12-15-2013, 02:02 PM
It was a rare occasion when Nikolai allowed himself indulgence in alcohol. A loosened grip on reality was not a thrill he chased. He liked power and being in control, and of all the things in this world at his grasp, his own mind and actions were the only source one's consistency.
Nobody noticed when he handed an untouched glass of champagne away. When military personnel went undercover to purchase the ingredients that would become his meals from randomly chosen grocers, it was a slap in their faces to sample an untested drink. Disrespecting the men and women that kept him safe was not an option. Had the flute bubbled club soda, he would have done the same.
Grasp freed, he tucked his hands behind his back. His fingers twined through one another, and the posture hid the series of strokes and heat impressions that activated a titanium ring circling one thumb. The ridges in his thumbprint activated the device, and a string of lines suddenly sprang to glowing life in his vision. Only one side had the implant, but manipulation of the eye's innervation stamped information on the outer edges of his field of view, leaving a clear tunnel unobstructed by the retinal projections down the center.
While the assailant pressed the towel to his throat, the continual rolling of his thumb across the band scrolled through data files. Unfortunately, the device could not collect information, only display what was transmitted or already uploaded. A map of the building's layout, for instance, could outline emergency escape routes if necessary, however, if he wanted the equivalent read of an adjacent skyscraper, he needed an active connection to CCDCYBERCOM - Custody Cyber Command - to access the relevant information.
Fortunately, Alric's partner was outfitted with more traditional Land Warriors, and he had been hard at work identifying the man foolish enough to place a hand on the Ascendancy. Nikolai used the chuckling tease at Alric's expense to swing his gaze around the room before settling on the so-called 'soldier-boy.' Nik's nod agreed, but also hid the smile of secrets that gods did not share with their earthly mortal friends. Yes, Alric was good at what he does, and he was improving with every passing day. Nikolai saw to the advancement personally. If only the young man knew how accurate his assessment had been.
Nikolai's roving gesture was more than including Alric in on the joke. It gave him a sweeping assessment of what repercussions unsettled the room's witnesses these last few moments. A space had formed around them - to be expected - although Nikolai had never revealed the incinerating heat of a gaze that demanded segregation. If he had, more than a few feet of unobstructed space would have opened around him. This time, men and women naturally fell aside of their own accord. How very pleasing.
There were a few faces piercing the crowd's otherwise shyer gaze. Two, in particular, were sharpened with a different edge than the way their contemporaries regarded him. There were meek glances mixed among the hopeful vying for Nik's brief acknowledgement: also expected.
Then there were the more daring individuals whom attempted to extend the life Nikolai breathed into acknowledging their existence. One man whom he recognized as the one responsible for infusing big-box mega-retail stores into the DIII economy, and therefore revitalizing nearly a billion people's way of life, soon lost his smirk when he realized Nikolai's attention had indeed been captured. As though he'd caught a wild beast he didn't know how to contain. But the man's safari turned on him when he realized it was the prey who was now doing the hunting. Fergus Talbott lifted his glass in cordial excuse to bow his head in deference, and was soon swallowed up by the conversations around him once more. He remembered to whom he owed his success, and Nikolai was satisfied with the reaction to move on.
The first of the two that caught his eye came a man that judging by his manner, dress and the berth given him, Nikolai guessed him to be a Custody employee of the sort to unnerve powerful aristocrats. CDPS, then, perhaps? An interesting party-goer, but only time would tell whether the man was a Trojan Horse. Nikolai rather hoped he was. It showed mettle that he valued in his employees, and this one had gall worth rewarding with at least a handshake.
The second came from a pair perched on the edge of the room. The man and woman both had the dark, pale features of Russianborn, but only one of them actually appeared to belong. Nikolai's curiosity was not invested enough to signal the door-posted Agent for their identities, but the notation was made nonetheless. A keen sense of power-plays tripped the back of his mind; imbalances in power were rife opportunities to leverage momentum his direction. Such talents won him the Russian Federation in the first place. Especially when the levers moved billions.
Finally, in the seconds the passed between the joke about 'soldier-boy' and the swift sweep of the Ascendancy's gaze, he collected the attention of the door-agent. The signal was received, likely displayed on the man's Land Warriors for the incoming request it was. And before the young man sharing Nik's company sputtered his next string of words, Yuri's name, Custody Identity Number, and citizen warnings flashed on the periphery of Nikolai's gaze. Included among the information was a small thumbnail of Yuri's expired Custody ID card with a younger version of the man smiling into the camera. His hairline had receded significantly since then.
