Read Decay for Free Online Page B

best friend.
    â€œThoughts?” Alan pressed.
    â€œWorking on it,” Orlando mumbled. What did he think about it? Too many factors for him to weight in. “I guess you need to do what you need to do. If going out to do more field work is what's necessary, then we'll do it. You know JD is going to leap at the chance. If we need to put finding the Doctor and the rest of his minions on hold for another day, then I guess we gotta do that too. Prioritize our goals so to speak, even if we have to stoop down to their level.”
    Alan nodded and scratched his chin thoughtfully. “You're right, though I'm not sure what you mean by 'stoop down to their level'.”
    Orlando tapped his lips with his fingers as he tried to figure out how to reword things. For the most part, Alan was getting better about understanding American lingo. There were still times, however when he didn't quite catch on, and Orlando felt like he was explaining things to a two-year-old.
    â€œSink to their level. Basically, it means to do the same things another person would do, even if they might be ethically wrong.” Orlando explained.
    â€œWhat are you thinking exactly?”
    â€œI'm thinking we need every kind of leverage we can get at the moment. There are a lot of unanswered questions. We should go on the field mission, but we also need to work on using our resources better. Since we know the identities of some key players, maybe we should do something more aggressive. Can't say I'm tickled about the idea,” he admitted. “At the same time, I'm not sure there's any other way to get what you're seeking. If you need to kidnap them and do whatever is necessary to end this, then do it. They'll understand, because they would do things the same way. That's more what my point was.”
    Brow furrowed, Alan began to pace the bathroom. Clearly, he did not like what he was hearing. But that was something Orlando admired about Alan. The guy wanted to do things the right way, to keep things as normal as possible while still being productive. He cared about how others were treated.
    After a long silence, the alien spoke. “They would understand. This is war. They've done worse things.”
    â€œYes,” Orlando agreed.
    â€œDo you think Bean and Sprout would talk if such an opportunity arose?”
    â€œI don't know. She'll be easier to break than him, though, if that's any help. Peyton, I mean, Bean, is gentle, but he's tough and loyal. Sprout is tough and dangerous, but if you push the right buttons, she crumbles easily.” Orlando rubbed at his arms, feeling dirty all of a sudden. He was betraying his ex-girlfriend, exploiting her weaknesses. It didn't sit well inside of him. But it's necessary. This all needs to end.
    â€œBut will they talk?” Alan pressed.
    Orlando nodded. “They'll talk, and I think they'll have a lot to talk about. I overheard them talking about betraying their alliance with the green tribe. Might be a good thing to get in the know, right?”
    â€œPreferably before the betrayal takes place.”
    â€œYeah, probably.”
    Alan cracked a tiny smile. “The field mission will help. I won't say too much, but soon we'll be able to rehabilitate the charges trained by the other tribes with ease and little to no discomfort. My people are working on this new technology as we speak.”
    â€œYeah?” Orlando's eyes grew wide with hope. If Tait could be rehabilitated and returned to normal, then there might be a chance for them after all.
    The alien nodded. “Yes, the other tribes would still know their identities if that were to happen. There is the possibility of them trying to be recruited once more. We'd be able to protect them better, though. We could prevent it from happening. Plus, with the process of taking away the memory of how to use their powers, it could be dangerous to tap them again. As you know, not everyone is ready to receive their abilities to begin with.