The morning after the battle with Regus, Nikolai departed a hospital under the strictest of confidences. The car that carried him back to the Kremlin was completely enclosed before he entered the back seat. His flags bearing the double crescent were absent from the hood. No other ornamentation decorated the vehicle. The only hint that someone important was inside were the blacked out windows, but those were common in a city of billionaires that demanded privacy. It arrived in the Kremlin mid-morning, where he entered the fortress under similar circumstances. The heart of the empire, the Kremlin, had been emptied except for any non-essential personnel or those with the highest of security clearances. Certainly, armed ZARS and Kremlin police were out in force, patrolling on the ground and along the walls, in greater numbers than Nikolai ever recalled seeing. A threat entered the Kremlin last night, and for all they knew, a nuclear bomb had almost turned the city into a smoking crater. As well it might have, if that Ijiraq that stole his power away from him had been able to force him into using it. Nikolai knew his own potential, he felt it stirring when he was delving the reactor in Dayton, Ohio. He could turn the city into a crater if he wanted. Fortunately, Moscow's destruction was not imminent.

In truth, he had let his attackers inside, and confronted them alone. Michael had been unavailable, dealing with the remainder of the Andlain uprising with the ascendants. Alric had been literally thousands of miles away, arriving from DV only hours ago. That left Marcus as his only other powered ally. The boy was strong, Nikolai admitted, and while inexperienced, he proved himself to be loyal. Combined with Aria's alliance, trapping Regus and his second in command should have been easy as a snapping his fingers. However, ancient weapons were not something he'd taken into account. An ijiraq. The memory made him shiver.

He walked the remains of his own apartment in the sub-basements beneath the Kremlin. Dust kicked around his feet. Rebar and a trail of blood snaked the path where a wounded Regus had been dragged before him. More blood stained the floor where he'd been shot and collapsed. More blood splattered where a man had been skewered by a sword, or so he had been told. The sword in question was unaccounted for.

Then there was the spot where the Ijiraq's remains had been recovered. The corpse was taken to the Facility to be dissected and analyzed. Nikolai had every confidence that Captain Weston and her team would be able to tell him something useful to defend against it. Even if it's as trivial a thing as finding out if it was even human.

He considered using his own power to rebuild the bunker. The walls needed reinforced, that was certain, and he did take the time to do as much, if only for safety purposes. But the rest of the architecture remained. He was far more comfortable down here, but it felt wrong to hide now. As he had taken the seat of the Russian tsars upon receiving Ambassador Oakland, he would adopt the living quarters of the mighty dynstasty. The opulent and luxurious tastes were not his, per say, but that was not the point. Like the ruined Arcus band, the point was symbolism.

By afternoon, he was giving his ZARS defenders additional orders to work with Aria. Only she could lead them to the locations that might uncover Regus's whereabouts. He was the top priority at the moment. He and any of his closest allies that posed a threat to him. Aria was found sometime by evening and given permission to formulate a strategy with the team. Together, they were the deadliest force on the planet. He had no doubt Regus would be found soon. Even if they had to use dogs to sniff the trail of his blood. The man would be found and executed.

Nikolai was finally brought up to speed on the affairs of the world in his absence from the lands of the living. With the leak of his injuries and the massive uncertainty his potential death posed, stock markets around the globe plummeted. People were in near panic. If the Ascendancy died, what would become of the CCD? Of course he wasn't dead and he had a plan should it happen, but that plan seemed less and less necessary. With Jensen James under lock and key, any grave injury that befell him again would be healed. Assuming the universe would allow him to die at all.

Security was also becoming an issue. Some of the major cities in DII and DVI were uneasy. Where people gathered in large numbers, even those bringing flowers and lighting candles, unrest followed. A crowd had once again gathered in the Red Square, thousands of people on their knees in prayful bowing for his complete recovery. The walls and the Arch were piled up with flowers and gifts. The Square a sea of flickering candle light.

Then there was news that an American group were in route. Secretary of State and other top officials among them, having been on their way to discuss nuclear policy when the ironic threat left Ascendancy fighting for his life. Between everything, Nikolai made the decision to show the world a miracle that night at sunset.

