07-06-2014, 09:20 PM
The whole ordeal of this morning was a test, of course. Nik possessed very little insight into Michael's character. He was brave and capable of committing to a cause, certainly, but the core of his identity would define his choice in actions. Using such techniques, Nikolai had been able to predict the actions of ally and enemy with ease over the decades. Certainly, distance of mind and appreciation of context from a decade of contemplative study gave him the skills, but it was with a deftness of hand that Nikolai wove his way into the Russian Presidency. Was Michael playing it safe because intimidation motivated self-preservation? Or because he assumed the Ascendancy would succumb to the flattery inherent in self-subjugation? There were few in the world capable of keeping a level gaze at a table such as this. So far, Michael had performed admirably cool, but he was a lion pacing the edges of firelight. Cautious. Extremely cautious. The true question was: why?
While Michael responded, Nikolai returned to his seat. Their discussion the night before had been the tip of the iceberg, but to hear his plans outright was encouraging. They were presented matter-of-factly and direct. To which Nikolai was quickly assigning to Michael's professional style, but there was little he could interpret about the man, personally. To entrust him with what was essentially the might of gods, Nikolai had yet to be convinced of his suitability to the task. So far, he was the adequate candidate because Nikolai was presented with no other viable alternative, but ideas for how to proceed continued to form nonetheless.
General Borodin could sit still no longer. Never a man to hold his tongue, he was, like Michael, careful and direct, but also decisive and calculating. "If I may, a separate branch is not feasible. If we have access to men with such skills as these, others in the world will as well. With CCD resources, they will be trained as fully as any of our other forces, but they must remain shadows: unidentified and strategically placed beneath only the highest clearance. Their name and mission is the only thing that should proceed them."
Building on the General's momentum, the Commissioner-General of Custody Police shook his head. "CDPS has already begun a similar instillation of special officers, but only when such an individual already recruited and trained and sworn-in is identified. Yes, the Facility tracks high-profile individuals for similar placements in their field of expertise, but a large-scale military organization, whether consisting of Special Forces or general troops, requires recruitment of such men already in the armed forces. Otherwise, new recruits will need trained in piggy-back at pre-existing camps. What is the incentive for their retention? Not all men are born to be soldiers,"
he finished with a grim tone. Nikolai had to appreciate the Commissioner's point of view, but he glanced at Michael. Twice now the Facility had been mentioned and the man was so-far unreactive to the term. Either he was already aware of the institution, most likely via Dr. Weston, or he was not as observant as Nikolai had thought.
Of all Michael's talents, he was not a politician, but Nik did not need him to be. In fact, he preferred the opposite. Politicians with armies were dangerous things to cultivate. Nikolai was nothing if not careful.
While Michael responded, Nikolai returned to his seat. Their discussion the night before had been the tip of the iceberg, but to hear his plans outright was encouraging. They were presented matter-of-factly and direct. To which Nikolai was quickly assigning to Michael's professional style, but there was little he could interpret about the man, personally. To entrust him with what was essentially the might of gods, Nikolai had yet to be convinced of his suitability to the task. So far, he was the adequate candidate because Nikolai was presented with no other viable alternative, but ideas for how to proceed continued to form nonetheless.
General Borodin could sit still no longer. Never a man to hold his tongue, he was, like Michael, careful and direct, but also decisive and calculating. "If I may, a separate branch is not feasible. If we have access to men with such skills as these, others in the world will as well. With CCD resources, they will be trained as fully as any of our other forces, but they must remain shadows: unidentified and strategically placed beneath only the highest clearance. Their name and mission is the only thing that should proceed them."
Building on the General's momentum, the Commissioner-General of Custody Police shook his head. "CDPS has already begun a similar instillation of special officers, but only when such an individual already recruited and trained and sworn-in is identified. Yes, the Facility tracks high-profile individuals for similar placements in their field of expertise, but a large-scale military organization, whether consisting of Special Forces or general troops, requires recruitment of such men already in the armed forces. Otherwise, new recruits will need trained in piggy-back at pre-existing camps. What is the incentive for their retention? Not all men are born to be soldiers,"
he finished with a grim tone. Nikolai had to appreciate the Commissioner's point of view, but he glanced at Michael. Twice now the Facility had been mentioned and the man was so-far unreactive to the term. Either he was already aware of the institution, most likely via Dr. Weston, or he was not as observant as Nikolai had thought.
Of all Michael's talents, he was not a politician, but Nik did not need him to be. In fact, he preferred the opposite. Politicians with armies were dangerous things to cultivate. Nikolai was nothing if not careful.