Abraxor was, like Bleylock had said, a depressing place. The moment they stepped out of the ship, I'Son could see the dead threes, and crops that whitherd away. He would hardly have time to spend with Bleylock at all, when he assessed the damage. He hoped they had brought enough of the mix to cover it all, if not, he had to ask Bleylock for help to provide the equipment to make more. Bleylock looked at him.
"So, what do you think I'Son? Did we bring enough of the mix to salvage the crops?" he asked.
I'Son noticed the change in his tone of voice. Ok, this was how they had to play it. Buisness like. They were here on a mission, sent from Technoid to avoid a hunger disaster. There would be time for romance and cuddles later. Right now, they had work to do. I'Son looked through his sunglasses. Bleylock had ordered him to wear them, as the sun on Abraxor was very sharp, and could hurt his eyes. To make sure his eyes was shielded, I'Son also wore a black cap with Technoid logo,and a white t shirt, also with Technoid logo. He was here on behalf of Technoid, and Bleylock made sure to remind him of that, with the very uniform like attire he had made him dress in.
"I am far from sure General Bleylock. I imagined a smaller scale than this. However, since I was the one that created the formula, all I need to make more, is the components I used. This should be relatively easy to find. That is, if Abraxor has access to farming equipment?" he said.
This made General Bleylock smirk for a second.
"I was hoping you would say something like that. My father will also assure you have the necessary staff available to make the mix. All you need to do, is train them in making the formula, and be present when it is tested. I off course already know it works. I will have a staff unload the extra supplies of food we brought from Technoid base to avert the crisis" he said.
I'Son nodded. As he slung the small bag he had brought over his shoulder, he noticed a young boy on the side. Blonde hair, dirty, glaring, as if sunlight was something he was not used to at all. He seemed hungry. And he happened to have some fruit in his bag. I'Son forgot where he was. To see others starve, and not do anything went against all he was. He approached the boy, who looked startled at the technoid representative.
"Here, have this one kid, you look hungry" I'Son said with a small smile.
The boy took the apple, looking still sceptical.
"How do I know it is not filled with poison? You came from Technoid, it is not like they are the angels of the galaxy" he stated.
I'Son nodded. He was well aware of Technoids reputation by now, not always one that made the galaxy feel welcoming of them. Abraxor seemed to be no exception from the rule. So, I'Son bent down so he could look the kid in the eyes.
" If it was poisoned,I would be very stupid to eat that myself wouldn't I? I know you must be hungry, there is little to no food here, and your crops are dying. That is why Technoid allowed General Bleylock to borrow me for a week, taking me off my other projects. I recently invented something that can help. Not only can the crops be salvaged, but, with a small growth formula to boost it, we can also increase the harvest. You will soon have fresh fruits, and other vegetables to eat again. I promise, and I happen to be one of the good guys" I'Son smiled.
The boy slowly took a bite of the apple, then he smiled.
"I prayed to a higher power, for someone to save us from starving. You must be an angel sir, as you do look like one" he said.
I'Son smiled at that.
"That I dont know, but what I do know is, I will do whatever I can, to help you. It was not easy for General Bleylock to get permission to borrow me for this, so I hope I am able to help you get through this" he said.
The boy nodded.
"I like you sir. But General Bleylock..be careful around him. He is not the good man he portrays himself as" he said.
"Bennett, come back here, we need to get back to work in the mines. We only came for our portion of the food" yelled a woman.
The young boy seemed startled by the cry out.
"I have to go, good luck on the project sir" he stammered.
"I'Son, my name is I'Son, Bennett" I'Son smiled as he rose.
Bennett managed a small smile in his dirty face.
"I'Son, the angel from Technoid then" he smiled as he took another bite of the apple, before he joined the woman whom hurried him along to a small cart.
"Dont worry Bennett, I will see to it that the crops are restored. No one needs to starve any longer than they have to, that is my promise"...
Bleylock had not seen I'Son since he went to the lab. The staff at his fathers estate had received word from the planets ruling emperor, if anything could be done to salvage the crops, then they had free reigns to do whatever it took. The reports of the devestation had been sent to all the big families with ties to power, urging them to help the less fortunate. The reports on the areas had been given to I'Son, who was formulating a plan of growth. It was clear from the start, they needed two teams to make the liquids. One to do the salvage operation, and one to create the growth. I'Son took the mission to a new level, being painstakingly precise in all calculations, to ensure things would grow as fast as possible without affecting taste and colour. As soon as he had tested that the new mixes worked as planned, the lab teams started the mass production. I'Son then joined the team in the field work, showing them how much to use, and how to ensure maximum effect. Within days, the region the Bleylocks ruled, could send out message that the crisis was averted. Representatives from other families came to see the Bleylocks, so I'Son could train them in how to use the formula and regulate things so the continued increase in the crops would be sustained.
Bleylocks father was impressed.
"This scientist is amazing. A young man though, I thought the professors at Technoid were older" he said.
"Mostly they are Father. I'Son is a young genius. He escaped our attention the first time. I suspect he may have been deliberately hidden by a not exactly technoid friendly family, until we found his files two years ago. He is very clever. Amazing results all the way, very devoted. Duke Maddox has a keen eye on this one" Bleylock said.
