The stage had been set. We have worked for weeks coordinating stories, and whispers from the streets. Gathering the evidence needed to run this full-scale takedown of an illegal trade house, and it had run all of us ragged. The idea of bringing a second team in to deal with the issue faster was not my own except some higher ups in the force decided it was for the best. Something I would very soon regret allowing.
The house was situated in a quiet neighborhood. Within a gated community. Known for the usually quiet and secrets allowed to be kept, this was one of my toughest takedowns. The house itself was a three-story modern concept home. Not many windows but it had a good number of solar panels. Which of course blocked the heat signatures we tried to get from a helicopter flight over three weeks ago. The yard was well taken care of, keeping most people from suspecting the inhabitants. A large six-foot fence blocked the views in the back of the house with hedges in the front with a metal framed gate at the entrance.
All the folks around the area stated there was one main occupant. A male that was rarely seen. The house had visitors almost every second day. Usually after dark hours when the guard was at the gate and had to let them in. The guard stated it was usually family visits, since the man was on his own for the first time they worried. There was never a change in the number of occupants, either going in or out.
Now on stand-by were three tactical units. Black uniforms to blend them in as the sun went down. Bullet proof vests, helmets and fully loaded rifles the men were split in three teams. My team was team one and was made of mostly Betas and a couple submissive Alphas. They have been with me since the beginning, and they were like family to me. The second and third teams were brought in by suggestion. Their leader was the only one I had really met, and he was an ass. He refused to give us information about his members, which I should have flagged right away. I fought hard with him to keep my team as lead. As the timer ticked, I waited for the radio to report.
"This is team one. Team two and three report status."
"Team two ready."
"Team three ready."
"Team one ready. Move in on count. Three. Two. One."
The radio static was all I had while waiting with the medical team. As always, I was holding my breath. It had become a habit at every take down we did. In the last five years we have had almost thirty successful take downs with over fifty rescued Omegas now in various stages of recovery.
"Main floor clear."
"Back is clear."
"Team two do you register scents?"
"Negative Team one."
No scents? What are they talking about? I grabbed the walkie-talkie from the man beside me. "This is Team Leader. Team one report!" Team one was my own team, and I knew I could trust what they told me.
"Team leader. Main floor clear. No scents. No evidence of life."
"This is team three. Basement clear. Same report."
"Akira! You have some explaining to do. My teams were brought in for an empty house?" The leader of the backup team stormed into the medic van. "There better be some answers I can give my boss, or you will never be allowed to continue."
I tried to listen to the radio chatter as more rooms were inspected and all the same report went through. 'Clear' They were tipped off. That was the only conclusion I could come up with. "If you could shut your mouth for a few, I can listen to the chatter and try and get a picture of what is going on."
"I do not need to hear more to know this was a bad report." The man before me grabbed his walkie-talkie and took over the chatter. "Team two and three clear out." Looking right into my eyes, challenging me, he spoke once more. "One week. I give you one week to report your failing to my superior." Turning his back to me, I punched the wall of the van.
The house was more than empty. I was walking through it with my team leader, Gekka, assessing the damage. The officers in his command were already trying to speak to the neighbors to gather timelines. It was clear the traders had time to purge the house of more than the omegas. The lack of scent was disturbing to say the least.
"Gekka. How could this happen? We followed protocol and still." We were walking through the empty house. "Besides the evidence of cages being cleared up, we have nothing to trace them with." The ground showed evidence of scrapping and dents from heavy objects. From the past warrants and recuses I have come used to seeing the aftermath of Omega traders and their setups.
"Sir!" Turning around we see a rookie from our team entering the room. "Before I left with my team, I thought I should speak with you. Three days ago, while we were gathering reports from the guard, a rookie from team two was spotted leaving the area. I never thought it would be important to report at the time, but he was in uniform."
"Is there any chance he was doing duties for something else?" Gekka stepped in to dig.
"No sir. The officers from team two and three told us that this street was on hold for anything but priority ones and twos."
"Thanks officer. Get back to the office and chin up. We can't win them all." Gekka looked at me after he left. "A rookie, eh?"
