"Mmmn," Even said, agreeing with Nel, but looking at Szayel. "Generally speaking, the scalpel doesn't grow up with a mind to stab the surgeon."

He didn't blame Kadaj. He didn't really blame any unwilling or unknowing participant in an experiment for wanting to rise up and fight back against the creator once it developed a mind of its own. It was almost inevitable that they would stray from the plan and, given enough power, when they stopped wanting to play the role given to them they had little compassion to spare for those who made them to be used.

Szayel, Even decided, was either an immature aspirer to science or had never headed up his own, serious project before. He wasn't stupid, nor could he be as stubborn and ignorant of people as Hojo was, yet he persisted in trying to make himself look wise on matters he couldn't possibly have any experience in if he held to those rigid opinions.

It was interesting. He took himself very seriously, but Even couldn't shake the idea that all he had done thus far was ride coattails and take credit for, quite probably, joint ventures so far.