After watching several videos that confirmed the omegas' alibi, the agents began to feel more convinced about the truthfulness of Aster and Damián's statements.
Each recording seemed to confirm the details provided at the police station. However, they were not prepared for the strong images that would follow.
The next video started abruptly, with the camera capturing a flashing red light, oscillating between a vibrant glow and the reflection of the snow, which at times took on a light blue hue.
The helmet camera was recording everything: people shouting for Damián and muffled sounds of footsteps in the snow. Suddenly, the camera picked up the metallic sound of a shovel digging frantically. Voices emerged amid the noise: "I found him!
I found him!" The shouts were filled with urgency and despair. The camera captured the moment when hands began to hurriedly remove and dig through the snow. Another voice shouted, "Is he breathing? Is he breathing?" Damián's helmet offered a partial view of his right arm, motionless.
A paramedic appeared in the footage, quickly approaching to check Damián's breathing. "Come on, Damián, breathe! Breathe!" The paramedic abruptly turned his head and shouted, "I need a defibrillator and oxygen, now!"
Two people joined the paramedic, digging with their hands to free Damián's body. The tension was palpable. The paramedic, without wasting time, pulled the glove off his hand with his teeth and prepared the oxygen equipment. He began the resuscitation maneuvers with efficiency and urgency, alternating chest compressions and assisted breaths.
For a few seconds, the scene was in complete uncertainty. Everything seemed frozen in time until the paramedic shouted, "He revived! He's breathing!"
The camera did not capture the image, but the audio was clear: people clapping and shouting with joy, celebrating the witnessed miracle. The recording ended with sounds of celebration and relief, an emotional testament to the struggle for life and the bravery of the rescuers.
For the police officers, the scene was not just proof of the omegas' alibi but also a powerful reminder of the value of their own mission. Each of them had similar stories of courage and despair, of saving lives and sometimes losing friends.
The recording was a testament to what it meant to be a police officer and a defender of life, regardless of the circumstances. Agent Reynolds was accompanied by six other agents, and nothing was found on the day Reese Davis disappeared.
The cameras showed that Aster was at the gallery all day, leaving only with the Campbell family's private driver. Damián went to the hospital to visit the attack victims. Only the charge of illegal drug possession and the already-signed contract for the third franchise of Nathan Caller's film remained. It was already early morning, and dawn was approaching. The lawyers, like vultures, showed that they could devour the agents at the slightest mistake.
The pressure led to Aster and Damián being interrogated together, not taken to a cell but kept in a reserved room. Driven by the impulse of a last attempt, Agent Bomer headed to the room. Even though it was almost 3 AM, the three of them were not sleeping; they kept their eyes closed in rest.
When the agent entered, they slowly opened their eyes. Bomer apologized for the time and began: "We found the silence drug. You will be charged with drug possession. And about the signed contract for the third Nathan Caller film, why did you get the best deals?"
Aster responded calmly, maintaining his composure. "As I said before, without luck, we are, and without luck, we will always be.
Promises are the roots of all betrayals." Damián reaffirmed, with a bitter tone: "Here, there are only lawyers. We are so important that we only deserve this, lawyers."
Agent Bomer responded, trying to maintain control: "They are the best. What did you want—the entire media in front of this police department—with the news that Adam Kadman and Callum Campbell's Omega are murder suspects?
No amount would be a match for the press with what's happening here." Damián looked directly at Bomer; he had a strange smile, and his voice carried a cutting coldness. "Yes, I wanted… I continue to defend myself alone, always alone. It's always a leap into the dark." Aster felt something strange inside him.
Despite playing the role they were performing, that response from Damián was so open and hard to digest. The desire for protection, for love, was something Aster did not expect to hear at that moment. This left him feeling strange and complicated inside, a confusing emotion emerging amid the role they were supposed to play.
In the hallway, Bomer and Reynolds were struggling for a solution, connectivity, or anything.
"What now"? —asked Reynolds, the exhaustion evident on his face.
"We need evidence. Something that directly links Aster and Damián to the Reese Davis case. Let's review everything once more, look for witnesses again, and scrutinize every detail."
Reynolds nodded.
"What about the media? We can leak information, make this a big deal, and intimidate whoever is behind this."
Bomer sighed.
"We'll have to play it carefully. Every misstep could cost us dearly. But we can't give up now. There's more to this story, and we're going to find out what it is."
