His brothers already wanted the Eight eliminated, and if they suspected that Dave was operating independently, they would act immediately without waiting for a unanimous council vote or even consulting Losham. He couldn't afford to lose his most powerful asset, the only real leverage he had over his brothers, except for his superior intelligence.
He needed Dave, and Dave needed the scientist. It was a simple calculation.
"I'm glad to hear that you've revised your assessment," Losham said. "It demonstrates intellectual flexibility. The same flexibility that I'm confident you'll bring to the new research track."
Petrov, who had remained quiet during the exchange, stepped forward. "Lord Losham, if I may."
Losham inclined his head.
"Adapting the formula for humans is a complex undertaking, but I believe it can be done more safely than what Dr.Zhao accomplished in the initial stages of the immortal enhancement program. Zhao was brilliant, but he was also…" He searched for a diplomatic word. "Problematic."
"Mentally unstable is the phrase you're looking for," Losham said.
Petrov had the grace to look uncomfortable. "Zhao took shortcuts. He pushed dosages higher than prudent, he accelerated timelines beyond what the biology could safely accommodate, and he dismissed adverse reactions as acceptable losses. That's why so many test subjects were lost. Not because the science was impossible, but because the scientist didn't value the lives of his subjects enough to proceed carefully."
"And you would."
"Of course." Petrov glanced at Dimitri. "The methodology would be different. Slower and more expensive, but with significantly lower mortality."
Losham would have found higher mortality perfectly acceptable if it sped up the research and made it less costly. But therewere other advantages to a lower mortality rate of the test subjects. It was a path to creating an army of enhanced humans that didn't require explaining to his brothers why dozens of workers were dying. Lower mortality meant fewer questions, fewer complications, and fewer opportunities for Kolhood and the others to hijack the program from him.
In fact, it would be best to conduct the research in secret, so his brothers wouldn't find out until his army was ready. He would love to have an army at his disposal that could rival the immortal army Kolhood commanded.
That would take time, though. If he wanted real leverage, he would need at least two enhanced human warriors for every immortal.
Satisfied, Losham stood.
He'd gotten what he came for, not a confession, which he hadn't expected, but a baseline. He now knew where Dimitri's pressure points were, what motivated him and what terrified him, and most importantly, he'd planted the seed of a new research direction that could change the balance of power in the Brotherhood.
"You have one month to present me with a preliminary research plan," he said. "I want a detailed proposal outlining the modifications required, the testing phases, and the resources you'll need. Dr.Petrov, you will oversee the project."
Volkov swallowed. "One month is not enough."
"One month," Losham repeated. "For the proposal. Surely two scientists of your caliber can produce a research plan in that timeframe."
Neither of them argued further.
Losham nodded to Rami, who opened the lab door.
"One more thing." He paused at the threshold and turned back to look at Dimitri. "The harbor incident is being investigated. Several witnesses are being interviewed. If there is anything about that event that you've neglected to mention, any detail that might be relevant to my investigation, now would be the time to share it."
Dimitri met his gaze. "I've told you everything, Lord Losham."
That smooth control again. That flawless mask.
He didn't believe it for a moment.
"I'm sure you have," Losham said.
As he and Rami crossed the courtyard, Losham replayed the conversation in his mind, sorting through every word, every expression, every micro-reaction, cataloging them the way a chess player catalogs an opponent's habits and tendencies.
"Your assessment?" he asked Rami.
"The senior scientist is telling the truth. Or close to it. He's frightened and cooperative."
"And Volkov?"
Rami was quiet for a moment. "He's hiding something."
