As soon as he got out of Winston's room, he made a call to Robert. He wanted to personally meet Robert to talk as he also wanted Robert to be aware of Walter. "It is best if he is also aware of the why I was sent out by Walter and joined the military," he thought as he walked towards Robert's room.
"What's the matter? Didn't we just meet a few minutes ago?" replied Robert. There was no image on the call for some reason. Balthazar immediately realized that his cousin was probably playing the game and didn't change the default settings for calls.
"Are you playing vita-nova?"
"Yes. What's the matter?"
"I need to talk to you in person. I am coming to your room. Get out of the game now."
"I just got into the game."
"I would rather not have anyone, or any tech be used during this talk. Actually, thinking further, why don't you come out and have a walk in the garden outside with me? It is a bit refreshing to walk in the sun for some time, especially since it looks like we wouldn't be going for our runs with Anubis."
"OK. I will be out in a minute or two."
"Will be waiting at the hall for you," said Balthazar ending the call. He went to the main hall and seated himself in a sofa waiting for Robert. After five minutes or so he saw Robert entering the hall.
"That was a short 1 minute you took to come down," said Balthazar walking towards the mansion exit.
"I was in the middle of a fight with a bunch of monsters when you called. It is obviously going to take some time before I finish and log out," replied Robert. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
"That can wait till we are in the garden. By the way, I have some good news. Bolena also intends to support you and I can convince the Patriarch too to support you."
"That is great. I was afraid that she would also be one of the contestants. I would be a lot more relaxed if she isn't participating," said Robert ecstatic. from hearing the good news. "Are you sure that you can convince the Patriarch too?"
"Before that I need you to listen to a few things and there is a condition for him to support you. You probably already expected him to support Bolena, right? He actually intends to do so unless his condition is fulfilled."
"A condition from the patriarch. What can I do that he can't?"
"It is not about what you can do but what you will be able to do once you are an elder," replied Balthazar.
"I never thought that Winston would have such plans. I guess he wouldn't have become the patriarch if he isn't a bit political. I hope it isn't something that is sinister in mind," said Robert a bit concerned about the condition that Winston put. Being a patriarch, he would have the highest influence and could even veto some decisions. The thought of what such a powerful figure far above would want from him naturally tends to frighten any person. The same was the case with Robert and his face began to show his apprehension.
"You are thinking too much. He doesn't want anything too bad. You probably wouldn't think much about it once you hear it as you probably wouldn't think of a situation that would go against his condition. But listen to what I have to say so that you would understand why he asked something like that from you."
"Dude. You are talking in circles like an old guy. Just speak about it."
"Do you know why I went out of the family and joined the military?"
"You mean to say that it wasn't teenage craziness and boredom?"
"I am serious," said Balthazar looking at him crossly.
"I got no clue cousin. I heard rumors from some people, but I didn't really believe them."
"Oh, what rumors did you hear?"
"Something about you going out to find our parents' killers. I always thought that it was nonsense but seeing that you managed to find out about Max, I guess it might not be that far-fetched an assumption."
"That is true. I wanted to find out about my parents' killers. So, I had Walter teach me for a long time. Then, he suggested I am not ready to work alongside him yet and go gather some experience out in the alliance military or border force."
"So, it is true that you actually left to find information about those killers."
"No, of course not. I had no idea about why parents were killed and only learned it after the incident at my base. But the thing I want you to understand is that Walter always knew about it. He knew that the killers were targeting grandmother's descendants, but still sent me out."
"What are you talking about? He probably never thought that they would attack you."
"You are kidding, right? Walter didn't think of the danger!? He is the first guy who would have realized it. But he used me as bait, nevertheless. He even had Salazar looking out for me nearby."
"But I bet he really didn't mean harm. He would never have done so if he wasn't sure that he could protect you."
"I agree. But he has a tendency to do such things. He frequently puts his own self in highly risky situations and got used to it. He is incognito hunting the assassins who helped Max. So, he obviously is wouldn't think twice in putting us at risk too sometimes."
"That might be true. But he also very adept in saving and has a decent force at command."
"I agree to that. I am also willing to do so. But I don't want either you or Bolena to ever be the bait. There were some instances where I could have been killed but escaped only due to sheer luck. I didn't have someone from the family having my back at that time. The only reason Salazar was probably sent because I sent a communication home because I began to suspect Max a week before the incident," said Balthazar looking at his cousin.
"So, I want you to swear in writing that under no circumstance shall your vote ever be used to make any decision that would likely cause harm to Bolena, else you lose your position and assets. As soon as I send the document over, Winston is willing to completely support you for the position of elder."
"Both my position and assets? That is something I can't do without consulting Walter or the lawyers. It is very risky."
"Only I will hold on to it and have the authority in determining if you violated it. I will just send a copy of it to Winston. It will be only affected if Bolena is harmed. You can go ahead with it if you trust in me," said Balthazar. "Being supported by the patriarch will allow you a strong advantage in the contest. If Winston agrees, even Bolena will not participate. Think about it."
"Is it only Bolena or even you?"
"Only Bolena. You would have hardly any control in what I do. If the council tries to force me to do something, I can always leave the family again. I don't think they would dare to make any moves against me. Even if they do, you best allow me to resolve it."
"Are you sure about it? The do wield significant influence and power. You don't want to piss them off, if you want to join the elder council anytime soon."
"That is true, but I don't have any intentions to join the elder council. Still I would like to have everyday updates about the discussions in the elder council once you are a member."
"I think that might be a bit unethical of me. The rest might get a bit antagonistic to me if I do that."
