Ichigo didn't respond to Hector's proposal and simply looked at Balthazar waiting for his response. Winston, Evelyn, Xander and Victor also did the same. Winston was a bit surprised when he first heard Hector, but it immediately turned to happiness as he realized that Balthazar would be safely protected. Despite knowing the dangers that plagued his grandson and granddaughter, Winston didn't want him to be the person investigating it for he considered it to be very dangerous.
The others also expected Balthazar to immediately accept when they heard what was being offered to him. It was really a very tempting job and if he played his cards right, he might end up in Ichigo's job after a few years. It was a great opportunity for an upcoming officer in the armed forces. Evelyn was the only one who doubted it when he didn't reply immediately.
For a moment, even Balthazar wanted to accept it. If this was an offer he got during his college or before the attack on his station at PK-170-B, he would have gone crazy with joy and immediately accepted any posting related to the Scions of Minerva. Sadly, he had changed a lot after the attack. His aims and goals have completely changed after that.
"I am really honored that you are willing to provide me with such an opportunity," said Balthazar looking at Hector as he got up.
"Very good. I guess that brings this meeting to an end," said Hector without giving Balthazar a chance to finish. He only stopped when Ichigo who laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Sadly, I can't do that now. If this had happened a few months ago, I would have joined it immediately, but right now I can't let go of the operation I undertook," he continued.
"If you are worried that Evelyn or Winston might get angry, you needn't have any such concerns. I am sure that they will be glad to support you for this," said Hector looking at Evelyn whom he expected to be the main reason for the refusal.
"No, they aren't responsible for this. I don't care about Evelyn's opinion any more than you and my grandfather would rather see me working with you than her," said Balthazar.
"I would appreciate it if you weren't so candid, kid," said Evelyn who was irritated by his words. It hurt her pride a bit when he said that he didn't care about her opinion. She knew that he just told those words to make a point but didn't like it yet.
"Then, what is your problem?" asked Hector loudly irritated by Balthazar. He had never seen anyone at Balthazar's age and his position refusing him like this. Especially after he ended up leading the Scions of Minerva, even his own brother rarely talked back to him.
"I expect that you need me to be in good physical and mental health after a couple of years for me to be a worthwhile test subject, right? I can't be in good mental health, if I give up my mission now," said Balthazar. He had quickly realized that the best way to persuade Hector was to convince him that this decision serves his own interests.
"Huh! What do you mean?" he asked calming down and sitting on the table.
"My family and I have a death threat from someone. They tried to kill me in a military establishment. So, I am sure that they have personnel working for them. They also attempted to hurt my brother and sister. We caught one of their members and came close to finding out their plans, but failed to do so," said Balthazar.
"These guys also attracted the apes to make that attack on the citadel of PK-170-B moon and disabled the targeting system. Luckily, I found out about it and we won that fight," continued Balthazar. "What I want to say is that, I have already managed to get a lot of information on them which none of you ever got and as that they are trying to kill me and also have people in the armed forces working for them, I can't trust to be alive in most places. So, even if you don't accept and think that you can provide us protection, I am not willing to put my security and my family's wellbeing in your hands."
Hector looked at Winston and Evelyn as he heard Balthazar. "Is it true," he asked them to confirm. The both nodded agreeing to his words. Even Ichigo nodded his head and said, "the part about the attack on the moon is true."
Hector took a deep breath. "I agree that you might be in danger, but that makes even more sense for you to stay in my protection. You cannot have a better protection detail than what I am suggesting. Few hours ago, I wouldn't have considered offering this to you, but the new readings that Victor showed me are extremely promising. We need you for this project," said Hector.
"You misunderstand, Sir. I don't need protection. I am quite capable on my own and with the resources provided by my family, I am not worried about myself. I want to continue my work under Evelyn as it is one of the best chances, I could get to find out about my enemies right now. The more I delay this, the harder it gets. I do this, so that I don't have to live under protection for the rest of my life. Do you think that constantly being protected would keep me in a health mental condition?" he asked Hector after explaining why he wasn't going to accept.
"Impulsive behavior and narcissistic tendencies. Do you think that apart from you no one else can track these culprits down? This is borderline sociopathic behaviour as we have in our reports. It might not be very advisable to consider him, brother," said Victor Constantine suddenly. Victor could never tolerate anyone disrespecting his brother and the way Balthazar refused Hector irritated him more than it did Hector.
"I have no problems with that. I am also willing to participate in your experiments for the bio-feedback warframe, but I am just not willing to wait in protection till that time. That is ridiculous," answered Balthazar standing up in response.
"Also, you might have never considered this, but you might need to relax your requirements for sociopathic tendencies considering the purpose of your experiments. The armed forces work at the edges of civilization and most times, the normal social behavior might cause more problems. Moreover, to fulfill the missions a certain amount apathy and fearlessness is required. If you don't consider this you will fail to make good use of the technology you create," added Balthazar.
"You! What nonsense are you talking," shouted Victor in anger. He hardly ever expected the kid to comment on his work and the suggestion to rectify his procedure was like a pinprick to his pride as a researcher. He looked at both Evelyn and Ichigo, but they seemed to have accepted Balthazar's words. What was most shocking to him was that even his brother seemed to be in mild agreement with the kid. The only person in a similar state to him was the kid's grandfather.
