Chapter 190 - All in vain (2/2)

”What would you want?” asked Balthazar. He had initially called to her to request her help but the direction of their conversation was going in an entirely opposite manner to his intentions.

”I don't know,” pouted Bolena. ”You seem to have been quite successful in your attempts. I heard from grandpa that the recent defeat of those famous pirates also began due to your interference. It seems like you hold a good reputation. Can't you try to convince him?”

”He really wants you to come back. He is afraid and he wouldn' listen to me. I don't feel like convincing him either,” replied Balthazar. ”What if he puts in a notice to you that your company needs better medical facilities to proceed. He has that authority, you know.”

”Ah! Useless. He can't actually do that as it is untrue. It is not a necessity for most of the preliminary tests and it is only required later. By that time, I am willing to relocate, and I will be able to setup something decent on Asklepian. He wants me to move as fast as possible,” said Bolena.

”Oh! So, you only want to convince Rodrigo and Sophia, then?”

”Yes. Those are the ones important right now.”

”You are not telling me this just so that I will put in a word for you, right?” asked Balthazar. ”You were always good at fooling me. You are sure that Winston's recommendations aren't really necessary at this stage. If I end up finding it to the other way later, I wouldn't mind ratting you out to Rodrigo.”

”Bleh! I care about my reputation as a researcher. I wouldn't risk that,” said Bolena waving her hand. ”You can deny my request. Don't insult me.”

”Fine, but I need help from you too,” said Balthazar with a smile. ”I need some funds to secure your interests.”

”You blackmailing me?” asked Bolena raising her eyebrows. ”And what is with those words. You are talking like a thug.

”Secure our interests,” she said making air quotes. ”How much do you want? A million enough?”

”About ten times that and I hope that I can depend on you for further funds. I will try to get money on my own, but I would be glad if I can depend on you,” said Balthazar.

”Fine. I am sending you the amount now, but this is from the funds of the company. So, Winston tends to have a look at them. I hope you wouldn't need them much frequently. Just stay safe. I understand that you are asking me because you don't want Winston to know. So, it isn't something that he would accept to, but I understand that you will need to do somethings that you think is the right thing to do. Hope you that you will not risk your life like the incident at the citadel. OK!?” asked Bolena.

”Fine, I will make the calls. Also, hold on the payment. Send it to Rodrigo instead and put in some reason. I will talk it out with him,” said Balthazar as he cut the call. By the time, he reached the mansion, he had already talked to Rodrigo and messaged Sophia about the situation and he got ten million credits from Bolena through Rodrigo.

Having done with most of the preparation that he needed to have before his meeting with Ryan Rowley, he decided to go to his room and spend some time with the game. The game was the only thing he could currently predict using his memories from his previous life. Most of his life was progressing different and even the main events among the humans were quite different when compared to those of his past life. The only thing from his past life that he could use in real-life were the skills that he had learnt, his memories were of not much use. So, the game was the best way for him to earn some money which he clearly needed for his aims.

As he donned the helmet, the first person he contacted was Ellie. He had managed to gather some funds for the first trip, but to make the trips he needs to maintain a certain amount of personal safety for which a combat suit was very necessary. He chose to talk about this to Ellie because she has already been working for his guild and he also had received few of the devices which he asked her to make.

She already had plans to improve on those designs which she gave to him during his trial, but these wouldn't be enough. Those were meant for everyday use when he was visiting people. As he couldn't be wearing combat suits, he requested weapons that could be conceiled under his dress. Now, his requirements were different as he wanted a personalized combat suit.

”What do you want now?” she asked as soon as she took the call.

”How are you? How is the design of the training environment going on? Did you employ anyone?” he asked.

”Ya, that is going good,” she said. ”You can get a few to come and experience it. Started a basic thing but would still appreciate if you get a few experts so that we could modify difficulty of the thing accordingly, else this would just be an execution ground rather than a training scenario.”

”Ya. Have been working on that. Meeting Leon's old friend tomorrow during the party. You coming, right?”

”Of course. So, is this just a social call?”

”No. I need a combat suit.”

”Go and contact Leon. Winston had already given you permission to choose one for personal use. After recent events, there is a majority of elders who have decided to support your development as they consider you to be a capable asset. There are a wide variety of models available,” she said dismissively.

”I need a personalized one. I need you to do it.”

”What is it for? We have a variety and there is sure to be one which satisfies your needs,” she said.

”I need to be a bounty hunter.”

”That is the same as not saying anything. Are you intentionally being difficult?!” she yelled.

”No. I intend to be a bounty hunter,” said Balthazar.

”What do you want anyways?”

”It should have as many exploratory features and scanning tech as possible, an air support system, high mobility, stealth tech and one of those defensive fields which could be deployed. Preferable a pair of guns, penetrating rounds and frequency blades. Should look like an older model. At least a generation old,” said Balthazar repeating all the things that he had noted down.

”Do you need something else?”

”Nah, can you do it,” said Balthazar. ”I would preferably need it by tomorrow night.”

”Tomorrow night, huh”

”Yes.”

”I am not doing it. Do you have a compulsive need to surprise people whenever you meet them? I don't know what to think of you,” she said. She was fine till he told her that he needs it in a day's time. That was the last straw for her. She was already quite busy, helping Elias and also working on his virtual environment.

”I am sending a mail to Elias and Winston specifying these things. Elias will look into it. I am not attempting to do it so fast,” said Ellie as she sent forward a mail.

”No. No. Don't send it to Winston.”

”Sorry! I already sent it.”

”Damn, all my preparations have been wasted,” cursed Balthazar as he got a couple of calls immediately. One from Winston and another from Bolena.