Chapter 88 - Preparations (2/2)
”These are all nice, but I am used to standard weapons. Would probably need some practice with a few before I change up to them, but I hope I can take a few of the standard ones that have their serial numbers filed off,” requested Balthazar.
”These are all illegal and none of them have a serial number and are all untraceable. Stupid thing to ask. Any other specific requirements?” asked Ellie.
”I would like a whip, non-conducting, shouldn't acc.u.mulate static charge, at least 7 meters long,” requested Balthazar remembering that it would be better if he also has tool that can provide mid-range combat abilities.
Once, someone sees him with a whip, they might consider it his weapon and the hidden blade would be a lot more surprising. Moreover, a whip provides a degree of control and it swings make it hard for the opponent to evade. He had always been decent at using it in vita-nova and so, he believed that he could use it in real-life with a bit of training.
”You used a whip before?” asked Ellie surprised. Wh.i.p.s were a rare weapon that are usually used by people who are involved in taming of wild animals. It is something which was rarely seen in combat and even explorers of new planets, don't tend to use it. Without a good amount of skill, a whip can easily hurt oneself and teammates rather than their enemies. Ellie had already researched him thoroughly on the net, when he first met him, and nothing suggested that he was proficient with a whip. So, she was obviously concerned when he asked it. She wouldn't have batted her eye if he wanted to put himself in danger for the sake of her experiments, but this sounded crazy to her and if he harmed himself with it, it wouldn't serve any purpose either.
”Yes, I am familiar with a whip. Don't worry, I won't ship my own face or cut myself with it. But I agree that I hadn't used it for a long time. I put it on hold after I entered the force. I might need to practice it for some time,” answered Balthazar.
He knew that it would be hard for her to believe that he used a whip before as there would be no record of it and none in the family would have seen him using one. Ellie also was looking at him extremely doubtful of his words. So, he needed to convince them that he is indeed capable.
”Could you do me a small favour and help me in crafting a simulation for somnium technology?” he asked her. It is one of the best ways to convince her.
”I don't know if it is possible. Guns, blades and other things, you are qualified for use. Even warframes are something we could issue for your use, but wh.i.p.s are something I can't just provide you. It would be irresponsible on my part,” she said.
”OK. I understand. Can you ask Leon on who would be able to certify me? Do you know who Mr. Edgerton, the one responsible currently working on samsara tech is?”
”I will contact Leon, but the chances of that happening are very low. With the alliance having a ban on the use of wh.i.p.s, we hardly find any proficient in it other than tamers. I will also contact Uncle Elias. He will be able to help you with whatever you want with samsara framework.”
”Cool. It is nothing big. I just want to use something I heard he already successfully created,” said Balthazar.
”Anything else,” asked Ellie continuing to look at him weirdly. Today's meeting with Balthazar was very different from what she expected. She was hoping for a test subject, but instead found the person to be request things that most consider to be extremely outdated. He was supposed to be a military man who would require equipment tailor for chaotic war scenarios or planet clearing expeditions but he gave her the feeling of a person reenacting an ancient drama or something.
”Hmmmm.. Ya. Can I have your number? It would be a lot easier to contact you, if I want something. I could just message you,” he asked her. Once, they exchanged their details, he left the armory leaving a very perplexed woman behind.
”Whatever, I will just do what he wants. It is not like, it would take much time,” she thought. ”If he does manage to effectively use them, I would have the lead in creating a bunch of equipment for a specific type of use. As a matter of fact, I do need to create a fiber that can be worn for longer durations.”
She sent the details of their conversation to Leon and Winston and also informed her uncle Elias about Balthazar's request.
Balthazar also decided to send a message to Winston on the way back to his room. It is for the best if he could speed up the process and receives a whip as quickly as possible. ”I want to get a whip from the armory. Apparently, I don't have the qualifications. Please find someone who can help me get it and keep it a secret. I worked very hard to use it while keeping it a secret,” read the message.
He also sent a mail to D.i.c.k regarding the duplicate identity that he required. He chose the same name that he used in his previous life, Ethan Cutter. D.i.c.k had already prepared a picture of his which was modified slightly by adding a beard and a few other small changes so that photo-recognition techniques wouldn't realize him right away. The software would check a few salient features and lines on one's face which would help differentiate people. Knowing these, he could reduce the match percent to 60% while most people would still be able to recognize the photo to his face.
There would still be a chance of someone realizing his real identity if he gets caught. So, he needed to wear a beard or a mask when, he is traveling using his duplicate identity.
With this done, he needed to get in touch with his old acquaintances. These people don't know him at this time, but they would come to a place in the next week if they follow his previous life's experience. Even if they don't, he could get in touch with other people in similar profession at that place. He booked a ticket to AT-164 planet for the next week under the new identity. He needed to begin his counterattack as soon as possible.
Done with all the things he could prepare for, he decided to make a call to Sophia. He missed her a lot and sadly the intimacy he had with her in his previous life was no longer there as she didn't share the same memories as him. All he could do was to continue maintaining their friendship and maintaining virtual contact.