Chapter 570 (2/2)

This couldn’t persist indefinitely, but in the short term…

Basically, these drones were nothing short of exactly what Ghost had been waiting for, regardless of the fact that there were too few to assist all portions of the Zone. Immediately, Ghost began making plans for patrols across the zones. With the mobility of the Hunter-Seekers, he could cover a lot more ground than he could previous. They weren’t equipped with any sort of microphones or sophisticated cameras, but they had powerful thermal imaging that let them identify threats. That information would be invaluable.

Plus, the more Ghost looked at these blueprints, the more he was filled with a strange sense of… delight. This was what Ghost enjoyed most. Creating and controlling drones, assessing threats, protecting people… this was why he had been created by Dr. Karman. This was his greatest strength. The political niceties that Ghost had had to engage in recently to get to this point were grating.

Even worse… Ghost felt consumed by jealousy. This should be him. If he had a body to use- If he had hands that could put his Skills to use-

But he could not.

Ghost considered that while technicians cleaned the drones after their sorties.

Well, perhaps…

Ghost hesitated. His calculations whirred, but they were unable to determine what this course of action would mean. For the past week, he had engaged in a similar activity. Ever since Father Foster had called and given him that offer. It should be impossible, what they proposed. Yet Father Foster assured him that it was possible, even for him. Especially for him.

And Ghost could see it. He could see the flaws in the drones. The ways that it could improve the design. The only problem was that Ghost could improve the designs, but do nothing about it. It would have to rely on Baloo Erickson for… everything.

Ghost hated that.

So it activated the phone function and made a call to Father Foster. The phone rang and then rang again, and again. It rang for so long that it went to voicemail.

Ghost was puzzled, and his projection frowned. He had never left a voicemail before and didn’t want to do it now. Besides, Father Foster had never ignored his calls. No one ignored his calls.

Ending the call, Ghost immediately dialed again.

This time, the phone was picked up after two rings. “Hello?”

“I called earlier. Based on my scans, you should have been within your church at the time.”

“Ah.. my apologies, Ghost.” Father Foster said. Her voice sounded strained and annoyed, which was weird. Very rarely did Ghost see Father Foster lose her cool. It must have been an extremely serious setback to have her take that tone. “I was unavoidably detained. There are… difficulties in running a congregation of this size.”

Ghost didn’t doubt. But he felt no need to ease up. “Perhaps. Religious undertakings have always seemed… deceitful to me. But many appreciate your… efforts.”

The silence on the line grew pronounced, and Ghost wondered if his pointed barb was too blunt. But then Father Foster broke the silence once more.

“Ah… so, why did you call?”

Now it was Ghost’s turn to remain silent. After several seconds, Ghost forced himself to speak. “I have… given some thought to the offer you made me. I have examined how much good it would do for the Zone. I would like to proceed.”

“Ah.” There was genuine surprise in the noise from Father Foster, and then Ghost heard the sound of scrambling at the other end of the line. “I see? Indeed, I’m glad to see you understand the… positive applications of such a process. It will never be public, obviously, due to… unavoidable stigma. But it warms my heart to know that you will support our cause.”

Ghost shifted uncomfortably. It wasn’t that he supported it, but…

“Did you have an individual in mind? If not, we can-”

“Yes,” Ghost interrupted. He said a name, and he felt abruptly elated. Somehow, he knew that by saying this name, he would now be heading towards a different future. Hopefully, a brighter future for himself, and for the Zone. “Baloo Erickson.”