07-26-2016, 05:58 PM
One habit Nikolai noticed in Marcus was his penchant to describe every step in his logical critiques. As though he talked out his logic to better understand it himself. Internally, Nikolai held a similar monologue, but he kept his thoughts private. His plans were rarely shared until formed, and only then with his most trusted advisors. Marcus did not internalize as much, or at all, and to watch the workings of his mind was fascinating.
Especially as they agreed with Nik's own. "You are absolutely correct, Marcus. You really are the greatest Sigma I have had."
To speak to the crowd was one thing, but Nikolai needed to do more than address their fears. He needed to astonish them. To inspire them. Moscovites were extremely proud. Down to the poorest man, of whom there were few in the city, of their heritage. They loved dominating the world. They loved being the center of Earth. If the planet had a capital to greet aliens, it would be in Moscow. The rest of the world lived in their shadow. And Nik was about to make the mountain taller.
He spoke with security a few moments. Police walked the walls. Unseen from rooftops, the windows of the GUM department store, and from the walls of St. Basil's security was tightening around the Red Square. And somewhere out there the Atharim was gathering under Aria's bait and call. A storm was gathering, and it would be unleashed soon.
He was not going to wait much longer.
From the safety of darkness, he peered over the edge, studying the many headed crowd as he had that first day he took office as President of Russia. They chanted his name then. Similarly, men would be planted in the masses to do the same in a few minutes.
Not much longer. ...
But something. He felt it. That presence of another. A god below. But it was more than the dark menace that stretched toward them. It was familiar. Like the shadow of a shadow. Like seeing shadows cast by starlight.
"Do you sense that?"
He asked Marcus, eyes roaming for the source of the disturbance, yet strangely annoyed by it.
Especially as they agreed with Nik's own. "You are absolutely correct, Marcus. You really are the greatest Sigma I have had."
To speak to the crowd was one thing, but Nikolai needed to do more than address their fears. He needed to astonish them. To inspire them. Moscovites were extremely proud. Down to the poorest man, of whom there were few in the city, of their heritage. They loved dominating the world. They loved being the center of Earth. If the planet had a capital to greet aliens, it would be in Moscow. The rest of the world lived in their shadow. And Nik was about to make the mountain taller.
He spoke with security a few moments. Police walked the walls. Unseen from rooftops, the windows of the GUM department store, and from the walls of St. Basil's security was tightening around the Red Square. And somewhere out there the Atharim was gathering under Aria's bait and call. A storm was gathering, and it would be unleashed soon.
He was not going to wait much longer.
From the safety of darkness, he peered over the edge, studying the many headed crowd as he had that first day he took office as President of Russia. They chanted his name then. Similarly, men would be planted in the masses to do the same in a few minutes.
Not much longer. ...
But something. He felt it. That presence of another. A god below. But it was more than the dark menace that stretched toward them. It was familiar. Like the shadow of a shadow. Like seeing shadows cast by starlight.
"Do you sense that?"
He asked Marcus, eyes roaming for the source of the disturbance, yet strangely annoyed by it.