"You guys seem to be quite friendly," said Rodrigo. "I didn't realize that you were in such a relationship."
"I really don't want to talk about it," said Sophia.
"That serious, ha?" asked Rordrigo. "Does my disciple know of our relationship."
"No, he doesn't, and I hope you keep it quiet from him, grandpa and also mom," said Sophia. "You know of my challenge with mom and she already thinks that you helped me. It will only get worse if she ends up knowing about him.
"I hope you make some decision soon. He is a good lad and I approve," said Rodrigo. "Your father would also agree. Though he came from a good family, he is capable of staying safe and strong on his own. Can't find a better suitor."
"Stop talking about it," said Sophia as she walked ahead of Rodrigo who started laughing. He started to compose a mail copying the details of Herschel which Balthazar had asked for before following his granddaughter to get to the demonstration.
Balthazar felt that he could pursue and check the man, but he also realized that whomever he chose, he had to keep his plans a bit secret from him. As he received the details of the would-be pilot and provider of a crew, he immediately called Herschel, but the man didn't respond. So, he left a mail indicating his source and his need.
Herschel was definitely a good way forward, but he knew that he couldn't completely depend on him. He couldn't be completely sure of their loyalty. He had another option which was his cousin Robert, but he wasn't sure if his cousin could actually provide him with manpower and he didn't want to involve Robert unless it was necessary. He doubted if Robert was prepared enough to get into such clandestine affairs.
"No harming in trying out, right?" he thought as he went to his cousin's room. As he knocked over the door, Richard opened it for him. Richard was informing him of the arrangements of the party tomorrow and has taken a chance to give him the basic knowledge of various important persons that would be coming and their interests and hobbies. To be on friendly terms with such people it was necessary to have a little idea about their demeanour and achievements. So, Richard was preparing Robert for it.
"Ah, come in Bel. Richard, surely I can take a break for a few minutes, right?" asked Robert as he saw his cousin.
"It is imperative that you be aware of these details, Robert. You have to understand that becoming an elder is just a start of competition between you and the other elders. You need to gather enough support or at least give the impression of a strong leader so that these influences would maintain a neutral stance in cases of conflicts between you and the other elders," said Richard.
"I won't take much time, Richard. I hope we could talk for some time alone," requested Balthazar.
"Fine, I will be outside," said Richard as he went out the door.
"Finally. Something other than remembering the lives of old men and women. Half of it was learning about which planets these guys managed to colonize or develop. I have half a mind to not attend my own party," said Robert.
"So? What brings you here?" asked Robert. "You don't come unless you want something. Especially at an important time like this. I don't believe you just came to have a friend chat with me."
"It isn't like that. I would have enjoyed to have occasional friendly chat with you," said Balthazar. "But as you know I never really had the time. I had my studies and then had to deal with one issue or another."
"And you still have troubles. They haven't left us for a long time," agreed Robert. "In fact, you have noticed these for a long time before me and Bolena. We failed to even detect them even though we were elder to you."
"So, what do you want?" asked Robert again.
"I need a crew for travel. It needs to be secret and hidden from the eyes of Winston and the rest of the family. They wouldn't appreciate it," said Balthazar.
"I guess you don't have access to the usual military personnel you had before the blast," said Robert. "No one to trust after the change of post?"
"Yes. That is the main issue that I have," said Balthazar nodding his head.
"When do you need it?"
"If possible, tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
"Yes."
"Currently, I can't. I need to at the very least become an elder. Without that I have no independent control, nor can I do anything. Everything I do is being monitored by Richard," said Robert. "I can in a few days after I become elder. Maybe?"
"Ok. Forget it," said Balthazar realizing that he couldn't get any help regarding this from his cousin. "But do make a team of people loyal to you. You will need them. You can get them with Walter's help but make sure that they report to you alone."
"I will try, but I fear that it might be impossible. Most would fear Walter than me if they are from his contacts. I can never command such loyalty in a short time," said Robert.
