Page 87 of Dose

Dominic gives a short nod. “I can enter under the agricultural cover. Equipment-service contractor or compliance auditor, depending on which credential survives scrutiny.”

“No approach until Marcus confirms the staff pattern,” Damon says. “No assumption that undeclared security means no security.”

“Agreed,” Nikolai says.

The Seattle schematic opens beside Cascade.

The unnamed western hub has a name now. Seattle, Washington. It has spent years hiding inside a biomedical-storage company near the industrial south end, moving controlled lots through ordinary refrigerated freight.

“Forty-two children confirmed,” Marcus says. “Six additional files may be duplicates or unregistered residents. We plan capacity for forty-eight. Ages six through sixteen. Sixty-one staff on the current rotation, with armed security on both residential levels.”

Lucien looks up. “How many under eight?”

“At least nine.”

“Some will not walk with masked personnel,” he says. “Some will not tolerate being carried. I need unmasked clinical staff inside the first secure zone and transport teams prepared for children who freeze rather than move.”

Raphael adds it to his list. “Four transports minimum, likely five. Two clinicians per vehicle and a spare medication team at staging.”

“I can build provisional stabilization grids from the pharmacy manifests,” I say. “Not full tapers. Those need bloodwork and examination after extraction. But we can identify dangerous interruptions, likely interactions, and which stock has to leave with each child.”

Theon glances at me, approval warming the ice of his expression.

“How soon do you have the pharmacy data?” Raphael asks.

“Partial access now. If Cascade carries customer-specific batch specifications, the Texas operation may fill the gaps.”

“Then Seattle does not proceed without those records,” Nikolai says.

“Agreed,” Raphael and I answer together.

He looks between us, then continues.

“Cascade first. Intelligence access only. Seattle follows seventy-two hours later if Cascade remains unaware and the recovered data supports the plan. If the supplier access is detected, Seattle aborts and we rebuild.”

Ezra replaces the single countdown with two linked gates. Three days to Cascade. Six to Seattle.

“Cascade team,” Nikolai says. “Dominic handles cover and physical access. Theon verifies the chemical and production records. Isla identifies customer documentation and chain-of-custody structure. A local reserve holds outside the perimeter.”

Theon’s hand stills beside mine.

“Assignment remains provisional until Marcus finishes surveillance and Damon approves the entry conditions,” Nikolai adds. “If the site is not what the cover claims, the team does not improvise a breach.”

“Understood,” I say.

Nikolai looks at Theon. “Objection?”

“The assignment is logical.”

“That was not the question.”

Theon’s jaw works once. “I object to every building she enters. I do not object to the role as currently defined.”

Honest. Possessive. Operationally usable.

Under the table, his fingers find mine. The pressure is firm, not painful.

“Seattle,” Nikolai continues. “Damon and Darius lead entry. Lucien and Raphael coordinate the children and clinical crews. Marcus and Ezra remain remote. Final personnel assignments after the Cascade gate.”