Chapter 65: Even With NZT, You're Still a Frog in a Well (5000 words) (Page 1/2)
Facing Eddie's inquiry, David's answer was quite direct.
"I want you to work for me, and I want you to give me half of the NZT-48. I will find someone to improve this drug.
You should be very clear by now that this is the correct choice.
And you yourself should use your talent for the right purpose, embark on the path of running for office.
Use your talent to change this broken world."
Eddie shook his head:
"No, my mind has never been clearer than it is now about what I need.
What I need is money and freedom, not to run for Congress."
David smiled slightly:
"Is that so? Do you remember the first thing I told you? Right now, you don't know what you really want.
Believe me, even without my intervention, you would eventually walk the path of running for office.
Because without the protection of power, no matter how much money you have, you cannot buy freedom.
Besides, have you thought about what is behind NZT-48?
Right now, you are like a lab rat within their observation range.
But what if one day this lab rat wants to escape the lab? What will happen?
I think you are a smart person and should understand how people treat lab rats that try to escape.
This is the second thing I want to tell you: you will never be safe without changing this world."
Sitting across the table at Starbucks, Eddie stared intently at David's facial expression, trying to find signs of deception.
But in the end, he failed.
He could not see any sign of David lying, and Eddie, who thought he had the whole world figured out after taking NZT-48, inexplicably felt a sense of frustration.
Someone as enhanced as him was being led around by a seemingly ordinary person.
The control of the conversation was completely in David's hands.
He had been passively moving along the path planned by David.
It felt as if it wasn't him whose brain had been developed, but David.
Realizing this, Eddie tried to take back the initiative in the conversation.
"Since you need me to participate in the election to help you change this world.
But why should I believe that you, a doctor, can change this world?
Although you have the money to hire two bodyguards, as you said, in this world, having money does not guarantee safety.
For example, right now, I have ten ways to make you disappear.
So, are you, who seems so vulnerable, trying to fool me into working for you based on some NZT information you got from who knows where? That's too simplistic."
David smiled and shook his head, then dipped his finger in the foam on the coffee and drew a circle on the table.
"It seems I overestimated the effect of NZT-48.
It can indeed develop the brain, but it cannot expand people's cognition.
What you see is just this circle, but outside this circle, there is something much broader.
You are right in thinking I am a doctor, I am indeed a doctor, just an intern.
But this is just what I let you see. Remember the first sentence? You cannot be omniscient and omnipotent.
So, if you want to see the world outside the circle, come with me."
After speaking, David stood up and walked over to Michael, indicating it was discretionary time.
Understanding, Michael took his colleague Sonia and disappeared from David's sight.
Then David got into the Uber that had been booked earlier. After silently counting to five in his heart, Eddie also opened the back door and got into the car.
The corner of David's mouth curled up slightly. Eddie's brain was indeed 99% developed, but it couldn't compare to David's 100% developed brain obtained through the Machine's foresight.
One step ahead, every step ahead.
What Eddie couldn't do—be omniscient and omnipotent—David could!
Soon, the car stopped a block away, and David took Eddie on foot to the entrance of the abandoned library.
Eddie scanned the surroundings and understood, because he found the well-camouflaged network cable by comparison.
He immediately realized this was a perfect location for a secret base.
Secret base? Dual identity? He felt he was starting to understand David.
But was this what David wanted to show him? It seemed not quite enough.
Upon pushing the door open, the dilapidated scene inside made Eddie frown involuntarily.
If this was David's secret base, it was too run-down.
Then Eddie looked up at the second floor, because just now he had seen dust falling from the ceiling on the first floor.
This proved that someone was up there.
As expected, a few seconds later, two heads appeared at the railing of the second-floor walkway.
One had a determined face and clearly had military experience.
The other looked like an IT nerd, which was evident from the thickness of his glasses and his pale complexion from lack of sunlight.
A strange combination.
Eddie made a judgment in his mind.
A doctor, a retired operative, an IT specialist.
Eddie truly didn't know what this group was doing in this secret library.
He understood that he was missing some key information, some information that could connect the three of them.
He looked at David, trying to get an explanation from him.
David just smiled and walked towards the stairs first, motioning for him to follow.
After reaching the second floor, Eddie obtained more information from the environment.
The rows of bookshelves that should have been there had long disappeared, replaced by a spacious workspace that had been renovated.
The multiple monitors and keyboards on the desk proved that his guess about Finch's identity was correct.
At the same time, the scattered fake IDs on the desk also attracted his attention. After seeing the 'Irrelevant Numbers' wall filled with Social Security numbers and sticky notes with photos.
Eddie's pupils suddenly contracted.
This was all citizens' private information!
Were these people selling citizens' private information? So they needed him to run for office to act as their political cover?
Just as he was thinking this, Finch, who had already known of Eddie's presence, spoke first:
"Is he the Eddie you mentioned? It seems he hasn't undergone any miraculous transformation into a genius writer."
