Chapter 14
2:00pm, Turin. Enrica missing for 7 days
"You have to remember that you should not sound too confident in your research proposal." Senator Tyrell reminded Edward once again.
They stood waiting in a small office and were told to wait for the Research Director and Edward ran over his plan in his mind again. No matter how difficult it would be, he would try to impress them with the plan. It was the only way to 'trade' Enrica out. In the midst of their silence, there came a knock. The door of the office was open and three people in military uniform were coming in. The one came in first, with a pair of hawk-like eyes, was of course, the Research Director; the other two... he was told they were the head officers of two research committees. After the formal greetings were exchanged and the introduction given by Senator Tyrell, Edward began his 45-min presentation. Edward gave both the experimental results, analysis and the hypothesis based on his research. He tried to look confident and convincing, but he knew his voice betrayed him. It was hoarse, as if he slipped and wanted to rush over his presentation. His audience's faces showed no expressions, they sat up like stone statues and didn't even bother to take notes. Edward became nervous, didn't they think the findings were interesting? Couldn't they see the importance? Finally, he finished his presentation, Edward came back to his chair and watched Senator Tyrell's face for some clues. However, his face, too, was blank.
After a long time, the Research Director spoke, "Professor Tyrell, thanks for the interesting presentation. It was very entertaining. However, what you've showed us was based purely on different hypothesis and indirect observations. More preliminary research are needed in order to start the project."
Edward was shocked, did the man think the whole idea was a personal fancy? "Sir, I believe another research team in Northern Europe is conducting the same research. You may countercheck the information I had with them."
"Have you estimated how much time and money are needed to obtain the necessary data to support further research? We, too, have many good projects to start, do you think we should start the ones with theoretical basis first?" the Research Director replied in an icy tone.
"I do believe there are many great and exciting projects to start in your team. Professor Tyrell and I are very grateful that you've given us such fruitful suggestions. This meeting was a very good experience for both of us to meet the experts in this field." Senator Tyrell completed his flowery sentence, made a slightly exaggerated gesture with a board smile and pulled Edward away. Edward glared at him furiously. He knew he was dependent on this clown in whom he shared the same family name, but he did believe that he would make his way out using all the knowledge he possessed He would have wrung the man with those pair of sarcastic glittering eyes if he did not control himself for the sake of his wife and daughter. Worst of all, he seemed enjoying the present situation.
"I've told you," he said knowingly. "The chance is small and you shouldn't sound too confident."
Edward listened with his teeth grinding, trying hard not to blunt out. Senator Tyrell watched Edward's darkened eyebrows and eyes in amusement. Everything has happened as he planned. Edward Tyrell did the presentation although he could not tell whether the research proposal impressed the people or not, he could tell that the Federation would not start the research project. For this, he was relieved. No one would question about the his status in the family, it has been for years that there were people in the upper society whispering unpleasant comments on him and the only son of his younger brother, including his father, the great Admiral Tyrell. He was the heir of the family and also the properties. He could not bear even the faintest whisper reminding him that he had a clever brother and nephew while he was just an ordinary man with a healthy and strong body. All these made him jealous. But then he had an absolute advantage. His brother was long gone and his nephew knew nothing about the politics in the Federation, while he was a senator, the heir of a fortune and also had a high social status. He would then do whatever he liked to the distressed father beside him. Being completely satisfied in his own victory, he made an offer.
"Perhaps I would contact Max to see whether you can meet your little girl. I do want to see her, too." He said with all-too-clear mock sincerity.
Edward knew he was teased and manipulated like a toy, but it would be worthwhile if he could meet his daughter. So he tolerated all the attempted jokes which was made in order to lighten his heart and followed his uncle without a word.
