He had been right. I'Son was indeed a genious. It took only a few weeks, before the best scientists they had,was floored by the young member of their team. And despite all appraisals, I'Son still remained modest. Boasting was not his thing. Bleylock found, he worked hard, and was a determined goal getter.

Even Duke Maddox had noticed the new star on the technoid map. As General Bleylock had an errand at his office, The head of Technoid got curious.

"Tell me about this young protege of your General. I have heard alot of good about him. His achievements in only a few weeks is impressive for someone his age" Duke Maddox asked.

General Bleylock nodded.

"He is quite impressive indeed.I'Son is very driven, and he is clearly very data he needs for his research, he finds in the databases in the laboratory. But on a few occasions, he has come to me, asking for help. There is nothing to point a finger at in his work either. I understands he is very thorough and with a keen eye on the details in his work" Bleylock reported.

Duke Maddox nodded. Then, he got serious.

"I understand you are mentoring him Bleylock. I have read some reports that has some rumours to them about your conduct with young soldiers, his age, out in the battle field. Let me make one thing young man,I'Son, I better not hear anything like that about him. This young man is a genious in his own right. He has trusted us with his education, and we will see to it that he reaches his highest potential here. That means, you focus on helping him when he needs it. No funny buisness this time Bleylock. Prove to me, you can be trusted, and that this young man is safe in your care"The Duke said in a warning tone.

Bleylock said nothing, just bowed gracefully as he left the office...

""""""""""

During the weeks, I'Son proved over and over, he had come onto their radar for a reason. Bleylock had found a research paper he knew had some lacks to it and wanted to test his young protege. So he asked I'Son to come to his house, as he had an assignment for him. I'Son found a comfortable position on the sofa as he started reading, eagerly putting down notes on a notepad beside him. Bleylock found him to be an intriguing sight when he worked. So focused, like he could just pick the answers right out of the air. And so intensely focused. Even when he answered a phone call,it did not disturb I'Son, he remained focused on the task. After a good two hours, without looking up, he could hear him talk.

"Do you want me to simply correct the outdated parts, or rewrite the whole thing General? There are still some parts that are true in here, but research and development caught up with this particular field very fast. If others are to use it, it would save time if things are up to todays standards" he said.

Bleylock decided to test him.

"Tell me I'Son, if this was your call to make, what would you do? There are no wrong answers here, I would just like to know your personal point of view" he said mildly.

That made the young scientist look up from the papers. He seemed to think it through for a second, rubbing his chin while he thought of how to put it forth.

"If it is all the same to you General,I would go for rewriting the paper, and list the parts that still applies as credible sources. I dont want to step on any toes here, but it surprises me that this has not been done already. It is like Technoid, who is this giant within science is lagging behind on the research, and that would be a shame" he stated.

Bleylock nodded. It had taken I'Son less than ten minutes to conclude and put reason behind his answer.

"I will need to enlist your help to go through more outdated research I'Son. If it feels more comfortable for you to do it here, I will have a desk set up for you to work out of. I will also make sure you are paid for your extra hours" he said.

I'Son sent him a small, but grateful smile. Bleylock nodded. That figured. Money was something everyone needed, I'Son was no exception.

"Would you be free to work extra hours tonight?" he asked.

I'Son shook his head slightly." I'm sorry General, but tonight I got football practice with the scientist team. We are playing the team from the packing department. It is bound to be fun" he smiled.

Bleylock smirked."I did not know you were into football. What position do you play?" he asked, slightly curious.I'Son grinned as he started to pack the papers up, neatly and orderly."I'm the defensive right back. No goal against the Scientist team tonight unless you go through me, and I dont feel like letting that happen" he said.

Bleylock rubbed his chin. Maybe it would be a good idea to pay attention to sports as well.

"I happen to like football myself. What kind of football?" he wondered.

That made his young protege chuckle for a moment.

"Galactik football of is there another kind of football here that I dont know of?" he asked.

Bleylock felt a little embarrased at that remark.

"Off course not.I am just...surprised. I kind of was under the impression you immersed yourself completely in your research" he said.

That made I'Son laugh, a soft and infectious laugh. And he loved the very sound of it.

"Most of the time yes, but I make sure to balance it out by having some physical training too. Football does the trick" he smiled.

Bleylock smiled.

"Would you mind if I watch from the stands?"...

"""""""""""""""""""

He was great on the pitch too. The teams were non flux teams, even though some of them could surely make use of the flux from their native planets. Bleylock watched as a big guy from the packing team tried to dribble past I'Son. And he pulled a pretty inventive leg dummy. As soon as he found an opening, he passed the ball on to a team mate, and that became the matchs deciding goal. The scientist would be meeting the chemists next.