In the Red Square, where he had stood on the balcony and constructed the Monumental Arch but days ago, he came upon a sanguine crowd. As he had before, he wove the flows to amplify his voice and gather their attention to him as a father gathered his children in tender embrace.

He promised he would protect them. He was their father as this city was their fatherland. He was near death, but he was restored to life by the power he wielded. What they saw of his body being broken was real, and horrifying, but he assured them he was strong as ever before. These threats were going to be eradicated. He would eradicate them. The Custody would be stronger than ever!

After the brief speech, he attended a press conference. True to his word, he was as sharp and strong as ever. He'd showered of course. His eyes were keen and bright. His smile was tempered with confidence and seriousness. The meeting with the press was brief, and he was soon ushered out and replaced by his media Consul for additional information.

Finally, when he ascended to the resting quarters of the palace of the tsars, he relaxed in bed and flipped through images of the holdings in the imperial treasury, seeking out the metal that would become the host of a new Arcus band. He wanted something ready by the time the Americans arrived.

<table><tr>
<td></td>
<td><big>Press Release
from the Press Office of the Holy See</big>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr></table>


For Immediate Release
Contact: Marcello Esposito, Diocese of Public Relations
marcello.esposito@relstat-segstat.va

A Response to Revelations made by His Excellency, The Ascendancy, Nikolai Brandon


His Holiness Pope Patricus and the Holy See extend a warm and comforting hand toward all those who have been stricken with fear and uncertainty after the Ascendancy Nikolai Brandon's recent announcement.

Please be assured that Christ's love, as expressed through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost and through Mother Church, is with everyone throughout the earth regardless of their faith. The appearance of supernatural abilities that has manifested itself throughout the earth has beeen frightening to many.

His Holiness and the Holy See encourage all to see these things for what they are. Yet another example of the myriad wonders of the Lord God our Creator.

His Holiness and the Archbishops of the Holy See will continue to pray and to seek the guidance of the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Mother and of the Saints, as they try to discern the Church's new role in the coming years.

In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to reflect the Spirit of Christ our Savior in showing themselves humble and the servant of all, even as the Our Lord washed the feet of his Apostles while in his Incarnation. Whether low or high, gifted or the salt of the earth, we are but the fingers and hands of the one God who is over all and in all. There is no place for violence or hatred.

We would also extend this gentle reminder to The Ascendancy himself, who has shown through the words and actions of decades the continuing concern for the welfare of the CCD Empire in his heart. The Lord God did indeed call those he has placed in authority 'gods', but only in the most relative sense. It is the fervent hope of His Holiness and of the Holy See that The Holy Trinity and Blessed Mother continue to guide The Ascendancy to be a hand of stability and order to the world in the coming years.



Edited by Regus, Nov 18 2016, 09:38 PM.

Aria plucked at the ill-fitting pants. All her belongings had been in the warehouse except what was deemed unimportant or Asha was using in the small studio apartment she'd started out in. Now all her brand new things were sitting in the basement of the Baccarat mansion where she was certain she was no longer welcome. Nox was probably unwelcome not that she could actually send him a message anyway, she had no wallet.

The weapon the Regus had pointed at her had not only fried her skin, but her electronics. He sword was still missing. Her ZARS handler whose name she found out was Michal, had said the scene was devoid of swords as was the corpse of Martin Barovsky, someone had taken it and Aria intended to find out who. Michael was also the person who had purchased a few changes of clothing once Aria told him of her problem. He had purchased clothes that wouldn't stand out in the Kremlin as easily since that was the place she was staying for the foreseeable future. They didn't fit well but at least they weren't hideous but it still was not something she'd wear on a normal basis. Aria couldn't wait to be out from under the thumb of the stuffy politician types. Though here was far safer than anywhere else until she figured out how much the Atharim knew and who was hunting her.

But the problem with being in the Kremlin was the same as being stuck inside the Bacarrat mansion under house arrest it was boring. Her room was well furnished, there were guest facilities, Aria didn't have any desire to hit the gym. Especially since Jensen James had given her back what Manix had taken.

