Ultimatum
– What does this mean? – Nari stood on the training field, – some new type of training?
Toneri stood in front of her, arms crossed over his chest.
– I called you here because I knew you would refuse to go to the office, – he said calmly, – it’s time to talk, Inaria.
– What could I, a regular omega, possibly have to say to the leader of the opposition?
– I think you understand perfectly, – said Toneri, – it’s almost autumn. You’ve been here long enough, in Sigma. What do you think about the organization?
– There are many good people here who are fighting for justice, – Nari replied, – they all want to finally live in peace, without hiding. However, when it comes to your politics, it’s not very close to my heart.
– What exactly are you talking about?
– Our last attacks. Earlier, we were just trying to draw public attention; the slogans and rhetoric were aimed at the idea of equality! However, during the last two raids, civilians were hurt.
– When the power of the Alphas is overthrown, everyone will receive compensation.
– There it is! – the girl tilted her head to the side, – overthrown power. Toneri, don’t you just want to switch places with the Alphas?
– Did your friend complain about me? – Toneri smirked.
– Leo has nothing to do with it; it was more than obvious from the very first day I ended up here, – the girl said, – Mai and Noah are exhausted! They are always on the front line. Their wounds don’t heal fast enough, and you’re already sending them out on new missions. Your attitude towards the Alphas can’t even be hidden behind false friendliness.
– Maiden Lotaris and Noah Adelson are frontline fighters; I don’t understand why this surprises you. We only have eight Alphas here. Of course, they’re always busy. But no more so than the others.
– And yet! You treat the Alphas like cannon fodder.
– My sweet girl, how have they treated us for years? They settled in the most fertile lands, and they used us as batteries for the World Tree’s barrier!
– The Tree is dying! Only we could…
– Are you really okay with that? – Toneri interrupted her, – the barrier is shrinking. The Tree is weakening. This world is dying!!! If the Tree dies, we will no longer be needed. When do you think the fight for the last territories and fertile lands will begin, what will happen to us? The Alphas will exterminate us! Therefore, we must strike first. We will be more merciful to them than they are to us, one way or another.
– Then why don’t we look for a way to save the Tree?! Then no one would have to die!
– The leading scientists of the Alphas have been dealing with this issue for years, but as you can see, to no avail. But if you suddenly feel sorry for our little Alphas, you can change everything, – Toneri shrugged, – you can help Adelson and his girlfriend.
Nari looked at him in surprise.
– But how?
– It’s simple. You will finally reveal your calling.
– I don’t understand.
– Nothing complicated; I will teach you everything. We will bring Alphas to you. You will tag them and take control just like I do. And when we have more fighters, Noah and Mai won’t have to play catch-up anymore.
– Are you joking? – Nari smiled nervously, – do you think I’m capable of that?!
– Oh, you absolutely are! – he grabbed her hands, – if only you wanted!
– You just want to create your own army of Alphas? Why?
– To finally tip the scales of justice in our favor! Actually, our forces are already enough to take control of the main office of the Favorite. But I’d like to play it safe. The Alphas marked by me may prove insufficient.
– Do they even know?! Do they know they’re marked?!
– And why should they? Did the Alphas ask if we wanted a brand with a serial number on our wrist?! – the leader spat, – or did they ask for permission from those who ended up on the farm? Don’t be naive, Inaria. The Alphas would have destroyed us if it weren’t for the life energy needed by the Tree. We’ve been bleeding into the roots of the World Tree for years with our blood to maintain the barrier, but all we’ve gotten is a brand, a shack in the ghetto, and the contempt of everyone living behind the wall from us. Our time has come.
– But how don’t you understand! – Nari exclaimed, – our enemy is not the Alphas, not the Favorite. Our common enemy is the nebula that brings disease. We need to think about how to support the barrier. Have you even tried to talk?!
– Talk? Ha… you’re just as naive as your mother.
– What?.. – Nari froze.
Toneri sighed deeply. His gaze became cold and harsh. He approached Nari and let a strand of her hair slip between his fingers.
– You have her facial features, her hair color.
– You knew my mother?..
– Of course. You even have her character. But the eyes are from your father. That’s why they annoy me the most, – Toneri walked past her, – Lindell, that was her name. She also wanted to live in peace with the Alphas, to turn back the old days when Alphas and Omegas formed pairs. I tried to explain to her that it was impossible. But she wouldn’t listen to me. She had an exceptionally strong calling; she was literally able to reshape living organisms at the molecular level! She was flawless. We were supposed to escape together! But she met that damned Neis and fell in love. Women… every day I tried to pull her away, to take her with me. And I couldn’t. That idiot got pregnant, and they ran away! Disappeared! Damn! How much time did I spend searching? How much pain did I endure when I found out that Adelson found them first?! Your father disappeared. I think he just ran away. But Lindell was killed on the spot. Her calling had already become too dangerous for the Alphas.
– She was killed by… Noah’s father?..
– What did you think? After all, your dad was his closest friend, a trusted person. He couldn’t stand such betrayal. You have no idea how relieved I felt when I found you! When I learned that you inherited Lindell’s calling? And now you’re telling me all of this was in vain? Because our philosophies of life diverge?!
Nari felt that Toneri was furious. He looked like a great snake dancing before its prey, just before delivering a fatal bite. It became frightening to be near him.
– I won’t do this, – the girl whispered, – it’s not right.
– Oh really, – Toneri snapped his fingers, – I think you’ll have to reconsider your decision.
Mai and Noah were approaching them. Both of their gazes were glassy, as if their thoughts were not here.
– Fight until one falls, – Toneri said.
– What are you?..