Chapter 31: Calculated Risk
by xennovel“This meeting wasn’t called for you to discuss academic research!”
Seeing the entire office fall into contemplation over a single estimated value, the projected image of a man around fifty sitting at the far left of the conference table tapped it sternly. His expression was grave as he reminded them, “What we need to discuss now is whether recruiting and utilizing an altered individual with such a high risk factor for losing control actually complies with regulations!”
“What’s non-compliant about it?”
Chen Jing frowned, addressing the man, “He performed very well today!”
“But everyone saw his mental state isn’t normal…”
The man coldly retorted, “His handling of Pollution Source 041 already revealed his maniacal side. And during your conversation just now, he clearly showed severe schizophrenia. Have you considered the potential harm such a person with extremely high psychic power could inflict on Second Satellite City or even the Main City if he loses control?”
Chen Jing, seemingly accustomed to such arguments, cut straight to the point, “So what do you propose?”
The man paused for a moment before saying, “When the Mental Alteration research project was initially established, it was clearly stipulated: individuals with a loss-of-control risk factor reaching 80% absolutely cannot be recruited or guided. If it reaches 90% preparations must be made for cleanup at any time…”
“He might not meet the criteria for cleanup yet but he clearly possesses an extremely high risk factor for losing control!”
“For someone like him I hope he can remain under constant monitoring and control.”
“In other words I’d rather keep paying to support him than have him exposed to similar mental pollution incidents too often!”
…
“I object!”
Chen Jing stated, “We can only confirm his psychic power is high right now we can’t determine his loss-of-control risk based solely on that!”
A hint of anger crept into the man’s voice, “He’s a schizophrenic patient!”
Hearing this Chen Jing suddenly had a strange feeling.
She inexplicably recalled Lu Xin’s words from earlier and subconsciously added, “Or maybe the problem isn’t that he can see his family…”
“But that we can’t?”
…
Her words instantly silenced the meeting room.
The man frowned deeply, snapping, “Have you gone mad too?”
Another staff member wearing glasses also spoke softly, “It’s the same principle as the Mental Monster. The weather was clear that day and the Red Moon’s light was ample. Many people saw the faint shape of the Mental Monster but no one saw his supposed… family. This suggests the ‘sister’ he mentioned is indeed a hallucination and not… something we can’t see!”
Chen Jing shook her head deciding not to elaborate further. Her own words did sound rather absurd to others.
So she smiled mustering her spirits and looked at the middle-aged man. “If you think the threat he poses upon losing control is too great and thus refuse to guide him even placing him under complete surveillance or expelling him… have you considered what happens if he loses control precisely *because* he lacked guidance or was provoked by surveillance or expulsion? Who bears that risk?”
The middle-aged man fell silent.
To him Chen Jing was just being contrary although her point was admittedly difficult to refute.
“Hehe let’s not argue discussing these things is pointless!”
Seeing the tense atmosphere right from the start of the meeting an old man seated in the middle with a chubby face and a constant smile like an official smoothly played the role of peacemaker. “Everyone’s working for the good of Qinggang City for the reconstruction of civilization and order. Colonel Chen focuses more on resolving the increasing number of mental pollution incidents in the city while Minister Shen is concerned with avoiding the troubles caused by potential loss-of-control risks. Since our goals are aligned there must be a good solution!”
Chen Jing slowly exhaled. “My stance remains the same. I firmly believe potential threats cannot be equated with actual loss-of-control risks. Numerous cases have already proven that Mentally Altered Persons handle pollution incidents far more precisely than ordinary people and with minimal sacrifices. As for your concerns about the dangers posed by the Mentally Altered Persons themselves losing control…”
“That’s precisely what Professor Bai proposed earlier: guiding and nurturing these Mentally Altered Persons to prevent them from losing control…”
“Guiding and nurturing is done when the loss-of-control risk is below a certain threshold!”
Unable to refute directly Minister Shen sneered, “And you want to guide a schizophrenic?”
Chen Jing shot back, “The schizophrenic you’re talking about just helped Qinggang avoid a disaster!”
“And without any casualties among the investigation personnel!”
…
The middle-aged man looked visibly annoyed. “There’s no need for this nonsense. My opinion stands. Based on the original standards of the Qinggang City Mental Alteration research project this person’s loss-of-control factor has clearly reached 80% or even higher. I believe such an individual shouldn’t be recruited let alone guided. Colonel Chen if you insist on recruiting him then you can sign a document afterward. If this person truly loses control in the future you will bear all the risks!”
Angered Chen Jing slammed her hand on the table.
Just as the argument was about to escalate again Corporal Han Bing who had been silent suddenly spoke up:
“Wait there’s an incoming signal from Professor Bai!”
Hearing the name “Professor Bai” everyone tensed slightly subconsciously straightening their postures.
Soon the projection devices on the four walls activated. Beside the conference table light and shadow intertwined sketching out the figure of an old man with silver hair dressed in a white suit leaning on a cane. Once his image fully formed he nodded to the people around the table. “I know what you’re discussing. I’ve reviewed the young man’s file as well!”
Chen Jing quickly stood up. “Professor Bai!”
The old man in the white suit nodded to her. “Chen the Minister’s worry is correct. This young man’s loss-of-control risk is not low!”
“Similarly his psychic power might be even higher than you imagine.”
…
“What?”
Chen Jing’s expression instantly became complicated.
“In my view an 80% loss-of-control risk might even be an underestimation!”
Professor Bai sighed softly then turned to someone beside him off-screen. “Scan that file for them!”
The projection equipment started working again quickly displaying the image of a paper file in front of everyone including Chen Jing. Although it was just a holographic image the contents were clearly visible.
“Red Moon Orphanage Explosion Incident?”
Seeing the title on the file everyone’s expression turned grave.
“This report dates back to when this young man was at the Red Moon Orphanage!”
Professor Bai tapped his cane. “Ten years ago there was a suspected explosion incident in the Second Satellite City. The entire orphanage was destroyed only two people survived. One was him the other is the current principal of Red Moon Elementary School Zeng Xiaolu. Of course their orphanage wasn’t operating legally… And looking back that explosion incident has many questionable points…”
“At that time our department hadn’t been formally established. We lacked personnel and the capacity for thorough analysis and observation so the case was hastily closed handled by the Second City Police Department as an explosion incident. But reviewing the old files now reveals many inconsistencies.”
“No residue of gunpowder or other explosives was found at the scene yet all the buildings were destroyed extremely thoroughly…”
…
Listening to this Chen Jing’s face gradually grew serious. “Are you suggesting…”
Professor Bai nodded. “Based on my analysis this was very likely a terrifying incident of telekinetic loss of control…”
“Telekinetic loss of control…”
Chen Jing was slightly stunned. “A telekinetic loss of control incident capable of instantly destroying a three-story building…”
A heavy silence or perhaps astonishment fell over all the projected figures in the office.
If having an initial psychic power level of three hundred units without any guidance was merely surprising then the possibility that he could have caused a telekinetic loss of control event capable of destroying a three-story building ten years ago…
Just how high would his psychic power have to be?
It was a figure one dared not dwell on. The difference was like that between a bullet and a bomb!