The feeling of the world crushing her was a welcome feeling. It was home. It was life. It was who she was. She would never doubt the gift she'd been given. Jensen believed if was Gods will. Aria knew better but wished that it was for all that it was worth. But God nor the Atharim would save the world from the war that was going to fall upon this earth. The Atharim were going to reign fiery hell down upon the godlings, and the godlings were going to do the same in return, and all the innocents the Atharim want to save will be caught in the crossfire.

Aria chose to walk the halls of the Kremlin, going where she could, feeling the world around her. The happiness, the frustration, the chaos of everything, and in it all was order. In their feelings she found hope and remembered why the Atharim were created. She had believed in God and the Atharim. The Regus of current had corrupted that belief. She would not hunt gods - not ever. How could she compete with them, why would she want to. They could still be ally's. The monsters will not go away when the Atharim and the godlings destroy themselves - the monsters will remain - someone has to kill them. Use the monsters to hunt the monsters. Aria smiled as she walked in hope - Lucas would be proud. She only had to fight the darkness. The deep penetrating darkness that was like candy to a child. It called to her, beckoned her with blood and fear and death. She would need to hunt again soon that much she knew.

Aaliyah was a natural at thievery. She took to Giovanni's tutelage quickly. That made Giovanni happy at least. He didn't have to waste much time. He learned a lot about her protege.

Aaliyah had been an orphan and clawed her way to wherever she got. She was ambitious and focused working only towards one goal - how she could gain and keep power. She often rode on the coattails of the powerful. It was perhaps the only thing he didn't like about her.

Aaliyah was brilliant, but she had potential for more. She didn't need to ride on anyone's coattails. She could keep and hold power on her own. Giovanni saw it and knew he could use this to his advantage. It would be a mutual partnership.

IN the time he had known her, Giovanni had pursued anymore than a teacher/student relationship. She was very attractive, but there relationship wouldn't ever be romantic. However, they were spending a lot of time together. Surely her current protector was getting jealous. Not that Giovanni cared.

Tonight they were outside the city looking for another mark. It was time to see what she could do.

The last few days passed in a blur of things. Between work and home life Dorian barely had time to think. He'd tried to think down in the tunnels - tried to get his head on straight but duty had called and he'd had to leave. He wondered about the other heat signature. He really should send Nox down below - maybe go with him maybe with Ivan? There was so much to worry about.

Dorian had received a letter from Martin. It turned out the man had made precautions in the event that he had died. He had died. Nox assured Dorian that it had to do with the attack at the Kremlin. He wouldn't elaborate, or he couldn't either way Nox knew little more than Dorian anyway.

The letter was short and very concerning.

Quote:<dl>
<dt>Letter from Martin</dt>
<dd> </dd>
</dl>
Dorian,

I'm sure you've heard the devastating news by now - I am dead. I am not writing to have last words with you of a good nature. My friend, what have you done? I wanted to confront you personally to see that you had not betrayed us. Why did you print the names and addresses of the list of gods and potential gods? Dorian, please tell me you have not sided with them. Someone else will eventually find out. I have not told anyone at the time of my demise. I write this to let you know we are coming for you. You will die my friend for your treachery. Enjoy your family while you have the time. Your days are numbered.

-- Martin

Aaliyah Zevros


The open air market was something most people would expect in Cairo. Shops sold food and other wares in the street. Things had gone back to being relatively normal for the people here despite the conflicts with the Al Janyar group.

Effectively, Al Janyar ran Egypt as well as several other North Eastern African nations. The so called military was unable to keep the group in check. Ibrahim was in charge in Egypt, and as his consort, Aaliyah had a significant influence in the government.

Of course, most people had no idea who she was. She was more like the puppeteer. She pulled strings and things happened. Ibrahim had the final say, but Aaliyah still had his ear. Often, her whisperings became a realization even if it didn't always go her way.