5:00pm, Turin
The first impression in which the little girl, showing a really broad smile on her face, gave Edward was "she looked thinner and paler". Then he sighed and realized his biased observation. Every father would think his daughter looked thinner and paler after some time of separation. He looked at his daughter and took her hand. She was not a bit paler or a pound lighter than the day she left for school, she was surely well-fed and well- placed. They wouldn't do any harm to the 'newtypes', would they? At this thought, Edward face went dark and tightened his lips. Sensing that her father was deep in unpleasant thoughts, Enrica shook her father's hand and said,
"Papa, I finally understand how the submarines communicate with each other over long distances."
Edward turned to the little girl, his face lit up a bit. She was a child packed with all kinds of knowledge, but still a child for understanding the interaction between people.
"Good attempt, goosey." He said, grasping her hand harder. "How, then?" "They communicate by sending messages in sound waves of long wavelengths, sea water is used as medium." Before Edward would answer, Senator Tyrell cleared his throat to produce a softer voice,
"You're Enrica, nice to meet you." Enrica dutifully replied "How do you do." and shook hands with him. Edward introduced him as Senator Tyrell, purposely ignoring the relationship between them. Then, the three fell into uncomfortable silence. Obviously, the adults were deep in thoughts and Enrica was uneasy. She did not like the stranger at all, although they had a common surname. The silence did not last long and a few minutes later, it was broken by a series of cracking sounds. Enrica listened and stiffened. Without too much conscious, she stepped back behind her father. She did not want to go back to those rooms for any further tests. Noticing his daughter's nervousness, Edward, too, became alert. A polite knock followed and a young officer appeared at the opened door.
"Professor Tyrell, would you please follow me to the Director's room?" was the request.
Enrica seemed to be reluctant to release his hand. He tried to calm her down by promising her that he would be back. Enrica obediently took a seat, opposite to that of Senator Tyrell. Taking the chance to be alone with Enrica, Senator Tyrell tried to start a conversation with child-talk. He asked her whether she liked a different variety of things, but Enrica did not eagerly engage in the conversation as expected. She mindlessly answered something like, "Yes", "No", "Perhaps", "Maybe". Her mind was busily thinking about her father. Why did he go to see the Director? She was confident that her father would eventually bring her home, but she had no idea about the 'methods' used to 'rescue' her. In her childish fancy, she imagined her father argued with the Director fiercely why he should take her away and threw some very convincing points and made his 'opponent' agreed to him. At this thought, she gave a soft laugh, which surprised Senator Tyrell, and made him thought that his clever small talks had worked on the little girl. That was a debate, she reminded herself. He never argued or debated with anybody. Be it a tough scientific problem or a very heavy traffic congestion, Edward Tyrell usually joked around and playfully dealt with the situation and made the people beside at ease.
Enrica waited and waited. After an hour, her father appeared at the door. He was tired (a tough debate?), but he managed to smile and said,
"Goosey, let's go home."
Without waiting for the end of the sentence, Enrica jumped down the seat, showing a big smile and swiftly caught his father's hand. As the pair planned to go out of the room, they saw a man leaning by the doorframe. Edward Tyrell stiffened, preparing for the worst to come, only to find that the man gave way to them. As the father and child went past, the man murmured,
"Well done, Professor Tyrell."
Edward looked at him for quite some time, after making sure that the man did not intend to take her daughter away again. He politely replied,
"Thanks, Colonel Max."
Soon, the father and child disappeared at the end of the corridor. Colonel Max resumed his posture of leaning against the doorframe. Smiling amusingly to Senator Tyrell, he looked at him intently and left the suspense hanging in the air. At last, Senator Tyrell decided to break the silence, "Just tell me why you don't want Enrica Tyrell any more, couldn't you? Afterall, the experts in your team may have made some mistakes?" he asked resentfully.
Colonel Max gave a snort and replied in a sarcastic tone, "No faults in my part. Well, I suppose I have to congratulate you for introducing the talented Professor Tyrell to the research team. You don't know how grateful the scientists in the team are." With that, he turned his back to Senator Tyrell, turned his head round once again to bid him farewell and went away.
