Chapter 51 - Future plans (2/2)
”Well, promotion is very unlikely due to the reason I just told. With the new information about the apes having more types of species among the aliens and the suggestion that there might be some sort of hierarchy would probably force the alliance to put in a new campaign to find out more about the alien empire.”
”Is there such a campaign being put up by the alliance? I never knew about that.”
”It is just a matter of time before they do it. Considering the body, they recovered from the wreckage at the incident. Bolena was also working on tech for similar purposes long before this incident. Such efforts would only be intensified now. I already heard a few things from my friend Sophia.”
”You sure you want to go and work on something like that. Especially after you came to know all about our history. You know. The things which Winston and Walter told us.”
”Yes, you got a point there. That is why I decided to stay here spending my three months leave training rather than in the military. And if I am going to go after them, I need to improve my skills and also gain a few friends in high places. Even Walter and Winston's influence and talent weren't enough to track down these guys. I honestly am not sure of what I can do against them.”
”But you realize the danger you are putting yourself in, if you are going back to the force. Are you really willing to be the bait? You might lose your life. You have a lot of other options than fighting them. They might be willing for a compromise.”
”Compromise?” asked Balthazar in a loud and angry voice. He was unable to believe that his cousin even thought of something like that. He even felt that the idea was completely ridiculous. They didn't know who their opponents were or what are the organizations under their control. They work completely in the dark. One needs to be able to contact before they could ever think about compromise.
Even if they manged to contact the knights of the old republic, it was clear that they wanted to kill everyone related his grandmother. The only thing that stopped them was they didn't want to have it done quietly like they were afraid of someone else finding about Balthazar's genealogy.
”How do propose we make them compromise. We don't even know why they want to kill us or if anyone else might want to kill us. There is no room for negotiation because we don't know anything about the other side. What you are saying is like asking the apes not attack the humans. That is how ridiculous you sound right now.”
Robert had his head down and looked dispirited after hearing Balthazar. He knew that Balthazar was right, but he had always been an ideal citizen and never harmed anyone. He had been unable to sleep and was afraid and miserable after the failed attempt on his life by Max. Ever since then, he had been pestering Winston daily if they got something that would help them in this situation.
The few rare times he had fought was against people of similar skill set as him. With his large physique and strength, he dominated in the few bouts he had. He had never been targeted in the dark for assassination. Unlike Balthazar who had about two years experience in the shadows, he was extremely frightened and uneasy.
”But there must be something we can do,” said Robert in a tired and weak voice.
”We are already doing all that we can. Don't worry. They wouldn't attempt anytime soon again. We already got rid of the mole in our midst and from the previous attempts it is clear that they would rather keep it a secret and allow us to grow than let it be known to public. So, the only thing that we could do is to become better and probably well known. That is why, they insisted on me continuing in the military even after the assassination attempt on me.”
”It sounds all well and good. Still, weren't our parents well known and famous during their time. They were killed nonetheless,” said Robert finally putting forward the doubt that had been plaguing his heart. Even his mother, who was once the successor to the patriarch was now a mentally handicapped patient.
”You are right in thinking that way. But there are two distinct advantages we have over our parents. First, they never knew that Max betrayed them, or he would be willing to go that for the position of the patriarch. Second, we know the truth about who is trying to kill us and a face to relate them to us. Though we don't know why, they don't want anyone else to know about it either. It is still an advantage we can use to gather more information about grandmother.”
”But we aren't in the loop about the investigation. They don't consider us to have enough experience for that and without clearance what could we do. We have no source of information as long as the family, I mean Winston and Walter are not willing.”
Robert did have a valid point and it would be the case if not for Balthazar having knowledge of the future from his past life experience. He had only used his sources in playing the game. He had a bunch of other people whom he could contact for information. Though these people couldn't be considered friends, Balthazar definitely knew what kind of men they were and how to convince them to help him.
”I will take care of finding out from external sources. You leave that to me. The only thing you need to worry about is to become the patriarch, gain fame and also become capable enough to protect yourself. I need you to be the man whom the family trusts and looks up to. Though it will take some time for that, you are best among our generation. Both Bolena and I will support you.”
”I believe Winston wants Bolena to inherit his position. What you are talking might not be possible. But if you want me to be an elder in the family. That is something that can be achieved,” said Robert.
”There has been a recent vacancy with the death of Uncle Max, and someone needs to take over the territories and resources that he used to look over.”
”Yes, they are going to hold a recruitment event some time soon. It would mostly be a contest among the family members, mostly someone in the previous generation would be chosen. But most of them already have been working under other elders for quite sometime. It is great chance for us, if we could get someone on our side to participate on our behalf. We have quite some status in the family as the direct descendants of the main branch.”
”You can convince someone to participate on your behalf?” asked Balthazar surprised. He knew that his cousin had a decent amount of influence in the inner circles of the family, but never did he think that he had enough to have someone of the older generation to participate in contest for position of elder in his place.
After his father's death Walter had groomed him to take after George. Robert also inherited many properties from his father and mother, including a few moons which were great resources. Balthazar had no clue about his own inheritance, nor did he care about it. So, he had no clue of the amount of properties that his cousin had or anything of the influence they brought him.
”I do know someone, who is not interested in power. He is a recluse and I completely trust him to take part. I also got a couple of elders supporting me. That is enough for a show of strength. But apart from a competition of strength, there would be other tests. I need to participate in at least one which I would like your help in.”
”You seem to know quite a lot about what it takes to become an elder in family. I am quite surprised,” said Balthazar.
”Of course, you idiot. I am not like someone who stupidly ran away. I always intended to gain power through the family. I have been prepared to be the first one among our generation to enter the council for a long time. Walter also wanted me to replace Max for a long time. I guess he never liked Uncle Max.”
”That is true. Walter never liked Max. Keep in loop with your plans. I will do the same,” said Balthazar as he got up and left the room.