– Someday, you will pay for everything!!! I will make you repay for every day of my waiting! For every tear I’ve shed!!! – Kanetika wiped her tears with the sleeves of her shirt, – what kind of person are you, Naaaariii.
The girl sobbed uncontrollably, attracting too much unwanted attention. Iris looked around nervously.
– Please, Kanetika, for the sake of the Great Tree! – he pleaded, – they’re watching us! We met in the very center because it’s best to hide in a crowd. But with your hysterics, we won’t hide anywhere!!!
– I’m sorry, – the beta sniffled, – I’m sorry… it’s just… I’m so glad! I’m so happy you’re okay, Nari!
Iris contacted Kanetika and arranged a meeting. It wasn’t difficult. The contacts were saved in Nari even after the communicator was deactivated. It was enough to show that her friend was alive, and Kanetika would run to the ends of the Earth. Moreover, no one was watching the beta. Despite the fact that Kanetika worked in the office of the Favorit corporation’s headquarters, her position wasn’t high due to her secondary gender. That’s why the Alphas saw no point in watching her. And this negligence cost them dearly.
– I got everything, – Kanetika whispered, finally calming down.
They sat at a table in a café, the three of them. Noah was on guard outside, looking out for the commission or the security service. The beta discreetly slid a small paper package toward her friend with her foot under the table.
– I got you two coded communicators. They are almost impossible to track. So for a while, you can keep in touch without worrying about being overheard or tracked.
– How much time do we have?
– If you don’t misuse them, you’ll have plenty of time. For the commission’s radars, the signals from these communicators are like white noise. If it appears periodically, no one will pay attention. But if it makes noise for too long, they will start checking. If you’re suddenly caught, the communicator will give an audible signal. You’ll have about 15 minutes before they decipher the signal and track you. After the signal, get rid of the communicator as quickly as possible.
– Where did you get them?
– My boyfriend gave them to me, – Tika said proudly, – he’s a hacker. And he doesn’t like the way Omegas are treated either.
– Boyfriend?! You started dating someone?!! – Nari exclaimed in surprise, – and who is he? Also from work? Where did you meet? How long??!
– And what about you! – Tika pouted, – your beta turned out to be an Alpha. And now you two are together?!
– Girls, seriously?! – Iris rolled his eyes, – are we going to discuss this now?!
– Sorry, – Kanetika cleared her throat, – to make a long story short, in these communicators, we loaded your boss’s schedule for this week, as well as his routes. The best option is afternoon coffee. Every day at the same time, he sends all the employees, including security, from his floor. He is alone on that floor for fifteen minutes. The only problem is getting to that floor. But there’s simply no better time than when he’s alone.
– We’ll think of something, – Iris said thoughtfully, – after all, we’ve all signed up for this madness.
– I downloaded the layout of the headquarters for you. It includes all entrances and exits, ventilation, sewage, storage rooms, and so on. So use it.
– Thank you, Tika, – Nari gently touched her hand, – then we’ll go. Take care of yourself.
– You’ve helped us a lot, Ms. Tami, – Iris bowed gallantly, – take care of yourself. And send my regards to your boyfriend.
– I’m just happy to help! – Tika smiled and then turned to her friend, – we’ll meet when all this is over, right? You still have a lot to tell me!
– Of course, – Nari nodded, – I also have a lot of questions. And we haven’t had coffee together in ages.
– You promised! – Tika said hopefully, – don’t disappear for so long again!
– Alright, – Nari waved at her.
When they came out to Noah, Iris turned around.
– She’s still watching us, – he said quietly, – you have a good friend, Nari. No unnecessary questions.
– Tika is the best, – Nari smiled, – it’s a pity I couldn’t be fully honest with her… after all, I don’t know if I’ll survive even this meeting.
