Page 49 of Alpha Hunger

I lean on the back of Dreikx’s chair as he runs a heat scan within the seized perimeter. The scanners from Dreikx’s ship hovering above the city eliminate the animal and Regha male signatures, leaving us with the human count. The numbers climb and finally slow down.

“Interesting,” Dreikx says.

“Mm-hm.” An influx of about ten thousand bodies shows on the screen. Unusual. Could be that people have come for the warm weather, could be an unpleasant sign. I’m going with the latter.

“What do you want to do?” Dreikx asks.

“Repeat scan.”

“It is accurate on the first try.”

“Again.”

Dreikx sighs and repeats the scan. The second round’s numbers are off by five humans, which is a minor change. The five could be a family of five that has just crossed outside the perimeter. The scan accounts for the traffic coming and going on the highways, so the numbers constantly fluctuate, but not by ten thousand.

“An army unit, no?” Dreikx scrubs his jaw.

“Indeed.”

“You have a problem, I’d say.”

“I shall take care of it. Impose the Silence.”

“If I may.”

“You may.”

“We can pick up their communication if we wait a few more spans for the Silence.”

“They’re not communicating in ways you can pick up, or you’d have picked up on it already.”

“But after Terror interviewed the uncle, I know I need to scan deeper. Speaking of uncles, you will not enjoy the news.”

“Tell me.”

“The mayor took him off the column.”

I smile. “Is she in hiding?”

“Somewhere around here.” Dreikx points. “Again, I need the tech in order to pinpoint the sources and the small army that has invaded your city. Pray tell, Serpent’s wonder child, how did an army of ten thousand sneak into your city without you noticing?”

“I found my Omega.”

“Ah, distractions, distractions. Your father would disapprove.”

“I am not my father.”

“Fortunately for humankind.”

“Do you think I would have gained more favor with humans if I ruthlessly came after every Omega and forced them into a compound? Because this option is on the table.”

“I do not. I think you have a special way with humans. You get that from your mother.”

I clear my throat and tap my claw on his chair. “How is my mother?” Dreikx travels between Regha and Earth more often than I do.

“She misses you.”

“Thank you. Initiate Silence.”

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