Ch.75Ten Fathoms Deep, Yet Known! (3)

#075

As Dexter entered the container, he saw William slumped over the table, breathing roughly and covered in cold sweat.

“Huff, huff…”

“Mr. Pilgrim, are you alright?”

In this urgent situation where William looked like he might stop breathing at any moment, Dexter rushed over to him. William pointed weakly to the cabinet with a trembling hand.

“C-cabinet… red…”

Remembering the red medicine bottle in the cabinet that William had opened earlier, Dexter immediately retrieved it.

“Is one pill enough?”

When William carefully nodded without speaking, Dexter helped him take the medicine.

Concerned that William’s condition might worsen, Dexter stayed by his side. After some time, when William’s condition improved, Dexter cautiously spoke.

“Is this another chronic illness?”

“…I have a bit of panic disorder too.”

William sighed bitterly.

Looking at him carefully, William was practically a walking hospital.

The reason was clear.

After witnessing what the NSA agents had tried to do to William earlier, Dexter understood.

If the NSA—the ultimate information agency—was involved, it was likely that the FBI and CIA had also made several visits, all of which would have been significant stressors for William.

Some people might suffer for days just from having the police visit their home, so Dexter imagined the stress William must have endured from visits by government officials even more intimidating than police would have been extreme.

Dexter felt a bit sorry for William, who would have been helpless without someone with overwhelming power like himself to protect him.

“Mr. Pilgrim, have you been working on any research or theories recently?”

Dexter asked this question because he sensed that the reason for the NSA’s visit must be related to William’s current research.

“…Yes, I have. Though it’s still just speculation and leads to conclusions opposite to my previous opinions…”

Dexter recalled the main arguments from William’s books and said:

“Your opinion was that we should establish close agreements and relationships with aliens to usher in a space industry era. If the opposite of that is…”

“That there might be entities seeking to dominate Earth or pose a threat. But that’s… that’s too common and obvious, isn’t it?”

Hearing William’s explanation of a conclusion he wasn’t happy with, Dexter couldn’t help but agree.

‘Aliens wouldn’t need to conquer such a remote planet anyway.’

Dexter sympathized with William’s point.

Even Dexter, who knew nothing about academic content, could refute most of what conspiracy theorists spouted.

They were limited by their Earth-centric conspiracy theories.

‘It’s like supporting geocentrism in the 21st century.’

To someone who knows the truth, what conspiracy theorists do is equivalent to bragging about their ignorance of Earth being a planet under a neutrality treaty.

That’s why the Residence Management Division where Himena works at the OSA isn’t just a department that prevents illegal entry.

They thoroughly investigate aliens before they enter Earth, and if they have criminal records, they deport or closely monitor them.

They also make efforts to minimize threats to the neutrality treaty, such as having aliens sign confidentiality agreements.

Their job is to prevent the entry of aliens who are drooling at the prospect of dominating Earth.

“I can’t show you all my research results, but according to recent evidence, alien-related incidents have been occurring not just in Las Vegas but throughout Nevada. Especially last time in Summerlin!”

“Summerlin?”

“It was like, like an MK Ultra project on ordinary citizens.”

Dexter realized William was referring to the Summerlin residents exposed to ionized gaborium and put on a rather serious expression.

“But that was a government-led project, wasn’t it?”

The MK Ultra project was a CIA mind control experiment on ordinary people, which was obviously illegal.

It was a famous conspiracy theory that existed before Dexter was born, but one that turned out to be true rather than just a theory.

William was connecting the paranoia symptoms and anxiety experienced by Summerlin residents to such a project.

“That’s the key point. When I compiled data from police radio and my contacts, I noticed efforts to prevent an unknown biochemical attack.”

“You mean the Summerlin incident wasn’t a government mistake or experiment, but the government was also a victim and therefore rushed to recover?”

“That’s exactly my inference.”

William added that, based on his thorough investigation of incidents both known and unknown to Dexter, federal and state governments have recently been caught unprepared in many situations.

