09-24-2013, 04:18 PM
For Nikolai Brandon, a great many things were convenient. Having public media enemy number one in Moscow, on his turf as he tried to convince America to forsake their freedom was just another of those conveniences. But Nicholas Trano was not alone in Moscow. The top tier of journalists from all over the world were with him. Of course, they all tried to distance themselves from him as much as they could. At least there was good bourbon in Moscow, and Trano had a full flask.
State propagandists from Mexico and China stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the more respectable Australian and Canadian newsmen. Still better than these Custody hacks.
And besides, China had been making great strides into the civilized world the past couple decades. The threat of revolution after their near economic collapse had had a lot to do with that.
If Mexico had been sliding backwards, well, those convenient natural disasters coupled with cartels armed better than some third world armies were a fair excuse. But is it really worth sacrificing freedom to save it?
Brandon gave his speech--the normal Ascendant trash. Trano had to give credit where credit was due, he was good at making things sound nice. Until you thought about what he was saying--then it was downright terrifying. "Give up your freedom, your rights, and your lives. It's okay, daddy Brandon can protect you."
If ever America had produced a cruel tyrant, it was Brandon. Nicholas still couldn't believe the man was from Baltimore. Or maybe I could,
he smirked at his own joke.
Then the speech was done, and the room became more relaxed. Custody journalists scurried about, sharing notes and speaking into live feeds, "informing" the world of Nikolai Brandon's greatness.
When things started quieting down one of the propagandists, the one from China, strode over. He gave a little bow before he began, "Mister Trano, I'm a big fan of your work. My name is Ke Si Chen." Very little accent--unsurprising of course, Chinese taught English better than the Americans taught Chinese. Even got the order of names right without stuttering.
Thought I recognized him.
The other members of the press had formed something of a bubble around the American. He was not treated unfairly, per se, but nobody wanted to be seen next to the guy with a bull's eye on his back. Guess I did a good job in that regard.
"Mister Chen. I've seen a lot of your work over the years, glad to finally meet you."
If Trano was the face of America's most popular news net and voice of the people, Chen was China's. Of course, the circumstances were a bit different--it's a lot easier to become famous when the government puts you at the forefront of the country's primary news source. Still, the man did his job admirably--he was no empty suit.
Chen decided to take a seat. "Then the feeling is mutual, Mister Trano. Good to finally see a friendly face."
So Nicholas wasn't the only one feeling isolated. The Chinese were almost as fervently anti-CCD as the Americans, and for good reason. The American empire was not the only one to fall hard in the past thirty years. Roosevelt and Stalin made it work, didn't they?
For a little while, at least.
Nicholas took a sip from his flask before passing it to Chen. "Yes, yes it is. Seems like we're the only ones who aren't here to lick Brandon's feet."
After a few minutes' conversation--home, family, politics--Trano noticed the room quieting down. Of course they would quiet down, their Dear Leader had appeared. Nikolai Brandon stood once again at the podium, ready to field questions.
Chen grinned. "Let's see what lies he's got in store for us." Trano smirked back. It would have been funnier if it weren't so sad.
State propagandists from Mexico and China stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the more respectable Australian and Canadian newsmen. Still better than these Custody hacks.
And besides, China had been making great strides into the civilized world the past couple decades. The threat of revolution after their near economic collapse had had a lot to do with that.
If Mexico had been sliding backwards, well, those convenient natural disasters coupled with cartels armed better than some third world armies were a fair excuse. But is it really worth sacrificing freedom to save it?
Brandon gave his speech--the normal Ascendant trash. Trano had to give credit where credit was due, he was good at making things sound nice. Until you thought about what he was saying--then it was downright terrifying. "Give up your freedom, your rights, and your lives. It's okay, daddy Brandon can protect you."
If ever America had produced a cruel tyrant, it was Brandon. Nicholas still couldn't believe the man was from Baltimore. Or maybe I could,
he smirked at his own joke.
Then the speech was done, and the room became more relaxed. Custody journalists scurried about, sharing notes and speaking into live feeds, "informing" the world of Nikolai Brandon's greatness.
When things started quieting down one of the propagandists, the one from China, strode over. He gave a little bow before he began, "Mister Trano, I'm a big fan of your work. My name is Ke Si Chen." Very little accent--unsurprising of course, Chinese taught English better than the Americans taught Chinese. Even got the order of names right without stuttering.
Thought I recognized him.
The other members of the press had formed something of a bubble around the American. He was not treated unfairly, per se, but nobody wanted to be seen next to the guy with a bull's eye on his back. Guess I did a good job in that regard.
"Mister Chen. I've seen a lot of your work over the years, glad to finally meet you."
If Trano was the face of America's most popular news net and voice of the people, Chen was China's. Of course, the circumstances were a bit different--it's a lot easier to become famous when the government puts you at the forefront of the country's primary news source. Still, the man did his job admirably--he was no empty suit.
Chen decided to take a seat. "Then the feeling is mutual, Mister Trano. Good to finally see a friendly face."
So Nicholas wasn't the only one feeling isolated. The Chinese were almost as fervently anti-CCD as the Americans, and for good reason. The American empire was not the only one to fall hard in the past thirty years. Roosevelt and Stalin made it work, didn't they?
For a little while, at least.
Nicholas took a sip from his flask before passing it to Chen. "Yes, yes it is. Seems like we're the only ones who aren't here to lick Brandon's feet."
After a few minutes' conversation--home, family, politics--Trano noticed the room quieting down. Of course they would quiet down, their Dear Leader had appeared. Nikolai Brandon stood once again at the podium, ready to field questions.
Chen grinned. "Let's see what lies he's got in store for us." Trano smirked back. It would have been funnier if it weren't so sad.