Chapter 6 Eternal Marking
# Chapter 6: Eternal Marking
Six weeks after the groundbreaking surgery, the coastal safehouse had been transformed from a medical facility into something resembling a home. Large windows remained open to the sea air, filling the modernist structure with light and the distant sound of waves—a stark contrast to the clinical environment where their child had entered the world.
Austin sat on the terrace, cradling the infant against his chest. The baby, whom they had named Ethan, was unlike any child either of them had encountered—developing at an accelerated rate, already showing cognitive responses typically seen in infants three times his age. More remarkably, he exhibited biological characteristics of both designations simultaneously, his tiny body producing complex pheromone combinations that defied classification.
"His cellular structure has completely stabilized," Austin noted as Harley joined him, passing her a tablet displaying the latest test results. "The chromosomal degradation has not only halted but reversed."
Harley studied the data, still adjusting to the profound physiological changes in her own body. The absence of her alpha glands had created what medical literature would consider a devastating loss of biological identity, yet she experienced it differently—not as absence but as transformation, her connection to Austin and Ethan creating a new form of biochemical balance.
"Dr. Wei wants to publish her findings," Harley said, taking a seat beside them. "Anonymized, of course."
"It would revolutionize designation medicine," Austin acknowledged, "but it would also alert whoever was continuing your father's work that we've succeeded where they failed."
The mention of Alexander Bourn's research cast a shadow over the peaceful scene. During Austin's recovery, Harley had continued investigating her father's legacy, uncovering evidence of a vast network still operating within the restructured Bourn Pharmaceutical division—researchers continuing the α-Ω Immortality Project under different names, with different funding sources.
"The data we recovered from the backup servers confirms it," Harley said, scrolling to another section of the report. "My father wasn't trying to create a superior designation. He was trying to end the designation system entirely."
Austin looked up sharply. "What do you mean?"
"His private journals outline his real objective—a biological agent that would neutralize designation differences across the population, essentially resetting human evolution to pre-designation status." Harley's expression was troubled. "He believed the alpha-omega dynamic had become an evolutionary dead end, creating social hierarchies that would eventually lead to species decline."
"So he created specialized omegas to serve as incubators for a genetic solution," Austin concluded, pieces of his own history finally falling into place. "We weren't meant to be permanent—just vessels for developing the next evolutionary stage."
"And Ethan may be that stage," Harley said softly, looking at their son. "A natural chimera carrying genetic keys that could affect all designations."
The baby stirred, releasing a subtle pheromone signature that immediately soothed both parents—another impossible biological function that defied conventional understanding of designation biology.
"We can't stay hidden forever," Austin said after a moment. "Sooner or later, they'll track us down. Your company, the research division, whoever continued the project after your father disappeared—they'll want what Ethan represents."
Harley's expression hardened with determination. "Then we end this before they find us."
---
The plan they developed was audacious in its simplicity. Rather than continuing to hide, they would strike at the heart of the operation—the secret research facility beneath Bourn Pharmaceutical's main campus where Austin had discovered his own origins, where other engineered omegas had been created and discarded.
Harley used her legal authority as company heir to schedule a surprise inspection of the pharmaceutical division, bringing Austin as a "medical consultant." Their child remained at the safehouse under Dr. Wei's protection, connected to them through the unique bond that now linked all three.
"Remember," Harley murmured as they passed through security, "most of these researchers don't know the full scope of the project. They believe they're working on designation therapy, not human engineering."
Austin nodded, his face a careful mask of professional detachment despite the flood of memories triggered by returning to the facility where his true nature had been revealed to him years earlier. The transplanted alpha glands in his neck—Harley's glands—pulsed with increased activity, as if recognizing their original environment.
They moved through the official laboratories, Harley conducting a convincing show of corporate oversight while Austin discreetly gathered biometric data using specialized contact lenses. When they reached the executive elevator bank, Harley pressed her palm to the scanner, holding her breath until it flashed green—her access hadn't been revoked despite her recent absence from company operations.
"Sub-level access confirmed, Ms. Bourn," the automated system announced. "Welcome back."
The elevator descended past the publicly acknowledged floors into the research complex below. When the doors opened, they revealed a vast laboratory space where dozens of scientists worked at advanced stations—none of whom seemed surprised by Harley's appearance.
"Ms. Bourn," a distinguished older man approached, his lab coat bearing the project insignia Austin recognized from his childhood. "We weren't expecting an inspection today."
