Page 194 of The Other Omega

“Keep the remaining detainees separated. Lucien will decide the order of questioning.”

I washed my hands, then returned to the medical levels.

Veska met me beside the lift. House Eryndor was sending additional Beta physicians, but the prepared wards were nearly full.

“How much have they been told?”

“Only that Vaelor requires urgent assistance.”

“Good. Open guest accommodation and secure residential buildings. Use offices if necessary.”

She sent the instructions, then followed me into the lift. Intelligence had found a concealed section on Level One after tracing a power supply through a service wall. Engineering was opening it now.

We reached the barrier as it withdrew. The smell of old blood came from beyond it, beneath the disinfectant. I raised a hand before the soldiers behind me could advance.

“Alpha personnel remain here. Medical goes first.”

Sixteen doors lined the corridor, with another passage beyond them. In the fourth room, a woman held a sleeping child so tightly that the medic sat down outside and spoke to her through the doorway.

I stayed back as the teams continued. A physician emerged to request priority transport for two severely underweight Omegas, and I arranged it before a Beta recovery officer approached from the adjoining corridor.

“Six children in one room, Commander. No adults.”

“Are they injured?”

“Nothing requiring urgent treatment. One keeps asking for her sister.”

“Assign someone to find her. Ask what you need for their care and identification. Leave everything else until they are ready.”

Twenty-three more Omegas were recovered from that section, including the six children. Recovery identified five of the children while Intelligence searched for the girl’s sister.

The report came as we were arranging their transport.

“We found her, Commander. Her sister recognised her immediately. They are together.”

“Keep them that way.”

“Yes, Commander.”

I lowered the pad and watched two medics bring the children into the corridor.

The final count arrived four hours and eleven minutes after we reached the occupied wards. Alaric called shortly afterwards.

“How many?”

“We have recovered two hundred and seven Omegas alive from this facility. Two hundred and one female and six male. Thirty-one are children, the youngest two weeks old and the oldest nine years.”

“How many require hospital treatment?”

“Forty-three have been scheduled for transfer. Medical may add more. Accommodation is being prepared for the others.”

“And the children?”

“Most have someone with them. Recovery is still searching for the people the others have asked for.”

“Leave any decision about their permanent care until we know more.”

“Agreed.”