PitBabeS2, Chapter 2 pg9

 pg9

   “If you die first, what’s the point of this project?”

   Not only do the researchers speak a different language, but they’re also more blunt than I expected. They never offer comforting words like, “It’s fine, it’s safe.” Instead, it’s more like, “You might die, but it probably won’t hurt.”

   “Then who else are we going to test it on if not me? I’m the only one here with the sense.”

   “Then go find someone else who’s willing to take the risk.”

   “No way. I’m not putting anyone else in danger.”

   “That’s why, with your soft heart, this research will never succeed.”

   I could only sigh. I knew what he was getting at. Doing this kind of work requires a lot of sacrifices, but how could I let someone else make those sacrifices? This is something only I can do.

   “I’ll think about it later, but for now, just test it on me,” I said, though I probably wouldn’t revisit the idea. Still, I had to agree for now—it’s the easiest way to compromise. At least it shows I’m listening to his opinion. I still need the researchers to make this goal a reality.

   “Here’s hoping you survive this round,” Phii Touch nodded slowly, as if he’d given up caring how much this bespectacled kid was risking himself. He’s probably fed up with me, and I don’t blame him. “Oh, there’s one more thing I haven’t mentioned.”

   “What’s that?”

   “We’re getting a new researcher to help out.”

   “Huh… from where?” This was surprising. Since the start of this research, one of the hardest things has been recruiting researchers to join us. First, we don’t have much funding. Second, our goals go against the mainstream and even clash with government policies. If we start publicizing, there’s a high chance the research will be shut down. So, every time someone new shows interest in joining the project, I can’t help but wonder who they are and why they’re drawn to this kind of work. (Of course, I love my own ideas, but to others, they might seem a bit crazy.)

   “My nephew.”

   “Nephew?”

   “Yeah, sorry for being a teenager with a nephew,” Phii Touch shrugged. I’m still not sure how much younger he is than Uncle Rewat, but his insistence that he’s still in his “youth” makes me increasingly certain it’s only by a few years. “He just got back from abroad. I mentioned it to him casually, but he got interested and said he wants to join. He’s got a medical degree, specialized in this field, and he’s pretty damn good. You don’t have a problem with that, right?”

   “If you think he’s okay, I don’t have a problem,” I said. There’s no reason to refuse. Working with him from the start has made me trust Phii Touch. Every researcher we’ve brought in has been vetted by him. We’ve got a team of talented people with the same vision, so I’m not too worried about someone he recommends. “It’s great, actually. More help means the team won’t be as exhausted.”

   “One extra person doesn’t reduce the workload by much, but it’s better than nothing.”

   “How old is he? Being your nephew, is he still young?”

   “What do you mean by that?” the late teen squinted at me suspiciously.

   “I mean, you are still a teenager, so he must be really young.”

   “Hmm… makes sense.” Luckily, my excuse passed the test, so I didn’t have to deal with Phii Touch’s teenage hormones like I had so many times before. “Still a teenager, huh? Probably around Babe’s age, maybe a bit younger. Not more than a year or two.”

   “So, the youngest in the team, right?”

   “You’re the youngest.”

   “I meant the research team. I’m just a lackey.”

   “Lackey, my ass. You never stop bossing people around.”

   “Ugh, come on, Phii…”

   “Hey! When did you get here?” a voice called out nearby. One of the research team members came down from the second floor with a serious expression. The phrase “When did you get here?” was his greeting to me before his eyes shifted to Phii Touch, who was slur 

   “Nothing’s more important than this sentence: The results are in.”

   Nothing was more important than that sentence. Phii Touch and I shot up immediately upon hearing it. Even though it’s happened countless times, every test result is an answer that tells us whether we’re moving forward, stuck in place, or drifting further from reality.

   

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