Chapter 53 - Convincing Robert (2/2)
”What can you find out that would be useful to the council?”
”You leave that to me. The attack at my base was just a prelude. The aliens are getting more aggressive and so are the rebel forces. The world is going through a transitional phase which is going to be more a lot more lively than during the rebellion of the knights of old republic.”
”You serious?”
”Yes. I already think that they somehow managed to contact and convince even the upper echelons of the apes to form some kind of collaboration.”
”Hahaha. You sound like some kind of conspiracy theorist you know. Don't ever talk to anyone like this.”
”Don't worry. I will not. But I definitely intend to prove it. For that I need to know that you and Bolena are safe and strong. So, what do you think about this agreement.”
”I have no problem with it. It is a pretty simple thing to do. I will send it to you within the hour.”
”In that case, let us go and play for some time. It is a good way to ease up.”
”Sure, it is a lot more fun than I expected. I think I might get addicted to it.”
”Take care that you don't. I know for a fact that the somnium technology is very addictive. I heard that the military already noticed it in their tests though the positive cases of addiction were very small.”
”You for real? Something like that is going to be extremely high-level info. How did you come by it?”
”Oh! It was by no legal means. Just someone putting out a friendly word for me. I hope that I can count on your discretion about whatever information I provide you.”
”That is given. I wouldn't like anyone asking me more questions than required,” said Robert. ”You can count on me. I would even consult you in case I ever have to.”
”No need for that. I already trust you. Else, I wouldn't be informing you. Let us go back now,” said Balthazar as he turned to go back to the mansion.
”Anything else, you require your highness. You need any support from in your secretive plans,” asked Robert sarcastically signalling double quotes with his hands.
”Can you get me an alternative alliance ID using any of your contacts. I could use a few of those?”
”Huh?!” said Robert feeling a bit weak in the knees. He didn't know if his cousin was being serious or just joking. What his cousin was asking was a serious crime if anyone ever found out.
”I am joking. If I want something like that which borders on illegal, I would ask Salazar, Walter or others. Definitely not you.”
”I got nothing that I can say to you, man. I can't even guess if you are being serious or just joking.”
”Come on. Let us get inside. Also can you tell me what you actually had in mind for me, when you asked me to support you for the contest. It clearly is not handling Bolena or Winston as apparent from your expressions. So, what do you actually need and what is involved.”
”Oh! Finally, something I can contribute to towards this conversation. You have been steering our little chat all this while. Let me just get into the details directly. There are three important things that you need to have for being an elder. First, at least 30% of the existing members of the council should be willing for you to join the council.”
”Ok. So, Winston would be of help there I think.”
”Yes. That would be where Winston would help me the most. The other was would be the second condition. I need to have enough power and force to protect the territory I am to guard as an elder.”
”I hope you already have someone for that. I don't think I am strong enough to compete with the guys other elders might have,” said Balthazar hoping that he wasn't being asked by Robert for this.
”Yes, and no. There will be two contests. One is combat between representatives directly. I got someone for that and that is a competition. The other is a test strategic commander to handle and maintain my forces. I need you for that. There will be a few simulations, more like a game. You just need to handle it. There will be a few questions for both me and you.”
”You don't have anything better than me to do this. I don't think you didn't have better choices than me,” asked Balthazar. He was sure that Robert would have better options than him. Walter would obviously provide more assets to him for this.
”Yes, I got better guys. But there is one advantage that you have over others.”
”I sincerely doubt that but carry on.”
”Experience and fame. These guys which Walter introduced to me are mostly ghosts and don't like to be well known. With you I might directly be asked to skip the test. Your recent achievement at the military still garnered some fame as sensible man and good at commanding forces. Especially you. Your achievements at the military are enough to let us pass that test.”
”I don't think that I am as famous as you think. They still..”
”Quite a good number don't like you, but they still have to accept your achievements. But that is not the main reason for me to ask your help. The main competition would be the fight among our representatives. It is the major deciding factor.”
”Good. Anything else?”
”Yes. It is because we are from the young generation, there is another small trial for us. I need to participate in at least one of the planetary excursions.”
”The what?”
”We have a few planets and moons which don't have actual bases on them as they have a special environment and some resources are best grown in the native environment. So, there will be occasional trips to collect these resources from the planets.”
”Oh! I remember. We are usually given a list of resources mostly biological and a few equipment before we are put on the planet. We need to collect them before we return. It is a pre-requisite to be considered for any position of responsibility in the family,” said Balthazar remembering the time when Winston asked him to take the test when he became a legal a.d.u.l.t.
”Yes. This is required for both you and I, if we are to participate in the contest for the post of the elder,” explained Robert.
”But for this, we need a planet or moon which is ripe enough for its resources to be gathered. I doubt there is one readily available and I thought that you would have been done with your's by now.”
”Alas, we do have one available as if god intended for us to use it and I didn't finish mine either. I already talked to Salazar about it. He told that he already got acceptance from Walter that we are going to be safe for the time being as long as we don't leave the boundaries of Elysium,” explained Robert.
”You already got the permission for this?”
”Yes. I wouldn't have contacted you, if I couldn't even participate due to something like this,” said Robert. ”I already told him about you joining me so that he could process it through. Leave all of that to me. I will inform you beforehand for everything. It will be in two or three days. Now, I am going back to my room. Just wait for the doc.u.ment in your room. I will forward it online.”
”Cool. Would be waiting for you. Keep me in the loop. See you in the game probably.”