Ibrahim wasn't an ideal situation. Truth be told, Aaliyah didn't like him much, but sharing a bed with him got her what she wanted, and for now that was fine. Who could say how long the Al Janyar would keep his position. It was a tense situation and very little was needed for someone to rise against him within their own organization. It wouldn't matter to her. Another man would rise, and she'd wrap him around her finger as well.

Aaliyah still hated the situation. It was difficult for her to rise in this society. She was a woman in a man's world after all, so she made do. She had so much more potential, however, and craved more.

Today Aaliyah had left Ibrahim's side to get some fresh air. Walking around the market was always somewhat enjoyable. Growing up as an orphan, she had always marveled at the amount of stuff that was in these markets. Of course, that stuff usually ended up in her pockets.

Aaliyah had no need to steal anything anymore. She always got what she wanted, but still she practiced her thievery skills. If she was smart enough to take away another's property and they were stupid enough to not notice, then she deserved it.

Aaliyah looked at an item. A crystalline statue of a scorpion. Aaliyah smiled at it's beauty and waited patiently before pocketing the statue and leaving the area through an alleyway. Another successful thievery.

Nox was out later than she had expected. It wasn't a bad thing, but Elyse fell asleep waiting. She had spent the evening reading this book called The Hobbit. Elyse found herself enjoying the book and had read about half of it before falling asleep. The book sat on the table next to her bed.

Elyse knew she was in the dream. It always felt different than a normal dream. Elyse wasn't sure why she felt this way, but she was suddenly uncomfortable. She usually didn't feel this way in the dream world, but tonight she did.

Elyse stepped forward. Looking around for danger. The dream world in itself was a danger, but now it felt more ominous, but something kept her glued here. There was a reason she needed to stay.

She looked up as something flashed like lightning. There wasn't a cloud in the dream sky, but what she saw made her gasp. The sky appeared to be splitting apart. It was as if the sky was an opening curtain.

Elyse saw a torn, segmented serpent in the opening, and her hand moved reflexively to her mouth. The image faded and rematerialized into a hooded face - fiery blue eyes piercing the darkness. The face itself was shrouded. Once again the image changed - a nest of serpents slithering over tiles. Finally she saw a splash of blood and all was normal.

The environment was normal. At least it was normal for the dream would. Elyse, however, could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Her breathing was heavy, as she stared at the section of sky that had previously been torn - now healed as if nothing had happened.

Elyse's clothing changed as her thoughts flew quickly. With her fear of the Atharim, it didn't surprise her that she had dreamed of snakes, but the dream would didn't behave like this. Something was wrong.

Elyse fell to her knees, wanting to do nothing more than wake up. But feeling at the same time, she couldn't leave.

The Legion's return to CCD territory had been a winding trail that led to its heart, Moscow. It had taken weeks to make the arrangements. Meetings took time to assure that schedules lined up, and that contract and contextual groundwork was completed properly. Luckily, the Legion had experience in such areas from its former incarnation as Legion Premiere. The legal teams were in place, and eager to be gainfully employed once more.

The CCD had proven almost surprisingly cooperative to his intentions, and the Legion's PR department had been put to work arranging the announcement. Rather then travelling straight to Moscow, there were stops arranged along the way. First and foremost was three days at Aubagne, France. Or at least, the former nation of France. A point that was carefully danced around in all official Legion statements, and Jacques speech, during the trip.

The three day visit served two purposes; first and foremost, the official sign-over of Legion artifacts and relics held at in a museum located in the Foreign Legion's traditional headquarters. Banners, historic uniforms and captured arms, and a myriad other pieces of the Legion's long history would be transferred to their new headquarters in Algeria.

The second, and certainly more public reason, for the visit to Aubagne, and a selection of other more important cities across the CCD over a two week period. Civilian survivors of the Battle of Jeddah, those that the Legion had managed to evacuate, were given a chance to meet with a handful of Legionnaire veterans of the battle. Most of those veterans were those too wounded to participate in the final stand.

The meetings were closed to live coverage; while the events did afford the Legion some much needed public image in the CCD, Jacques' actual reason for them were far more private. It allowed the civilian survivors to thank their rescuers, and for the Legionnaires whom were too wounded to continue service in a combat role to find some meaning behind the loss of both their comrades-in-arms and for the wounds that seen them unable to continue to serve.

