Page 198 of The Other Omega

Bertram leaned forward. “Are you saying House Tureen found a way to create Omegas?”

“They found a way to identify people capable of presenting in our environment,” I said. “In the course of that research, they killed approximately twelve thousand men, women and children.”

Bertram sat back slowly, and no one spoke until Bastian broke the silence.

“Could the process be made safe?”

Grimbald of Asteris turned towards him. “Twelve thousand people were killed, and that is your concern?”

Severin answered before Bastian could respond.

“It should be our only concern. We have built mating, succession and government around an Omega population we believed finite. My House discovered that limitation does not have to be absolute.”

“You killed twelve thousand people,” Oswald said.

“To save millions. You may condemn the methods. That does not change what we achieved.”

“Children were among your subjects.”

“Unfortunate casualties,” Severin replied. “Your children and grandchildren may have Omega mates of their own because of what we learned.”

Oswald pushed his chair back, but I spoke before he could rise.

“The research is secured. Further experiments have not been authorised, and any proposed use of that knowledge will require independent examination.”

Severin turned towards me, a cold smile touching his mouth. “We both know you will use the knowledge, just as you will use the Omegas you recovered.”

“Discovery does not give your House ownership of the people it harmed.”

“You recovered Omegas?” Bertram asked.

“How many?” Oswald added.

Low voices spread around the table, and Octavian raised a hand.

“Let Lord Vaelor answer.”

“We recovered three hundred and fifty Omegas alive today. Among them are two hundred and twelve adult women, eighty-nine adult men and forty-nine children—forty-two girls and seven boys. The adults range in age from eighteen to forty-two. The youngest child is two weeks old; the oldest is nine.”

Grimbald looked towards my pad, then back at me.

“Several children were born inside the programme,” I continued. “One woman arrived from C-17 heavily pregnant, and her son was born prematurely in House Tureen’s custody. The survivors remain under temporary Vaelor protection while physicians treat them and our recovery teams establish their identities and families.”

“Three hundred and fifty Omegas cannot remain under one Great House,” Bertram said.

“They are not being claimed by Vaelor.”

“Then the other Houses must be permitted to receive them. We have the accommodation and resources.”

“As does Kharos,” Bastian said. “We have unmated Packs capable of providing for them immediately.”

Oswald turned towards him. “Some are still being treated for injuries.”

“Their future must still be considered.”

“By which you mean their mating prospects,” Bertram said.

“Of all seven Houses, ours has the lowest proportion of Omega-completed Packs. We should have priority.”