Omega's Truth - Nora Phoenix Page 0,98
the camp,” Lidon said.
“Yes, alpha,” Grayson said, and with a last look of disgust at Armitage, he left the room.
Lidon rubbed his temples. God, the situation was so much bleaker than he’d expected. “What about your team, Sean?”
“The city has no effective law enforcement anymore. The army has taken over from the police, but clearly, they’re not investigating crimes, only those that directly affect them or those they choose to protect. As a result, most omegas and betas are staying inside their houses, too scared to go out. As per martial law, admittance to stores is only permitted with a government-issued pass, which is only given to alphas or betas with an alpha’s permission. Omegas don’t have access to food and are dependent on the goodwill of others. An underground food network has sprung up. People grow vegetables in their own garden, alphas buy food to be distributed, and several teams rob stores and hand out the food through the network.”
The emotion in Sean’s voice was thick. His former partner had always been a kind man with an empathic heart, and Lidon could only imagine what seeing the suffering had done to him.
“What about support for the general?” Palani asked.
“Little to none. Most alphas we overheard regret supporting him initially. They agree things have gone from bad to worse, and they want him gone.”
Armitage crumpled before Lidon’s very eyes. It was tragic that a man who had fought in wars, who had faced battle and survived multiple tours, who had shown true bravery and dedication to his country despite his despicable political views, had been beaten by the enemy he hadn’t seen coming: the very people he thought would love him. How had a once-great man become so very small?
“You’re exaggerating,” Armitage said, but he’d been defeated, and they all knew it.
“General, a couple of thousand people are outside demanding you step down…and the number is growing rapidly,” Sean said.
“It’s a lie,” Armitage whispered. “It has to be. My men wouldn’t desert me like that.”
“If by your men, you mean the army, you’re talking about a few thousand soldiers. The world is bigger than that, much bigger. And even among your men, you don’t have the support you think you do,” Palani said.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then we’ll have to show you.” Lidon was done talking. “Take him outside. Show him.”
Armitage’s soldiers didn’t lift a finger as Sean and Palani both took the man by the arm.
The yelling was getting louder. It only sparked the righteous anger inside Lidon. He should’ve stepped up sooner. He should’ve sent out a mission faster. How many lives could he have saved that way? How much suffering could he have prevented?
He peeked outside, and the sight took Lidon’s breath away. It was no longer a crowd of a few dozen. In the pale light of the rising sun, people stood everywhere. They had filled the fields around the school, the park across the street, streets farther away. As far as the eye could see, omegas, betas, and alphas had gathered. And they were angry, balling their fists, shouting, demanding justice and peace.
He hurried through the deserted hallways to the main entrance. As soon as he stepped outside, a hush fell over the crowd, all the way to the back. The people there couldn’t have recognized him from that distance, but they knew. Someone in the front said his name, as soft as a butterfly’s wing, yet it sounded like a cannon. “Lidon Hayes…”
The man kneeled and bowed his head. Around him, people did the same, reverently saying his name. It rolled like a wave through the crowd. For a fleeting moment, Lidon understood how seductive power could be. To see all these people kneeling for him was a heady rush. What would he be willing to do to keep them on their knees? To ensure their blind obedience?
He shook his head to get rid of that horrible thought. It wasn’t who he was, but for a second, he could see how easy it would have been. How addictive.
“See that, General?” Palani said. “These are the people demanding freedom and justice. Equality. Honor. These are people demanding the return of the old ways.”
Lidon stepped forward. “My name is Lidon Hayes.” He didn’t raise his voice, but a soft breeze picked it up, spreading it wide and far. “And I’m here to tell you that the rule of General Armitage has come to an end.”
A gasp traveled through the crowd, and some people lifted their fists in