The Legion's arrival in Moscow had led to no shortage of red tape. The delivery of Jacques' staff car, a black 1941 Citroen Traction, lovingly maintained and bearer of a myriad modern upgrades such to the point the car's only original parts were the body itself. The CCD's laws on armoured vehicles for VIPs were easy enough to work through. As were their laws on firearms. Legionnaires tasked to his security detail had been required to demonstrate a detailed understanding on the CCD's laws, and of course there had to be insurance and background checks.

But among all its various modern age features, A/C and heat were not included. An intentional sacrifice of comfort over function, meant as a sort of reminder to keep the CEO grounded and focused. Late spring in Moscow was only 'unpleasantly chill' for most visitors, but Jacques and his escort were African. Luckily, Legion Premiere had always included a winter dress uniform, which was rarely seen in use. In fact, it had served as little other then one more piece of kit the Legionnaires needed to keep immaculate during their training.

There could be no denying the Legion was a military organization which had returned to rich traditions. Of course, these uniforms were as modernized as the staff car. While traditional in appearance, keeping to the almond-green fabric, blue sash, and white Kepi cap, they were made of modern materials. Slash-resistant cloth, concealed soft-weave body armour. Military grade Landwarriors were standard issue, as were hard-case Wallets.

The officer of his guard, Capitaine Espen Pedersen, along with the Sig Sauer P226 pistol all members of the security detail openly carried, wore a traditional Infantry Sabre. The groups disembarkation from their private jet in Moscow, while covered by local news agencies, while not bound to make any degree of breaking or wide-spread news, would surely feature as a side-bar story on their social media feeds.

There was no waiting officials, no pomp and ceremony. Jacques, dressed in an officers uniform much like Capitaine Pedersen, but lacking in the bars of an officer. In fact, Jacques uniform lacked any markings of rank or title, but still bore myriad patches and medals marking completed training and gained qualifications.

Jacques right hand had been replaced with a prosthetic, one of the reasons for the weeks that had passed before his final departure for the CCD. Surgeries, recovery time, and of course necessary physiotherapy to teach him how to function with the new hand. It was the best Africa could provide, donated by a non-profit organization active in northern and western Africa, but years behind what Jacques could easily have afforded had he wished it.

It was a new hand. Functional, and with it he could wield a pistol once more. He could write, with some difficulty, he could type, albeit slower then before, and perhaps luckily he had never been skilled with musical instruments. And he could salute his men once more, shake hands, drink his tea and hold the saucer properly, read a book and turn the page without putting it down. It was the little things in life, after all.

What had come as some surprise for Jacques, was the legal departments announcement that the CCD government had made the Igumnov House available for the Legion's use during its stay in Moscow. The former home of the French ambassador, the building was only 4kms from the Red Square, situated in the historic Yakimanka District.

The Legion motorcade, three Legion SUVs escorting the black Citroen Traction, all flying the Legion flag and colours, navigated the well rehearsed route from airport to destination, where they were met by a dozen Legion staff whom had arrived a week in advance to prepare the building for its use. Staff had been hired from local agencies, oddly favoring less experienced and, theoretically, qualified personnel for the Legion's relatively light requirements.

A Legion cook (the mother of a Legionnaire in Jacques guard retinue) would serve as master of the kitchen, with local staff to assist. Legion clerks and legal staff would work with local temp workers to form his legal, administrative, and PR departments on the ground for the duration of his stay. Three members of a very respectable private security company had even been hired on to further train and instruct his security detail on CCP procedures, legal requirements, and appropriate close-protection drills.

By mid day, Jacques sat in what would serve as his office, attached to what would surely have been a lavish bedroom suite if the original furniture was still in place. Most of the furnishings from the buildings' time as home of an ambassador were long gone. The building had been re-purposed for a time as a government office during a lengthy renovation project in one of the Kremlin's many administrative buildings, and had while considered a heritage site, it had seen little use since.