Back at home I could not stop thinking of what could have gone wrong. The best way to go over everything in detail, was to call my friend and lead investigator once more.
"Damn it, Akira. We have spent weeks trying to track this group and a rookie from another division fucks it up! We were promised a clear path from the other division. What happened?" The voice on the other end the phone continued to curse and vent, not letting me, who was holding it, speak. I was tired. The hours we put into this rescue ruined by a fucking leak. Not one of our own that we could deal with, but from the second team brought in as back up.
I am Akira Route. The sole heir of Route Genetic Pharmaceuticals; a company that works on pheromone suppressants for the sub genders that need them. Started by my grandfather to help prevent pheromone related incidents between Alphas and Omegas. I am also the leader, owner and creator of the Omega Freedom and Justice Team; or OT for short; that rescues and rehabilitates Omegas caught in the illegal trade.
Like all dominant Alphas I am well over six foot, with a muscular build. My good looks, had I wished, could have taken me to the top in any industry such as modelling or acting, where along with my previous athletic past, I could have gone pro if I wished it.
Raised from day of my birth to be the heir, I worked damn hard at everything I did. Being an Alpha of my calibre helped of course, but I never rested easy or took things lightly. However, five years ago, legal issues with my father had me fighting to keep my position as heir and CEO, proving to others it was not just a title given to me. This legal issue of my father's, of course, led to the start of my side project; the Omega Justice Centre. My father was in jail, and I now respectively ran two companies and took care of my mother, as she deserved.
My ice blue eyes that could pierce anyone's heart; I had been told; while being framed with my deep mahogany hair, gave me a royal air. My red locks were the type of hair that even messy, looked perfect. However, at this time, the look on my face was not one of pleasure at all. "Enough!" The once calm demeanour gone. "You need to find out who this rookie has connections to and make sure this was not staged on purpose."
"You think it was an inside job? If we have brass protecting the Omega traders, it could be bad news boss." The voice was no longer yelling, but the strain of what was suggested was easily heard.
"That is exactly what I am suggesting. In five years of leading you guys, we have not once had a bust go wrong. The place was completely cleaned out. Not even a scrap of paper or scent. If they had time to do it this clean, there was someone behind the scenes. Find them." I was now rubbing my head with frustration.
"On it boss. I will call you with updates later. Try and get some rest."
"Don't bother. Just report it in an email. I have a headache." Without waiting for an answer, I hung up, tossing my phone back onto my desk. I just stared at the phone as if the black screen could give me the answers I needed.
Six weeks of investigations and reports. Gone in a blink of an eye. Folks who once spoke up, silenced. It has been years since Omegas were allowed to be free. Yet here I was working on helping Omegas caught in the illegal sex trade. Something I truly was passionate about fighting for. A mistake this large was not something I could let go of easily.
It was late. The sun had long passed the horizon with the moon already high in its place, with me still sitting at my desk looking into the past reports and witness statements. What was I missing? How many Omegas are now lost because of this error? A single uniformed cop could not be the full story.
Everyone could sense that their CEO was in no mood to be bothered the next day. Even my secretary darted in and out to give me my coffee without a word. Currently on the phone with the same man from the other night, my frustrations only grew.
"What do you mean the witnesses are wanting to retract their statements? They cannot do that! We are talking about people's lives." It was only the years of practice with shareholders and board meetings my voice was controlled and not yelling. The tone itself should have been enough to relay my message. "Those omegas need to be found. I do not care whose ass you have to kick in gear, but you better do it yesterday!" Another click, signalling the end of the call followed by a sigh. It was not fair to Gekka. None of this was his fault. I would owe him a meal for my anger getting the better of me.
The coffee now cold, was picked up and swallowed. Pushing a call button beside my phone on the desk caused me to grimace. "Terra. Put my mother on the line."
It took only seconds for my line to start ringing. Taking a deep breath in I readied myself for the next call. Her voice could calm me from my worries. "Good afternoon mother. I hope you have been doing well?"