"Yes, that is true if they are his direct friends and acquaintances, but look for their sons and daughters. They would want to make their own name and get their own fame. Right now, most planetary bodies have been captured, at least as many as possible. For any further advances, we need to wage wars and expand our borders. At this time, such people will look for expanding their influence and clearing the known bandits and influences against the alliance. You need to look for such candidates. As Walter's grandson, they will expect you to have some information and influence which could be helpful against such elements. So, you need to attract the other forces with that in mind," suggested Balthazar.
"Not possible," said Robert flatly. "Currently, I can't do it. There are already a few elders against you for having brought the trouble of the Nirbaadh pirates. They are afraid of their retaliation. They know that you were responsible for the start of this and are already calling you a warmonger. It might not be sensible to openly support such an intention. It would hamper my chances. I need to take a diplomatic approach."
"You already thought about all this?" wondered Balthazar aloud.
"For some part, but Richard helped me get things in perspective. He has ways to know of the intentions and plans of the other elders. I don't know his source of information, but he always is thorough and lets me get to the conclusions myself. So, I trust him and believe that is the best way," said Robert.
"It might be true. These elders have become a bit unscrupulous having been in a state of peace for the past few decades," said Balthazar. If there weren't any traitors or those who weren't performing their duties and managing their territories strictly, their parent's murderers wouldn't have managed to escape without a clue. Even Winston suggested before that the elders have become increasing corrupted these past few years.
"So, is that it?" asked Robert.
"Mostly. I guess that I will have to look somewhere else," said Balthazar.
"Is it urgent?"
"Might be. I am not really sure, but wouldn't hurt to be prepared," said Balthazar.
"You did suggest me to get a team, but you could actually do the same. In fact, you have the reputation for it," said Robert.
"My repute is that of a colonel, a military force. I can't attract those that have political ambitions," said Balthazar.
"You are kidding right?" asked Robert.
"What?"
"You are a colonel, but no one expects you to continue for long in the armed forces. Most think that you are our family's influence in the military, and you have your loyalties with the family first. You have your own possessions and influence even if you are not an elder. They consider you more to be following the footsteps of Walter than me. Why do you think that Winston wants to announce about your good health in the party tomorrow?"
"You know about that?"
"Of course, I do," said Robert. "Richard is planning and maintain all security at the place. He did have to inform him, and he informed me of Winston's intentions."
"There might be a bit of truth to it. Even the higher ups at the military might think so. Especially after Evelyn and Xander came to know about the things that I hid from them," thought Balthazar.
"So, you are suggesting that I do it on my own. I doubt that I would have the time for it. I would soon be back to work. It is hard to maintain those things once I am back in work. And I am pressed for time," said Balthazar.
"Excuses. If you wan't to do things at a fast pace none of these will work. Just find an already established group of freelancers. That is the best thing you can do," said Robert. "As long as you are willing to pay them, they wouldn't care of the rest."
"That is right. Why didn't I think about this before? I just need a hired gun for now, but I must be able to pay them," said Balthazar.
"Again, with the jokes. Tell them your name and many will willing join you. You are at the height of your reputation and you the grandson of the patriarch of the Blyth family. A family of medical professionals who are world renown. No one would suspect you lack money."
"Yes. I have still been thinking with the mentality of my past life. I was disgraced and out of my family at that time. I had to show that I could pay people before anyone partnered with me," thought Balthazar. "I am not in the same state now."
"Thanks, Rob. It was good talking to you. I will leave you so that you could continue your conversation with Richard," said Balthazar.
"It is about eight at night. Fancy going to an early dinner?" asked Robert.
"Sure."
"My treat. Let us get to ambrosia," said Robert and they both walked out finding Richard waiting for them.
"Dinner time, Richard," said Robert with a smile.
"Ok. I will join you two. We can resume after dinner," said Richard.
"Cool, we are going to Ambrosia," said Balthazar.
"No. You are not. We are in a hurry, master Robert and you don't have the time to waste on roaming around. We shall go to the dining hall and resume after that. I know that you are a bit frustrated with the present situation, but I insist that you will have to persist in your efforts," said Richard in a stern voice. "I will hear no objections."
"Maybe another time," said Balthazar surprised that Richard would stop them like that. Robert also found it unexpected. Richard was never too pushy and gave him time to enjoy. So, he decided to let it go.
