"Is that even possible?" Mrs. Snowflower asked.
"Well according to the team in charge, It is."
"I have seen movies about such a device in my younger years, but never had I ever thought of such a possibility. This generation has truly entered a new age." Old man Cong commented.
"I had thought it was just one of those charity projects we commission now and then to claim that we were giving back to society. But this, this is something else entirely. Just looking at it already gives me goosebumps." Mr. Ramond added.
"This device is going to be used to terraform the earth using weather and climate conditions. Take like a form of helping evolution speed up its process, only it is going to be done in particular areas." Dr. Pearl left the image on for a few seconds to let it sink in.
"And you say that information on this device was what the Blood demons were after?" A different voice asked. Adria turned to the source of the voice. Unlike the others, he fitted a little too nicely into his chair. It was also obvious that his chair was made to be elevated higher. That was because he was a little more than lacking in height. Nevertheless, he was well respected. In fact, he was even better respected than old man Cong in certain areas. His name was Mr. Lengthy.
Adria was not sure of what this man's forte was, however, he hardly cared. Then again, he was not even half as mysterious as the other two.
Even now, as proud as Adria was of his eyesight, he still could not see the faces of the last two. In fact, he could not even see their frames. It felt like all he was looking at were shadows on two seats.
"Yes, Mr. Lengthy. They were after a device that terraforms the earth using its climate and weather. I am very sure you don't need me to tell you how important and yet, significantly dangerous such a device can be in the wrong hands. or in this case, CLAWS!"
She sighed, "yet it shames me to say that this might not even be the most significant matter on hand."
"And what might that be?" Mr. Ramond asked.
"Well! In case all of you have failed to notice, I can point it out to you."
The image changed again as she waved her hand. "Here is an image of your typical vampire today." She waved her hand again, and another image came up beside the first. "And here is the image of your typical vampire as of the last ten years. Do you see it?"
"So what? They are smaller now!"
"Not just smaller Mrs. Snowbottle," Dr. Pearl pushed a button on the table and a series of information appeared. The moment it did, She could hear gasps in the room. This reaction was far more satisfactory to her.
"As you can see, they have become faster, smarter, some fly and others far more tactical. As it is, i fear we might even have a bigger problem than we actually think we do. And I am not talking about the blood invasion that happened three years ago. I am talking about much worse. I really don't know if any of you has seen Planet of the apes."
Her green eye looked around the room like she was trying to see through the dark and onto the expressions on their faces.
"As it is, Darklings are the strongest force we have against the Vampires. Now let me ask you all. What would you do if you were a vampire and you knew that Darklings were your biggest threat?"
"Dr. Pearl. Are you trying to say that, just because they have gotten slightly smarter, they are brave enough to come for Avalon's Headquarters?" Mr. lengthy asked.
"Oh! you mistake what I mean. I am not TRYING to say so. I am saying we should start considering the possibility."
Hahaha!!!
The sound of a laugh broke through the conversation between the two. It was from Mrs. Sunflower.
She laughed hard for a couple of seconds and then she stopped, "Dr. Pearl. That is the funniest thing I have ever heard you say."
Dr. Pearl frowned.
"Have you seen this place? Even a Mosquito would not have an easy time getting through my security and you are saying a vampire attack. Well! I say, let them come!"
Dr. Pearl wanted to say something, but then she felt a light tug from her back. She instantly knew that it was Sasha tugging at her with her hair.
She sighed. "And do all of you feel the same way?"
For a moment, there was no response. Then unexpectedly, a mechanicalized voice came from one of the seats that Adria could only see as a shadow. "Forgive us Dr. Pearl, but we just cannot see the possibility of that happening anytime at all."
She leaned back into her seat as she folded her arms around her chest, "I knew you all won't believe me. Nevertheless, I am still going to make efforts to at least prove myself wrong."
"And what efforts might that be." Mr. Ramond asked.
"Starting tomorrow, I will be sending more experienced Darklings to the 'Hole'."
"Dr. Pearl! as it stands, we do not have enough Darklings for our other foreign affairs and you are sending them to the Hole!?" From his expression and tone, Mr. Cong obviously was not in favor of this arrangement.
"What do you mean foreign affairs? You say it like it's some important thing. Is it not just spoilt rich princes trying to show off their wealth to other spoilt rich princes?"
"Dr. Pearl, It seems you have forgotten. So I do not mind reminding you that money from those spoilt rich PRINCES is what funds your ever crazy spending."
"Hmmm!" Dr. Pearl put a finger under her chin, pretending to be deep in thought. Okay! you win. How about I send ten."
"No!"
"Okay! What about five?"
"No! I do not think you understand this. We need continuous funding from abroad. We can only spare the fresh Darkling recruits to the Hole."
"Okay! Okay!! I hear you. How about I send just one. You know, just to let my fragile heart be at peace." As she said this, she gave a shy sideways glance at Mr. Ramond.
Adria immediately sensed a change in expression from Mr. Ramond.
*cough* "Erm... Old man Congo! I think we can spare at least one Darkling for Dr. Pearl, right?"
There was a little silence and then the old grunted a bit in agreement.
"And who are you planning on sending to the Hole?" Mr. Ramond asked.
The corner of Dr. Pearl's lips suddenly lifted up in a sly smile...