Bleylock had not gone unnoticed by the players. As they went to have a shower, another of the scientists took I'Son by the wrist.

"Be careful around General Bleylock I'Son, there are rumours flowing, and I know you are his protege. I'm not saying anything will happen, but be careful, if need be,I can get you the files on what it is about" he offered. I'Son nodded. But he did not need the files. His father already knew, and had spent the last days before he left, updating him on things, especially as to whom to be careful with. General Bleylock had ended up on that list. I'Son took a shower, before he made ready to return to his dorm. He was going to sleep well tonight. As he got dressed, he found a message on his transmitter. General Bleylock was impressed with his skills, it was important to stay in good physical shape, but he was adviced not to forget why he was really there. And then was wished a good night.

I'Son smiled as he sent a message back and told him he would make up for this the following day. As soon as he got back to his dorm, he put down the bag with the dirty training clothes, next to the door, before he locked it and laid down on his bed. Moments later, he was sound asleep...

""""""""""""""

Weeks had turned to months, and I'Son proved to be a real diamond, and a truly valuable asset to Technoid. Whatever he was asked to do, he immersed himself into. There was no more outdated research in the archives now, I'Son had made sure to update it all. And Duke Maddox had been most pleased. He made sure I'Son was given a large bonus as a thanks. For Bleylock, he felt like his home was a cold and lonely place when I'Son wasn't there. It was like the house came alive when the young man entered and died when he left. And by now, even Bleylock had started to feel the same way. He was viewing things. I'Son was there most of the time, doing various work for him. Maybe he should offer him to move in? The house had a spare bedroom, and his meals tasted better when he had someone to share it with. Bleylock was nervous when he asked, but I'Son was on to him.

"Why not?I dont have to fall asleep on the tube back to my dorm that way, and also, I can finish up more" he said.

"So,is that a yes then?" Bleylock asked, trying to control his nerves.

He did not expect I'Son to be putting his hand on his shoulder. And that made him inhale sharply.

I'Son removed his hand, having noticed the reaction.

"Not really used to human contact are you General?" he asked softly.

General Bleylock sighed.

"Call it a defect from my home is not like the rest of the planets from this galaxy" he said.

I'Son nodded.

"But to clarify General, it is a yes.I'm moving in. I may be able to help with more than science it seems" I'Son mused.

Bleylock looked at him.

"Thank you I'Son, you may just be more helpful than you imagine"...

""""""""""""""""""""

I'Son had proven himself useful in many ways. When he spoke with his family back on Akillian. Bleylock let him have his space. The rest of the time, Bleylock learned to come out of his shell.I'Son had a way of being,that made him laugh alot. They became close friends. Bleylock would even see to it that he dropped I'Son off for football practice, and picked him up later. They became house mates, and I'Son slowly but surely made Bleylock open up about his past on his home planet, Abraxor. Bleylock vented his frustrations with his father, the suffocation of not being able to be himself. I'Son was a good listener, but on top of that, also whom he turned to for advice. Bleylock started even having a social life again, enjoying the little pleasures of life. And ever so often, I'Son accompanied him. It was a time Bleylock felt he came alive. And at the same time, something new started to grow. Bleylock always knew he had a dark side, and now, that dark side, the one he had promised Duke Maddox to hide, was starting to make itself known. He had been without any kind of activity like that, for a long time. Bleylock decided, that to make good on his promise to Duke Maddox, he needed to head off to one of the prisons, and get his urges taken care of there. But if he was truthful, he knew it would not suffice. The one that brought those urges alive, was his young protege. When he felt himself unseen, Bleylock would secretly study I'Sons body. And there was no denying it, He looked good. And that could pose a problem. Bleylock arranged for a day trip, to have his urges taken care of. I'Son stayed at home, working. Recent research from the laboratory needed be written into a research paper, and since he conducted the research, he needed to write it. When Bleylock returned, he realised how exhausted I'Son had been. He found him asleep over the desk. He looked so innocent and young where he lay. Bleylock smiled. He should make him more comfortable, laying like this would cause his neck to hurt the next morning. Carefully, he lifted I'Son into his arms, but instead of carrying him into his own room, Bleylock could not explain why, but he carried him into his own room and bed. Carefully, not to wake him up, Bleylock laid him down. He considered undressing him, but that could easily startle him when he woke. So he left him with his clothes on. Bleylock felt exhausted, carefully, he took off his shades, and laid down, next to his young protege. Bleylock decided to do all in his might not to startle him. He just..wanted some human contact. That was it. I'Son himself had told him he needed that. Bleylock made sure to keep some distance, just watching him as he slept.

"Good night I'Son" he whispered as his eyes slid shut...