Prep

[Michael Vellas]

Michael watched as Jacques sat and began to laugh. Perhaps he had given the man too much credit. Perhaps he was being too wary. Jacques's explanation made perfect sense. Talk about the change in laws towards mercenaries - for that is what they were, whatever words the bureaucrats used - had been crammed in his face for months by excited or disgusted military personnel.

Michael did not particularly care what the CCD did. Mercenaries could be equal parts useful and dangerous; if the CCD erred, they would pay for their own failings.

And where did the Legion fall, useful or dangerous?

Michael's brows lifted in surprise when Jacques mentioned the essay he had written years ago. A surprise indeed. He had barely read the thing himself - although that was circumstance rather than intent - he was shocked it had reached the distant shores of...well, anywhere. That Jacques had remembered it - and connected the name in so short a time was impressive.

Jacques then banished any doubt from Michael's mind when his tone turned. While he had remained impassive at the earlier flattery, his lips curved into something akin to a pleased smile - so small, but a quick mind could not fail to notice. His eyes shone with excitement and an anticipation he had only felt when he challenged himself with the power.

Already ideas were framed, modified and discarded in his mind as is turned over the possibilities like cog-works. Here was a chance for something more than just insipid military indoctrinated process.

"We are all but pawns in the game of life. The smallest of pieces on the chess board."
He leaned forward, itching to seize the power that was life. "Do you play chess, Mr. Danjou? I find the pawn an extremely interesting piece. It is the only piece that does not move backwards. The others are often caught up in their own importance and lose sight of the goal."


He waved a hand with calculated disregard and opened the visual database network. He spent a moment searching before bringing up the item he needed, then compressed it into a blank portable visual storage device - or something similar, he was not exactly sure what they called them these days.

He turned on the screen - the cover of an old Soldier of Fortune issue appearing in the small window - and continued. "Perhaps it is simply an indulgent past-time,"
he dismissed his earlier comments, although he had to refrain from gritting his teeth. He hated the need for secrecy, but if Tony had taught him anything, it was a semblance of subtlety, even if the old bastard would never admit it. "While all eyes are averted, the pawn simply moves forward through the storm,
" here he locked eyes with Jacques to make his meaning abundantly clear. "And the storm shapes the pawn into one of the most effective pieces, no?"


He signed the copy of Solider of Fortune with his digital pen and handed it to Jacques. Of course, the signature was merely pretence. A smart leader - and he was sure that Jacques was no fool - would find the code linked to Michael's private and secured communication line embedded in the device. "My apologies for summoning you, Mr. Danjou,"
he continued in a lighter, business-like tone. "Merely a precaution, you will understand, surely. You are free to go."
He stood, extending a hand. "I hear Jerusalem or Dubai are quite nice this time of year, if you ever get the chance to visit. At least, that's what I hear, anyway."



Edited by Michael Vellas, Jan 30 2014, 12:52 PM.