The man immediately raised both hands in apology. "Alright, alright. My mistake. I shouldn't have phrased it that way."
But then he looked at West again with something close to admiration. "Still… the fact that you haven't killed me after I nearly lost my life by your hand twice in under ten minutes says a lot about you."
West gave him a flat look while the man pushed on. "Most awakened, especially in a place like Equivon, would've turned me into meat paste before asking any questions. The fact that you didn't…" He shook his head lightly. "That makes you remarkable."
West did not smile. "Or practical."
"Perhaps both," the man replied.
Debra watched the exchange silently with a tensed look but she did not interrupt.
The man took a breath and then said, "My name is Dr. Amos Halbrecht."
West leaned back slightly against the wall. "You started the research."
Amos nodded. "I did."
"Why?"
There was no accusation in the question and that somehow made things calmer.
