03-05-2024, 06:38 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-05-2024, 06:41 AM by Michael Vellas.)
"Sir, the Ascendancy has sent orders," one of the newest recruit said. A boy, no more than 17 with wide and eager eyes. A shame, but nature does not discriminate.
Michael nodded, attempting to smooth the boy's obvious nerves. "You have done well to bring me this, recruit. What is your name?"
The boy's eyes darted around the room and Michael took the opportunity to sit down in the cold chair behind his desk. There was no need for a desk in this day and age. Everything of importance was either on his person or in his mind. However, he found that many of the recruits, even those among the Rods of Dominion felt more comfortable with something between he and them. The necessity of purging the initial recruits of their ego personally had spread as respect or fear in the subsequent months as more were gathered up by Brandon Nikolai.
"Uh, Jeremy, Sir. Jeremy Smallwood, recruit uh...148..." the boy answered eventually.
"Well, Jeremy, I hope you apply yourself to your training well. If you are in need of any advice, go to Karim. He is the best at explaining how things work. Now, what word from our great leader?" Michael said.
"Oh.. There is a..a woman. I don't know the details. She was sent here to be trained by you, Sir."
Michael's face didn't change, but he wondered at the order. He couldn't teach a woman anything beyond the basics, and Brandon Nikolai knew that. So, what did he want from her? Simple control? That didn't seem likely. If the woman wasn't intimidated by the Ascendancy himself, Michael wouldn't do any better, nor did he care to. So, something else then.
"Very well, please bring her here, I hope she has not been waiting too long. Go now, Jeremy."
Michael nodded, attempting to smooth the boy's obvious nerves. "You have done well to bring me this, recruit. What is your name?"
The boy's eyes darted around the room and Michael took the opportunity to sit down in the cold chair behind his desk. There was no need for a desk in this day and age. Everything of importance was either on his person or in his mind. However, he found that many of the recruits, even those among the Rods of Dominion felt more comfortable with something between he and them. The necessity of purging the initial recruits of their ego personally had spread as respect or fear in the subsequent months as more were gathered up by Brandon Nikolai.
"Uh, Jeremy, Sir. Jeremy Smallwood, recruit uh...148..." the boy answered eventually.
"Well, Jeremy, I hope you apply yourself to your training well. If you are in need of any advice, go to Karim. He is the best at explaining how things work. Now, what word from our great leader?" Michael said.
"Oh.. There is a..a woman. I don't know the details. She was sent here to be trained by you, Sir."
Michael's face didn't change, but he wondered at the order. He couldn't teach a woman anything beyond the basics, and Brandon Nikolai knew that. So, what did he want from her? Simple control? That didn't seem likely. If the woman wasn't intimidated by the Ascendancy himself, Michael wouldn't do any better, nor did he care to. So, something else then.
"Very well, please bring her here, I hope she has not been waiting too long. Go now, Jeremy."
"She saw a flaring halo around his head, radiant in gold and blue. It shouted of glory and power to come"
"No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it."