Suffice to say, given the information at Nikolai's metaphorical finger-tips, Yuri was able to strike a blow that took Nik by surprise.
The man was another god. A powerful one.
Alric was not the only one discovered in the Facility, but he by far outstripped all of his competition, and now, a brother was discovered, wrapped in the linens of a discarded CCD underling, and nearly as significant as he. Together, this room had the honor to witness the presence of three gods, the wrath of whom could unleash terrors unlike never before seen in this world. What Yuri so helpfully confirmed was that such as they were undetectable until one of them wrenched the forces of the universe to their will. Which meant, the same worked in reverse. Yuri would not know the company he kept until Nikolai showed him. This encounter was revolutionary, and Nik intended to use it to every possible advantage.
He kept his reaction to Yuri's demonstration at a minimum, and thereby neither confirming nor denying acknowledgement of his elevation from man to god. The question became, whether to incentivize Yuri's gesture or ignore it? A man like him, given his citizenship red-flagging, last known address, and juvenile record - well, Nikolai thought it wise to leave him unprovoked. A man like this absorbed flattery like a cracked sponge. He was one of narrow patience, loose tongue, and shallow intelligence. Nik intended to cradle this childlike powerhouse like the mewling kitten he was.
There was a glint in Nik's eye that spoke of secrets shared but not outright confirmed. "You are indeed special, son."
He offered a hand to shake, and when their palms clasped, Nikolai's elbow pulled him in close enough to whisper the apocalyptic news. The man smelled like alcohol and smoke. Alric moved closer, unappreciative of the danger Nik invited so close. "You're a god among insects,"
he spoke in Yuri's ear, and when the Ascendancy of the Central Custody of Dominion released his hand, Nik's following expression foreshadowed a coming recruitment that, should Yuri's allegiance be assigned to the right man, would launch him to the forefront of humanity, and perhaps, earn a place of rule over them. One such as Yuri would like that promise, Nikolai guessed. "Stay with me, and everyone will come to know it too."
Of course, he was unaware of the presence of another in the room who would beg for the chance Nik offered Yuri.
Nobody noticed when he handed an untouched glass of champagne away. When military personnel went undercover to purchase the ingredients that would become his meals from randomly chosen grocers, it was a slap in their faces to sample an untested drink. Disrespecting the men and women that kept him safe was not an option. Had the flute bubbled club soda, he would have done the same.
Grasp freed, he tucked his hands behind his back. His fingers twined through one another, and the posture hid the series of strokes and heat impressions that activated a titanium ring circling one thumb. The ridges in his thumbprint activated the device, and a string of lines suddenly sprang to glowing life in his vision. Only one side had the implant, but manipulation of the eye's innervation stamped information on the outer edges of his field of view, leaving a clear tunnel unobstructed by the retinal projections down the center.
While the assailant pressed the towel to his throat, the continual rolling of his thumb across the band scrolled through data files. Unfortunately, the device could not collect information, only display what was transmitted or already uploaded. A map of the building's layout, for instance, could outline emergency escape routes if necessary, however, if he wanted the equivalent read of an adjacent skyscraper, he needed an active connection to CCDCYBERCOM - Custody Cyber Command - to access the relevant information.
Fortunately, Alric's partner was outfitted with more traditional Land Warriors, and he had been hard at work identifying the man foolish enough to place a hand on the Ascendancy. Nikolai used the chuckling tease at Alric's expense to swing his gaze around the room before settling on the so-called 'soldier-boy.' Nik's nod agreed, but also hid the smile of secrets that gods did not share with their earthly mortal friends. Yes, Alric was good at what he does, and he was improving with every passing day. Nikolai saw to the advancement personally. If only the young man knew how accurate his assessment had been.
Nikolai's roving gesture was more than including Alric in on the joke. It gave him a sweeping assessment of what repercussions unsettled the room's witnesses these last few moments. A space had formed around them - to be expected - although Nikolai had never revealed the incinerating heat of a gaze that demanded segregation. If he had, more than a few feet of unobstructed space would have opened around him. This time, men and women naturally fell aside of their own accord. How very pleasing.