Colonel Max has reluctantly agreed to let Enrica go. The tests done on her were preliminary and the results did not prove she was or was not a newtype. However, it was evident that Enrica had scored high in the IQ test. The researchers were continually amazed by her intelligence. Even though she was not a newtype, she would definitely be a candidate for the FIB agent. She might be a secret code designer, an engineer or the best of all, a secret agent. Until then, they had to wait for her to grow up under the guidance of her parents. This was the centre of the whole bargain, Enrica Tyrell would be sent back home, while her father, the promising Edward Tyrell, would stay behind, leading the major project of Earth Federation. At first, the Director of the Research Team did not see the importance of the professor's presentation. But one of the audience has vaguely remembered that the findings of the professor were actually matched to some of the results they had found years ago. At that time, the results seemed contradicting, however, with Professor Tyrell's result and hypothesis, a clearer picture was produced and so, he was admitted to the research team. They even persuaded Colonel Max to release the girl. Colonel Max did not mention the details to Senator Tyrell, knowing too well that he was smoldering with silent anger. For this he smiled, Senator Tyrell thought that he would present a talent and let him went unnoticed? He has underestimated the power and standard of the service people in the Federation Army. In fact, Professor Tyrell has been well thought of in the Research Team for quite some time. Colonel Max smiled again, although he lost that time, he was sure that he would eventually get Enrica back. For Senator Tyrell, he was not in such a good mood. He turned the things over and over in his brain again and still, he couldn't figure out why the Federation agreed to release Enrica and accepted the research proposal. In his mind, he always thought that it was possible that Professor Tyrell would impress the Research Team, however, he hasn't thought that the professor would impress them enough to make them releasing the daughter. He made a few curses along the way home, feeling like a fool.
On their way home, Enrica danced around her father, telling him her 'adventure' in the headquaters. Edward smiled and listened, occasionally threw out some comments. He was vaguely aware that his daughter's hand was unconsciously clinging to his. They finally got into a bus and Enrica accommodated herself comfortably next to her father, her little feet swung joyously in the air.
"Quite cozy, eh?" he smiled and asked.
"Yes" she replied eagerly.
Edward did not want to spoil her happiness, but 'things must be done' as his favourite saying, he spoke jokingly,
"Goosey, I've a job for you." After gaining all her attentions, he continued. "You've to help me to check you mama's schedule for each meal."
He tried to grin, but he couldn't. He mentally gave himself a kick. Then, the little legs hang still in the air.
"Where are you going, papa, for how long?" She was truly sensitive.
"To where, eh, to the place you've been just now. For how long, I hope five years at most."
Then Edward began to explain why the Federation was interested in her, what they wanted from her and what he did to trade her out. Edward knew there were a lot of things for her to understand and at her young age, she shouldn't be exposed to the devil side of the world. A long silence followed, the bus continued to travel along the narrow, labyrinth-like streets.
"I want to go home but I shouldn't want to." Enrica finally said. She was looking straightly into his eyes. Edward knew exactly what he meant, he playfully replied,
"Your sentence is very puzzling, which side of your brain decides you don't want to go home and which side says yes."
Enrica gave him an 'I don't know' expression. He decided that it was important to let her know the whole affair was not her fault. "It's OK, goosey. You've to learn that in many times you're in the control (mercy, his mind actually said) of others, no matter how hard you've worked, you still have to depend on what other factors and the outcome may be totally different from what you expected. Remember what I've told you about the Chaos Theory?"
Enrica nodded her head slightly, tears beaming in her brown eyes.
"There, there, I know my goosey more than you do," he softly patted her head. "You're gifted, there's no doubt about this. Don't be sorry about or proud of this fact. What I want you to do now and when you grow up, is to fully utilize what's in your brain. Whether you're gifted and whether you should do a particular kind of thing are totally different matters. Always make your decisions based on the facts and your analysis. When you've fully equipped yourself, you'll have the chance to choose."
Enrica stared at his father, she has accepted the ideas, but she was still unable to understand some points. Edward continued to talk about some scientific stuff, hoping to ease her mind.
