Chapter 218 - Package (1/2)
When Bruce realized that one of the commanders might be in trouble, he immediately put his forces to be ready and in a state of alert. He had also informed D.i.c.k to remain with Balthazar and Glen for a few days. At that time, he only knew that Parvati was aware of his location and he had considered that there might be a mole or two among his men as she managed to realize his location.
So, he needed to have his men under scrutiny. He had prioritized saving Bharat and abducting Parvati, but he never stopped thinking about the possible traitors among his own men. At the very least, he could openly take action against Parvati, but it wasn't the same within his own organization.
He considered D.i.c.k and Barbara as his heirs even though he hadn't officially put them in front of the other Shadow Card commanders. As much as he was concerned, he and Barbara were already under the eyes of an unknown traitor among his men. So, he told D.i.c.k to sever communications all his men except him and remain with Balthazar till contacted.
D.i.c.k was on a shuttle to board a ship to get back to home when he received the message from Bruce instructing him to remain there.
”That is odd,” thought D.i.c.k as he confirmed it again with Bruce and turned his vehicle around to the Blyth mansion. ”Maybe, he wanted me to protect the kid,” thought D.i.c.k misinterpreting Bruce's message. He quickly sent a message to Balthazar telling him that he would like to join him and Glen in their mission.
Balthazar and Glen had just reached the Blyth mansion when he got the message from D.i.c.k. ”D.i.c.k wants to join us in our mission,” said Balthazar as he saw the message. ”What do you think?”
”It looks like Bruce is quite interested in your attempt,” said Glen a bit surprised.
”I guess, should we allow him. I wouldn't have thought much about it before, but after I heard all the things you explained a few moments ago, I am wondering if it is in the best interest of the family to let Bruce know much about me,” said Balthazar putting forward his concern.
”He wouldn't have sent D.i.c.k to help you if he wasn't interested. You have a valid concern, but there is also the fact that if you receive the message from Ryan Rowling about his location, it might be a trap to kill you,” said Glen.
”It might be so, but it is a good lead either way,” said Balthazar.
”True. That is why it is best if we have a bit more support for this, but since you insist that we leave quietly and let no one notice our absence and also Arthur wants to keep our absence a secret, we can't really count on members available in the family for this. So, it isn't bad to have D.i.c.k provide us some help. He is quite a capable person,” said Glen.
”Valid points for having him along with us, but what about the other things you told me?” asked Balthazar.
”You should understand one thing. If D.i.c.k wants to try anything, he wouldn't do it when Bruce knows he is along with us. Heck, he would even stake his life for you in such a situation. Only fools try to kill competitors when the judge is aware that they are close by. Even, if proved not guilty and evidence points towards an accident or someone else, the sense of doubt would always remain. From what I heard of D.i.c.k, he wouldn't do that and none of the Shadow Card commanders take it lightly if one of their own disregards the mission and intelligence gathering for sake of internal competition. So, as long as he doesn't know how you actually managed to get information which allowed you to stop that invasion by the apes, you are safe,” explained Glen.
”Just accept the help when given. Moreover, you don't even have a ship to get off the planet. You don't know if there is a time frame on the meeting. A lot of unknown variables. Transport being the one of the most importance, if you don't have a way and you intend to keep it secret from the eyes of the family, it is better to seek his help.”
”Fine,” replied Balthazar as he sent back a message to D.i.c.k asking him to join them at the main hall. It was true that he didn't yet get any reply from Herschel apart from one that stated he was close by, hence came to the solar system and he would be lodging on a neighboring planet for the night. So, he wanted to see if he could get D.i.c.k to provide them a means of travel. Once, he got a confirmation from D.i.c.k, they got into the mansion. As they got into the main hall, Balthazar found the family butler, Thaddeus waiting for them.
”Young Master, Balthazar. A package arrived for you during the event. During the routine scans of the parcel, we have had an issue. We realized that it's design and materials make the normal scans useless and higher frequency scans might have a chance of damaging it. So, it is left in the lab on the ground floor at the back door,” informed Thaddeus.
”Lab at the back door of the mansion?” asked Balthazar surprised. He had never known that there was a lab at that location. The mansion was mostly living quarters and offices of the family. There were a few labs, but none on the floor and it seemed very odd to have a lab at the back exit.
”I have never known of the lab. Could you please lead me to it?” asked Balthazar.
”Sure, young master,” said Thaddeus.
”Do you know what the lab is?” Balthazar asked Glen.
”He is referring to the mail room,” said Glen. ”There is a room adjoining it where any mail deemed dangerous or harmful is taken to examine after the preliminary scans. It is a strong room with lots of facilities like a laboratory. No research is actually done there, but the equipment's appearance caused the staff to mistake and it often called the mail room lab.”
”Hmm. I didn't know that there was such a facility in the mansion,” said Balthazar. When he heard about it from Glen, he found it acceptable that such a room existed in the mansion. He had seen similar rooms in military facilities as a part of the security and realized that he had overlooked quite a few things about the family and mansion.
A minute later, they were in front of the lab. Thaddeus used his credential to open the door and let them in. The room had a 30-inch thick door with no windows or any openings. It was clear that the place was constructed with the purpose of testing anything. Even explosions would be contained by the walls. The entrance itself was through a safety shower room. There were a set of lockers on one side and the other side had protective suits to safeguard them against all manner of pico-particles and explosions and an assortment of tools that might be required.
”Your packages is sealed in locker number 3, young master,” said Thaddeus pointing to the lockers.