The strangest thing was the pressure I felt inside. It was… weird. I couldn’t say what my pancreas, liver, or other organs felt like. Still, I think there was some sort of mental map even if it was subconscious. I clenched my ass, and it rippled with new muscles I never had before.

I pushed against my smooth stomach.

“There’s only so much room within the human body or Volardi for that matter. Everything is more compact now.” His face twisted into a grin. “Even more when you get pregnant.”

Images of me with a full belly solidified in my mind and I saw my nipples harden in response.

“Well little one, how do you feel?”

You’re the same size as me, but you want an answer? Fine. Like I want to take my hands and squeeze the throat of every Volardi I find. I’d love to see your ships explode and send you all into this goddamn machine. That’s how I feel.

Instead, I closed my eyes for an instant before I spoke with a tired voice. “Does it matter?”

“Omegas are precious to the Volardi. Ergo, Earth is too. In time, you’ll grow to appreciate your good fortune.”

I don’t feel very lucky.

***

Chapter Nine

PETER

I looked back into James’ blue eyes. He grabbed a short metal tube, and I felt a hiss of air near my ear.

“Second stage for the language nanites. They will allow you to…” As he spoke the Californian accent changed until it was soft and musical. “… understand our language with all its subtlety and idioms. We’re Omegas. At least you and the original James are.”

I blinked. It was like… thinking in another language. Now I wondered if it was English or Volardi.

His face turned solemn. “You’re breathing rapidly… are you ill?

I shook my head ‘no’. There was nothing I could see, but I didn’t feel like me inside. Not anymore. Whatever made Peter him wasn’t there anymore. I didn’t have much luck with girls, but I figured I would hook up with someone. Have a kid and be normal. Instead, I was this... alien freak. This was worse than being queer. I’d be gay and pregnant with some guy’s kid. Stretched out and giving birth like the animals on our farm.

James’ voice lowered. “It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?”

My eyes widened. I wasn’t sure if it was the situation or worse… weird Omega hormones that were affecting me.

His now musical voice drew out. “Perhaps this new role is the real you?”

Another monitor flew to his hand. “Per your test results, you have an innate desire to be taken care of.” His piercing blue eyes continued to stare at the screen. “You have no employment, even though Earth males of your age do so. Also, your answers on the test correspond to this form.” He slapped his hands together. “Are you sure being an Omega isn’t really you?”

My lips pressed together. “Can’t you change me back? Maybe there’s something inside that says I’m not a good fit.”