Rad and Titania rolled on the floor in pain. The metal wall then collapsed into the ground and returned the floor into its natural state. Once the wall went away they then looked at each other. Then soon after started laugh see the what just happened.
Titania was the first to get up. He walked limply towards Rad, who was still on the ground laughing. When he got to him Titania held out his hand towards.
'It would be good to foster a good relationship with him', Titania thought to himself as he held out his hand for Rad to use to get up.
Rad had his arms covering his eyes as though to protect himself from laughing. He eventually moved them and saw that Titania holding his hand out for him to get up. "Thank you, now THAT was a lot of fun!"
"The combat assessment is now over," Beliz said as he put away the tablet and started walking towards Rad, "You are no longer needed for today, please go to your room and rest."
Titania was surprised with how Beliz was acting right now. He personally wanted to talk to Rad for a small bit, enough to create a mild relationship. But Titania could not voice his opinion. He was smart enough to know that if he went against orders many things could happen. He could be deemed "Uncontrollable" or "Undesirable" resulting in the facility being terminated. Or worse he could be replaced by someone much more "Compliant".
The door in the Testing room opened and standing in the doorway is Farron and Reese. From the way they stood there was a gap big enough for Titania to walk between. When Titania saw this he plastered a quick smile on his face, waved good bye with a smile to the three of them.
Rad waved good bye with a smile on his face, joyously laughing, always laughing as though the funniest joke was crack at his weak moment. Beliz murmured a quick good bye before turning his attention towards Rad, who was still looking at Titania. Ajax on the other hand just stared at him emotionlessly, as though Titania was undeserving of a reaction of any kind, the rudest kind of thing to do. When Rad saw this he shot a look at Ajax that was all too common to know.
Titania then left the room with Reese and Farron.
"I'm going to talk to you when we have a moment." Rad said with a still face, a full 180 of how he was acting with Titania. Ajax soon realized his blunder.
"Thank you for participating in the assessment, we have condensed a lot of data which would have taken at least a week to collect. If not, more." Beliz thanked Rad with a small sense of gratitude in his voice. Thankfully Rad was able to see it.
Rad changed his face again into a smile at Beliz, "Anything for the Research project. I always wanted to be apart of something like this." He started walking towards the door out of the room. Beliz walked on his side with Ajax walking behind the both of them.
Walking in the hallway each step could be heard resulting in a constant metallic tap being heard unless one purposefully walked quietly.
"You know Beliz," Rad said abruptly, breaking the silence in the hallway, "I've read the schedule regarding the research project and I must say, the facility is significantly ahead of schedule"
"Why thank you General Rad," Beliz said, it was rare that he was praised for what he does, often it was usually just a list of demands, "I take great pride in this research facility, it is my baby."
Yes, he referred to it as his baby. He actually not that much older than Titania or subject zero, however you want to call him, but he knew that at his age he should be out there, chasing someone or finding his significant other. However nearly all of his relationships failed and the ones that don't he had to break off due to him prioritizing his career, which isn't a bad thing. The only real successful relationship that Beliz had is with his work.
"That's good to know Beliz, it shows to me that you care a lot about this" Rad said with a gentle smile on his face, it was rare these days to find someone who knows what they want to do and are dedicated to it. "However I must question the progress of the facility."
"Are you rushing this project Beliz?" Rad asked, "I've checked the benchmark regarding the combat assessment and we are a month ahead of schedule, not a week or two, a whole month. Are you cutting corners?" Rad stared at him intensely, making unbreaking eye contact.
The weight of Rad's gaze felt heavy on Beliz's head. His neck felt as though it was going to break at any moment and started to heat up as though the hot sun in the desert was bearing on his back.
Beliz dared not to meet Rad's eyes in fear of what might happen if he does. If he looks into Rad's eye he might take it as a sign of guilty. Or he might not or instead take not looking at his eyes as a sign of guilt.
He eyes remained looking forward. never moving down for surely that would be taken by anyone as a sign of guilt. He neither looks to the right or the left. On the left would be Ajax, his son who would sure back his father regardless of matter and would take any looks as a sign of guilt.
So he looks his eyes forward never looking in any directions in fear of being caught.
On the right would be nothing, just a long metal hallway. Devoid of all signs of life and produces no sign that it can in the future. It gives a sterile smell that is neither pleasant for the noise but not horrible enough to cause gagging. Metallic sounds echo though the halls bouncing off the wall, ringing in all directions never letting a single moment be quiet.
But maybe that could be his saving grace! Yes the hallways, the floor, the walls, the ceilings, everything! This could be the lighthouse to his wondering ship that oh so desperately needs land! Metal! Every where his eyes could see, metal! The once lifeless material that would support no organism regardless of it's importance be it royalty or a peasant now bends its knee to help save Beliz's life. His soul, his work, his life! All save by metal!
Now he looks! He looks up in Rad's eyes, now never breaking contract nor blinking. In this moment he is safe, for the building that houses Rad now turns on him in a sudden act of betrayal! The house listens to every word the comes from Beliz now! Like a loyal dog that loves its owner it stays by his side until its death.
Rad stands looming above him as though an omen of some great disaster about to occur. He stands still, no moving from his position. His hands are folded on top of each other behind his back, not in front as though it might reveal something. His legs are spread, shoulder with apart, taking up as much space without making him look awkward. Making him appear larger than he already is
But his face! It speaks more than what words can ever express. It remains unfettered, not showing a single emotion. Not happy or angry, sad or curious. For if not his chest breathing or his occasional blinking one might believe that he was dead. He remains unchanging, unmoving. Steadfast even.
"Are you going to answer?" Rad grumbles in a deeper and clear voice glaring at Beliz with unwavering determination of finding an answer.
What happened to the man that he knew? Why the sudden change in personality, he has done nothing to warrant this behavior towards him.
But unfortunately, such behavior was warranted for Beliz's actions. He has speed up many of the procedures and data collection, but for what reason?
Now upon seeing Rad's gaze shift upon his body all hope has left him. Sweat starts to drip down the back of his neck to cool him from the hot situation that he has put himself in.
His collar starts to dig into his neck, constricting his throat making breathing harder for him. His clothes started to feel heavy on his shoulders and began to weigh him down. His back feels as though it is going to hunch over from stress and weight. Despair swells in his breast and spreads to stomach, causing it to move in every direction.
Now he answers the question. It is too much for him to bear anymore. He must answer the question to be set free.
"No sir I am not, we are just ahead of schedule." Beliz utters from his constricted throat as though his own body was restricting his freedom.
When Rad hears this he burst into a joyous laughter that rings throughout all of the hallways and into every room. In the moment of Beliz's own despair Rad laughs joyously as though a king at a feast watching the beheading of some foreign power.
" That is good to know! You had me worried there!" Rad said in between laughs then he raises his hand high above his head and pats Beliz's back. Beliz breathe was knockout of him and the force vibrates throughout his body, forcing him to stand up, tall and erect. He then wraps his arm around Beliz and brings him in closely. Rad's face in now close to Beliz. He could feel the heat coming off of his body. He could even smell that aftershave that he used this morning, hmm peppermint.
Rad then whispered into his ear very gently.
"Next time don't wait too long to answer or else someone might get the wrong idea. Okay?"
Beliz nods his head yes and Rad then leashed his grasps on him. "See ya tomorrow Bel." Rad said, waving his hand good bye as they branch off into a different hallway. Beliz waves back and quickly goes to his office.