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

Dialed upwas not exactly a pleasant experience for Virgil upon entering the precinct. The initial assault from the update protocols was more than adequate to have his processor scramble for a couple of seconds after he entered. Additional alpha sensory input to sort through as well always made him hesitate for a step.


If was a false hope that Travis wouldn’t notice, not with how inhumanly fast his omega already attuned to him. A touch to his elbow and a sharp look from his partner’s beautiful verdant eyes was what he received, but Virgil was thankful when Travis declined to draw attention to the issue. It did highlight a potentially serious problem though.


Chapter 8