Free Escape: Omega Book 1 (Omega: Earth's Hero) by Keith Latch Page A

found his voice, and his sense, it seemed. He saluted, a little sloppily, and wasted no time getting out of the exam room.
    When they were alone, Black finally realized why the general had paid him this visit: his mission’s failure. He’d lost men, lost civilians. He’d come a hair’s breadth of losing the First Lady as well. The only one not injured was that infernal experiment.
    Black was no fool. He knew there were things about Omega that he would never know. He also knew there were things about him that he didn’t particularly want to know. There were enough geneticists on base and other scientists with degrees in medical areas that had no business near a military installation to figure out the basics. Omega was an overgrown science fair project. While he had no idea of the specifics of what went on in the depths of Phantom Base’s labs, he knew they were attempting to make the “super soldier.” Even the term caused Black to groan.
    Not raised in a religious family, Black still knew that when you meddled with God’s designs, He often paid you back in manners you didn’t welcome.
    Black couldn’t easily dismiss the fact the government-- his government, the very one he pledged his life to--would infuse who knew how many millions of dollars into such projects while real men and women in uniform lacked proper equipment on the frontlines. Black had trained for the army since before he could remember. All he’d wanted was to be a soldier, an officer, and a leader of men. That a scientific mutant could receive such prestige and importance compared to not only him, but also his hundreds of thousands of brothers and sisters on the front lines, made his blood boil. 
    All those thoughts flashed through his mind at breakneck speed and he pushed them away as he concentrated on his visitor and readied himself for the worst possible scenario.
    “Things didn’t go very well out there, did they captain?”
    A moment’s hesitation. “No, general. They did not.”
    Hendricks looked to contemplate his words, and then, “Nevertheless, the First Lady is safe and secure back in Washington. The president is pleased. The SecDef is relieved. The terrorists will terrorize no longer. You, while a bit worse for the wear, are in one piece.”
    “And Omega without a scratch.” Black had no idea where the words came from, but wished he could draw them back. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be granting wishes today.
    “Humph.” Again, contemplation from the general. Silence hung like a pregnant beast on the verge of delivery.
    Black almost opened his mouth to apologize, but at the last moment decided against it. Such a gesture would no doubt appear weak and pathetic. Black just sat there, awaiting his just desserts.
    “Captain, you have always conducted yourself in a most professional manner. You trained, disciplined, deployed your men admirably, and I sincerely doubt I’ve met a more dedicated leader.” Hendricks put his hand in his pocket, fished around, withdrew a stick of gum in aluminum foil, unwrapped it, and placed the entire stick in his mouth at one time. After several chews, he said, “So I will excuse that remark—”
    “Sir, I meant no disrespect…” this time unable to stop his apology, but Thurmond Hendricks silenced him with a wave of his hand.
    “I also know that you don’t think too highly of the Omega Project.”
    Despite himself, Black nodded subtly. “I really didn’t expect you to. To be honest, Captain,” Hendricks, surprisingly, took a seat on the exam table just beside Black, “there are quite a few things I don’t expect too many people to care for around here. That’s the nature of the beast. To keep our country free, to ensure the liberties that Americans take for granted every day of their life, things deemed… distasteful… to some must be tolerated.”
    “I understand that, sir.”
    “I know that you do, captain. Need I remind you I handpicked you myself for this assignment? I did