Chapter 3: Lead the Way

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“Every life is capable of greatness”

-Condoleezza Rice

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            Omari was the top human enforcement official in the habitable zone. He had spent years training in all methods of combat known to Apsis. He was the most lethally trained human fighting “machine” the zone had ever seen. He was an absolute razor. In addition to being the deadliest human alive, he was in charge of issuing orders to all hybrids upon deployment unless Dai Lu was present. This was another bone of contention between the two of them. These days, though, Dai Lu almost never deployed.

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            Omari and Michael arrived at Dai Lu’s office at the same time. Michael firmly believed that, unlike Jack, Omari’s brilliance matched his sculpted physique. He had a very dark skin tone, whose contrast with Michael’s light skin had always incredibly excited them both. Omari was very neatly trimmed and was always very well dressed. He believed that taking care of his appearance was, in part, a reflection of taking pride in himself. Omari was very handsome, confident, and dangerous in more ways than one. And not just to Michael. In addition to being a combat specialist and the top human enforcer in the habitable zone, Omari was the love of Michael’s life.

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            “After you,” Omari motioned to Michael as he pointed towards Dai Lu’s closed office door.

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            “No, after you,” Michael responded, repeating Omari’s gesture.

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            “Michael, I insist,” Omari pressed.

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            Their chests were nearly touching; they were close enough to feel that rush of electricity and warmth cascading off of each other. Michael and Omari gazed into each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Another one of their customary stare downs, replete with waves upon waves of emotionality, unresolved tension, lust, and love. They were assigned to each other for a very dynamic, synergistic and intensely passionate time before Apsis reassigned Omari to Dai Lu approximately twenty years ago.

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            The two of them just stood there staring at each other for several moments. Michael was the master of long uncomfortable silences, but they never sat so well with Omari. So, Omari shattered the moment with a sneer,

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            “Damn Michael, you look like you want to fight me or fuck me. Which is it?”

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            “A little bit of both actually,” Michael replied matter-of-factly, “so either let’s fuck or get the fuck out of my way.”

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            “Gentlemen please,” Dai Lu interrupted over the intercom, “as much as I would like to see how this plays out, we have far more pressing matters to attend to.”

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            Her mind did begin to wander, though.

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“We don’t have time for this,” Apsis reprimanded her suddenly.

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“Fine,” Dai Lu finally shouted back, “COME IN!”

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          As with everything between the two of them, neither Michael nor Omari could yield anything to the other, not even something as simple as letting the other be more courteous. So, they ended up going through the door simultaneously, nearly knocking each other over in the process.

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            “Is this about the toilet seat again?” Omari asked.

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            “It’s about vampires,” Dai Lu and Michael responded in unison.