07-05-2014, 04:51 PM
The room Michael entered was the meeting room to the general chiefs of staff of the CCD armed forces, a group of advisors known as the Collective. When Nikolai reformed the ASU into the CCD, he appreciated his own deficiencies in military strategy. Yet as a philosopher, he drew upon the practices of the past, and like the remainder of his government, reformatted them into his own vision.
Double doors parted and in strolled the individual members of the Ascendancy's party. The Deputy-Consul, Viktor Stepanovich, was first through the door. In followed a CSS barrier agent, empty of expression and cold of gaze. A second agent counterpart would remain posted outside in the hallway. When Nikolai entered the room had stood to greet him.
He was sharply dressed in a black suit, white shirt and orange and gray tie. The Double Crescent was pinned on his left lapel, as always, but the new addition, to all but those present at the previous night's Christmas dinner, the Arcus Band wrapped his brow like a self-imposed crown.
Chief among those of recognition was Kondrat Borodin, the four-star general and head of Special Operations whom shared his table at the previous night's dinner. He stood at one end of a large, oval table. To his left and right, his counter parts leading the army ground forces, naval, air, missile-troops, armed police and intelligence stood. Those of military commission saluted the Ascendancy. Nik nodded appropriately and took to his seat at the head of the table. His gaze fell briefly upon Michael as he passed.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
After taking his chair, his finger tips grazed along the table and the room's immersion screens came to life. "Gentlemen. Thank you for attendance at this early hour. We are meeting to discuss the next evolutionary step in warfare."
He gestured and every pair of eyes lifted to the videos soon to play.
Michael would recognize himself as viewed from the officers in the convoy that carried him back to the Jeddah airport firebase.
"Commander Vellas,"
Nikolai turned to the famous young man. "The Collective will now hear your briefing. Explain what we just viewed."
He had a feeling Michael would not be amused by the attention.
Double doors parted and in strolled the individual members of the Ascendancy's party. The Deputy-Consul, Viktor Stepanovich, was first through the door. In followed a CSS barrier agent, empty of expression and cold of gaze. A second agent counterpart would remain posted outside in the hallway. When Nikolai entered the room had stood to greet him.
He was sharply dressed in a black suit, white shirt and orange and gray tie. The Double Crescent was pinned on his left lapel, as always, but the new addition, to all but those present at the previous night's Christmas dinner, the Arcus Band wrapped his brow like a self-imposed crown.
Chief among those of recognition was Kondrat Borodin, the four-star general and head of Special Operations whom shared his table at the previous night's dinner. He stood at one end of a large, oval table. To his left and right, his counter parts leading the army ground forces, naval, air, missile-troops, armed police and intelligence stood. Those of military commission saluted the Ascendancy. Nik nodded appropriately and took to his seat at the head of the table. His gaze fell briefly upon Michael as he passed.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
After taking his chair, his finger tips grazed along the table and the room's immersion screens came to life. "Gentlemen. Thank you for attendance at this early hour. We are meeting to discuss the next evolutionary step in warfare."
He gestured and every pair of eyes lifted to the videos soon to play.
Michael would recognize himself as viewed from the officers in the convoy that carried him back to the Jeddah airport firebase.
"Commander Vellas,"
Nikolai turned to the famous young man. "The Collective will now hear your briefing. Explain what we just viewed."
He had a feeling Michael would not be amused by the attention.