28

Chapter 28

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire

This whole situation was becoming more than a little annoying. Doyle reflected with rising aggravation. Truthfully, it was making his hackles rise along with other unpleasant side effects. I shouldn't even be able to smell anything much less react to this type of stimuli through fragrance. What a mess because now he would have to go through that complicated testing of the secondary gender to discover if he was indeed something other than an ordinary Beta.

It was strange because as far as Doyle's previous test results. When in his teens, indicated that he was neither of those designations of Alpha or Omega. Of course, now that he thought about whose influence over the testing site, there might've been some meddling going on.

He gritted his teeth with acute frustration. If I'm right, then that uncle, Lokemi Draxos knew something was off. That must be why he had me living in the countryside where no Omegas or Alphas resided.

Of course, when he'd reached the age of independence, and his tyrannical uncle passed away, Doyle had gone on to live on a different path than what had been planned for him. I never did do what he wanted of me.

Doyle was amused when he recalled all of the infighting that had pushed him off the narrow restricted path set for him by Lokemi. Though I wasn't the only nephew he possessed either.

That may have very well been his saving grace after all. He reflected with some wryness. Was the fact that all the others before, the same age, and younger than him hadn't rebelled. Doyle shrugged indifferently At least from what he could determine through shallow investigations to keep track of their whereabouts.

All fourteen of the others did follow the paths laid out for them. I was the only renegade outcast who refused. Then again, Doyle had made it a point not to live where such separations of secondary gender mattered. It was his only concession to his uncle's demands that he hadn't minded. However, it had given rise to Doyle's decision to found and organize an orphanage that would provide abandoned children opportunities for shelter, a place to gain education, and later discover internships through work and higher institutes that would give them better futures.

Now he wondered if he should get tested again because this was a growing concern for Doyle. "I should've known things had gone too smoothly and calmly when I lived in the countryside." He muttered softly.

"What are you mumbling about now?" The Commander eyed him quizzically.

Yikes, he'd completely forgotten that he wasn't the only one with the babies! Doyle exhaled in acute frustration. "I'm just drawing some unfortunate conclusions that I should've caught onto earlier in my misbegotten youth." He didn't want to have to worry about having an adverse reaction towards foundlings in his charge. Especially, if any of them turned out to be Omegas and Alphas in the future. "Wonderful, this is a complication I didn't want to encounter ever again."

Yet another task he had to schedule into his overloaded calendar. Doyle shook his head mournfully. However, it would be worth it to find out for certain what was happening. Mostly so that he could counteract any side effects. Preferably without worrying about the physical or mental health of anyone around him.

"I guess I can understand your concerns if this was something you hadn't known was a problem." As if catching a hint of his conflicted sense of duties, the commander glanced at Doyle with a sigh. "Don't think too hard about this situation." He advised. "I have also come across people in your situation. You just need to get tested as soon as possible."

"I appreciate that kind statement." Doyle was just thankful that the Commander chose to keep the conversation and additional advice on point about the infants. "Are there any other symptoms I should watch out for?"

"No, I don't believe so, not since I administered the potions to all four of them." The commander shook his head. "The babies will recover within a few days." He was still studying the biggest and noisiest one that was now grunting and making weird faces.

"What do you think is that child's problem?" It was rather obvious to Doyle that that child hadn't taken well to the potion.

The Commander shrugged. "Some of them take longer to adjust to the potions' ingredients than others." A faint smile tugged at his mouth. "He is very expressive, isn't he?"

"Yes, indeed, he is." Fortunately, the child wasn't sick though he'd turned a dangerous green briefly after having it poured down his throat. "It does appear that he'll survive." that wasn't the most interesting thing about this situation though.

The Commander glanced at him sideways. "Has it ever occurred to you that some of these children might be reincarnated souls?"

"Err, no, but when I think about the warfare happening in other continents, I suppose that isn't out of the bounds of reality," Doyle observed them with unhidden fascination.

What was so fascinating about that child? As tempted as Doyle was to ask more questions. He forbore from doing so. Honestly, right now, Doyle just wanted the good commander out of his carriage so that he could air it out.

"Well, it was just idle speculation on my part anyhow," The Commander wrapped up his thoughts with a few more suggestions. "Just make sure that they're kept properly bathed and clean."

Doyle nodded because this was relevant information that he did find useful right now.

Darmono was thoughtful for a moment before he simply suggested. "Feed them typical baby formula." He rattled off a few types that were a range of ingredients that made Doyle grimace at the intricacy of mixing them together if he could even find them.

Darmono cleared his throat. "If you need more help with that type of thing, ask for this person, Takesha Murray." He named someone whom Doyle was acquainted with. "She's good for helping with this type of situation and potential emergency in the future." Darmono watched him closely as if wondering if Doyle knew her or not.