There were a few faces piercing the crowd's otherwise shyer gaze. Two, in particular, were sharpened with a different edge than the way their contemporaries regarded him. There were meek glances mixed among the hopeful vying for Nik's brief acknowledgement: also expected.
Then there were the more daring individuals whom attempted to extend the life Nikolai breathed into acknowledging their existence. One man whom he recognized as the one responsible for infusing big-box mega-retail stores into the DIII economy, and therefore revitalizing nearly a billion people's way of life, soon lost his smirk when he realized Nikolai's attention had indeed been captured. As though he'd caught a wild beast he didn't know how to contain. But the man's safari turned on him when he realized it was the prey who was now doing the hunting. Fergus Talbott lifted his glass in cordial excuse to bow his head in deference, and was soon swallowed up by the conversations around him once more. He remembered to whom he owed his success, and Nikolai was satisfied with the reaction to move on.
The first of the two that caught his eye came a man that judging by his manner, dress and the berth given him, Nikolai guessed him to be a Custody employee of the sort to unnerve powerful aristocrats. CDPS, then, perhaps? An interesting party-goer, but only time would tell whether the man was a Trojan Horse. Nikolai rather hoped he was. It showed mettle that he valued in his employees, and this one had gall worth rewarding with at least a handshake.
The second came from a pair perched on the edge of the room. The man and woman both had the dark, pale features of Russianborn, but only one of them actually appeared to belong. Nikolai's curiosity was not invested enough to signal the door-posted Agent for their identities, but the notation was made nonetheless. A keen sense of power-plays tripped the back of his mind; imbalances in power were rife opportunities to leverage momentum his direction. Such talents won him the Russian Federation in the first place. Especially when the levers moved billions.
Finally, in the seconds the passed between the joke about 'soldier-boy' and the swift sweep of the Ascendancy's gaze, he collected the attention of the door-agent. The signal was received, likely displayed on the man's Land Warriors for the incoming request it was. And before the young man sharing Nik's company sputtered his next string of words, Yuri's name, Custody Identity Number, and citizen warnings flashed on the periphery of Nikolai's gaze. Included among the information was a small thumbnail of Yuri's expired Custody ID card with a younger version of the man smiling into the camera. His hairline had receded significantly since then.
Suffice to say, given the information at Nikolai's metaphorical finger-tips, Yuri was able to strike a blow that took Nik by surprise.
The man was another god. A powerful one.
Alric was not the only one discovered in the Facility, but he by far outstripped all of his competition, and now, a brother was discovered, wrapped in the linens of a discarded CCD underling, and nearly as significant as he. Together, this room had the honor to witness the presence of three gods, the wrath of whom could unleash terrors unlike never before seen in this world. What Yuri so helpfully confirmed was that such as they were undetectable until one of them wrenched the forces of the universe to their will. Which meant, the same worked in reverse. Yuri would not know the company he kept until Nikolai showed him. This encounter was revolutionary, and Nik intended to use it to every possible advantage.
He kept his reaction to Yuri's demonstration at a minimum, and thereby neither confirming nor denying acknowledgement of his elevation from man to god. The question became, whether to incentivize Yuri's gesture or ignore it? A man like him, given his citizenship red-flagging, last known address, and juvenile record - well, Nikolai thought it wise to leave him unprovoked. A man like this absorbed flattery like a cracked sponge. He was one of narrow patience, loose tongue, and shallow intelligence. Nik intended to cradle this childlike powerhouse like the mewling kitten he was.
There was a glint in Nik's eye that spoke of secrets shared but not outright confirmed. "You are indeed special, son."
He offered a hand to shake, and when their palms clasped, Nikolai's elbow pulled him in close enough to whisper the apocalyptic news. The man smelled like alcohol and smoke. Alric moved closer, unappreciative of the danger Nik invited so close. "You're a god among insects,"
he spoke in Yuri's ear, and when the Ascendancy of the Central Custody of Dominion released his hand, Nik's following expression foreshadowed a coming recruitment that, should Yuri's allegiance be assigned to the right man, would launch him to the forefront of humanity, and perhaps, earn a place of rule over them. One such as Yuri would like that promise, Nikolai guessed. "Stay with me, and everyone will come to know it too."
Of course, he was unaware of the presence of another in the room who would beg for the chance Nik offered Yuri.