In a future where the United States is slowly rebuilding itself, Omega Travis Danten is a big city cop sent to a seemingly desolate city on the edge of the Waste. This desert is full of undesirables, and it’s only a matter of time before they wreak havoc. But, Omegas are always assigned Alphas, and his new partner’s job is to protect him.<br><br>But SdAI Alpha Virgil is not at all amused with the partner who chose him. Travis is willful and naive to the dangers a homicide detective faces here, and it makes Virgil’s job that much harder. And Travis, of course, is human and develops feelings, feelings that go beyond the rules about Omega/Alpha partnerships.<br><br>Travis and Virgil have to find common ground, find a killer, and find space for each other in their own hearts, even if one is artificial.

Artificial Heart

“No.” Moving away from the windows, Virgil glanced around in an attempt to find a reasonably clean seat in the establishment. An absolute failure. He gave up that desperate search after only a moment and stood in silence.


Travis glanced back at him once his food was in his hands, gave him a queer look that Virgil didn’t think was warranted, and waved toward the door with a drink occupied-hand. “How about we eat outside?”


Never would Virgil admit to how fast he left that dingy place, or the relived lungful of clean air he took, regardless of the fact that he didn’t strictly need it.


However, it did earn him a sardonic glance from Travis, who plopped in the driver’s seat and left the car door open. Once Virgil settled into the other side, Travis only commented with, “I don’t think the place is that bad.”


Chapter 7