"I would also have to agree with his suggestion, Hector," said Ichigo. "I would never make such a statement publicly for obvious reasons, but if your research is to progress at a proper pace, we best keep this in mind."
"General Ichigo?" said Victor in surprise looking at the lieutenant general his eyes almost bulging out as he heard the old veteran agree with the kid.
"Hmm. I will take it into consideration," said Hector as he put a hand on Victors shoulder and pulling him to sit beside him on the table.
"So, you are willing to accept any experiments that we intend to do later?" he asked Balthazar.
"I will definitely do my part to help you in that regard. If, I was worried about death, I wouldn't have joined the armed forces nor would I agree to be stationed at the edge of human civilization," replied Balthazar.
"Fine. I can't persuade you to abandon your quest. So, I have no choice but to accept it," said Hector patting on Balthazar shoulder. "I shall be in contact with you. I would also like to be informed about your whereabouts as much as possible."
"You are sure to have some method of contact or determining that he is safe for some time. I would like to be aware of his situation. Please, keep me in the loop," said Hector throwing a look at Evelyn Price who nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"And any problems technological, I can provide you with the best of solutions," said Hector looking at Balthazar. "You can contact me or Victor directly. You will soon be provided with a method to do that."
"Ichigo, please stay in the room while the others can leave," said Hector looking around the room. Evelyn, Xander, Winston and Balthazar all immediately got up and made their way out of the virtual room. It was clear that Hector didn't want them to linger.
"Brother, you are unnecessarily giving him more importance than that is required," said Victor Constantine as soon as the others left. "There are bound to be others who would manage to get a similar rate to him. It might take some time, but we have enough to be patient. He isn't worthy enough for you to promise your help."
"Dear, Victor. Do you think that I have only come here only because of the reports that you sent me? If it were not him and someone else who had those results, I would have let you do it yourself and considered waiting for others," said Hector.
"There are three reasons for me to come here. Can you venture a guess of what they might be, brother?" asked Hector as he laid back on a chair and put his legs on top of another.
"I would guess the first to be the high compatibility and the high adaption rate that he exhibited to the somnium technology," said Victor.
"Other than that, obviously," said Hector rolling his eyes. "I know that you are aware of that one. Guess the remaining two."
"His age? We have already experimented on a lot of prisoners and realized that any changes to body through the experiences from the somnium technology are more pronounced in younger people and for this reason we expect better performance from the young," said Victor.
"Yes. Quite close to the point that we have observed. It isn't that changes to the body or something like that but the adaptation rate. The young always find it easier to adapt to as most consider it a learning age. As one ages, most tend to subconsciously consider that they have gone through the stage where they could learn new things. Moreover, the old have habits and idiosyncrasies that are hard to forego for them," said Hector trying to explain the reason he considered age to be a factor.
"I could have told you that without use of any experimentation. Try asking any of your old folk to change their habits. It would be easier for them to die than do that. The old get set in their ways and at certain age due to some changes, we don't consider it consciously to change some of our habits. I got the experience for it," added Ichigo.
"Hahaha," laughed Hector at Ichigo's joke. "You certainly are experienced, old man. But I am not talking about people as old as you. Even by the time, a person reaches middle age, he finds himself in a fixed path, an occupation that he is willing to continue till the end of his life. That is not an age for learning himself. It is the young that have a mindset of learning new things and not a fixed path for his future. That kind would have the best adaption rate."
"How do you know that? We hardly ever had such young test subjects," said Victor as he found his brothers conjectures to be without much proof.
"The somnium technology is essentially one for the mind. To research its effects, one should have a good grasp of psychology and behavior. Without that it is hard to understand its effects and also be vary of any changes that might occur on prolonged usage," explained Hector. "Thus, we determined that it is better to have younger subjects. Unfortunately, such young prisoners who are willing to accept scientific research for reduced sentences are very small in number."
"It is not unfortunate that they are in a small number," said Ichigo shaking his head. "The small number of young ones shows that there are more trying to set their lives right and not risk their life for a reduction in sentences."
"Yes. See. That is exactly what I am talking about. The young have a lot left and would also be less inclined to do stupid things. This way, we got a big host of reason to prefer a younger subject."
"Now, try the third one. This is the most important one. This might be a bit hard, but you can think about it for some time," continued Hector.
"Hector. Can you finish this quick or at least tell me why I am waiting here for you?" interjected Ichigo. He found the discussion all nice and entertaining, but he was suddenly summoned, and he had postponed his work to comply to Hector's request.
"Hmmm. Always in a lot of work, aren't you?" mocked Hector. "Fine. I will give it up. He is a warrior and also has an engineering background. He was also in the engineering corps of the military. He understands a lot of technical jargon and is a good fighter who does what he considers necessary to be done."
"We have already tested with a few people matching that profile. We never considered them that important," said Victor.
"They were a combination of old or murderers or a combination of both. Most didn't have a sense of belonging to the alliance not suitable for our purpose of inventing the bio-feedback warframes," said Hector clearly differentiating the difference between Balthazar and the other experiments.