Leaving Dick and Glen in the room, Balthazar, Evelyn and Ichigo made their way back to the penthouse. As Ichigo had informed, the number of guests 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 unsavoury 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 rumours. 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 signalled Balthazar and Robert to get down. "Most would have already heard a bit about a new species of the apes. Red in colour, 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 behaviour 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 behaviour 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 endeavour 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 flustered 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.
"No, it is not just the citadel attack. The knights of the old Republic are the main ones. They already have a means to communicate and collaborate with the apes. This had been discussed even with Harvey. We haven't released all the information we know but something which is already in speculation. They wanted us to control the direction of the rumours and having the first word would help in that," said Winston.
"Harvey was informed?" asked Evelyn in surprise. "Still why at the party and why you?"
"It couldn't be Harvey. From a political figure like that it would be catastrophic to his career. There would greedy idiots who would claim him to be just instigating the rumours for political purposes and some would even call him warmonger. I on the other hand haven't ever been involved in any election except for those within my family. On the other hand, I don't involve myself in these politics but have a lot of influence due to my position. So, it is better if I put it out as an individual researcher," said Winston.
"He will just inform the world that he is considering my words seriously and that the armed forces would start to take appropriate measures so that we wouldn't be caught in any unexpected situation. Thus, you will be preparing for war without much issues," said Winston.
"I still can't believe that Harvey agreed to this. It is still unnecessary."
"No, it is very much necessary. Recently we have had a bout of good luck and have been able to foil the plans of the knights, even though they just started their activities again. First, it was Balthazar, then the Nirbaadh pirates. They are going to retaliate soon. You know that their mode of operation. This is essential so that any person who tries to disturb any research or military expenditure or activities would be condemned by the public. It would put a certain amount of fear in those who are already halfway through their plans," explained Winston.
"I guess, it was," said Evelyn sitting down. It was a surprise to her, and she didn't expect such an announcement to happen all of a sudden. She could realize the validity of Winston's claims by waiting a few days to check if her brother or any others make similar statements but still found it hard to believe as she couldn't understand why their plan was kept from her.
"Why wasn't I informed of this?" she asked.
"I am meant to spear head this and it was supposed to appear that your family was not involved in the first announcement. This was supposed to be an endeavour started by the researchers as they feared the current state of affairs. If suspicious of the Price family or military having been involved in this arose, it would be detrimental to our plans," said Winston.
"Wanted to choose a private party or gathering when someone high up in the command chain able to represent the view of both were present to announce this. I didn't expect Ichigo to be present and once I found you both, I have contacted the others and decided to start it. The faster the better. Maybe Harvey would have informed you if he was given more time, but after I informed him that we would start right now, he had to contact others and make them present their opinions soon."
"So, you never had the intention of announcing this today originally. It just happened because Ichigo came along with me?"
"Yes. My own family were surprised including the elder council and by grandchildren. I need to talk to a lot of them now," said Winston.
"I guess it is better. The people here are only the ones who are powers in this part of the galaxy and a few specific ones that were invited. If you made the statement in some meeting where representatives of all powers convened it would be held much later and might seem planned. This feels more genuine like you were really afraid and couldn't wait much longer to announce your report and opinions," said Evelyn.