“So, although I don’t like this conclusion… while I’m not certain about global damage, I’ve concluded that there is an alien entity trying to cause significant harm to Nevada.”

“Why Nevada specifically, do you think?”

William smiled lightly at Dexter, as if he had anticipated this question.

“Because it’s a city where many aliens can gather without being detected. Las Vegas is fundamentally full of tourists and transients. No matter what strange things happen, people often think it’s just promotion for hotels or casinos. They might look for a moment, but then move on, no matter how unusual it is.”

“So even if aliens are ignorant of Earth culture, people just brush it off because it’s Las Vegas.”

“Las Vegas is a tourist city not just for humans but for aliens too. Besides, even if aliens appeared in Nevada, most ordinary people wouldn’t believe it anyway.”

Dexter thought William’s speculation was quite reasonable.

Though Dexter didn’t know it, this was actually one of the reasons why the OSA established its headquarters in Las Vegas—to hide themselves amid the surrounding glamour.

William took a sip of juice from the table with a trembling hand, then looked at Dexter and spoke.

“Originally, I was going to stop my research and take a good rest for a while. But after what happened today and your kindness, I feel I should continue my investigation.”

William was emanating an intense energy that hadn’t been visible until now.

“If the NSA is trying to stop me, it means my research is heading in the right direction.”

“You’re truly remarkable.”

Dexter was impressed by William’s determined words.

It was amazing to see a man who seemed like he might collapse without medication now burning with such passion.

“It’s all thanks to you for believing in my opinions. One of the ancient Chinese philosophers said, ‘Is he not a gentleman who does not feel resentful when others fail to appreciate him?’ How much happier am I to have someone who understands me.”

William was speaking at length, but Dexter was genuinely happy to see that he seemed to have gained confidence he didn’t have before.

* * *

“What’s wrong with you these days?!”

Alarming sounds were echoing through the Analysis Department of the OSA.

A middle-aged man with a plump appearance and a mustache was shouting as he threw papers onto his desk.

“I have nothing to say. It’s all my fault.”

In front of the middle-aged man stood Rascal and a rookie agent.

“…Even for a rookie, you should know better. Learn from Agent Rascal standing next to you.”

“Y-yes, I’ll learn diligently!”

“…Go back to work.”

As the two left the Analysis Department Chief’s office, the rookie agent sighed deeply.

“I’m sorry. Because of me, Senior Rascal…”

“No, it’s fine. Really. Just do better next time.”

Rascal comforted the rookie agent with a gentle expression.

Seeing this dependable side of Rascal, nearby office staff looked on warmly or casually mentioned to colleagues how reliable he was.

On the surface, Rascal and the rookie agent seemed to have a perfect mentor-mentee relationship.

But Rascal’s true feelings were different.

‘You dimwit!’

In Rascal’s mind, the rookie agent was already being torn into twelve pieces.

‘You should have just done what I taught you, why did you write it your own way and make me get scolded too! You idiot!’

Despite these filthy thoughts, Rascal was looking at the rookie agent with incredible warmth.

Moved by Rascal’s behavior, the rookie agent repeatedly expressed gratitude before returning to his desk. Rascal flashed a charming smile, greeted nearby staff casually, and headed to the break room.

Fortunately, the break room was empty.

“Son of a bitch.”

Though his face was smiling, Rascal was quietly cursing.

The break room walls were made of glass, so he had to be careful.

“How could he make such a mistake? Is he an idiot? I can’t believe it. OSA has become a den of idiots.”

After getting a cup of coffee from the machine, Rascal glanced around briefly and took out his phone from his pocket.

He knew he had received a message but hadn’t had a chance to check it yet.

The message was concise:

-Regarding the previous matter, He sends His commendation. Be grateful.

Seeing this message, Rascal’s furrowed brow relaxed and the corners of his mouth turned upward.

If it weren’t for the rookie agent, today would have been an extremely lucky day.

