Chapter 110: Day 248 (2) – A Deadly Demand

Chapter 110: Day 248 (2) – A Deadly Demand

It had been a long day, but the Constitutional Convention had made excellent progress. It was relief to be almost done with the entire thing. To stabilize the government and to ensure that Purgatory would run smoothly in my absence.

I entered the Gray Duck and made my way upstairs with Clarissa. Ken and a man, who I guessed was the potion maker, Chase were at the table. Ken stood up and Chase copied him. Chase bowed and I returned it.

“Ken, survived today it seems.”

“Yes, but it is good to sort all these issues out now. Michael, this is Chase the one responsible for creating the crystal powder.”

The man appeared to be young and quite wiry. Younger than me that was for sure. I took my seat and everyone else sat as well.

“Let me say congratulations on creating crystal powder. I have already heard how it is being used in potions,” I said trying to start things off on a good note.

“Thank you. It was quite the discovery figuring out how to process crystals into powder.”

“Ken tells me you have a PhD in Chemistry.”

“Not yet. I was working on my thesis. I was going to present in the spring when this happened.”

“Well, you have progressed the science of the Systemic Lands more than anyone else including me. How did you do it?” I asked. I was honestly curious in how he had come up with the idea. It would give me an idea if he was right to lead the science division of Purgatory once it was formed. I noted he looked at Ken who just smiled and nodded.

“I am not going to disclose the process of crystal powder creation.” Someone certainly felt in a superior position.

“I don’t plan on competing in the drug trade. So, you don’t need to worry about that. I only need the information to advance my knowledge of the Systemic Lands and see if there are other applications.” Chase and Ken could have it all. I didn’t care about that. I just wanted the knowledge to understand how this place worked just a bit more.

“One million points,” Chase said. I was taken aback but thought it over. He had valuable information and wanted compensation. If he was leading my research team here in Purgatory, it would basically be a down payment for his services.

“Alright. We can draw up a contract against the city itself. Need a long repayment period so it doesn’t break the budget or cause other issues, but it shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t look so surprised Ken. People who are talented should be treasured. We can just take it out of your percentage of the city budget.”

Ken looked like he swallowed something, but I knew he could suck it up. I was more than sure he had made bank on Chase’s discovery. One thing I felt was important was to reward people who actually did things. Just had to be sure Death wasn’t called down. Seriously, you couldn’t have picked a number better than one million points.

“What about after?” That was a great question and a perfect opportunity to rope this man into doing research for me.

“A city research position with funding. You clearly have the head for it.” This was a great opportunity. It was inside the city, and he got to do something he clearly enjoyed, research. Honestly this guy had hit the lottery.

“No. I won’t reveal the process regarding crystal powder.” What? It took me a moment to process what Chase had just said. I agreed to his demands and set him up with an amazing job. I don’t think I had gone out of my way this much for anyone.

“What other demands do you have?” I asked, curious to see how far he would try and push things. What more could he ask for? I was kind of curious to see what he said.

“I won’t share the process no matter what.” I had gone from annoyed to really pissed off.

“So that demand for one million points was a lie?”

“I changed my mind.” This was not someone I could work with on a long-term basis. Any possibility of trusting this person was thrown right out the window with this statement. The silence stretched out as I thought on what to do.

“Ken, I want that information. Get it. There is no use for someone like this.” Ken smiled at that. He clearly wanted the information as well. Well Chase, you just blew it and screwed yourself over. But information about how the Almighty System functioned was worth far more than points in my mind and you just pissed that all away.

“More tests will be needed. But yes. The crystal dissolved into the water. Will probably need to let it evaporate. Perhaps an oven.” A guard took the corpse out of the room. Unfortunate but necessary. Instead of a million points and a cushy job, he chose torture and death. I shook my head at that. There was a life lesson in there somewhere, but I needed to think about this powder and the process behind it.

“I wonder if other liquids have other effects?” I muttered out loud.

“There is blood powder,” Ken replied. I looked up at him.

“Blood powder?”

“Yes, it is red. Supposedly it is more potent, than regular powder but no difference has been noticed.” I stared at Ken for a while.

“I hope that there isn’t a mess I have to deal with?”

“I was discrete. No one is asking questions.”

“Why would he need blood powder? Now we just have to go through his notes.”

“Gibberish, or encoded,” Ken replied.

“That is frustrating. What a waste. Still the use of energy outside of a system skill has major implications. Can raw energy be manipulated or trained? Something to think about. But someone will need to be arranged to continue researching crystal powder. Clarissa, work with Ken to find someone capable of fundamental research.”

“Of course, Champion Michael. I will need access to the census when it is taken,” she said with her usual dead-pan voice.

“That isn’t a problem. Speak to Louis, he will sort you out. Probably best you are there at the arrival to evaluate people. I think dinner will need to be called off since my appetite has been ruined,” Ken said.

“Mine as well.” I felt less hungry in general, but the food here at the Gray Duck was far better than the raw fruits and vegetables I ate constantly. Still, having someone tortured and killed put me in a terrible mood.

I just didn’t understand why someone would be so intransient. “Ken. Did you do anything to Chase?” I asked and stared at him. He took another drink from his cup before answering.

“No. He was given food, a bed, lots of crystals to work with. All his requests for research were given, including the less savory ones.”

“No torture, threats?”

“I- Well, there might have been some implied threats. Also, people talk.”

“So, you have burning through researchers?”

“Yes. Developing stuff that works here is a massive headache. Since everything needs to be handcrafted. It all has to be developed back up from first principles.”

“I understand that. But the human experimentation?” I pressed.

“Only for the crystal powder to ensure it was safe. Then after that blood for the blood crystal powder Chase was investigating.”

“Why was he so difficult then? It makes no sense.”

“Too proud, maybe he wanted more?”

“What can someone want more than a million points? Honestly, it was robbery. Even after that I asked what he wanted.” I let out a sigh. “Well, it is over and done with. Clarissa will be involved in any further research. I want to be kept informed of any developments. No one would be that stubborn unless there was something to hide.”The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.