12-29-2017, 02:57 PM
She was putting the pieces together. He could see the connections form. He stared as though the intensity of his gaze may force those connections to take shape all the more quickly.
Yes, he thought. She was right where she needed to be. Whether by Godly design or the pull of his own thread arranging the pattern into his own, Evelyn was the key to his conquest. When she exlaimed to blend their powers together, he trusted what in his own soul felt right. Their reward was the fulfillment of balance. The two halves of the universe wound together in perfect symmetry, so too could their united ambitions. If only she saw what he saw. If she could understand that he was the future of the world. While Evelyn designed Elysium, Nikolai could build it, but he needed her to want it. He needed her to see.
Then she said it. "Yes!"
He laughed. If the United States joined the Custody, the western world would fall. If Evelyn dreamed of Elysium, then so be it, so long as it was part of his realm.
He pushed to stand, too excited to sit on his heels any longer. The temptation for sex was already displaced. His mind buzzed with possibilities. She would have to publically throw her support to the pro-annexers in Congress. But really it didn't need to even come to that. The US government was already split into three parties. The Republicans, holding the Executive and Judicial branches, held the most power, but were the smallest, yet they were the loudest voice against the CCD in D.C. The libertarians primarily wanted to close up the windows on the US, buckle down and revert as much power as possible to local and state governances. Those two parties were unlikely to shift courses.
The democratic party, though. They were the key. And he had one of them right here in front of him, admitting what he knew all along. She was quite junior and held almost no authority on her own. She wasn't even a Senator, but this green, junior member forced her way into Congress's most authoratative subcommittee. She forced her way to Moscow. She went straight to the heart of power in the world.
Nik laughed again. It was too perfect. He stretched his arms, relishing the cool air on his back. A flick of his hand and all the little circles of light buzzed. They warped and flew to the fireplace where they exploded into light. There, the Flame remained. He was done with playing the romantic. Ambition was the more attractive mistress.
But he couldn't forget Evelyn. He paced before her, thinking. The democratic party was already divided. Of the three they were the most favorable to the CCD, and the very far left already supported annexation. Evelyn was more centrally aligned than that, but if she could sway enough supporters left of center, to join the cause, the party could fracture. By then, Congress would not even have the votes to pass simple appropriation budgets, let alone continuing resolutions. The federal government would shut down. The last time it happened it lasted 48 hours and the country practically collapsed with fear. Close the goverment for two weeks and states would begin to submit their cessation documents. The Texan governor was elected on that exact platform. The traditionally democratic states would flee first. D.C. would become an island in the midst of CCD territory, literally and figuratively severed from the rest of the union. California and the northwestern states would join next. If Evelyn did her job well, and he had no doubt she wouldn't, then the mid-atlantic and northern states would follow. Until only the far right remained. The Southern states would not be able to sustain their own economies. Trade alone would force them to buckle, especially if that nitwit Damien in Mexico was out of the picture.
All of it, though, began with Congresswoman Avalon.
"Evelyn,"
he turned to her, speaking swiftly. "We have to do this carefully. It'll start with the ball. Once I've proven the benefits of Custody allegiance, using Africa as a model, you can proclaim the change in your position without compromising your ideals."
God or no God, she was right. She was here at the exact same time that Jacques was for a reason. Divine or otherwise, Nikolai saw his chance. He was at the height of his power, his adoration, and his authority. The Custody on Channeler Governance would only strengthen them. If others like Jensen James with his special talents could be identified, the Custody would drive the age into something legendary.
Obstacles remained, though. First and foremost, Dawson and Trano were the loudest voices against him. Their deaths would make things easier, but the world would suspect him. No, he had to play the game. He wasn't a conquerer.
Then there was the matter of Evelyn's protection. She already announced herself a channeler. The Atharim in the United States were probably less active than those here, but that didn't mean she wasn't in danger. House representatives had no protection. If only he had proof of Regus' death. Then overwhelming the Atharim would happen swiftly. They could cull the members of those killing gods and return their cause back to their roots. Damn, if only Aria had found him!