***
It was dark in the corridors. At night in the underground bunker, the lights were turned off, leaving only one or two lanterns in the hallway. Nari and Noah walked ahead, followed by Leo and Iris, and Maidena was last, glancing around. After the meeting with Kanetika, they returned to the base, and the rest of the day weighed on their minds like a lead weight. The plan was simple. Under the cover of night, they would leave Sigma’s bunker without being seen. After all, in just two days, the Omega leader planned to lead his army of zombified Alphas to Adelsen and start a fight in which there would be no winners. In Sigma, nobody really understood what was happening. But the weak and scared Omegas, who had escaped here from the ghetto, were ready to believe anything, as long as it gave them hope for a better future. That’s why they needed to be saved.
Nari hoped that someone would hear them. Whether it was Adelsen or someone from the management, other Alphas, or betas. They needed to explain that the Tree could be saved without sacrifices, without blood. She wanted to convey that they would have to learn to live together. But for that, they first needed to escape Sigma. It should have been easy.
– Out for a stroll? – they heard from the darkness, – they say it’s a full moon now, probably nice.
The team turned around. Leaning against a wall, with rusty massive bars, stood Toneri and two beta guards.
– Noah, my boy, – the eyes of the Sigma leader glinted ominously in the dark, – are you really thinking of abandoning all these poor Omegas who are counting on you? You must protect them.
– I only have to protect one Omega. The one I chose! – Noah said passionately.
– Chosen? My naive boy, – Toneri laughed loudly, – what nonsense! Do you really believe that Alphas can choose anything? It’s us, Omegas, who choose you!
– So be it! – Noah waved him off, – that doesn’t matter now. Let us leave in peace, Toneri. You can’t take us on with two betas.
– Hmm? I have two Alphas, – the leader shrugged.
His eyes grew even brighter, and Nari felt a cutting floral aroma. Iris shielded Leo and grabbed Maidena by the hand, although he knew that the Alpha would break free with just a single move, no matter how he held her. He activated his call, hoping it would distract Mai even for a second.
– Maidena! Noah! – Toneri released his call, – seize the Omegas!
Noah froze. Nari looked at him in confusion. The boy’s eyes clouded and brightened alternately. It was clear he was struggling against Toneri’s call. Maidena, on the other hand, did not react at all. She immediately placed herself between Noah and the Omegas, pushing Nari behind her.
– Stopped pretending my call affects you? – Toneri smiled, – Mai, my dear, you know he will kill you?
– Well, I’ll buy them a few minutes, – Maidena replied with a similar scathing smile.
She surged forward and lunged at Noah first, while he was still disoriented. The first blow he missed, but he blocked the next one. Mai only managed to push him a little away from Nari and the boys. In an instant, Noah’s roar took Mai to her knees, along with Leo and Iris. Leo started to gasp for air. Iris, summoning all his strength, shielded him with his body, though blood was dripping from his nose. He could barely keep his consciousness. Noah was hitting Maidena. A punch, another punch. The girl already had a scraped face and bruised arms. One more punch and she would pass out. Nari watched in horror as Noah slowly beat her face to a pulp. And Toneri, with a predatory smile, observed this scene.
– Good boy, – Toneri whispered, – now finish her off.
– Noah, stop!!! – Nari screamed so loudly that she forgot about control.
In an instant, the corridor was filled with the sweet scent of her call. The wave was so powerful that Noah instantly regained his senses. His shoulder, where Nari’s bite mark still lingered, seemed to burn like fire. He released Maidena and jumped aside, horrified at his bloodied fists.
– Noah, – Nari’s eyes shone, – help Mai. We’re leaving!
– What?! Noah, immediately!.. – Toneri exclaimed, bewildered, – what the… a mark?! Did you mark him?!
– Noah, faster, – Nari stepped back, helping Iris up, – we’re going.
– Little whore, – Toneri hissed angrily, – a mark… who would have thought.
– Don’t follow us, – Nari said coldly.
– I will still do what is planned! Do you think your escape changes anything?! Just the number of casualties! If Sigma doesn’t win – nobody will! – he screamed at her back, raging, – if you don’t side with me – all of Katoria will perish! Don’t make a foolish mistake! Like your mother, Inariya!!! Don’t act like her!!!
Noah, supporting Maidena, turned to Nari. Her eyes still burned. And with every part of his being, Noah felt that right now his life belonged to her.