OMEGA Guardian by Stephen Arseneault Read Free Book Online

here?"
    Cal pointed. "Five doors down, apartment 9. Four young Feldons moved in when the couple that lived there were taken away. They have threatened us more than I would care to mention. If we can kick them out, it would improve this hall immensely."
    We proceeded down the hall and knocked on the door to apartment 9. Garrett and I stood to the side as Cal and his brothers waited for a response.
    The door opened and a middle-aged Feldon stepped out. "What do you want? I told you never to bother us."
    Cal smiled. "It’s time for you to leave, Concat! I have been waiting for this day to come, and today is my day. You and your friends have to go find somewhere else to squat."
    The Feldon stepped farther into the hall with an angry expression on his face and a clenched fist. "You must be crazy. You are the one who—"
    I stepped up beside Cal. "Call your friends out. It’s time for you to go. Only those with qualified leases will be staying. None of you have a lease for this level. It’s time for you to leave."
    The angry Feldon turned to go back inside the apartment. I reached out, grabbing him by his neck. My fingers easily reached around to touch my thumb.
    I spoke. "You will be leaving now, Mr. Concat. YOU IN THERE! Come out. If I have to come in there, it will be unpleasant!"
    Three Feldons came out with scowls on their faces. I pushed Concat into the hallway by his neck and then let go. "Level 99 is off limits to the four of you. If I see you here again, I will take each of you by the neck and squeeze hard."
    Concat began to walk down the hall as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That apartment was given to us by Victor! We will be getting it back when he hears about this!"
    I growled and stomped my foot in their direction. The four Feldon squatters began to run.
    I looked over to Cal. "Who's next?"
    Cal grinned. "Apartment 3!"
    The next five hours were spent expelling those who did not belong. Out of almost four hundred apartments, sixty-six had just become available. When the last of the miscreants had been evicted, the other residents began to emerge from their hovels.
    Cal pulled up the holo-display over his arm pad. With a few swipes of his fingers he had a list of the comms for all current residents of level 99.
    Cal spoke over the comm. "This is Cal Hoog, your super. If you have followed the commotion in the hallways today, you would know that level 99 is now once again under the control of valid leaseholders. Make a list of repairs that each of your apartments is in need of, and we will begin the process of making things right. At this time, come out into the hallways for a celebration. I will be coming around to greet everyone as I can."
    Only minutes had passed before the hallways began to fill with residents. Most were apprehensive, but loosened up once Cal, his brothers, and their cousins had come around. There were obvious no-shows for those who were at work somewhere on the station, and for those who remained scared because it had been the way of life for them for so long. Garrett and I spent several hours at the main stairwell, turning back everyone coming down who did not belong.
    On more than one occasion the situation turned violent.
    As four Feldons approached with clubs and knives, Garrett spoke. "Sorry, fellas, this level is closed to all but residents."
    One of the Feldons spoke. "Out of our way, Human. We have business with the super."
    I stepped from around the corner. "As of now, you no longer have business on this level. Go back where you came from, or I will show you what an angry Grunta looks like."
    The Feldon laughed. "You won’t be so cocky when the Gammatin gets here!"
    The other Feldons laughed.
    Garrett said, "Well, perhaps you will want to go until the Gammatin arrives. My friend here, he likes to play with knives and clubs."
    The Feldon leader offered a half scowl and then jumped down the steps, swinging his club with both hands. I blocked with my right forearm and then caught the