Page 95 of Dark Island: Rescue
"Better than he does in some regards." Dmitri's expression softened slightly. "Konstantin is brilliant but chaotic. He sees connections between concepts that others miss, makes intuitive leaps that turn out to be correct even when he can't explain why. I'm the one who translates those insights into practical applications. We complement each other."
Losham put down his notepad. "Is Doctor Petrov mentally stable?"
"No." The answer was immediate and unequivocal. "He's functional but unstable. The vodka helps, ironically, as it dulls the worst of his manic episodes. Without it, he'd be completely unmanageable."
"You claim to be able to work with him," Navuh said.
"I know how to manage his moods, redirect his focus when he spirals, and extract useful research from his ramblings. He's difficult, but he's also one of the most brilliant minds in the world today. He's well worth the trouble."
"Good." Navuh stood. "Let's go see your brilliant madman. He'll be overjoyed to see you."
As they drove through the compound, Dmitri looked out the window with interest, taking in the repair work still underway, the security systems, and the subtle displays of wealth and power.
"This is not what I expected from a secret research facility," he observed.
"What did you expect?"
"Something more utilitarian. Cold concrete and fluorescent lights. This is paradise."
Losham chuckled. "You have no idea. I'm sure Petrov will fill you in about the built-in perks of this island. He's already availed himself of several."
Navuh smiled while Dmitri looked confused.
He wouldn't be for long.
They found Petrov in the main lab, hunched over a computer screen, his ever-present vodka bottle within arm's reach. When the door opened and he saw who'd entered, his face transformed.
"Dmitri!" Petrov pulled him into a tight embrace as if he hadn't seen him less than an hour ago. They hugged and clapped each other on the back, both speaking in rapid Russian. "Did he like you?" Petrov asked.
Dmitri laughed. "Of course. I told him that you cannot manage without me."
Navuh kept his expression neutral, giving no indication that he understood every word. Beside him, Losham did the same. When people thought you didn't understand their language, they revealed things they'd otherwise keep hidden.
Petrov pulled back. "Come, come!" He switched to English as if remembering their audience. "While you were meeting with Lord Navuh, I organized the data about the neural integration protocols and the consciousness merging."
He practically dragged Dmitri to the computer station, pulling up screens of data and research notes.
Dmitri settled into the chair, his demeanor shifting to full focus. The change was remarkable. Gone was the affable young man from the interview. This was a scientist in his element, eyes scanning data with incredible speed, fingers flying across the keyboard to pull up additional screens.
"The enhancement serum formula," Dmitri murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "Modified neurotransmitter inhibitors... consciousness field amplification... wait, you used what as a binding agent?"
"Synthesized pineal extract!" Petrov was practically vibrating with excitement. "It creates quantum entanglement at the neurological level!"
"That shouldn't be possible." Dmitri was already pulling up more data. "The molecular structure would be too unstable—oh. Oh, you clever bastard. You stabilized it with..." He trailed off, completely absorbed.
Navuh watched the display with growing certainty. This young man understood Petrov's research instantly—not just understood it, but grasped implications and connections faster than Petrov could explain them. The assistant was the real brain behind their partnership.
For a while, Dmitri did nothing but read, occasionally making small sounds of surprise or approval. Petrov hovered beside him, drinking vodka and offering excited commentary that Dmitri mostly ignored.
Finally, Dmitri leaned back, his expression troubled.
"You've created something extraordinary," he said slowly. "And potentially catastrophic."
"Explain," Navuh commanded.
Dmitri turned to face him. "The enhanced ones' consciousness merging isn't just about shared thoughts or hive mind coordination. It's much deeper. It's a new form of consciousness that exists in the collective rather than the individual."
"We knew that already," Losham said.