As such, much of the furnishings within had been either shipped in advance, or had been purchased second hand or even rented. They were functional, sturdy, and offered little by way of grandeur and expense. The Legion was frugal when it came to frivolous expenses, and Jacques had no practical need for expensive hardwood desks and upholstered throne-like chairs.

His tea, however, was perhaps a bit of an indulgence. He sat alone, for the moment, a copy of War and Peace in hand, in its original Russian (translated thanks to software run on his Landwarriors), and a selection of Russian classical music playing softly in the background. There was no chance of him actually completing the lengthy novel during his relatively brief, and likely quite busy, stint in Moscow, but it was a bit of a habit of his, to at least attempt to embrace some historic culture of a region he visited.

His meetings would likely begin the following day, but the Legion's temporary office was open to any whom wished to visit or were interested in signing on; although in truth, few or none were likely to partake. The Battle of Jeddah, while important to the Legion's history and to those whom had survived it, was but one of many skirmishes that had occurred that bloody night throughout DV, and the public at large tended to have short memories.

(( This takes place after things that have yet to happen Sage has gone to Moscow, after Fallout and Carl ))

The keys to the kingdom had been handed to Bryan. He'd never thought he'd ever open the door to the room that Sage Parker coveted so tightly. But here he was standing in the server room under the blue glow of the lighting system and the frigid air all around him. Bryan had to actually set up a station to utilize the server, but once that was done the virtual interfaces were phenomenal. It was like every process was up on the screen. Every background program that Sage ran as Phaser. Every piece of information and every link to every hole the collective had created for the borg or phaser or whatever alias he had used. It was all there for him to use. His protege had handed him his world.

The last thing Sage had done was leak information about the Ascendancy. Bryan didn't know why. Hell no one ever knew why Sage did what he did. This wasn't typical of his friend, but it had been his last thing to do before he had fallen ill. Before his computer brain started fighting back against the abuse of his parents. It made Bryan sad to think Sage gave this all up because he was afraid someone would try to kill him and would take everything Sage wanted. He was such a paranoid child since his parents did what they did to him. Everywhere he had saw a threat - he even saw a threat in their friendship from time to time.

When the CCD finally made an announcement about the information Sage had leaked. Sage was already falling down the rabbit hole, he couldn't dig any deeper. So Bryan decided he would do his friend a solid and find the truth he was always looking to find. But all the information was behind lock and key. Bryan would become the man he'd train. It was the collective everyone followed - behind Phaser. This was the only way.

Bryan would helm it from Sage's server and he would be the man. It wasn't hard to use the signature, it was right there waiting - calling. Bryan pulled up the most secure connection he could and he began. He would hit find the truth of the nuclear attack on the Kremlin - he didn't believe it and Sage wouldn't either. Bryan hit the Kremlin's firewalls as hard and fast as he could. He called upon the collective for help with Phaser at the helm they came to his aid.

Armande awoke, the cool of the rock pressing into his cheek. His whole body felt afire, the stench of burned hair and cloth and skin filling his nostrils. His vision was cloudy and the unstoppable cough that tore from his chest sent him into new heights of agony.

A sickly orange flickering cast dancing shadows on the walls of the tunnel. He swallowed painfully and tried to rise, pushing himself up with his hands. His knees digging into the rock floor screamed and his blistered hands protested with vehemence and he collapsed. He was so tired. His entire body was an avalanche of agony.

From within, another fire burned. Anger. Rage. They had burned his home. They had sent his people scattering. They had violated his sanctuary. That fire roared, hotter and hotter, a growl coming into his chest.

He would lay down no longer. Not one minute more. He assumed the Chong Rann and sealed the pain away. He stood, feeling the cool fresh air in his lungs even as he coughed. In those moments, stabs of pain still broke through, but he ignored them and stumbled down the tunnels.

The slope indicated that he was going down. To where, he did not know. Deeper and deeper he went, passing encampments, abandoned subway stations and lines, deeper into the bowels of the earth. It fit. Let everyone think he was dead. Let them relax their guard. Let them know peace. The calm before the storm.

The storm was coming.


Edited by Regus, Nov 12 2016, 02:00 PM.