Dead Clouds

Chapter 12 (1/4): Fame or Friendship? Radius's Decision

Radius's chin touched the center of his chest. His eyes broke free from Tkese's gaze, but found little reassurance anywhere else. It was the one possibility he wished against. Tkese witnessed his cold abandonment of Gold in the alley. The machinery around him buzzed along with a similar indifference.

Any hope the genius had of orchestrating the flow and production of knowledge shriveled up under the blazing sun of reality. His enemy, Tkese, assumed control of that role. In one case, the Fog could reveal the truth to Gold and sever their partnership. Such an action would consequently prevent the Skeleton Man from ever appearing again. In another case, Tkese could hold the truth over him like a leash. Force him to do as he pleased or risk exposure.

Shutting his eyes from the answerless concrete floors, the genius pondered if there was a route that would allow him to wrestle power back from Tkese. Their knowledge exchange was pure exploitation, if his footing with the Fog became uneven. It deeply concerned him that Tkese was in the position to treat him as he treated Gold. The scientist would become the test subject.

"You can't let him know," said Radius, his eyes still shut, "He'll never talk to me again. It'll ruin my research. It'll ruin our...."

He bit down on that unfinished word, choosing to eat it rather than speak it.

This moment was the sweetest piece of candy to Tkese. His chin raised slightly as he watched the groveling genius. Completely at his mercy, the Fog knew the success of his plan was imminent.

"But he must know. Everyone must know what you've done," answered Tkese.

"Then why not tell Gold the truth?" asked Radius, "Why use me as your lab rat?"

The question ignited a light in Tkese's eyes, "You were the only sensible one. The little ghost boy simply had too much... spunk? Is that the proper word?"

"In other words," said Radius, "I'd know when to quit. I understand the logical limitations of this world. I respect those limitations. That isn't Gold. He's stubborn. He could face virtually impossible odds, and still believe in success."

Radius held onto the phrase "virtually impossible" as if it were a flash drive containing a dissertation prospectus. His mind acted like a simulator. It calculated numerous possibilities and their respective outcomes. He started to search for a way out of his current predicament. He searched for the golden light at the end of this tunnel.

His options were as limited as his pathways, however. There was no chance of him defeating Tkese in a fight. He recalled the Fog's teleportation ability and knew that running was a foolish option as well. His most lethal weapon was his brain. Was it possible for him to devise some scheme that could protect his precious secret?

"There's no such thing as heroes," said Tkese, relishing in the teen's distraught appearance, "Only people in masks."

The muscles beneath Radius's face tensed as his eyes opened. He was struggling with the end of his research and the termination of his partnership with Gold. The last thing on his mind was heroism. Slowly, his eyes crept upwards at Tkese. Cognitive circuits halted by sadness started to churn.

"You wear your mask well," continued Tkese, "But as a philosopher, I always take a rationalist approach. What are the hidden causes? You scientists worry too much about symptoms, and sadly never reach the root causes of all the world's ills."

Treading lightly, Radius decided to engage in his adversary's banter, "Of course, we focus on the symptoms. Consider medical doctors for example, do you think it's rational for them to quibble over the possibly thousands of root causes for a sickness when the patient is experiencing discomfort? The first priority is fixing the symptoms."