Fallout

[Ascendancy]

Atharim. The word was introduced to Viktor only days ago, and now it occupied so much of his thoughts. So he was right. The mark identified both Aria and Ascendancy as members, or former members. He didn't know who this Regus was, but he guessed some sort of elder if he had authority to order his own followers on suicide missions. Viktor had seen some of the attempts on Nikolai's life, they were folly if ever there was such a thing.

Ascendancy went to Siberia once in a while, usually to inspect CCD drilling operations. On occasion he went to oversee expansion drilling or data collecting on new reserve deposits. How she encountered him in such a remote place was a story in and of itself.

He was inclined to believe her, though. She knew too many details to not have experienced them for herself. The Facility, for one, was known to only very few outside of its operation. Viktor never even been inside.

He listened closely as she relayed the entire story. The plan was idiotic. If Nikolai wanted that Regus man dead, a sniper on a rooftop would have been far safer. But he knew The Ascendancy. He wanted to show what he could do. The Arch was along the same line of thought. Only perhaps rather than placate, awe, and subdue a nation, he would subdue the entire cult. What were his plans then? Did he want to rule the cult too? Surely infiltrating and dismantling them would be easier. Why allow them to exist at all?

But there was something Viktor couldn't grasp. He poured Aria a water and offered it to her. "You speak of gods, the power of the gods and an ijiraq. Are you saying he is a god after all? You can feel him. Is that what you feel?"


His gaze was penetrating even as he handed her the cup.