After dinner, Balthazar went to his room and called Dick. He thought about Roberts suggestion and it felt like the best path he could take now. Dick responded immediately. He seems to be in a shuttle on move when he lifted the call.
"What's up dude? Did anything happen?" he asked in a serious tone. He had just sent a mail to Balthazar a couple of hours ago indicating that he would get to the party with the identity cards that Balthazar requested. So, he thought that something else might have happened for Balthazar to have called him.
"Nothing happened. You coming tomorrow? I hope that you could bring Barbara and Bruce too," said Balthazar.
"Bruce was already invited by Robert. Barbara and I will be there," said Dick. "You need something or is it just a social call. In that case, I would rather you call in a few minutes later."
"I need an account in the ShadowCard," said Balthazar.
"Nice joke. That is for clandestine agents," said Dick looking at Balthazar, but he didn't find any change in Balthazar's expression. It didn't look like Balthazar was being sarcastic. He quickly parked the shuttle at a parking lot near a hotel. He took a device from his glove box and attached it to his wrist device as the picture blurred for a second and started up again. It was a way to prevent the call to be recorded.
"You on a secure line? You are serious?" he asked.
"I am. I need an account in the ShadowCard."
"You want to put in a bounty, or you want to take one?" asked Dick. "You don't need an account for putting a bounty."
"I know Dick. I still want an account in the ShadowCard."
"You don't understand. Once, you are in ShadowCard you will have to take at the very least a few cases. It is mandatory. Those need to be improving in difficulty slowly else they will send men after you. There is no getting out of it, once you enter," said Dick. "You will be forced to live a life of an assassin or thief."
"I know the details, Dick," laughed Balthazar. "I know that it is anonymous except to their leader. He will only be able to access it when the mandatory number of missions are not done. I also know that there have always been a few government personal in the alliance that have used these accounts to impersonate others. The ShadowCard will pursue the person who failed to perform, but I know the way, the loophole that could avoid that."
"You have done your homework, huh," said Dick surprised that he already knew that the alliance had members using the organization for their purposes. "Wait! Wait! There is a loophole to avoid that."
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Can't say that. It won't be useful if the alliance knows it. No offence, but regarding such details, alliance clandestine services could be considered the world's biggest gossip group," said Shadow.
"Wow! Really?!"
"Yes, and I am sure of that. The ShadowCard have ears in most places. One can't be sure of loyalty these days and you know that I wouldn't trust people easy," said Balthazar.
"Why don't set up an account on your own, then?" asked Dick.
"That is simple. My duplicate identity. I need it to be done on my duplicate identity," said Balthazar. "One will need to swipe the ID card at the interface when creating the account and as I need it urgently, I am asking you. Else, I wouldn't have informed you at all."
"You didn't think that I would set up the account on my original identity, did you?" continued Balthazar. "Even though only one person is supposed to be accessing my identity. I don't want them to know of it. It is best to always have my identity covered."
"Fine. I will set this account for you," said Dick. "Anything else?"
"No. I hope that it will be done as fast as possible," said Balthazar.
"Takes just a few minutes. I already have equipment ready to start," said Dick as he ended the call and made a call to Bruce.
"What is it?"
"The Blyth boy wants an account in the ShadowCard. He asked me to set it up on one of the duplicate accounts we set up," said Dick. "He also tells me that he knows a loophole that could avoid him being hunted if he didn't meet his quota."
"ShadowCard and the loophole. Are you sure?" asked Bruce.
"He seemed pretty sure of it. I think he is in contact with one of the ten," said Dick. "There is only one way to get out of that right?"
"It definitely wasn't me. I can't speak of the others. They would never let me know," said Bruce. "But it worth investigating whom he managed to get in contact with. Never expected him to have been involved in ShadowCard. I didn't even know he was in contact with any member."
"Walter. He was always in contact with Walter," said Dick.
"Don't waste your time. Walter knew of it, but he would inform me, if he wanted to tell such important information that he got from me. Could you confirm about his method?"
"No. He insisted against informing me of it," said Dick. "He was adamant."
"Well, at least he knows that it is to be kept a secret. It would be pain if that becomes public knowledge," said Bruce.