Chapter 162: Meeting Billard Dorn!
Seth walked in unimpeded; whenever he got to a checkpoint all he had to do was flash his card.
’Tsk tsk, impressive...’ he marveled. He had once heard for himself that the Pentagon was akin to a small municipal.
But seeing it with his own eyes, Seth had to believe.
During his previous visits Seth never had the opportunity to truly get a good tour of the place.
But now he had to admit, traveling at a regular walking speed, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to see it all.
But he couldn’t forget himself now, could he? He came here with a goal in mind after all.
So he quickly walked into one of the seven radial corridors, the giant corridors that sliced through the giant interlocking maze of a structure.
His eyes lit up as four agents spotting him rushed his way.
It only meant his arrival had been noticed by the higher-ups and they had sent aides to cater for whatever he needed.
’Finally, maybe these guys can give me the answer I need,’ Seth thought as he moved their way.
He had come here in search of none other than Engineer Ron. He figured if he would have a chance at crafting a genetic armament in four days, he’d need a bright and talented figure like the Engineer.
Plus the elder must be experienced — not to add he would also have connections. Seth hoped this might include a genetic expert.
The four men in black arrived. Before saluting, they greeted Seth, "Greetings, Apex."
Seth just waved his hand leisurely while wearing a faint smile, "No need to be so stiff, I’m younger than you all."
But despite his words the agents didn’t budge. They were disciplined men of the military, and to them a superior was god. Younger or not, rank was all that mattered.
And Seth might not know this, but the rank of Apex had been designated as a role equal to that of the president!
This had sent a ripple through both the government and military when it was announced, but no one could object.
These should be the strongest figures modern humans had produced, so naturally they were deserving of such a designation.
It’s just that their role, though equal, might not carry as much weight as that of the president. But that didn’t matter, especially to small fry like these four.
As they say, to an ant the size of an elephant or a lion didn’t matter — both behemoths could crush it the same.
And seeing this, Seth chose to respect their stance and not push it. Shrugging, he proceeded to pose the question that brought him here.
"Do you know where I can find Engineer Ron? I’ve asked for his whereabouts repeatedly but no one seems to know."
Only one among the four spoke up in response, signaling his position as the superior of the bunch.
"That’s understandable, sir. Engineer Ron’s whereabouts are classified information. Aside from the president himself and the Secretary of Defense, no one else can contact the Engineer and other assets."
Seth blinked. ’Well that made sense...’
Scientists and inventors would always be an asset to any nation, especially in this new era where humanity was experiencing a rapid technology boom in advancement.
It was only natural that the most distinguished of these figures be highly protected and hidden.
Scratching his head, Seth reached for a communication device, something the president himself had given them.
Though it couldn’t connect to satellites outside Aegis due to the obstruction of Corruption zones, communicating within was possible.
And fortunately the device had the president’s number saved, and that was just what he was about to dial when—
"Ah, sir, if you don’t mind, wouldn’t it be better if we take you to the Secretary of Defense?" the agent suggested.
Seth’s fingers froze, hovering above the green icon next to the president’s contact. He glanced up, "Hm? Would he agree to see me?"
The agent quickly nodded. Who was Seth kidding? Who did he think sent them here?
Quickly they led him down the corridors on a seven-minute journey.
They reached a door that had a red warning sign that read...
Authorized Staff Only!
Guarding the doors were soldiers armed to the teeth, standing motionlessly with their hands resting on their guns.
The four agents didn’t need to communicate much. They handed their cards over, and the two examined them one by one.
Seeing they were clear, the two let them pass, revealing a long steel tunnel with bright bulbs lighting up the entire pathway leading to a door at the end.
They quickly arrived and the agent at the forefront gestured for Seth to step in.
’Hm, I see he must have been anticipating my arrival...’ His gaze narrowed as he quickly deduced.
After all, to meet such a figure, the amount of protocols you’d have to get through would be overwhelming.
But regardless, fearing nothing, he grabbed the cold metal knob, turned it, opened the heavy metal door, and stepped in.
The cold air of the air conditioner washed over Seth, ruffling his hair slightly, the scent of lavender drifting into his nostrils, as the sight of a grand office came into view.
Pictures of the president and several important figures both past and present hung on walls.
Medals, swords, and guns sat in glass pedestal casings for display, and at the center of all this was a large desk.
Behind it, an elderly but absurdly robust figure sat on a comfortable-looking recliner.
The elder seemed to be busy documenting something. He was so immersed it seemed he didn’t even notice Seth’s entry.
It wasn’t until Seth walked up to the desk, his shadow casting over the elder, that the man looked up.
A pair of dark brown eyes so dark they bordered on black pierced at Seth.
The elder’s features were sharp. Even with wrinkles his handsomeness couldn’t be dulled. His hair grey and short, cleanly cut and sleek all to the back.
The elder, seeing who it was, relaxed back on his recliner. His lips moved, "So you must be the Duskreaver boy..."
Seth nodded as he greeted, "Good day, sir."
The elder smiled, his stern demeanor dissolving in a blink. "And good day to you, boy. I am the Secretary of Defense, Billard Dorn. Nice to meet you."
He rose, lifting his hands coarse and riddled with scars to offer a handshake.
Seth shook his hand while speaking, "Sorry if I’m disturbing, sir, but I need to meet with Engineer Ron. It’s quite urgent."
The elder, letting go, sat back down chuckling, "Of course I’m aware, kid. Hold on."
He reached underneath for a drawer, pulling out a map onto the desk. One could see it was a mini map of Aegis covering both the whole of Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
Tracing a path, the elder quickly marked a spot with his pen, "There. This is a confidential facility for research and craft... he and others have been relocated there."
Seth bowed subtly and expressed his thanks, "I appreciate it a lot."
Stretching his hand he reached for the map, but the elder swiped it back out of his reach.
The relief in Seth’s eyes stiffened, "Ah?" He blinked at the elder. Wasn’t he giving him—?
The elder shook his head, the same light smile still playing on his lips, "Don’t thank me yet. This will be an equivalent exchange."
Seth’s brows furrowed. He wasn’t necessarily mad, but he was annoyed for sure.
"What could I possibly have that your esteemed self would want?" Seth asked, a flash of wary light flickering in the depths of his eyes.
Rolling up the map, the elder expressed sincerely, "Don’t worry, kid. I’m not here to make blatant demands. It would be an equivalent exchange. You asked for information; it’s only natural you trade one of equivalent value in return..."