2:00pm, Turin. Enrica missing for 7 days
"You have to remember that you should not sound too confident in your research proposal." Senator Tyrell reminded Edward once again.
They stood waiting in a small office and were told to wait for the Research Director and Edward ran over his plan in his mind again. No matter how difficult it would be, he would try to impress them with the plan. It was the only way to 'trade' Enrica out. In the midst of their silence, there came a knock. The door of the office was open and three people in military uniform were coming in. The one came in first, with a pair of hawk-like eyes, was of course, the Research Director; the other two... he was told they were the head officers of two research committees. After the formal greetings were exchanged and the introduction given by Senator Tyrell, Edward began his 45-min presentation. Edward gave both the experimental results, analysis and the hypothesis based on his research. He tried to look confident and convincing, but he knew his voice betrayed him. It was hoarse, as if he slipped and wanted to rush over his presentation. His audience's faces showed no expressions, they sat up like stone statues and didn't even bother to take notes. Edward became nervous, didn't they think the findings were interesting? Couldn't they see the importance? Finally, he finished his presentation, Edward came back to his chair and watched Senator Tyrell's face for some clues. However, his face, too, was blank.
After a long time, the Research Director spoke, "Professor Tyrell, thanks for the interesting presentation. It was very entertaining. However, what you've showed us was based purely on different hypothesis and indirect observations. More preliminary research are needed in order to start the project."
Edward was shocked, did the man think the whole idea was a personal fancy? "Sir, I believe another research team in Northern Europe is conducting the same research. You may countercheck the information I had with them."
"Have you estimated how much time and money are needed to obtain the necessary data to support further research? We, too, have many good projects to start, do you think we should start the ones with theoretical basis first?" the Research Director replied in an icy tone.
"I do believe there are many great and exciting projects to start in your team. Professor Tyrell and I are very grateful that you've given us such fruitful suggestions. This meeting was a very good experience for both of us to meet the experts in this field." Senator Tyrell completed his flowery sentence, made a slightly exaggerated gesture with a board smile and pulled Edward away. Edward glared at him furiously. He knew he was dependent on this clown in whom he shared the same family name, but he did believe that he would make his way out using all the knowledge he possessed He would have wrung the man with those pair of sarcastic glittering eyes if he did not control himself for the sake of his wife and daughter. Worst of all, he seemed enjoying the present situation.
"I've told you," he said knowingly. "The chance is small and you shouldn't sound too confident."
Edward listened with his teeth grinding, trying hard not to blunt out. Senator Tyrell watched Edward's darkened eyebrows and eyes in amusement. Everything has happened as he planned. Edward Tyrell did the presentation although he could not tell whether the research proposal impressed the people or not, he could tell that the Federation would not start the research project. For this, he was relieved. No one would question about the his status in the family, it has been for years that there were people in the upper society whispering unpleasant comments on him and the only son of his younger brother, including his father, the great Admiral Tyrell. He was the heir of the family and also the properties. He could not bear even the faintest whisper reminding him that he had a clever brother and nephew while he was just an ordinary man with a healthy and strong body. All these made him jealous. But then he had an absolute advantage. His brother was long gone and his nephew knew nothing about the politics in the Federation, while he was a senator, the heir of a fortune and also had a high social status. He would then do whatever he liked to the distressed father beside him. Being completely satisfied in his own victory, he made an offer.
"Perhaps I would contact Max to see whether you can meet your little girl. I do want to see her, too." He said with all-too-clear mock sincerity.
Edward knew he was teased and manipulated like a toy, but it would be worthwhile if he could meet his daughter. So he tolerated all the attempted jokes which was made in order to lighten his heart and followed his uncle without a word.
