02-02-2017, 09:49 PM
The rise his insinuations elicited were exactly what he hoped. The Secretary, whom clearly wielded no power - literally or metaphorically - flat scoffed. The others darkened with offense. And the Congresswoman, Evelyn, was quick to point out the flaws in his logic. Empires fell. War was inevitable.
She was right. Nikolai was more aware than most when it came to the fates of those in power. He studied the histories closely, pondered their downfall. The 18th century scholar, Gibbons, outlined eight causes for the fall of a superpower:
Declining morals undermined the institution of rule. Political corruption ate away at the foundations of a government. Declines in public health, employment and urban infrastructure breed revolt. Inflation and the diversion of funds into disproportionate defense spending rather than reinvestment in technologies and capitalism did not sow an environment worthy of cultural progress.
Of the eight jaws that ripped apart superpowers, the CCD was immune. The Ascendancy saw to it by the strength of his will and foresight of his wisdom. Perhaps others would call it genius, but he called it common sense. Sheep do not follow the sheepdogs, he once penned.
"I will care for the people in my custody as I care for my own children. They are my priority."
His answer was flat, lifeless compared to the vigor with which Evelyn accused him of arrogance. She framed it in the form of a question, but the accusation was plain.
Nikolai smiled.
"What else do they say about me?"
Garrett Ravhid had been the first one to call him a god. To this day, he could still hear the shake in his voice when he said it.
You're a god.
She was right. Nikolai was more aware than most when it came to the fates of those in power. He studied the histories closely, pondered their downfall. The 18th century scholar, Gibbons, outlined eight causes for the fall of a superpower:
Declining morals undermined the institution of rule. Political corruption ate away at the foundations of a government. Declines in public health, employment and urban infrastructure breed revolt. Inflation and the diversion of funds into disproportionate defense spending rather than reinvestment in technologies and capitalism did not sow an environment worthy of cultural progress.
Of the eight jaws that ripped apart superpowers, the CCD was immune. The Ascendancy saw to it by the strength of his will and foresight of his wisdom. Perhaps others would call it genius, but he called it common sense. Sheep do not follow the sheepdogs, he once penned.
"I will care for the people in my custody as I care for my own children. They are my priority."
His answer was flat, lifeless compared to the vigor with which Evelyn accused him of arrogance. She framed it in the form of a question, but the accusation was plain.
Nikolai smiled.
"What else do they say about me?"
Garrett Ravhid had been the first one to call him a god. To this day, he could still hear the shake in his voice when he said it.
You're a god.