He did his best not to sound proud. I'Son was his find, his protege. And so much more than that. But for things to stay that way, he had to keep him off his fathers radar.
His father rubbed his black beard.
"If he is still young, it means he is being mentored. Do you know by whom?" he asked.
Bleylock nodded.
"I am his mentor father. I found him, and recruited him. He has still got huge potential for growth. It took me weeks to be allowed to bring him here. I had to make it clear, I needed him to train the people here in using these formulas of his right, and I was still only permitted to have him here for a week. After that, he has to return to base. Duke Maddox has some plans for his education,I understand" He replied.
His father studied him.
"Too bad we cant keep him here. I have never seen anyone solve such serious problems this fast." he said.
Bleylock nodded.
"That is how I'Son is. I happen to be proud to be mentoring him. I will see to it, he reaches his full potential" he said.
His father nodded.
"I have planned to scope out a new location for green houses. They will be higher up, to get more sun, so the crops has to withstand intense heat. Do you think I'Son may have some ideas how this can be done? He seems to have solutions for just about anything to do with the crops" His father sounded hopeful.
Bleylock nodded. A glimmer of hope. Maybe..just maybe.. If he played his cards right, maybe there was a chance his father could accept I'Son as a partner for him? The next days would decide.
"I suggest you ask I'Son yourself father. To my knowledge, he likes a challenge, says it keeps his brain healthy" he said.
His father nodded.
"After dinner then, lets talk in the mens cave" he suggested.
"By all means Father, I would love to, Just dont pour him any abaxor liqour. He cant handle it. I accidentally did once. I had to spend the night sitting vigil over him. He seemed almost drugged by the headache pill he took" Bleylock informed.
His father looked at him.
"I will have my servants serve him something lighter then. Where is he from? Something he is used to from his home planet would be the best" his father suggested.
"He is from Akillian. I also wonder, is there components to our drugs that could effect him badly, should he need medical attention? I know he pushes himself hard and I dont want Duke Maddox to strangle me if something was to happen to him" he said.
His father looked at him.
"I will have my personal doctor do a check on him,to get an idea what we can safely give him. A young man like that needs to be cared for, and nurtured. If he is as good as you say he is, he is a real asset to Technoid, Perhaps, when his education is completed, we may be able to offer him a future here" he mused.
Bleylock nodded. But if tradition was to be followed, there was little to no chance of that happening. He would hopefully be out of all this then.
"I will go notify I'Son about our upcoming meeting"...
I'Son held a glass of Akillian white wine in his hand and looked at the suggested plans that Bleylocks father had for new green houses.
The first matter was the intense sunlight, it would kill the crops,a more balanced enviroment, where some shade was also found, would help the plants grow. He explained this to father and son, who paid close attention to what he explained.
Bleylocks father also had a secondary location ready. This one fit the criterias I'Son had listed. The three some agreed to check out the location the next day, and also check on the harvest of the first salvaged crops. The reports had spoken of increased growth and also, plentiful harvest.I'Son was no heavy drinker, so he sipped carefully at the wine. Normally, he and Bleylock would have sat very close in such a setting, but this time, they had to remain distant. And I'Son could tell, Bleylock would rather have been anywhere but here. But they had to be polite. The discussion went on about the harvest, his education, and his goals. Finally, Bleylock faked a yawn, indicating it was time to go to bed.
His father got up as well. The three men said good night. Bleylock caught up with I'Son in the hallway to their rooms. It was far apart.
Bleylock took I'Sons hand, and pulled him into a small room behind a curtain.
"I cant go to my room, without at least kissing you good night I'Son" Bleylock managed as he carefully caressed his lovers face.
I'Son smiled.
"I had a feeling you might feel that way, General" he said, and allowed Bleylock to kiss him deeply.
"I wish we did not have to stay separate here, but you know..." Bleylock tried.
I'Son hushed him.
"There is still a lot of work to do, even more now that your father wants these new green houses. The location he chose has perfect conditions with shade, but I am worried, heavy rain, may cause a problem" I'Son said thoughtfully.
"What kind of problems I'Son? Did you see something you did not tell him?"Bleylock asked.
I'Son nodded.
"Come with me to my room.I will show you what I mean" he said.
Bleylock followed I'Son to the room he had been given. Tastefully decorated, dark drapes and manly colours, meant to soothe before falling asleep. Bleylock noted that. Good, his young lover needed this place to rest, until he could hold him in his arms again. He looked up as I'Son quickly drew up a simple but clear explanation of what he meant. When conditions was like now, it was fine, but in heavy rains, the sloping of the wall could become a danger. I'Son had calculated the angle. A land slide was a great risk. I'Son suggested a protective barrier put up. Bleylock told him, they would discuss it with his father the next day. Bleylock looked longingly at I'Sons bed. How he wished he could just lay down, wrap his arms around him, pull him close and go to sleep, like he was used to. But no. It was too dangerous with all the spies around the manor. I'Son seemed to get what he thought of.
"It is only a short week, General. We will soon be back to the norm." he promised.
Bleylock nooded as he silently closed the door to go back to his own, cold and lonely room.
Just a week, But he felt it would feel a lot longer...