5:00pm, Turin
The first impression in which the little girl, showing a really broad smile on her face, gave Edward was "she looked thinner and paler". Then he sighed and realized his biased observation. Every father would think his daughter looked thinner and paler after some time of separation. He looked at his daughter and took her hand. She was not a bit paler or a pound lighter than the day she left for school, she was surely well-fed and well- placed. They wouldn't do any harm to the 'newtypes', would they? At this thought, Edward face went dark and tightened his lips. Sensing that her father was deep in unpleasant thoughts, Enrica shook her father's hand and said,
"Papa, I finally understand how the submarines communicate with each other over long distances."
Edward turned to the little girl, his face lit up a bit. She was a child packed with all kinds of knowledge, but still a child for understanding the interaction between people.
"Good attempt, goosey." He said, grasping her hand harder. "How, then?" "They communicate by sending messages in sound waves of long wavelengths, sea water is used as medium." Before Edward would answer, Senator Tyrell cleared his throat to produce a softer voice,
"You're Enrica, nice to meet you." Enrica dutifully replied "How do you do." and shook hands with him. Edward introduced him as Senator Tyrell, purposely ignoring the relationship between them. Then, the three fell into uncomfortable silence. Obviously, the adults were deep in thoughts and Enrica was uneasy. She did not like the stranger at all, although they had a common surname. The silence did not last long and a few minutes later, it was broken by a series of cracking sounds. Enrica listened and stiffened. Without too much conscious, she stepped back behind her father. She did not want to go back to those rooms for any further tests. Noticing his daughter's nervousness, Edward, too, became alert. A polite knock followed and a young officer appeared at the opened door.
"Professor Tyrell, would you please follow me to the Director's room?" was the request.
Enrica seemed to be reluctant to release his hand. He tried to calm her down by promising her that he would be back. Enrica obediently took a seat, opposite to that of Senator Tyrell. Taking the chance to be alone with Enrica, Senator Tyrell tried to start a conversation with child-talk. He asked her whether she liked a different variety of things, but Enrica did not eagerly engage in the conversation as expected. She mindlessly answered something like, "Yes", "No", "Perhaps", "Maybe". Her mind was busily thinking about her father. Why did he go to see the Director? She was confident that her father would eventually bring her home, but she had no idea about the 'methods' used to 'rescue' her. In her childish fancy, she imagined her father argued with the Director fiercely why he should take her away and threw some very convincing points and made his 'opponent' agreed to him. At this thought, she gave a soft laugh, which surprised Senator Tyrell, and made him thought that his clever small talks had worked on the little girl. That was a debate, she reminded herself. He never argued or debated with anybody. Be it a tough scientific problem or a very heavy traffic congestion, Edward Tyrell usually joked around and playfully dealt with the situation and made the people beside at ease.
Enrica waited and waited. After an hour, her father appeared at the door. He was tired (a tough debate?), but he managed to smile and said,
"Goosey, let's go home."
Without waiting for the end of the sentence, Enrica jumped down the seat, showing a big smile and swiftly caught his father's hand. As the pair planned to go out of the room, they saw a man leaning by the doorframe. Edward Tyrell stiffened, preparing for the worst to come, only to find that the man gave way to them. As the father and child went past, the man murmured,
"Well done, Professor Tyrell."
Edward looked at him for quite some time, after making sure that the man did not intend to take her daughter away again. He politely replied,
"Thanks, Colonel Max."
Soon, the father and child disappeared at the end of the corridor. Colonel Max resumed his posture of leaning against the doorframe. Smiling amusingly to Senator Tyrell, he looked at him intently and left the suspense hanging in the air. At last, Senator Tyrell decided to break the silence, "Just tell me why you don't want Enrica Tyrell any more, couldn't you? Afterall, the experts in your team may have made some mistakes?" he asked resentfully.
Colonel Max gave a snort and replied in a sarcastic tone, "No faults in my part. Well, I suppose I have to congratulate you for introducing the talented Professor Tyrell to the research team. You don't know how grateful the scientists in the team are." With that, he turned his back to Senator Tyrell, turned his head round once again to bid him farewell and went away.
