Page 332 of Mercy Written in Blood

Then the lights failed. Emergency illumination flooded the theatre red. The same colour as the depot.

The anaesthetist swore.

"Generator failure."

"No," Mori said. His hand went towards his earpiece. Static answered.

Renji continued holding Haruki's circulation.

"Secure the doors."

The remaining officer moved. The theatre door opened before he reached it. A nurse stumbled through. Blood spread across the front of her uniform. Not hers.

"There are armed men in the corridor."

Mori caught her before she fell.

"How many?"

"I don't know."

"Accord?"

She shook her head.

"White bands."

The Unveiled. Renji's calm did not break. It became complete.

"They followed the ambulance," Mori said.

"No," Renji replied.

He listened. Footsteps divided at the junction outside. One group towards the theatres. Another towards records. A third descending towards the lower service corridor. Too organised for pursuit after the depot.

"They were already here."

Mori looked towards him.

"The descendant."

The hospital. One of the seven descendants had been brought here. Perhaps as a patient. A member of staff. Someone Sota's faction had identified and placed within reach of Renji. Or someone another faction intended to take.

The door shuddered under impact. The officer drew his weapon.

Sakamoto looked towards Renji.

"We cannot move Haruki."

"No."

"If they enter—"

"They will not reach him."

Renji examined the surgical field. The major repairs were nearly complete. Haruki's pressure held. The blood circuit no longer needed full support. He began withdrawing himself carefully. Not severing. Returning control vessel by vessel. Haruki's heart assumed more of the work. Pulse one hundred and twelve. Pressure ninety. Acceptable. Not safe. Nothing was safe.

"Close," Renji said.