"You should call me more often son! I know you are busy, but we hardly ever see each other anymore. You are allowed to take breaks! Besides! How am I going to get any grandchildren if you are always working? You need to find someone nice and have a family. Every year I wither away more knowing there is no baby to bounce on my knee."
At this point I had the phone on speaker while she rattled on. I could never understand how my mother could talk so much on this one subject that had no real-life expectation. She knew my current viewpoint on finding a mate. After what father did to this family, I vowed to never do the same thing. I kept focused on my work and never meddled around with the socialization required for dating. I was very careful to take my suppressants and wear pheromone covers as extra care. I would never make the same mistake or actions as my so-called father did.
"Anyways, Akira. You need to come home for a visit." I smiled. The invite I knew would be coming my way.
"I was hoping to come down next month for a couple of days for my birthday. The company can handle things without me. For the most part. I will have to keep my phone and laptop with me, but I promise to spend time with you."
"Really! You must meet the new neighbours! They are so friendly. You know the old farm up the hill beside our estate? A young couple has purchased it and moved in. I think you would like them. They do not look down on Omegas and even play with the children in town. I find them very refreshing. I can invite them for your birthday dinner."
This caused me to frown. It still was not the norm for Omega supporters. Even though they are a younger generation, for them to be as open as they sound with Omegas; could be concerning. "Sounds wonderful mother. I will let you know when I have an official date set up. Love you."
"Love you too."
Opening my cell, I proceeded to text the information to my partner. 'Mother just told me of young couple friendly with Omegas near my old estate. Check who bought the farm beside my mother's estate. Get back to me asap.' Inside I knew that I should not be suspicious of every omega friendly being, but I could not help it. Besides, my gut did not sit right with it, and I always listened to my gut.
"I checked into your mother's new neighbours, and they are clean. They paid with cash, but even that can be traced legally. Back checks in their job history are clean too. You're always a worrier when it comes to your mother. Learn to ease up occasionally." Sitting down for coffee at a well-known cafe with Gekka Setback, my lead investigator. He is a Beta, but one of the few that could compete head-to-head with Alpha's. He stood a good six foot in height with a very athletic build. Blond hair and amber eyes gave him an angelic aura in his baby face. "Your mother is right. You need to get out and date."
An answering growl to his comment was heard first. "Are you and my mother talking again? You both know my stance on this. I swear the two of you gossip every chance you get."
"You will not finish this battle in your lifetime. At least bring in a family that can continue your legacy! You are only young once. With your birthday coming up, it makes you what? Twenty-five now? Most men your age are at least engaged." Gekka sighed. "Look, just enjoy your visit with your mother. Get to know her new friends. I will continue to trace what I can for the traders."
"I will have my phone and laptop with me. Of course, my mother has plans so I will only be accessible late nights or emergencies only, as usual." Swirling my cup of coffee deep in thought, I spoke out once more. "My gut is never wrong Gekka. However, I will listen to you and try for my mother's sake. She will be heartbroken if her new friends are just as bad as father."
"You know it wasn't your fault or your mothers, right? He made his choice and is now dealing with the consequences of his actions." Gekka looked right into my eye. "Do not let his actions control your own."
"I am responsible for what happened years ago. I listened to his honeyed words, and it lost me more than one family member. What people say and what they do are two different things Gekka. You know this just as much as I do. Trust is not easily won, but it can be lost in the blink of an eye." Having enough of the current topic, I coughed. "Look. You do you Gekka."
"Alright I get it. No more of this. Back to the matter at hand. The rookie is not on the force; at least not anymore. It was like he never existed. Whoever is in charge has made way to cover his tracks. The weird thing was, half the force from the other teams remembers the guy, but never knew him."
"So, a decoy or someone who was not really on the force. This makes it harder for us to track but not impossible. We need more information; however, I do not want them to know we are sneaking around asking questions. Can we focus on tracking where the traders could have gone for now? When we are ready for another takedown we can watch the other teams, and our own closer." I was sure we could easily draw out the rats, it was finding the traders that would prove to be difficult.