01-09-2021, 02:40 AM
“Ascendancy, sir, with all due respect, that’s what you’re wearing?” al’Shaidis said. The unofficial leader of the Nine Rods of Dominion was flown into Moscow hours previously, pulled from another assignment to coordinate the ground level response of the other Dominions. Nikolai was confident one would be unnecessary, but he did not ascend so far in life on assumptions. His backup plans had backup plans. When those failed, another contingency was activated. So on and so forth.
He had just finished confirming their primary strategy when Karim al’Shaidis commented on Nikolai’s attire.
He glanced at himself. Everything seemed in order. His suit was without blemish and fit his lean frame well. Despite propaganda portraits, Nikolai was not particularly muscular beneath his clothes, but he was lean from busyness, the daily swim, and the exertion of wielding his immense powers.
Despite that, today he was well-rested, eager even, given the extra bounce in his step. In all regards, he was fine.
“What do you mean?” He asked, holding back a retort that might have sprung upon Karim for the questioning.
With that, Karim tapped his own chest, right over the heart, “Perhaps something more tactical, sir.”
Nikolai laughed, but shook off Karim’s worry with a good-natured shake of the head. Of all his attire, the only thing altered from his everyday appearance was his shoes. Rather than sleek loafers, he wore the modern equivalent of steel-toe boots. They were laced snug around his ankles, and while light as a feather were tough as steel and waterproof. Nox had mentioned something about tunnels, and for some reason, tunnels were always wet.
“I’ll be fine. You keep your men ready. You don’t know what we’re up against. I don’t really know what we’re up against either, but at least I have the imagination to conjure up the possibilities.” He briefly brushed the side of his arm where old scars remained, then departed to meet Marcus.
They were late to arrive, but not long. Of course the Ascendancy had to be whisked out of the Kremlin without drawing attention, but such antics were old hat by now. They arrived without much fanfare. For his part, the party was to be kept small and made up of only channelers he trusted. If Vellas wasn’t on an urgent state mission, he would have been present. The man certainly had a way with killing.
There were many others stationed at key strategic places, but from the perspective of the present party, were completely unseen.
He and Marcus joined Nox, Jay and Allan, but it was the darkness beyond the men that called to Nikolai. The entrance sang in a way that made him feel like he was on the verge of going home.
He nodded and greeted the men with a shake of the hand, hovering and speaking a few words with each before proceeding to the next. With Nox, he was formal and inquisitive about his overall readiness. Nox was assigned with leadership, which suited Nikolai fine for now.
With Jay, he searched the man’s expression for signs of life, and wondered if Adrian had revived him yet. It did not seem to have been done, but that probably made Jay all the better soldier in return.
With Allan, he judged the emotion waiting beneath the surface: fear, excitement, or that perfect blend of both.
“Gentleman, before we proceed, I want to say that it is perfectly natural to be nervous. Courage is fear that has said its prayers, after all. Our objective is to eliminate if possible, contain at least, the threat ahead. These creatures cannot be allowed to unleash upon civilians. It will be catastrophic if it does. No matter the cost, remember our objective.”
He had just finished confirming their primary strategy when Karim al’Shaidis commented on Nikolai’s attire.
He glanced at himself. Everything seemed in order. His suit was without blemish and fit his lean frame well. Despite propaganda portraits, Nikolai was not particularly muscular beneath his clothes, but he was lean from busyness, the daily swim, and the exertion of wielding his immense powers.
Despite that, today he was well-rested, eager even, given the extra bounce in his step. In all regards, he was fine.
“What do you mean?” He asked, holding back a retort that might have sprung upon Karim for the questioning.
With that, Karim tapped his own chest, right over the heart, “Perhaps something more tactical, sir.”
Nikolai laughed, but shook off Karim’s worry with a good-natured shake of the head. Of all his attire, the only thing altered from his everyday appearance was his shoes. Rather than sleek loafers, he wore the modern equivalent of steel-toe boots. They were laced snug around his ankles, and while light as a feather were tough as steel and waterproof. Nox had mentioned something about tunnels, and for some reason, tunnels were always wet.
“I’ll be fine. You keep your men ready. You don’t know what we’re up against. I don’t really know what we’re up against either, but at least I have the imagination to conjure up the possibilities.” He briefly brushed the side of his arm where old scars remained, then departed to meet Marcus.
They were late to arrive, but not long. Of course the Ascendancy had to be whisked out of the Kremlin without drawing attention, but such antics were old hat by now. They arrived without much fanfare. For his part, the party was to be kept small and made up of only channelers he trusted. If Vellas wasn’t on an urgent state mission, he would have been present. The man certainly had a way with killing.
There were many others stationed at key strategic places, but from the perspective of the present party, were completely unseen.
He and Marcus joined Nox, Jay and Allan, but it was the darkness beyond the men that called to Nikolai. The entrance sang in a way that made him feel like he was on the verge of going home.
He nodded and greeted the men with a shake of the hand, hovering and speaking a few words with each before proceeding to the next. With Nox, he was formal and inquisitive about his overall readiness. Nox was assigned with leadership, which suited Nikolai fine for now.
With Jay, he searched the man’s expression for signs of life, and wondered if Adrian had revived him yet. It did not seem to have been done, but that probably made Jay all the better soldier in return.
With Allan, he judged the emotion waiting beneath the surface: fear, excitement, or that perfect blend of both.
“Gentleman, before we proceed, I want to say that it is perfectly natural to be nervous. Courage is fear that has said its prayers, after all. Our objective is to eliminate if possible, contain at least, the threat ahead. These creatures cannot be allowed to unleash upon civilians. It will be catastrophic if it does. No matter the cost, remember our objective.”