08-02-2014, 08:26 PM
Nikolai pulled himself to the edge of the pool and draped his arms on the floor. Water ran rivulets down the side of his face. He pressed against the side of the pool so that his feet hovered some distance above the bottom.
Panting, Nik rubbed the water from his eyes. His limbs were weak, yet invigoration flowed hot through his veins. His mind was clear as the pool water. And alone, he smiled to himself the smile of relief. He'd yearned for a long swim for days. The water was freeing in a way he could never discover while running.
He put his palms on the floor and pushed himself from the water. He was tempted to sit on the edge for a while and watch the water of the lap pool come to stillness, but the draw of duty pulled him onward.
There was a towel waiting nearby, one that he wrapped around his shorts. Nikolai began to stretch, but was interrupted by an alert from the communication glass.
Nik crossed to the screen and pulled up a video message, but not before altering the settings so that the transmission only included his face. It did his people no good to see their leader shirtless and dripping wet in the cold air.
It was a member of Custody Security Services, a young man with a pointed gaze and stern jaw.
"Ascendancy, a message filtered from CDPS has been flagged as immediate redirection to yourself, sir."
Nikolai's gaze furrowed down thoughtfully. His answer was cool. "Send it through."
The agent disappeared and in his place a message was rerouted from CDPS. It seemed the service just reported a troubling discovery.
A body bag was being pushed on a gurney. Two body bags. A CDPS agent walked through the light. Then another man, one that Nikolai recognized instantly. Ivan Sarkozy. Police. A description came through with their initial report.
A grim cast crossed Nikolai's features as he returned his orders. "All evidence of this incident is to disappear. Not so much as the agents involved are to know where, how, or why. Proof of their experiences tonight will vanish within the hour. Tell the Chief Inspector that my Custody is not interested in collecting such biological specimens in the future."
Nik focused on the face of the man leading the team.
With that, the glass flashed clear once more and Nikolai grabbed for a bottle of water. As he turned for the stairs, he made a mental note to have a conversation with Drayson McCullough.
Panting, Nik rubbed the water from his eyes. His limbs were weak, yet invigoration flowed hot through his veins. His mind was clear as the pool water. And alone, he smiled to himself the smile of relief. He'd yearned for a long swim for days. The water was freeing in a way he could never discover while running.
He put his palms on the floor and pushed himself from the water. He was tempted to sit on the edge for a while and watch the water of the lap pool come to stillness, but the draw of duty pulled him onward.
There was a towel waiting nearby, one that he wrapped around his shorts. Nikolai began to stretch, but was interrupted by an alert from the communication glass.
Nik crossed to the screen and pulled up a video message, but not before altering the settings so that the transmission only included his face. It did his people no good to see their leader shirtless and dripping wet in the cold air.
It was a member of Custody Security Services, a young man with a pointed gaze and stern jaw.
"Ascendancy, a message filtered from CDPS has been flagged as immediate redirection to yourself, sir."
Nikolai's gaze furrowed down thoughtfully. His answer was cool. "Send it through."
The agent disappeared and in his place a message was rerouted from CDPS. It seemed the service just reported a troubling discovery.
A body bag was being pushed on a gurney. Two body bags. A CDPS agent walked through the light. Then another man, one that Nikolai recognized instantly. Ivan Sarkozy. Police. A description came through with their initial report.
A grim cast crossed Nikolai's features as he returned his orders. "All evidence of this incident is to disappear. Not so much as the agents involved are to know where, how, or why. Proof of their experiences tonight will vanish within the hour. Tell the Chief Inspector that my Custody is not interested in collecting such biological specimens in the future."
Nik focused on the face of the man leading the team.
With that, the glass flashed clear once more and Nikolai grabbed for a bottle of water. As he turned for the stairs, he made a mental note to have a conversation with Drayson McCullough.