Colonel Max has reluctantly agreed to let Enrica go. The tests done on her were preliminary and the results did not prove she was or was not a newtype. However, it was evident that Enrica had scored high in the IQ test. The researchers were continually amazed by her intelligence. Even though she was not a newtype, she would definitely be a candidate for the FIB agent. She might be a secret code designer, an engineer or the best of all, a secret agent. Until then, they had to wait for her to grow up under the guidance of her parents. This was the centre of the whole bargain, Enrica Tyrell would be sent back home, while her father, the promising Edward Tyrell, would stay behind, leading the major project of Earth Federation. At first, the Director of the Research Team did not see the importance of the professor's presentation. But one of the audience has vaguely remembered that the findings of the professor were actually matched to some of the results they had found years ago. At that time, the results seemed contradicting, however, with Professor Tyrell's result and hypothesis, a clearer picture was produced and so, he was admitted to the research team. They even persuaded Colonel Max to release the girl. Colonel Max did not mention the details to Senator Tyrell, knowing too well that he was smoldering with silent anger. For this he smiled, Senator Tyrell thought that he would present a talent and let him went unnoticed? He has underestimated the power and standard of the service people in the Federation Army. In fact, Professor Tyrell has been well thought of in the Research Team for quite some time. Colonel Max smiled again, although he lost that time, he was sure that he would eventually get Enrica back. For Senator Tyrell, he was not in such a good mood. He turned the things over and over in his brain again and still, he couldn't figure out why the Federation agreed to release Enrica and accepted the research proposal. In his mind, he always thought that it was possible that Professor Tyrell would impress the Research Team, however, he hasn't thought that the professor would impress them enough to make them releasing the daughter. He made a few curses along the way home, feeling like a fool.
On their way home, Enrica danced around her father, telling him her 'adventure' in the headquaters. Edward smiled and listened, occasionally threw out some comments. He was vaguely aware that his daughter's hand was unconsciously clinging to his. They finally got into a bus and Enrica accommodated herself comfortably next to her father, her little feet swung joyously in the air.
"Quite cozy, eh?" he smiled and asked.
"Yes" she replied eagerly.
Edward did not want to spoil her happiness, but 'things must be done' as his favourite saying, he spoke jokingly,
"Goosey, I've a job for you." After gaining all her attentions, he continued. "You've to help me to check you mama's schedule for each meal."
He tried to grin, but he couldn't. He mentally gave himself a kick. Then, the little legs hang still in the air.
"Where are you going, papa, for how long?" She was truly sensitive.
"To where, eh, to the place you've been just now. For how long, I hope five years at most."
Then Edward began to explain why the Federation was interested in her, what they wanted from her and what he did to trade her out. Edward knew there were a lot of things for her to understand and at her young age, she shouldn't be exposed to the devil side of the world. A long silence followed, the bus continued to travel along the narrow, labyrinth-like streets.
"I want to go home but I shouldn't want to." Enrica finally said. She was looking straightly into his eyes. Edward knew exactly what he meant, he playfully replied,
"Your sentence is very puzzling, which side of your brain decides you don't want to go home and which side says yes."
Enrica gave him an 'I don't know' expression. He decided that it was important to let her know the whole affair was not her fault. "It's OK, goosey. You've to learn that in many times you're in the control (mercy, his mind actually said) of others, no matter how hard you've worked, you still have to depend on what other factors and the outcome may be totally different from what you expected. Remember what I've told you about the Chaos Theory?"
Enrica nodded her head slightly, tears beaming in her brown eyes.
"There, there, I know my goosey more than you do," he softly patted her head. "You're gifted, there's no doubt about this. Don't be sorry about or proud of this fact. What I want you to do now and when you grow up, is to fully utilize what's in your brain. Whether you're gifted and whether you should do a particular kind of thing are totally different matters. Always make your decisions based on the facts and your analysis. When you've fully equipped yourself, you'll have the chance to choose."
Enrica stared at his father, she has accepted the ideas, but she was still unable to understand some points. Edward continued to talk about some scientific stuff, hoping to ease her mind.