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

Travis was thoughtful enough not to challenge Virgil’s statement, like so many humans had. Tactfully, he changed the course of the conversation with his next question. “How much weight can you lift? Not what you’re supposed to in front of humans to make them comfortable either.”


Short drive to Palo Verde and Ajo aside, a cross street at the edge of their district, it was enjoyable. Travis plied him with questions about Virgil’s seventy-five terabyte brain capacity, the life-like composition of his plastic-polymer skin, and even the millions of microscopic cameras that made up his eyes in an obvious attempt to become comfortable with Virgil. He wouldn’t be ashamed to say that he reveled in Travis’ thirst for such personal information. Most humans only looked at the SdAIs as tools and bullet catchers. The omega was a refreshing change.


Chapter 10