05-31-2018, 06:48 PM
Marcus breathed deeply, letting the cool evening air fill his lungs. The sky was mostly clear. That didn't mean he could see many stars. Moscow was the most brightly lit city on the planet. Images from space only made that clear, its light outshining London, New York and Beijing by orders of magnitude. It was only fitting. Moscow, the seat of the CCD, the largest empire to ever exist. More than that, the seat of a new order of Ascendants.
Marcus liked the name, though he never used it in reference to himself. There were Ascendants, men and women with the power to use the Force. And then there were those already in power with that ability.
And then there was him. Marcus DuBois and The Ascendancy himself. Apprentice and Master. No one knew his long game. Vellas was a problem, of course, but they maintained an uneasy truce. Both men- channelers was the term now- had been placed in authority. Two sides of the same coin. Likely, Ascendancy hoped their rivalry would keep them busy- an illusion he would be sure to maintain. But if Vellas appeared to have the 'upper' hand because of his command of the military wing, it was only an illusion.
The military mastermind Gaius Marius had said it best. "Politics is war! Anyone who thinks that politicking is easier and cleaner than battle deserves all that comes to him." They had years ahead of them. And Marcus was continually assembling his pieces and threads.
Like tonight. Dr. Zayed was certainly an attractive woman. In truth, far more than attractive. Indeed, there was an innocence to her- in her smile and eyes- that held far more allure than it should have. A stark contrast to the carefully studied reserve of Natalie Grey, her beauty not withstanding. He was unsure of the reason for the pull, though it did not overly concern him. Indeed, he was amused to no end at how that bothered Malik.
In any case, Marcus could be seen as normal in seeking an alliance- with perhaps the hope of more- with such a woman as her. And indeed he might. But she also was an avenue into something else, knowledge about the power. He hoped Natalie Grey shared the results of her studies. At the same time, in the end, it did not matter. The app he had given her access to was his. Any work she did on it would be available to him, even if she never disclosed it.
Danika was another window, perhaps into something more fundamental about the Force. Knowledge was power. And despite his immense ability and power, Marcus suspected that Ascendancy had been far too busy consolidating his empire to give their power the study it deserved.
Knowledge. Power. It was all one. And tonight, he would have other opportunities. The richest of the rich milled about, no doubt congratulating themselves at what their money and influence gave them access to. Many potential targets and allies. He would have to keep his eyes open.
The sound of the limousine pulled him out if his musings. He smiled, hands clasped behind his back, black wool coat open in the front, to reveal a tailored tuxedo. No outlandish materials or colors tonight, despite his fondness for dark purple. Black tie.
The valet immediately opened the door and a leg peeked out.
Despite himself, Marcus felt his mouth go dry. Malik seemed to flee. All thoughts of power and knowledge and strings and connections dissipated like smoke.
Danika Zayed stepped out and for a moment, all Marcus could do was stare.
Marcus liked the name, though he never used it in reference to himself. There were Ascendants, men and women with the power to use the Force. And then there were those already in power with that ability.
And then there was him. Marcus DuBois and The Ascendancy himself. Apprentice and Master. No one knew his long game. Vellas was a problem, of course, but they maintained an uneasy truce. Both men- channelers was the term now- had been placed in authority. Two sides of the same coin. Likely, Ascendancy hoped their rivalry would keep them busy- an illusion he would be sure to maintain. But if Vellas appeared to have the 'upper' hand because of his command of the military wing, it was only an illusion.
The military mastermind Gaius Marius had said it best. "Politics is war! Anyone who thinks that politicking is easier and cleaner than battle deserves all that comes to him." They had years ahead of them. And Marcus was continually assembling his pieces and threads.
Like tonight. Dr. Zayed was certainly an attractive woman. In truth, far more than attractive. Indeed, there was an innocence to her- in her smile and eyes- that held far more allure than it should have. A stark contrast to the carefully studied reserve of Natalie Grey, her beauty not withstanding. He was unsure of the reason for the pull, though it did not overly concern him. Indeed, he was amused to no end at how that bothered Malik.
In any case, Marcus could be seen as normal in seeking an alliance- with perhaps the hope of more- with such a woman as her. And indeed he might. But she also was an avenue into something else, knowledge about the power. He hoped Natalie Grey shared the results of her studies. At the same time, in the end, it did not matter. The app he had given her access to was his. Any work she did on it would be available to him, even if she never disclosed it.
Danika was another window, perhaps into something more fundamental about the Force. Knowledge was power. And despite his immense ability and power, Marcus suspected that Ascendancy had been far too busy consolidating his empire to give their power the study it deserved.
Knowledge. Power. It was all one. And tonight, he would have other opportunities. The richest of the rich milled about, no doubt congratulating themselves at what their money and influence gave them access to. Many potential targets and allies. He would have to keep his eyes open.
The sound of the limousine pulled him out if his musings. He smiled, hands clasped behind his back, black wool coat open in the front, to reveal a tailored tuxedo. No outlandish materials or colors tonight, despite his fondness for dark purple. Black tie.
The valet immediately opened the door and a leg peeked out.
Despite himself, Marcus felt his mouth go dry. Malik seemed to flee. All thoughts of power and knowledge and strings and connections dissipated like smoke.
Danika Zayed stepped out and for a moment, all Marcus could do was stare.