"Do you honestly think the elders in the council don't tell their children of most of the affairs they discuss. I think only a few like Winston and a few others don't babble. Moreover, I just want details to make sure that no one is planning against us. I have a vested interest in protecting both you and Bolena. Anyway, I believe I could also provide you information that you can reveal to them in return that would be extremely helpful to you."
"What can you find out that would be useful to the council?"
"You leave that to me. The attack at my base was just a prelude. The aliens are getting more aggressive and so are the rebel forces. The world is going through a transitional phase which is going to be more a lot more lively than during the rebellion of the knights of old republic."
"You serious?"
"Yes. I already think that they somehow managed to contact and convince even the upper echelons of the apes to form some kind of collaboration."
"Hahaha. You sound like some kind of conspiracy theorist you know. Don't ever talk to anyone like this."
"Don't worry. I will not. But I definitely intend to prove it. For that I need to know that you and Bolena are safe and strong. So, what do you think about this agreement."
"I have no problem with it. It is a pretty simple thing to do. I will send it to you within the hour."
"In that case, let us go and play for some time. It is a good way to ease up."
"Sure, it is a lot more fun than I expected. I think I might get addicted to it."
"Take care that you don't. I know for a fact that the somnium technology is very addictive. I heard that the military already noticed it in their tests though the positive cases of addiction were very small."
"You for real? Something like that is going to be extremely high-level info. How did you come by it?"
"Oh! It was by no legal means. Just someone putting out a friendly word for me. I hope that I can count on your discretion about whatever information I provide you."
"That is given. I wouldn't like anyone asking me more questions than required," said Robert. "You can count on me. I would even consult you in case I ever have to."
"No need for that. I already trust you. Else, I wouldn't be informing you. Let us go back now," said Balthazar as he turned to go back to the mansion.
"Anything else, you require your highness. You need any support from in your secretive plans," asked Robert sarcastically signalling double quotes with his hands.
"Can you get me an alternative alliance ID using any of your contacts. I could use a few of those?"
"Huh?!" said Robert feeling a bit weak in the knees. He didn't know if his cousin was being serious or just joking. What his cousin was asking was a serious crime if anyone ever found out.
"I am joking. If I want something like that which borders on illegal, I would ask Salazar, Walter or others. Definitely not you."
"I got nothing that I can say to you, man. I can't even guess if you are being serious or just joking."
"Come on. Let us get inside. Also can you tell me what you actually had in mind for me, when you asked me to support you for the contest. It clearly is not handling Bolena or Winston as apparent from your expressions. So, what do you actually need and what is involved."
"Oh! Finally, something I can contribute to towards this conversation. You have been steering our little chat all this while. Let me just get into the details directly. There are three important things that you need to have for being an elder. First, at least 30% of the existing members of the council should be willing for you to join the council."
"Ok. So, Winston would be of help there I think."
"Yes. That would be where Winston would help me the most. The other was would be the second condition. I need to have enough power and force to protect the territory I am to guard as an elder."
"I hope you already have someone for that. I don't think I am strong enough to compete with the guys other elders might have," said Balthazar hoping that he wasn't being asked by Robert for this.
"Yes, and no. There will be two contests. One is combat between representatives directly. I got someone for that and that is a competition. The other is a test strategic commander to handle and maintain my forces. I need you for that. There will be a few simulations, more like a game. You just need to handle it. There will be a few questions for both me and you."
"You don't have anything better than me to do this. I don't think you didn't have better choices than me," asked Balthazar. He was sure that Robert would have better options than him. Walter would obviously provide more assets to him for this.
"Yes, I got better guys. But there is one advantage that you have over others."
"I sincerely doubt that but carry on."
"Experience and fame. These guys which Walter introduced to me are mostly ghosts and don't like to be well known. With you I might directly be asked to skip the test. Your recent achievement at the military still garnered some fame as sensible man and good at commanding forces. Especially you. Your achievements at the military are enough to let us pass that test."
"I don't think that I am as famous as you think. They still.."
"Quite a good number don't like you, but they still have to accept your achievements. But that is not the main reason for me to ask your help. The main competition would be the fight among our representatives. It is the major deciding factor."
"Good. Anything else?"
"Yes. It is because we are from the young generation, there is another small trial for us. I need to participate in at least one of the planetary excursions."
"The what?"
"We have a few planets and moons which don't have actual bases on them as they have a special environment and some resources are best grown in the native environment. So, there will be occasional trips to collect these resources from the planets."
"Oh! I remember. We are usually given a list of resources mostly biological and a few equipment before we are put on the planet. We need to collect them before we return. It is a pre-requisite to be considered for any position of responsibility in the family," said Balthazar remembering the time when Winston asked him to take the test when he became a legal adult.
"Yes. This is required for both you and I, if we are to participate in the contest for the post of the elder," explained Robert.
"But for this, we need a planet or moon which is ripe enough for its resources to be gathered. I doubt there is one readily available and I thought that you would have been done with your's by now."
"Alas, we do have one available as if god intended for us to use it and I didn't finish mine either. I already talked to Salazar about it. He told that he already got acceptance from Walter that we are going to be safe for the time being as long as we don't leave the boundaries of Elysium," explained Robert.
"You already got the permission for this?"
"Yes. I wouldn't have contacted you, if I couldn't even participate due to something like this," said Robert. "I already told him about you joining me so that he could process it through. Leave all of that to me. I will inform you beforehand for everything. It will be in two or three days. Now, I am going back to my room. Just wait for the document in your room. I will forward it online."
"Cool. Would be waiting for you. Keep me in the loop. See you in the game probably."