Rock Bottom

[Bastian]

Bastian nodded to acknowledge the praise. He was not a man of inflated pride, and would not preen or boast of his deeds, but he did require recognition for his efforts. Africa had served a purpose, being the most efficient way to prove his new loyalties, but it had also been sound tactics to send him. He had experience the other Dominions frankly lacked – including the hotheaded ex-marine, the only man with any military background at all, and a besmirched one at that.

His gaze moved seamlessly to the figure behind the glass when he was indicated, though only for a moment before his focus returned to Vellas. The information was absorbed silently, and if it unsettled him, nothing of it showed in his demeanour. The trust was also accepted – and well placed, so far as Bastian was concerned. He had already risen higher within the Custody than the Atharim had ever allowed him to in their own ranks, and he was pleased to know the circumstances of his place here was not to be shadowed by his past. Because this was information any man still loyal to an Atharim cause would kill for, and Vellas would not have risked telling him if any doubts remained.

“The Brotherhood would be devastated.” The sarcasm was perfectly arid and toneless, and he did not smile. Bastian did not believe their power made them gods, and he thought it a foolish thing to allow such worship to be encouraged in the populace. The information was more than dangerous. Even the possibility, let alone the application. In a world still shifting to new ideas of normality, for now peace required the Ascendancy to be infallible.

“I understand the need. You will not be disappointed in your trust in me,” he said, shifting his stance enough to look properly at the patient. Though the man could not be aware of his observation, he had not moved the entire time they had been standing here. Vacancy haunted his downcast gaze, cheeks hollow, as though they had pulled a vagrant from the Undercity. “There is no lore I am aware of that might aid any investigation. If this were a possibility known to the Atharim, clearly neither of us would be standing here.” It did not seem to be what Vellas had summoned him for, but Bastian offered it generously. His own gaze remained thoughtful as he considered. Little ruffled him. “He is well contained here. So what is your task for me?”