"That's the point of a surprise inspection, Dr. Matsuo," Harley replied smoothly. "This is Dr. Armstrong, my medical consultant. I'd like him to review the current project status."
Dr. Matsuo's eyes widened slightly at Austin's name, a flicker of recognition quickly suppressed. "Of course. We're actually at a critical juncture in the research. Perhaps you'd like to see our latest results?"
As they followed Dr. Matsuo deeper into the facility, Austin surreptitiously activated the transmission device implanted beneath his skin, sending the biometric data to Dr. Wei's secure server. Each step through the laboratory revealed more of the operation's scope—dozens of genetic engineering stations, cryogenic storage units containing thousands of samples, and most disturbing, medical pods similar to those Austin remembered from his childhood.
They were led to a central monitoring station where holographic displays showed real-time genetic manipulation occurring at the molecular level.
"As you can see," Dr. Matsuo explained with undisguised pride, "we've made significant advances since your father's initial work. The designation neutralization vector is now viable in controlled settings."
"Neutralization vector?" Harley asked, maintaining her façade of corporate interest.
"The delivery mechanism for genetic designation reset," the scientist explained. "Once administered, it gradually modifies designation-specific genetic markers, essentially creating a post-designation human state. Your father's vision was quite revolutionary—imagine a world without alphas or omegas, just... humans."
Austin's eyes met Harley's briefly—confirmation that they had found exactly what they were looking for.
"And the delivery system?" Austin asked clinically. "How would this vector be administered to a population?"
Dr. Matsuo smiled. "That was the breakthrough we achieved last month. The vector can be transmitted through pheromone exposure—one modified individual could potentially affect hundreds through normal social contact. The cascade effect would be exponential."
"Elegant," Austin commented, his stomach churning at the implications. "And the test subjects?"
The scientist's expression faltered slightly. "We've had mixed results with the omega series. Cellular degradation remains a significant obstacle. Without a stabilizing factor, the modified subjects deteriorate within months."
"What kind of stabilizing factor would be required?" Harley asked.
"Theoretically, a perfect alpha-omega hybrid could produce the necessary stabilizing compounds," Dr. Matsuo replied. "But such a subject would be virtually impossible to create through conventional methods. We've attempted various approaches, but none have yielded viable results."
Austin felt a phantom sensation—their child, miles away, responding to his elevated stress through their unique bond. Simultaneously, he noticed Harley press a hand to her abdomen, experiencing the same connection.
"I think we've seen enough," Harley said abruptly. "Dr. Armstrong, do you have any other questions before we conclude this inspection?"
Austin shook his head, having confirmed what they needed to know—the facility was actively developing a biological agent capable of eliminating designation biology worldwide, using methods that sacrificed engineered omegas like himself in the process.
As they prepared to leave, an alarm suddenly blared throughout the complex. Emergency lights activated, bathing the laboratory in pulsing red.
"Security breach in biometric database," an automated voice announced. "Unauthorized data transmission detected."
Dr. Matsuo's expression transformed from collegial to suspicious. "What have you done?" he demanded, reaching for a security panel.
Austin moved with unexpected speed, his reflexes enhanced by the hybrid physiology he now possessed. He restrained the scientist while Harley accessed the main terminal, initiating the program they had prepared—a cascading system failure designed to corrupt the research data beyond recovery.
"This ends now," Harley announced, her voice carrying through the laboratory despite the alarms. "Project Immortality is terminated."
Security forces converged on the laboratory as chaos erupted—researchers attempting to salvage data, emergency containment protocols activating, experimental samples automatically transferring to secure storage. Harley and Austin fought their way to the emergency exit, the building's systems turning against them as their unauthorized actions triggered increasingly aggressive security responses.
They barely escaped the facility before lockdown protocols completed, reaching their vehicle as armed security personnel emerged from the building. As they sped away from the compound, explosions rocked the structure behind them—the self-destruct protocols Harley had embedded in the system taking effect, erasing decades of unethical research in a controlled inferno.
"It won't stop them completely," Austin said grimly as they raced toward the safehouse. "There will be backups, other facilities."
"But we've bought time," Harley replied. "And we've identified the key players. My legal team is already filing injunctions and whistleblower protections. By morning, every regulatory agency in the country will be investigating Bourn Pharmaceutical."
When they reached the safehouse, they found Dr. Wei in the nursery, her expression grave as she monitored Ethan's vital signs.