David smiled mysteriously:
"That's not necessarily true. Has the Machine flagged any new numbers lately?
Give him the relevant information, and he will give you a surprise."
Finch handed a Social Security number to Eddie, half-believing, half-doubting. It belonged to a retired veteran named Joey.
According to Reese's preliminary investigation, this guy was outwardly a hotel security guard, honest, and had a girlfriend he hadn't married yet.
But Joey had also taken in a young woman as his ward.
Finch hadn't had time to investigate the identity of this woman.
However, what was puzzling was that this supposedly stable man had repeatedly participated in bank robberies led by a veteran who had returned from the Gulf War, for some unknown reason.
So Finch was preparing to have Reese go undercover to figure out what was going on.
Now, upon hearing David's request, he shared the known information with Eddie without reservation.
Upon receiving this information, Eddie immediately realized that this group was not engaged in illegal data trafficking but was acting as vigilantes!
Eddie temporarily suppressed the questions in his mind. He began to recall interviews he had seen with veterans returning from deployment and official VA policies concerning veterans.
He reached a conclusion almost instantly:
"It's clear he's short on money, desperately short on money.
Because he has to support not only himself but also the family of a fallen comrade.
That woman is most likely the widow of his deceased buddy.
If they only relied on that meager VA pension, she would probably live a very difficult life.
This is the real reason that prompted Joey to join the robberies.
However, based on past patterns, these retired veterans eventually get killed.
Either because of disputes over the split, or because they learned something and had to be silenced.
So, does the Machine David mentioned have the ability to predict criminal events?"
Finch was somewhat surprised. He didn't answer but quickly typed on the keyboard.
With a direction now, information about Joey's ward quickly appeared before Finch.
This woman was indeed the widow of Joey's fallen comrade!
And at the same time, Finch intercepted a new call that had just been made to the Gulf War veteran leader.
The guy on the other end of the phone offered $400,000 for him to steal an item labeled 'Elias' from the police station's evidence room.
He also demanded that Joey and his crew be killed to eliminate witnesses.
The trajectory of this event was exactly the same as what Eddie had predicted!
Finch was now no less shocked than when he learned that David could access the Machine's vision.
According to the information he had obtained earlier, this Eddie did not possess such outstanding analytical abilities.
In fact, it could even be said that the current Eddie and the former Eddie were completely different people!
And the current Eddie was clearly far more capable!
Finch immediately realized that this was the transformation David spoke of; this Eddie had indeed become different.
Finch first suppressed the shock in his heart, arranged for Reese to save Joey, and then looked at David and said:
"It's absolutely impossible for a person to have such a dramatic change in such a short period. What exactly happened to him?!"
"A drug, an experimental drug called NZT-48, which has powerful side effects and can develop the brain.
The pharmaceutical company behind the High Table intentionally released this miraculous drug onto the black market, selling each pill for 800 US dollars.
Its effects vary from person to person, and the guy behind us is the first ordinary person who can develop his brain to 99% capacity using NZT-48."
Experimental drugs?
Developing the brain? 99%?
The High Table again?
Finch keenly captured the keywords.
After seeing Eddie's performance, he naturally understood how miraculous this drug was.
It could almost turn a washout into a being with extraordinary intelligence.
With this intelligence, Eddie reaching the top was almost inevitable, not to mention running for Congress.
Only now did Finch truly understand the meaning of David's words back then.
It's true that Eddie was a failure, but with NZT-48, Eddie transformed into the most brilliant rising star in this world.
If it weren't for the side effects of NZT-48, Finch could hardly imagine Eddie's future achievements.
But Eddie, who was like a brilliant rising star in Finch's eyes, was also filled with shock at this moment.
Just as David said when they met, he couldn't be omniscient and omnipotent.
So when David mentioned experimental drugs, powerful side effects, 99% brain development, and the High Table.
Eddie also had to admit that he was indeed just a frog in a well.
Because all the information revealed in David's words was information he had never encountered.
David also said he didn't understand NZT-48?
His performance clearly seemed more like someone who had taken NZT-48 than Eddie!
Now, he was even more eager than Finch to know what the High Table actually was!
But before he could speak, David spoke first, as if he had seen through everything about him:
"Don't rush, you have two paths to choose from in your life.
One is to climb to the peak of your life using this bag of NZT-48, which will eventually run out, and achieve so-called money and freedom, just as you planned.
Of course, this will definitely attract the attention of many dangerous people during this period.
It might even make the people who developed NZT-48 notice your existence, thus realizing that someone can use it to develop the brain to a level of 99%.
The second path is a bit more thrilling and exciting. I'm not afraid to tell you, although we are few in number, our goal is very ambitious.
Our goal is salvation, to make everything that can threaten human survival disappear before it manifests.