“A person who understands give and take clearly.”

Recalling the message, Rascal made a call.

-Please provide your ten-digit password.

As a clear voice came through the speaker, Rascal checked once more that no one was around and said:

“Chastening. C, H, A…”

-Verifying password… Welcome, Customer R.

“Check account balance.”

-Your account balance is eight hundred thirty-three thousand, two hundred seventy-two dollars.

Upon hearing the account balance, Rascal smiled again and put his phone back in his pocket.

Seven hundred thousand dollars had been deposited into his account.

‘Just for putting some capsules in those criminals… He really is amazing.’

After being hit by Himena that day, Rascal had been so embarrassed that he took sick leave from the OSA for a while.

But that didn’t last long. While Rascal was secluded at home, someone knocked on his door, and the situation changed 180 degrees.

At first, he thought it was just an ordinary man.

Until he revealed that he knew Rascal was with the OSA and had recently been beaten by Himena.

The man made only one proposal:

‘Pledge your loyalty to Him.’

No matter how demoralized Rascal had been, he was still an official agent of the OSA, a secret government department.

Rascal asked the man numerous questions and demanded evidence that ‘He’ was trustworthy.

‘I was really surprised. He knew even information that I didn’t know.’

Even when Rascal rudely requested that he bring $1 million and a Stradivarius within 5 minutes, the man delivered in less than 5 minutes.

Now having no choice but to believe him, Rascal very carefully said to the man:

‘There’s this bum called Dexter Hughes, and someday I want to see that bastard kneeling before me and barking like a dog. Is that possible?’

‘If you pledge your loyalty to Him.’

The twisted desire for revenge remained in his heart from that day.

With a crooked smile, Rascal shook hands with the man.

A deal was made under the guise of loyalty.

Rascal handed over OSA information whenever the man requested it, saying it was what ‘He’ wanted. Recently, he had also fed capsules received from the man to a slime-like man and a gang boss.

And a few days ago, Rascal heard ‘His’ plan through the man.

When Rascal first heard ‘His’ plan, he felt a lot of guilt.

After all, he was betraying Earth and humanity.

But soon, an ugly defense mechanism activated in Rascal’s mind.

‘This is all because of those filthy lovebirds. If you, you! Hadn’t looked at me that way!’

Though Dexter and Himena had done nothing wrong, in Rascal’s mind they had already become despicable lovebirds who had offended him.

Until now, Rascal had been a hypocrite, pretending to be a good person while hiding his ugly thoughts.

But now, he was no longer a hypocrite.

He was a traitor who betrayed humanity for his petty pride.

Like all traitors trying to sell out their planet, Rascal had other thoughts.

He thought he might secure a position for himself by being loyal to ‘Him.’

‘I heard there’s an $85 million penthouse being built in Manhattan, New York. I’ll ask Him to buy that penthouse and then get about three wives. Two could be celebrities or actresses, and the last one…’

“The principal wife should definitely be Himena.”

“…What did you say?”

Startled by the sudden voice, Rascal turned around to see Himena with her fierce face, who had somehow entered the break room.

“What were you thinking to mention my name?”

“No, I was just saying Agent Libero eats lunch well.”

“…That’s unpleasant, so please don’t think such things.”

Himena took a drink from the refrigerator and left the break room immediately, as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

To Rascal, Himena’s face seemed to be becoming more radiant lately.

‘Plus she’s Latina… exactly my type…’

But seeing Himena’s recent contact with Dexter, Rascal felt his chance would never come.

As that thought crossed his mind, Rascal recalled ‘His’ grand plan.

He imagined when the plan was fulfilled, ‘He’ would grant his wish.

Dexter’s head impaled on a thick branch, and a tearful Himena kneeling before him, begging for forgiveness.

“I wonder what expression you’ll make when you’re begging for forgiveness on your knees beneath me.”

An ugly expression that had never been seen before appeared on Rascal’s face.