Nick couldn't be completely sure about what the Technician meant.
That could basically mean anything.
The Technician seemed to wrestle with himself about what he should tell Nick and what he should keep secret.
"I can't tell you a lot," the Technician said. "These are secrets that are even more important than the Nightmare's location. It's not that I don't trust you. I just don't trust your power. There are ways to read your mind or your reactions that you can't resist. You're like a lockbox made of wood. I trust that you won't throw your contents up, but I can't trust you to withstand the force of a big guy with a big hammer, you know?"
Nick just nodded.
The Technician kept thinking about what to tell Nick and what to keep secret.
It wasn't easy.
"How would you define Aegis?" the Technician suddenly asked.
Nick furrowed his brows.
"An alliance of the strongest people on the planet that want to help humanity as a whole," Nick said.
The Technician nodded. "Good definition. That's basically correct. Remember that."
Nick waited for an elaboration.
Yet, the Technician seemed to be done talking.
"That's it?" Nick asked.
"Yeah, well, I decided to not tell you anything," the Technician said. "Telling you anything is already too risky. The only thing I can do is reassure you that Aegis has the good of humanity in mind. Aegis wants humanity to survive, and Aegis wants to get rid of all external threats to humanity. Keep that in mind."
Nick just looked at the Technician.
He hadn't doubted Aegis' mission before.
As far as he had seen, Aegis was genuinely interested in protecting and helping humanity.
'He should know my thoughts on this matter,' Nick thought. 'Yet, he keeps repeating that I should remember that Aegis wants to protect humanity.'
'It's almost like he fears that I am going to see things that make me doubt Aegis' goals.'
At that moment, Nick's eyes narrowed in suspicion.That was when Nick noticed that the Technician's smile seemed nervous and forced.
It was almost like he was afraid that someone would find out that he had lied about something.
But was the Technician really such a bad liar that he couldn't keep his facial expression under control?
Sadly, that was an actual possibility.
The Technician was a researcher, not a politician or leader.
But he was also extremely old and experienced.
So, was this a deliberate expression, or was it truly just accidental?
Was he afraid of something?
If so, what would he be afraid of?
"Aegis genuinely wants to help humanity," the Technician said again. "Please, never doubt that. Okay?"
Nick just looked at the Technician.
"Can we drop the topic now?" the Technician asked nervously.
"Sure," Nick answered.
The Technician sighed in relief.
"Anyway," he said as his relaxed demeanor and good mood returned, "Helia will come up with a plan and contact us again. She's going to find a way to make it seem like all the information you have gathered is the result of a top-secret mission of a group of underground Agents. You won't get any credit for that."
Nick nodded. "That's fine."
Most people would complain.
This was unfair!
He did all of this!
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