Meanwhile, far from the police department's investigation, Damián's genetic sample was uploaded into the system, and within seconds, a match was found. However, due to the high confidentiality of the data, the initial response was restrictive, triggering a security algorithm.
It was the early hours, and at the genetic analysis center, an on-duty police officer named Agent Cole discreetly monitored the developments of federal agents Bomer and Reynolds. This officer, though not known as such, was a federal agent assigned to report directly to General Hunter Jackson. When the system indicated the restrictive match, Agent Cole knew that something significant had been discovered.
With a controlled expression, he picked up the phone and, in an isolated corner, dialed a confidential number.
"One of the youths tested positive for confidential data," he murmured, keeping his voice low.
On the other end of the line, General Hunter's direct contact, Agent Smith, responded, "Understood. I'll initiate the investigation now."
Minutes later, a surprising discovery emerged: "The match was related to Benjamin Williams," Smith confirmed after analyzing the data.
"Inform the General immediately," Cole instructed.
The news was transmitted quickly, and General Hunter Jackson's phone rang at his home in the middle of the night. He answered with a groggy tone.
"Hunter speaking."
"General, we've received a confidential update," said Smith, whose identity was known only to Hunter. "The genetic match for a young man named Damián Lyon-Bowes came back positive for Benjamin Williams' missing son. He is La-Heri Williams."
Hunter was fully awake upon hearing those words. He knew that Benjamin Williams was the influential former Prime Minister of Country Y, a man with considerable personal wealth and a family rich for generations, albeit with gradual losses, possessing the power to break one's spirit.
The discovery that Damián was his lost son, La-Heri Williams, was monumental. As Benjamin's friend, he was moved. For him, finding that child was like offering Benjamin the chance to go back in time, to fix it, and to find his own forgiveness.
"Keep everything confidential. I'm on my way," Hunter responded firmly.
Dressing quickly, Hunter left his house and headed to the meeting place of his confidential team. Upon arrival, he found the group already assembled, all aware of the importance of the news.
"We have just confirmed a genetic match," Hunter began without preamble. "Damián is La-Heri Williams, Benjamin Williams' son."
The room fell into absolute silence. Everyone knew what this meant. Not only had they found a missing child, but this child was the lost son of a family that had never given up searching for him and also the heir to one of the most powerful families in the country.
Hunter continued, "Benjamin Williams must be informed immediately, but this needs to be handled with extreme caution. The safety of Damián, or La-Heri, is our top priority.
We need to ensure that this information does not leak. This is a highly sensitive case." He looked at the team with determination. "Let's bring him home."
The lawyers were pressuring the police officers to release Aster and Damián, claiming that the investigation had been a failure based on circumstantial evidence and that they had been brought in for questioning illegally.
They demanded absolute confidentiality about the case. The tension in the room was palpable, with both sides exhausted and determined to achieve their goals.
As the aggressive dispute continued, the lawyers, like vultures, threatened to devour the officers at the slightest mistake. It was already 6 a.m., and the first light of dawn was beginning to appear on the horizon.
The agreement was close to being finalized, but the pressure was immense. Meanwhile, in a carefully planned operation, soldiers in plain clothes isolated four blocks around the police department. The operation aimed to ensure maximum privacy and security, preventing any information leaks.
A helicopter hovered over the area, while four discreet military vehicles were strategically positioned. General Hunter Jackson, a man known for his impeccable service to the country and a close friend of Benjamin Williams, was aware of the situation and knew there was nothing against Benjamin's son.
Even if there was, he would handle it. Hunter was already on his way to the police station, determined to protect Damián. When Hunter arrived at the station, a small commotion formed. The federal agents reported to him immediately, recognizing his authority.
Agents Cole and Smith were already waiting for the general, ready to update him on the situation. Hunter was led to the room where Damián was with Aster and Mason. Upon entering, the general introduced himself and immediately identified Damián due to his striking resemblance to Tristan.
For Damián, Aster, and Mason, the presence of the military indicated that something very serious had been discovered. A sense of panic began to take hold of the three. They had alibis against the crime of Fredrick and Reese Davis, but if the military was after them, it could mean that their secret had been discovered.
The military had discovered that they did not belong in this dimension. The thought that they would be treated like lab rats quickly crossed Damián's mind. Noticing the apprehension on the young faces, Hunter decided to calm them.