Evelyn was the key. Evelyn, this sweet, beautiful, passionate girl was his chance.
He wouldn't waste it.
Yes, he thought. She was right where she needed to be. Whether by Godly design or the pull of his own thread arranging the pattern into his own, Evelyn was the key to his conquest. When she exlaimed to blend their powers together, he trusted what in his own soul felt right. Their reward was the fulfillment of balance. The two halves of the universe wound together in perfect symmetry, so too could their united ambitions. If only she saw what he saw. If she could understand that he was the future of the world. While Evelyn designed Elysium, Nikolai could build it, but he needed her to want it. He needed her to see.
Then she said it. "Yes!"
He laughed. If the United States joined the Custody, the western world would fall. If Evelyn dreamed of Elysium, then so be it, so long as it was part of his realm.
He pushed to stand, too excited to sit on his heels any longer. The temptation for sex was already displaced. His mind buzzed with possibilities. She would have to publically throw her support to the pro-annexers in Congress. But really it didn't need to even come to that. The US government was already split into three parties. The Republicans, holding the Executive and Judicial branches, held the most power, but were the smallest, yet they were the loudest voice against the CCD in D.C. The libertarians primarily wanted to close up the windows on the US, buckle down and revert as much power as possible to local and state governances. Those two parties were unlikely to shift courses.
The democratic party, though. They were the key. And he had one of them right here in front of him, admitting what he knew all along. She was quite junior and held almost no authority on her own. She wasn't even a Senator, but this green, junior member forced her way into Congress's most authoratative subcommittee. She forced her way to Moscow. She went straight to the heart of power in the world.
Nik laughed again. It was too perfect. He stretched his arms, relishing the cool air on his back. A flick of his hand and all the little circles of light buzzed. They warped and flew to the fireplace where they exploded into light. There, the Flame remained. He was done with playing the romantic. Ambition was the more attractive mistress.
But he couldn't forget Evelyn. He paced before her, thinking. The democratic party was already divided. Of the three they were the most favorable to the CCD, and the very far left already supported annexation. Evelyn was more centrally aligned than that, but if she could sway enough supporters left of center, to join the cause, the party could fracture. By then, Congress would not even have the votes to pass simple appropriation budgets, let alone continuing resolutions. The federal government would shut down. The last time it happened it lasted 48 hours and the country practically collapsed with fear. Close the goverment for two weeks and states would begin to submit their cessation documents. The Texan governor was elected on that exact platform. The traditionally democratic states would flee first. D.C. would become an island in the midst of CCD territory, literally and figuratively severed from the rest of the union. California and the northwestern states would join next. If Evelyn did her job well, and he had no doubt she wouldn't, then the mid-atlantic and northern states would follow. Until only the far right remained. The Southern states would not be able to sustain their own economies. Trade alone would force them to buckle, especially if that nitwit Damien in Mexico was out of the picture.
All of it, though, began with Congresswoman Avalon.
"Evelyn,"
he turned to her, speaking swiftly. "We have to do this carefully. It'll start with the ball. Once I've proven the benefits of Custody allegiance, using Africa as a model, you can proclaim the change in your position without compromising your ideals."
God or no God, she was right. She was here at the exact same time that Jacques was for a reason. Divine or otherwise, Nikolai saw his chance. He was at the height of his power, his adoration, and his authority. The Custody on Channeler Governance would only strengthen them. If others like Jensen James with his special talents could be identified, the Custody would drive the age into something legendary.
Obstacles remained, though. First and foremost, Dawson and Trano were the loudest voices against him. Their deaths would make things easier, but the world would suspect him. No, he had to play the game. He wasn't a conquerer.
Then there was the matter of Evelyn's protection. She already announced herself a channeler. The Atharim in the United States were probably less active than those here, but that didn't mean she wasn't in danger. House representatives had no protection. If only he had proof of Regus' death. Then overwhelming the Atharim would happen swiftly. They could cull the members of those killing gods and return their cause back to their roots. Damn, if only Aria had found him!
Evelyn was the key. Evelyn, this sweet, beautiful, passionate girl was his chance.
He wouldn't waste it.