Chapter 208 - Announcement (1/2)
Leaving D.i.c.k and Glen in the room, Balthazar, Evelyn and Ichigo made their way back to the penthouse. As Ichigo had informed, there number of guest in the party had increased and Winston was alongside Richard introducing a few of them to Robert.
Balthazar didn't want to involve himself much in this affair, but he understood that it was necessary. He followed Ichigo and Evelyn before greeting Winston. He was a member of armed forces and he wanted to get better acquainted with people in similar field or in cooperation with the armed forces. So, moving around with them was much easier for Balthazar who wasn't much into politics nor wanted to ingratiate much into that circles. That was one of the main reasons, he didn't compete for the position of elder in the family.
Nevertheless, he came into contact with a few people from various planets. Industrialists, politicians, quite a few people in different influences came to him to make his acquaintance. The discovery of different kind of apes was mostly credited to him and due to that his fame soared causing many to try and befriend him. Winston didn't even need to participate, as these people already knew him and tried to meet him of their own accord.
Though quite a few came to meet Balthazar most of them were in military or were among the younger generation. Soon, Winston came to him and started to introduce him to ones of his own generation. He was brought to several leaders and elders of different organizations and families. There were also a few who he recognized as they were famous and there were some like Shehzad Malik and few others from his past life whom he recognized even though they weren't well known. With so many people, he only got to exchange a few pleasantries before Winston pulled him and Robert away to make an announcement.
”Dear friends, I am glad that you have come here from different planets to celebrate this day with me,” started Winston as he climbed upon a small dais at one side of the hall along with Robert and Balthazar. ”This party is being held to announce a few things. I understand that you are all enjoying, and I promise I won't make much of your time. Just give me a couple of minutes.”
”Firstly, there had been a recent murder in the family. I hope my nephew Max, a happy afterlife as he had been avenged and the pirates responsible for his death had been brought to justice by valiant efforts of the military and Price family through which a stop had been put to the scourge known as Nirbaadh pirates,” he said pointing to Ichigo Suzuki and Evelyn Price who were the most qualified those two organizations.
He was received with a loud applause and cheers by many in the party. The Nirbaadh pirates were despised by almost all the society except for a few who have used them for unsavory purposes in secret. Even these people needed to put on an appearance in public that they condone the actions of these pirates. So, all of them applauded even if it was just perfunctory to maintain appearances.
”The old man know how to garner attention,” whispered Robert to Balthazar.
”It is more than that,” whispered back Balthazar. ”He cleared Max's name avoiding ill repute for family and also put all the responsibility for the attacks on Nirbaadh pirates to the military and the Price family. He did that because he wants the public opinion to not include any rumors. It is the same as publicly denying it.”
”I get the politics of it, cousin,” said Robert rolling his eyes.
As the applause subsided and both Evelyn and Ichigo receive congratulations from the people and Winston made a few coughs and continued. ”Second, my grandnephew, Dr. Robert Blyth born to Jordan and George Blyth had recently proved himself capable and has decided to participate in the competition for the elder post that had been left empty due to the death of my nephew. I would like to offer my support and well wishes to him,” said Winston pulling Robert beside him and lifting his hand. Robert was all smiles and waved giddily.
”Lastly I would like to announce that my grandson, Colonel Balthazar Blyth whom people have recently heard of due to the attack on the citadel at the border has completely recovered physically and mentally,” he said as he pulled Balthazar beside him so that everyone could have a look at him.
”I will take a moment to indicate upon the significance of the victory over the ape armada,” he continued as he signaled Balthazar and Robert to get down. ”Most would have already heard a bit about a new species of the apes. Red in color, larger and stronger. As many assumed there is a hierarchy among these species. I have had the chance to examine a few specimens. It is best that we prepare for the worst.”
”Winston? What are you doing?” started Evelyn afraid that Winston might do something stupid that could cause panic. Winston held his hand to indicate that he would moderate the information that he would spread
”There are many things that are possible in species which have a hierarchical structure based on their physiques. I won't say that I know the everything about them, but I am one of the leading biological researchers and on this planet, we have researched many species that humans have discovered on different planets. There are also quite a large number of species that we grow on specific planets or moons. So, I have had the opportunity to get a lot of information about their behavior patterns,” said Winston.
”From the little bit of information, we have, I am confidently reporting that the red ones are higher up in the hierarchy of the apes. The blacks were currently being considered as the bottom of their hierarchy. This make us humans the same as pets or maybe much worse. We have our own social dynamic and use the naturally available resources for our own growth and development competing with these apes.”
”Humans have long since had a similar relationship with smaller being who also competed with them for resources and lived in social groups. We usually include them all under the term pests. So, I guess you all can imagine what the apes think of us,” said Winston causing a number of people to gasp and widen their eyes in shock. Winston gave a small pause for them to think about it.
Many considered the apes to be strong opponents to their race, but they always considered them to be like another race of humans as they were intelligent and most of their fights involved extensive use of technology. This use of technology made them think the apes to be same as other humans, but Winston's words are something that would be very hard for most to accept. After the initial pause, a few of them started to shout.
Some started to say that Winston was make a mountain of a mole hill and considered him to exaggerating the situation. Some were confused and started to wonder about the legitimacy of his claims and the next course of action while ones like Evelyn and Ichigo just wanted him to come down. Even the members of the Blyth family including a few elders who attended the party looked to be in a dazed and confused state unable to understand why Winston would say something like this publicly.
”I am putting this out now because we have just realized that there is a hierarchy among their species, but we have been fighting them for quite a few years now. So, the upper hierarchy just started to consider as opponents. This give a bit of a picture about the diversity and number of these apes in the universe,” continued Winston.
”I am sure many of you have disagreements with me, but I am just informing you about the general behavior of various species including humans. Maybe it is not as bad as pests. Most pests are about the size of our finger. So, let me say we are like chickens or sheep which are about half our size. Either way, even the lowest of their hierarchy are double our size and the only thing they would try to do with us are consider us to be pests or pets. Both of these bode ill to us. So, I request that everyone supports the military in their endeavor to battle against this threat. Thank you. I request that all of you think about this as you enjoy this party,” said Winston as he got down the dais.
”What is wrong with you,” said Evelyn grabbing Winston by his arm as he got down. She quickly pulled him out of the party hall to the lift to go to a private room along with Ichigo so that she could get some answers. A few seconds later she pushed him onto a chair in a private room. ”Talk. What prompted this?” she asked.
”I just thought that a bit of panic and some truths would be useful for the border force. It is clear that we need more support for battling against the apes. There are still idiots who are looking to make more bucks by using the apes for their agenda. If anything, the attack on the citadel proved that,” said Winston with a smile on his face. He was enjoying the fact that he could do something that fl.u.s.tered her. To get her in such a state is considered a hard and rare thing and he was enjoying it slightly.
”The citadel attack. Is that why?” asked Evelyn assuming that Winston was shook by the attack that happened on his grandson and put this out for his sake. Even so, she felt that it wasn't worth doing it.