[center][color=bf2628][sup][h1]Meanwhile on the sub....[/h1][/sup][/color][/center]

It was uncomfortably silent inside the submarine. As soon as they reached the safety of the underwater vehicle both Talon and the professor went their separate ways. Professor Bingley sat at the back. His research materials were spread out on a table and he seemed to be organizing everything. These reports were some of his finest work, a milestone in his career. He could not let anything happen to it, or let it fall into the wrong hands. 

He worked diligently, occasionally looking over at Talon discreetly. The Professor wasn’t sure what to think about the quiet teen. He seemed capable enough and he let him work in peace, two major plusses in his book. 

[color=seagreen]“I don’t think we’ll be safe for long here, we should be heading back to the surface sooner rather than later.”[/color] He said, not taking his eyes off his work for one second and failing to catch Talon's look of skepticism.

[I][color=red]Is he suggesting we abandon the team and leave his briefing unfinished?[/color][/I] Talon wrote it off as Dr. Bingley being worried about his own well being. The team's confrontation with squid had been shaky and disjointed, tarnishing the confidence the scientist had in his security detail. From his perspective, he had saved himself.
 
From Talon's, he failed to do anything. It bothered him to feel he was worse than anyone else in that situation. Everyone in that situation demonstrated initiative in the heat of the moment. [Color=red][I]Alisa arrived to support me when I wagered under Rain's scrutiny… Viktor stepped forward to take the blame and responsibility for firing the weapon that [b]I[/b] was meant to have positive control over… And [I]him[/I][/color] Talon eyes were affixed on the scientist and his notes now. [Color=red][I]He took the decision away from me. I wasn't focused. Because of… I want to blame that prick, but…[/I][/color] Talon wanted to punch something, his hand balled into tight fists. Maybe talking would take his mind off things. It wasn't his strong suit so perhaps it served as a good distraction.

[Color=red]“I think you will be able to finish your briefing once the terrorists are repelled.”[/color]


Professor Bingley scoffed slightly and finally looked up from his papers to stare at Talon. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and leaned on the table with his right hand. 
[color=seagreen]“There wasn’t a whole lot more to say. I could bore them with the negligible side effects. Those are barely worth mentioning, chances of that occurring are below 0.5 percent.”[/color]

He went to stand in front of the table, like he was giving another presentation and Talon was his audience. He was trying to convince him of his point of view. 

[color=seagreen]“Also the importance of stopping this gene greatly outweighs the side effects compared to the damage these powers can cause. This [i]cure[/i] is justified.”[/color]

Talon sincerely questioned if this was true and started asking the Professor pointed questions. His answers to those questions slowly revealed his plans. Piece by piece he was starting to understand what exactly Professor Bingley was trying to do. 

[color=seagreen]“You know what kid? The Atlanteans should be grateful I’m doing this.”[/color]

[color=red]“Grateful?”[/color] Talon’s criticism was displayed on his furrowed brows, and Dr. Bingley wasn’t a fan.

[color=seagreen]“Yes! Grateful.”[/color] Dr. Bingley scoffed once more. [color=seagreen]“I don't expect you to understand. Wasn't it [i]you[/i] who couldn't do what was necessary against that tentacled monster? You see, you and I are [b]not[/b] cut from the same cloth. I'm willing to eliminate the threat to the many... I don't care if that threat has a pulse, I'll end it.”[/color] There was brief silence between the two before Dr. Bingley continued.

[color=seagreen]“[b]By any means necessary.[/b]”[/color] His jaw was tight and his mouth was set in a firm line. He barely blinked, staring down at Talon who had no idea what to do. The mission was to protect Dr. Bingley and allow him to successfully liaise with the Atlanteans, but how could Talon follow that protocol knowing what the scientist’s true intentions were. His former self might have just shrugged and kept with the objective but that’s not what a hero would do. That’s not what Nightwing, his mentor, would do. He’d have to inform Kass and the rest of the team, but he needed more. He needed to get Dr. Bingley to really spill as much information as possible. Interrogation was within his skillset, and he knew exactly how to play someone like Dr. Bingley. The prideful were always looking to prove themselves.

[color=red]“So you’re aborting the children with unwanted genes? Couldn't the Atlanteans have figured that out themselves?”[/color] Dr. Bigley shook his head. He couldn’t believe how wrong Talon was.

[color=seagreen]“No! You think that I’m so lowly to settle on just [i]abortions[/i]?! Atlanteans would not agree to the execution of fetuses. I will make sure every single Atlantean child is allowed to be born… Some may not experience a proper life, but that’s better than them becoming sociopathic members of their society.”[/color]

[color=red]“Proper life. I don’t… understand.”[/color] Talon’s face was that of a curious skeptic. Dr. Bingley shook his head as he would have to simplify his explanation moreso.

[color=seagreen]“They’d all live but they would succumb to the side effects. They would be mentally inhibited BUT they would not be a threat to those around them. Drones are better than predators. Don’t you think?”[/color]

[color=red]“I-”[/color]

[color=seagreen]“It’s the best course of action... To rid this [i]world[/i] of the dangerous. They’ll have lower brain functionality, but be harmless. They won’t be scolded or locked away for being a danger to their society. In fact, they’ll be harmless.”[/color] Dr. Bingley wore a grand smile upon his face as if he was fulfilling a dream.