I looked around and saw nobody near us, and asked Diego to do the same with his enhanced eyes. We were alone near the river. I took off the gas mask and ran a hand through my side-swept brown hair. I took a glove off and stared at my paler skin and pursed my lips in wonder. Back in the Old Days, they treated people with different skin pigment badly. I wondered which they preferred. Me with my light-blue eyes and lighter skin or Diego with his green-brown eyes and darker hair. Did they care about eye color and hair back then? I heard so many different stories about the Old Times. Most made little sense or were unbelievable.

Diego’s run toward the river took me out of my daydream. I hurried over to him and held him back. Never rush, I said then frowned. I never ordered Diego back North and wondered if my disguise affected me. I dressed bulky, so I’d look Alpha and I smelled like one. Diego’s superior nose smelled me. Was it making him more submissive and me more dominant? An interesting question for later.

I dug a small cup out of my backpack and asked Diego to ready his fist-sized rock throw if needed. I quickly dipped the cup into the moving clear water and hurried back. Thankfully, nothing slithered or burst out. Yeah, but it’s what you can’t see.

I got a vial of thick red fluid from the backpack and let one drop fall into the cup. Any more and it would foam and eat through my glove. Then flesh… and bone. Maybe even the ground. After a long minute, the red cloud within turned clear. Diego smiled. I tossed the water away, then washed out the cup several times before I refilled it. I took a long sip in case anything tasted off. Diego watched with wide eyes. I nodded and handed him the cup. It’s safe.

He dripped water over his chin as he swallowed gulps. I considered telling him to slow down but didn’t. He was his own man even though plenty of people would beat us for voicing it. He slowed down, backed away from the water’s edge then sat cross-legged. I wonder what the world was like before.

I wouldn’t know, I said. There were other books I hoped to read.

Maybe they don’t know, and they aren’t in books?

He had a point since many stories were unbelievable. The Old Ones could fly in the sky by tubes. Others said they visited the moon. That doesn’t make sense. We can’t go there, but we do things they never did like Omegas for example.

I’m hungry, whispered Diego.

Me too. I could hunt, but most of the animals were crazy mean. I guess you had to be to survive in this world. Diego pointed up toward the leafy trees behind us. My gaze searched the thin and thick branches for whatever he saw. His fingers went out as if crawling, then he pointed to the left. In the middle was a two-foot long, red ant. It skittered down the green-brown, mossy bark.

Diego mimed an eating motion. No, too much formic acid, I whispered. There were ways to get the meat, but they were too much trouble, and we couldn’t risk staying. That shiny armored thing snapping its mandibles was a scout, and soon there would be more. The chemicals I had for disguise against most animals wouldn’t work against them. Their smell was too good.

I think it’s why Diego was so worried. He could smell my true scent underneath. He got the sensory package for sure. I thought about giving him the gun earlier. With his superior eyesight and hearing, he’d be ideal – at least physically. I’d never say it out loud, but he’d waste all our bullets in a panic. Besides, I couldn’t chastise him for it. All these ‘gifts’ came at a price. Better eyesight made him squint in the sun, hence our trip through the shaded woods. Super hearing made him wince from shouts. I think that’s why he didn’t talk as much. His sense of touch made him more susceptible to pain.

He does seem to enjoy food more though.

Memories of his shrieks from the Institute lingered in my head before I pushed them away. I jerked my head more forcefully than I intended. Like a good Omega, he listened to his temporary Alpha.

Let’s get out of here, I said calmly. I don’t like this place. There were bigger creatures, but it didn’t matter if there were thousands of smaller ones. I heard stories of great green lizards as long as several wagons and wondered if they were true. So far, I’ve seen big ants and decomposing things which ripped heavy metal off the train. That told me to keep an open mind. It was another hour of fast walking while we kept the train tracks in sight.

I hoped we could jump on a train, as rare as they were. The hub we passed didn’t have any serviceable trains around – only rusted ones filled with thick growth.

Diego pushed his hands together then leaned his head against them.

Tired? He nodded quickly. Okay. I dressed as an Alpha, but my slender body was all Omega. After several minutes of searching, we found an open area with grey-brown rocky sand. Sheer cliffs with trees were behind us and the train tracks ahead. There weren’t many places to hide, but Diego’s eyes would see anyone approaching. Still, I pointed to a grove of trees. Not a lot of room for concealment, but at least we wouldn’t be out in the open. Diego was thinner and smaller than I. Maybe I was losing myself in the role, but I let him sleep first. He was an Omega. We both were; a fact I forgot as my eyes closed for ‘a second’ and I fell asleep.

***

I awoke and screamed to rapid, loud barking, then a deep male shout. My eyes stared at the teeth dripping with saliva, and I hoped I was still in a dream. A squat but muscled black and brown dog growled, then bared its red gums. A trait of the breed or