"You are safe now," he said firmly yet gently. "Let's get out of here. It's all right." The three stood up, cooperative, but as the door opened, and they were led outside, their eyes desperately searched for any possibility of escape.
Sensing their tension, the general intervened. He would take Damián immediately to Williams Ranch. "There is nothing to fear," he said, trying to reassure them. "I am here to help." --- As they left the station, Damián, Aster, and Mason were accompanied by Hunter and his men, dressed discreetly but clearly well-trained.
The security personnel from the Kadman and Campbell families, in constant contact with the lawyers, noticed something unusual in the movement. The lawyers, determined to protect their clients, hurried toward the exit. "What's going on here?" demanded one of the lawyers, blocking the path.
Hunter, with an imposing stance, responded firmly, "This is a confidential matter. You must trust me." "Confidential?" questioned one of the Campbell family's lawyers. "Our clients have been declared innocent. Why are they being taken?" The tension escalated, and confusion ensued.
The lawyers demanded answers, gesturing and raising their voices. Hunter remained calm, but his authority was undeniable. "This is a matter of national security. I cannot provide more details here. Now, step aside." "We cannot allow you to take them without a proper explanation," insisted one of the lawyers, trying to hold their ground.
The soldiers silently formed a perimeter around Damián, Aster, and Mason. At that moment, Damián stepped forward, his determination clear. "I'm not going anywhere," he declared. "Not without knowing what we're being accused of."
Aster stood beside Damián, echoing his sentiment. "We have rights. First, you tell us what's going on, then we'll decide if we're going or not."
The scene became chaotic. The lawyers and security personnel grew more agitated, questioning the military's authority. Hunter, realizing the situation was getting out of control, raised his hand to call for silence. "Alright," he said with authority. "Let's resolve this right now; we need to talk."
He gestured to one of his men. "Take them to a secure meeting room here at the police department. We'll clarify everything there."
Damián shook his head vehemently. "I'm not going back into the police department," he said, audacious and clear in his voice. "I'm not a criminal."
Mason watched the turmoil, and his mind raced like a wild horse, creating a short film and bringing unease. His brain was already scripting scenes, dialogues, accusations, sentencing, and execution. Mason could hear "Lux Aeterna" – Clint Mansell (Requiem for a Dream Soundtrack) as a horror soundtrack in the back of his subconscious.
He looked at Aster, a CIA hero, and Damián, the ex-mercenary who was glorious and fascinating in his existence, but he… he was a vile criminal. He was a hacker wanted by the police in his previous world. In this new world, he accepted the fact that he had committed crimes, though some of the accusations were not his.
When he felt all the sounds around him stop, he felt a wave of confusion and derealization, as if something was tightening around his throat. He heard his heartbeat in his ears and couldn't breathe. When dizziness hit him, everything went black.
Mason collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Confusion and panic took over the scene. "He needs a doctor!" shouted one of the lawyers.
Hunter, recognizing the gravity of the situation, quickly ordered Mason to be taken to the nearest hospital. "The situation is out of control. Let's ensure the young man receives immediate medical attention."
---
At the hospital, the cold light and the smell of antiseptics intensified Mason's feeling of disorientation. He woke up in an observation room with the sound of heart monitors around him. He felt a slight pressure on his arm and saw a nurse adjusting an IV. Damián and Aster were outside, talking to the doctors.
"You had a hyperventilation attack due to stress," the nurse explained calmly, noticing that Mason was awake. "We've medicated you to calm and stabilize you. How are you feeling?"
Mason tried to respond, but his throat was dry. The nurse offered him a glass of water, which he gratefully accepted. "I... I'm fine," he murmured, still confused and shaken. He looked around, searching for familiar faces. "I don't want to stay here."
Soon after, Aster and Damián entered the room, their expressions a mix of concern. "Mason, you need to rest. The doctor recommended you stay under observation for a few more hours."
Mason shook his head stubbornly. "No. I need to get out of here. I can't stay."
Damián saw the determination in Mason's eyes and nodded. "Alright, we won't leave you behind, Mason. We'll arrange your discharge." Mason didn't know if that response was good or bad, but he understood that his life depended on Aster and Damián in some way.
After signing some documents and receiving medical instructions, Mason was discharged. He felt exhausted but was determined not to show weakness. Damián helped him walk to the car waiting for them.
Three hours later, they were all on their way to the Kadman Mansion.