"He felt everything," she told them. "Your stress, your fear—it triggered some kind of pheromone response. Every alpha within half a mile of this house went into a frenzy. It took emergency suppressants to stabilize them."
Harley and Austin exchanged alarmed glances before moving to their son's side. The infant appeared peaceful now, but monitoring equipment showed elevated neurochemical activity unlike anything they had observed before.
"What does it mean?" Harley asked.
"It means," Austin said slowly, "that he's more powerful than we realized. His ability to influence alpha biology isn't just theoretical—it's already functioning."
As if responding to his father's voice, Ethan opened his eyes and released a burst of pheromones so potent that even Dr. Wei—a beta unaffected by normal designation influences—staggered back in response.
"My god," she whispered. "He's not just carrying the neutralization vector—he's actively transmitting it."
---
Three years passed with remarkable swiftness. The Bourn Pharmaceutical scandal had rocked the corporate world, its designation research division dismantled under international pressure. Harley had restructured the company entirely, redirecting its resources toward ethical medical research and designation equality initiatives.
Austin had established a new medical practice focusing on designation transition care—helping those who, like himself and Harley, existed outside traditional biological categories. Their unique physiological bond had stabilized into something medical science couldn't fully explain but couldn't deny either—a symbiotic relationship where his body produced alpha pheromones from her transplanted glands, which in turn affected her modified physiology.
And Ethan had grown into a remarkable child—advanced beyond his years intellectually, physically perfect, and possessing biological capabilities that continued to evolve in unpredictable ways. The barcode-like birthmark on his wrist had faded somewhat but remained visible—a permanent reminder of his engineered origins.
They had chosen to live openly but carefully, protected by the very public nature of Harley's corporate reformation and the extensive legal safeguards they had established around their family. The world knew Ethan was special—the first documented alpha-omega hybrid child—but the full extent of his capabilities remained their closely guarded secret.
On a bright autumn morning, Harley received an urgent call from Ethan's preschool. When she and Austin arrived, they found the director looking simultaneously apologetic and disturbed.
"There was an incident during outdoor play," she explained, leading them to her office where Ethan sat calmly drawing complex molecular structures. "Another child—an alpha's son—was being... domineering with the other children. Ethan intervened."
"Intervened how?" Austin asked cautiously.
The director seemed at a loss for words. "He just... looked at the boy, and the child immediately backed down. Then he—I don't know how to explain this properly—he released some kind of scent that made the alpha child sit quietly in the corner for the remainder of playtime. When the boy's father arrived to pick him up, he exhibited the same compliant behavior toward Ethan."
Harley and Austin exchanged knowing glances. Ethan's ability to influence alpha biology was growing stronger, more controlled.
"May we speak with our son privately?" Harley requested.
When they were alone, Ethan looked up from his drawing with eyes that sometimes seemed too knowing for his young face.
"He was being mean," the child stated simply. "I fixed him."
"Ethan," Austin said gently, "we've talked about using your special abilities around others. It can be frightening for them."
The boy considered this seriously. "But Daddy, you said the marked ones are the real kings. I didn't hurt him. I just showed him."
Harley knelt beside their son, examining the drawing he had been creating—a perfect rendering of a double helix with specific modifications highlighted in red. "What's this, Ethan?"
"The forever map," he replied matter-of-factly. "So everyone can be like us."
Later that night, after Ethan was asleep, Harley and Austin stood on the terrace of their home, looking out at the city lights below.
"It's happening faster than we anticipated," Austin said quietly. "His cognitive development, his biological influence—it's all accelerating."
"Are we doing the right thing?" Harley asked, the question that had haunted them both since Ethan's birth. "Keeping him in the world instead of hidden away?"
Austin took her hand, feeling the pulse of their shared biology—the unique bond that had transformed from forced marking to something like symbiosis. "If designation biology is truly an evolutionary dead end as your father believed, then perhaps Ethan is the beginning of what comes next."
"A world without alphas or omegas," Harley murmured. "Just humans."
"Not immediately," Austin clarified. "But gradually, over generations. A gentler transition than your father envisioned with his vector."
They fell silent, contemplating the future their unprecedented child represented—not the engineered apocalypse Alexander Bourn had planned, but a gradual evolution guided by a child who embodied both worlds.
In his sleep, Ethan dreamed of molecules rearranging, of scents changing the structure of living things, of a world where no one was marked because everyone was. And through the strange bond that linked them, his parents felt the edges of that dream—a vision of possibility neither terrifying nor utopian, but profoundly, irrevocably human.