Just as you saw, Reese was trying to stop a crime.
And the High Table hidden in the shadows of society is our target to dismantle at this stage.
So which path do you choose?"
While David was narrating, Eddie had already analyzed the pros and cons in his mind.
Speaking of which, he had two choices, but in reality, there was only one choice.
That is to join David's organization and help dismantle the High Table.
Because since NZT-48 is connected to the High Table, a unique case like him will inevitably be captured and taken to a laboratory for study.
Only when the High Table collapses can he possibly achieve his freedom.
Or... he has a third path, abandon taking NZT-48 and return to a normal life.
Then his life wouldn't have to be involved in this dangerous situation.
Unfortunately, David didn't mention this third path, not because David didn't think of it.
But because David was certain that after taking NZT-48, he could no longer escape this addiction that allowed him to control everything.
After all, besides the sense of frustration he felt from David, what Eddie found in others was an overwhelming sense of superiority!
This intoxicating feeling was irresistible.
Giving up was absolutely impossible!
"Okay, I agree, I will run for office, but I need startup funds and protection!"
David was not surprised by this result; he just extended his hand as if waiting for something.
A look of reluctance flashed across Eddie's face, and he took out the NZT-48, which was in a ziplock bag, from his inner jacket pocket.
Then he poured out half of it, about 200 pills, to David.
After getting the NZT-48, David just casually found a plastic pill bottle and put them in.
This stuff isn't photosensitive anyway, so a special amber bottle isn't necessary.
After doing all this, David finally looked at their financier, Finch.
"Finch, you heard it too, he needs startup funds for the campaign, about the money..."
Finch smartly said:
"I'll handle it."
David nodded in satisfaction:
"Also, I need to recruit someone to improve this NZT-48, so about the money..."
"I'll handle it."
"Very good."
David divided out three NZT-48 pills and handed them to Finch:
"This medicine is for you, Reese, and McCall to use in emergencies. Remember, this medicine has a 30-second activation time.
If the situation is critical, don't hesitate to take it, and you will discover a new world."
Facing the highly addictive NZT-48, there was a look of hesitation in Finch's eyes.
But soon he still took them.
They're for emergencies, who knows if there will be a chance to use them.
In the end, this stuff is like installing a miniature 'Machine' in the brain, so Finch understood very well how much effect this could produce at critical moments.
After Finch put away the NZT-48, David asked Finch for Walter White's address again, then turned to Eddie and said:
"Come with me now."
Eddie nodded. Now that he had joined this organization, he naturally followed David's lead.
What's more, he could tell that David had something to say to him.
After leaving the secret base, David narrowed his eyes and said something that Eddie didn't expect.
"I need you to help me plan a perfect crime."
Eddie found that he was increasingly unable to figure out David's thoughts.
Just a second ago, he claimed to be leading a salvation organization, so why did he start talking about assassination the next second?
However, the now-wiser Eddie didn't ask questions; he knew David had more to say.
"...Every member who joins this alliance will play a crucial role in the future world.
But if they die young, their future value will naturally be greatly reduced.
And those who threaten them are hidden among us, just not showing it yet.
But they are all quite principled people, so they disdain to use underhanded methods, and are even unwilling to eliminate threats preemptively when others haven't yet acted against them.
Therefore, you should understand that every organization must have someone who will do the things others are unwilling to do.
You will understand this even more after the election.
So I need someone who can help me nip danger in the bud. You can also regard this as a test for you."
Speaking of this, David handed Eddie a piece of intelligence with a photo attached.
"Pete, on the surface, he's a neurologist, but behind the scenes, he's the exclusive physician of the Continental Hotel.
As for the reason for eliminating him, I don't think I need to explain, right?"
Eddie took the intelligence and nodded, quickly recalling movies and books about perfect crimes, staged accidents, etc., that he had seen before.
David was very satisfied with Eddie's response. Talking to smart people is simple.
Because the stakes were already clearly distinguished in their minds.
"Oh, right, if you need bodyguards, you've seen the two people who protected me, right?
I need you to hire them, and then I will arrange for amateur assassins to attempt an assassination while you are campaigning.
I believe that with NZT-48, you will definitely successfully avoid that assassination, but merely avoiding it is not enough.
I want you to be grazed by a bullet, so that the headline of the next day's newspaper becomes the image of Eddie bravely surviving an assassination attempt.
At the same time, I want you to use security negligence as a reason to pressure the security company to dismiss those two bodyguards, understand?
I need them both to be unemployed, and then we will give them a job, a more private job."
Eddie nodded again, just as David felt it was easy to talk to smart people.
For Eddie, every word David said had a plan for the future.
He didn't even need to use his brain, which was developed up to 99%, to think about why; he just needed to agree and execute.
At this moment, a thought suddenly popped into Eddie's mind. Was this probably the so-called intellectual dominance?
"Let's go, let's go meet Walter White."
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