Chapter 30 Eluheed #2
"I think you should cut your losses before the situation becomes catastrophic, my lord.
" Eluheed kept his voice calm, reasonable.
"These soldiers are not tools you would ever be able to wield.
They're becoming too dangerous to contain, and I fear what will happen to everyone on this island if they manage to wrest control over it. "
"I am not afraid of my own creations." Navuh's tone carried a warning.
But Eluheed had too much to lose to back down.
"With all due respect, my lord, perhaps you should be.
" Eluheed knew he was pushing his luck, but he'd seen and felt the power of the hive mind.
"I know that you are not afraid for yourself, my lord, but think of the ladies.
Think of Areana. We had a preview of what could happen if these monsters take over. "
That hit home. Eluheed saw Navuh's expression flicker, saw the concern he couldn't hide when Areana's safety was mentioned.
"Zhao created an army of monsters for you," Eluheed pressed. "Monsters that will rise against their creator and win. The safest thing you can do is terminate the experiment now, before it's too late."
The silence stretched long enough that Eluheed began to regret his boldness. Navuh had killed people for less than suggesting he'd made a mistake.
But then, surprisingly, Navuh nodded. "Your honesty is refreshing, Elias. Most people tell me what they think I want to hear."
"I'm not most people."
"No, you're not." Navuh studied him with those ancient, calculating eyes. "Come with me. There's someone else I want you to meet."
They left Petrov in the laboratory muttering to himself and got into Navuh's black SUV.
They didn't speak during the drive, and although Eluheed was curious about the person Navuh wanted him to meet, he didn't ask. Navuh was deep in thought, and he hoped the lord was considering his suggestion of terminating the experiment.
When they got to Navuh's mansion, the lord led Eluheed up the familiar stairs and down the familiar corridor, but instead of entering his office, they continued two doors down and entered a much smaller office that was nevertheless decorated in the same stark minimalism as the rest of the mansion.
Black and glass furniture, white walls, and a few pieces of modern art.
A man sat behind the desk, and when he looked up, Eluheed saw keen intelligence and calculation in his eyes.
"Losham," Navuh said. "Meet Elias. Elias, this is my son, Losham. He's my right hand. Until recently, he was managing my affairs abroad, but after the rebellion, I brought him here to run the restoration effort."
Losham stood, extending his hand. His grip was firm but not aggressive, and his smile was polite but not warm.
He wasn't nearly as impressive as his adoptive father, but he was still an immortal, with the youthful, healthy appearance Eluheed had learned to expect from them.
"I've heard much about you, Elias. Lord Navuh speaks highly of you. "
"Thank you." Eluheed pulled back his hand.
"Elias and I have just come from the laboratory," Navuh said, settling into one of the chairs and waving for Eluheed to take the other. "I want your opinion on the enhanced soldier situation."
Losham's expression remained neutral, but Eluheed saw the slight stiffening of his shoulders. "What would you like to know?"
"Elias believes I should terminate the experiment. He says that the enhanced soldiers are too dangerous to keep, and he doubts Petrov's ability to find a way to control them." Navuh's tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp. "What do you think?"
Losham was clearly uncomfortable being put on the spot. "I would need more information before offering an opinion, my lord. If they are contained, we don't have to make rash decisions."
"They've developed a hive mind," Eluheed said, deciding to be direct.
"Their individual consciousnesses have merged into a collective that's impenetrable, which makes them impossible to control.
Right now they're contained, but that won't last forever.
They're growing stronger by the day, and their hive mind might transcend the walls holding them. "
"I see." Losham's fingers drummed once on his desk—a quick, nervous gesture as quickly controlled. "What is Petrov's assessment?"
"Petrov thinks they're a fascinating case study," Navuh said dryly.
"But he's too busy theorizing about quantum consciousness to come up with the solution he promised me.
I'm still hoping that he will deliver on that promise.
That's why I'm not in a rush to terminate the experiment just yet.
I want to give him a chance. Elias thinks that I shouldn't take chances with the lives of everyone on this island.
" He leaned forward. "He fears that their collective mind will somehow manage to overcome mine even from a distance, and through me, they can control everything on the island. "
Navuh's tone of voice suggested that he didn't believe that would happen, and Eluheed couldn't blame him. For thousands of years, no one had managed to overthrow Navuh, so he believed himself invincible.
"I don't think Elias's fears are justified," Losham said without sounding convinced. "If that's okay with you, my lord, I would like to speak with Doctor Petrov before offering advice. I'd like to understand the full scope of the situation."
"How much time do you need?" Navuh asked, and Eluheed heard the dismissive note in his tone.
"A few days." Losham seemed to have missed it.
"You have one." Navuh pushed to his feet.
"It shall be done, my lord." Losham stood up and bowed to Navuh.
After they left Losham's office, Navuh cast Eluheed a sidelong glance. "What do you think of my son, shaman?"
"He's a cautious man," Eluheed said.
"He's a coward." Navuh sounded frustrated. "Losham is brilliant, but he's too afraid of saying the wrong thing and displeasing me. He used to be my top strategic advisor, but I replaced him when I realized that talking with him was like talking in an echo chamber."
As they walked into Navuh's office, the lord motioned for Eluheed to sit, but he didn't sit behind his desk. Instead, Navuh walked over to the window and looked out at his domain.
"Everyone on this island tells me what they think I want to hear.
" Navuh put his hands behind his back. "Even Areana does that.
You're one of the few who actually says what you actually think, consequences be damned.
" Navuh turned to look at him. "I value honesty.
Even when it's uncomfortable. That's why you are still breathing despite suggesting I abandon a project I've invested millions into. "
"I appreciate that." Eluheed kept his tone light.
"Losham should learn from you," Navuh said, almost to himself. "He needs to grow a pair."
Eluheed stifled a chuckle. Navuh was usually formal to a fault, so to hear him say something so colloquial was unexpected.
"Can I speak freely, my lord?"
Navuh uttered an exasperated sound and waved his hand. "Please do."
"Perhaps you should tell Losham that you will never kill him for telling you the truth, and that you appreciate his wisdom and prefer to hear his opinions rather than echoes of your own."
Eluheed saw an opportunity to help both Losham and himself. If the man were as smart as he seemed, he would realize the same thing as Eluheed and recommend the termination of the enhancement program.
Navuh's lips lifted in a ghost of a smile. "That's a good suggestion." He kept holding Eluheed's gaze. "Do you think I can trust Losham? Is he loyal to me?"
"I've never seen Losham in any of the readings you've asked for. Through all those times you wanted me to identify potential betrayers among your people, Losham has never appeared. That suggests he's not plotting against you."
"That's good to know, but I hear hesitation in your tone."
"He's a yes-man, seeking your approval above all else. That makes him loyal but not as effective as he could be. Brilliance without the courage to act on it isn't as useful as you need it to be."
It was also possible that Losham was putting on an act. Eluheed didn't think he was plotting to overthrow Navuh, but he seemed like the type who would look after his own interests first while pretending to be fully committed to his lord.
Navuh was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded. "I made a good bargain getting you from Gorchenco. You are worth much more than the price he demanded."