Chapter 207 - Identity (1/2)
”Do you know of other members of the military who had worked along with Jane?” asked Balthazar.
”No. I knew about a few, but they all died in the blast,” said Khalid.
”Then, I have no use of you, and I don't want to help a person who had been responsible for something that caused me to almost die, even if you did it under duress,” said Balthazar. ”I would just be marked as someone who had shielded a traitor and a deserter.”
”No, I am not a deserter. Would a deserter willing get among so many people to visit you? That is just suicidal. I am not a deserter. I never wanted to quit the force. I had no options but to do this for the safety of my wife and child,” said Khalid almost tearing up.
”What do you want me to do?” asked Balthazar. He pitied Khalid for his situation, but he couldn't believe him completely. At the back of his mind, he even wondered if Khalid had been fabricating the entire story and had just been trying to infiltrate their ranks. He couldn't do anything without proof. He needed to at least get a hold of Khalid's family, but till he is vetted the only place he could put Khalid was the prison. Before that all he could do was to ask him more questions and tense him enough to see if he accidentally let out any information. ”I can hardly do anything for you other than postponing your death sentence for some time.”
”You could tell the force that I was your man and helped to investigate the culprits behind the explosion. You clearly didn't want to reveal the truth for some reason and that is the reason Jane, me and others are not being considered traitors. This would also give you a plausible reason,” said Khalid.
”Hahaha,” laughed Balthazar. ”You want me to just take your word that you are a good man. For all I know you could be a spy and I don't know how you managed to reach Asklepian while hiding. And why would I do it for you? Your actions irrespective of the reason almost caused me to die and you are of no help to me at all.”
”Moreover, we just behaved in a manner that indicated we didn't know about him in front of D.i.c.k. It wouldn't be an easy task to convince him that this half n.a.k.e.d idiot worked for us,” said Glen.
”I can give you the names of the people who conspired. I came to know of them when I was working with Jane. She wanted be to join her cause and let out some information to try and convince me,” said Khalid.
”But you just said all the military personnel that participated in her scheme at the base were all killed in the explosion. You being the obvious exception.”
”They aren't military personnel. It wasn't just military personnel who were involved in this plan. They had support to be able co-ordinate with them,” said Khalid.
”I hope you have a name other than Rowleys.”
”Yes, I have another name. Dave. He was the man in charge.”
”Dave. He knows about Dave?” thought Balthazar. Though Balthazar remembered the name and outline of the man, he didn't have much else to track him other than the fact that he was a member of the Nirbaadh pirates.
”A known name, but he wasn't found even after the dire circ.u.mstances of the Nirbaadh pirates,” said Balthazar. ”You have any other useful things?”
”Yes, but I know details about him. He is the younger brother of the captain of the Nirbaadh pirates,” said Khalid.
”What? You sure?” asked Glen as Balthazar also leaned in.
”Yes. I overheard him refer to the captain as his elder brother. If not a true brother, they are at least brothers in arms.”
”Either way, we know that the captain had a younger brother called Asuragana Dharma Pratap. We would find more information if we catch up to him,” said Glen.
”True, but I am not willing to promise anything. I will protect your family.”
”Thank you. Thanks a lot,” started Khalid as Balthazar held up his hand stopping him.
”You can consider them prisoners. They will have freedom but will always be under surveillance. I will inform Evelyn that you were my man, but I am not sure of your loyalties anymore. So, you will be a prisoner till we verify your information,” said Balthazar.
”I am fine with that. They are being pressured by my debtors. I hope you can provide them sanctuary,” said Khalid.
”You hinted that there was someone else you knew to be responsible.”
”Yes. Harry Drudgers, the industrialist.”
”Any proof?” asked Glen.
”None. I can't give you any such information.”
”In that case, I will let Evelyn Price decide your fate. You will be in contact with her,” said Balthazar.
”No. No. You just told you would help me.”
”I will tell her that you were my man and helped me with the situation, but it looks like you are not much useful. So, I will let her take care of you. I will inform her that you are being hunted. So, she will take appropriate precautions, but I am sure she will also interrogate you. It is best you stick to your story,” said Balthazar. ”Your family will be put under the care by me personally. I will make sure they come to know harm and they will be monitored all day long.”
”I can be useful to you. I have managed to cover the eyes of some many personnel and managed to modify an entire defense system which could have crippled an entire moon base,” said Khalid still trying to convince Balthazar of his usefulness. If he was sent to other people, he was not sure of his situation. Balthazar would still keep him safe as he was sure that the colonel was not in cahoots with the knights, but he couldn't be sure of the others.
”Why do you want to be under him?” asked Glen who found Khalid's request suspicious.
”Because I am sure he is not one of the enemies.”
”But staying alongside him is very dangerous. There is a much higher chance that you would get into enemy eyes if you are alongside us.”
”You don't know about the number of people who tried to kill us the past few days. There are always someone who are in their pockets,” said Khalid. It was clear to both Balthazar and Glen that Khalid had been extremely frightened for his life and those of his family.
”He could be useful,” said Balthazar looking at Glen. He couldn't deny from his achievement that Khalid was quite technically capable and might be of use during their trip.
”Would you be confident in letting him guard your six?” asked Glen. He knew that Balthazar was considering recruiting Khalid, but the circ.u.mstances of his visit and his story were very suspicious.
Balthazar couldn't refute Glen's concerns. Khalid was extremely suspicious and there wasn't the slightest chance that he could trust Khalid's words. It would unwise for him to have someone along with him without a minimum amount of trust and confidence. He would have to split his concentration and focus on Khalid to make sure that Khalid isn't doing anything detrimental to him.