07-06-2014, 07:24 PM
Michael's was a poor explanation. More than one usually stoic-faced man shifted, unconvinced. Nikolai gathered as much. Michael was hardly a statesman and while he was a talented-enough strategist to be recruited by the Custody of Defense, his communication skills were lacking.
What Michael lacked in skill, Nikolai expressed in sheer talent.
"With this information, gentlemen, analysis of operations in Jeddah reveals shocking new information. As we know, Legion Premiere's forces worked in collaboration with Custody operators."
Nikolai gestured to the wall where the immersion screen transformed into post-battle analysis of the chronological sequence of events: a satellite-enhanced map, basically, depicting a time-loop of targets, symbols, casualties, and convoys. Congregations of the enemy were depicted as a single-chromatic heat map.
"You'll recognize work by the CoD analyists."
The men turned, many nodded. The Chief of Intelligence was foremost to recognize it. It was his analyists that created the diagram.
He drew his fingers across the command pad on the table and the screen shifted. A new symbol was introduced. "And this is the same analysis when enhanced by potential workings of powers such as what was introduced by Commander Vellas."
Nikolai had seen the loop already. It had been his mind, after all, that studied the sequence of events, seeking the otherwise inexplicable to decipher what could- or could not- have been power-driven. Michael's work was clear. As the evidence was substantiated by video surveillance. There were other potential points, however. Casualties increased dramatically in such radii, the recovery and redirection around such points were exponentially delayed and more difficult.
Nik therefore had no need to watch the map. He studied the expressions of each man of the Collective. Among the most talented men of war in the world, they were, naturally, not an easy group of reactions to decipher. But Nikolai recognized a few tells. Kondrat was drumming his fingers, already integrating the information into potential for Special Forces, likely thinking back to the many seeds subconsciously planted in his mind at the previous night's dinner.
"As you can imagine, the face of war will change, but we have the opportunity to anticipate the arc of the future. So, this morning, in this room, we are going to commission the formation of a special operations task force led by Commander Vellas."
The eyes of his generals slid toward Michael. "He is a foreigner, Ascendancy."
Bader Koertig, another 4-star General of the Army, and Chief of ground forces, spoke up with a sneer of distaste on his lip.
"Indeed,"
Nik replied thoughtfully. The tension was palpable, but Nik knew what he was doing.
"But the Commander has been a true servant of the Custody since he was recruited,"
the blue of Nik's eyes settled cool on Michael, "and has demonstrated bravery and loyalty in the face of the enemy. I trust he is best suited to this task."
Michael had to assume Nikolai didn't trust him personally. Either way, he was still the best option on the table, and somebody had to take command. "But like all Special Operations, his unit will fall under the supreme officers of this Collective."
Kondrat Borodin, Chief of Special Operations spoke, "And recruitment?"
"A difficulty. Integration with the Facility will be necessary."
The answer seemed to satisfy Kondrat for the time being.
Admiral Rignor Kennedy, of the CCD Naval Command, interrupted, "and under what branch will these forces operate, Ascendancy?"
An excellent question. Luckily, Nik had an answer prepared. The screens shifted again, paused on a silhouette of Michael positioned before walls of blue fire.
Nikolai stood and rounded the table until he was positioned in front of the image, blocking out the view of Michael while the fires of his creation loomed around him. He clasped his hands behind him. "Our capabilities are thus far proved limitless. Land. Sea. Air. I foresee this group will transcend any current existing branch. I ask the Collective to consider expansion of the military."
Backs straightened at his suggestion. The man who posed the question, Adm. Kennedy responded with an air of tentative acceptance. "That means the Commander would serve as head of an additional branch, and on this Collective."
Nikolai nodded. He needed them to reach this conclusion on their own. By posing the question of military organization, they had. Kondrat might find Michael a threat, but they saw eye-to-eye at last night's dinner. Perhaps they could work together after all. It was a dangerous chess board Nikolai navigated, moving Generals and Admirals against their instincts while yet retaining their utmost loyalty.
"Indeed it would."
He turned to the man in question. "And what have you to say about the suggestion, Commander?"
What Michael lacked in skill, Nikolai expressed in sheer talent.
"With this information, gentlemen, analysis of operations in Jeddah reveals shocking new information. As we know, Legion Premiere's forces worked in collaboration with Custody operators."
Nikolai gestured to the wall where the immersion screen transformed into post-battle analysis of the chronological sequence of events: a satellite-enhanced map, basically, depicting a time-loop of targets, symbols, casualties, and convoys. Congregations of the enemy were depicted as a single-chromatic heat map.
"You'll recognize work by the CoD analyists."
The men turned, many nodded. The Chief of Intelligence was foremost to recognize it. It was his analyists that created the diagram.
He drew his fingers across the command pad on the table and the screen shifted. A new symbol was introduced. "And this is the same analysis when enhanced by potential workings of powers such as what was introduced by Commander Vellas."
Nikolai had seen the loop already. It had been his mind, after all, that studied the sequence of events, seeking the otherwise inexplicable to decipher what could- or could not- have been power-driven. Michael's work was clear. As the evidence was substantiated by video surveillance. There were other potential points, however. Casualties increased dramatically in such radii, the recovery and redirection around such points were exponentially delayed and more difficult.
Nik therefore had no need to watch the map. He studied the expressions of each man of the Collective. Among the most talented men of war in the world, they were, naturally, not an easy group of reactions to decipher. But Nikolai recognized a few tells. Kondrat was drumming his fingers, already integrating the information into potential for Special Forces, likely thinking back to the many seeds subconsciously planted in his mind at the previous night's dinner.
"As you can imagine, the face of war will change, but we have the opportunity to anticipate the arc of the future. So, this morning, in this room, we are going to commission the formation of a special operations task force led by Commander Vellas."
The eyes of his generals slid toward Michael. "He is a foreigner, Ascendancy."
Bader Koertig, another 4-star General of the Army, and Chief of ground forces, spoke up with a sneer of distaste on his lip.
"Indeed,"
Nik replied thoughtfully. The tension was palpable, but Nik knew what he was doing.
"But the Commander has been a true servant of the Custody since he was recruited,"
the blue of Nik's eyes settled cool on Michael, "and has demonstrated bravery and loyalty in the face of the enemy. I trust he is best suited to this task."
Michael had to assume Nikolai didn't trust him personally. Either way, he was still the best option on the table, and somebody had to take command. "But like all Special Operations, his unit will fall under the supreme officers of this Collective."
Kondrat Borodin, Chief of Special Operations spoke, "And recruitment?"
"A difficulty. Integration with the Facility will be necessary."
The answer seemed to satisfy Kondrat for the time being.
Admiral Rignor Kennedy, of the CCD Naval Command, interrupted, "and under what branch will these forces operate, Ascendancy?"
An excellent question. Luckily, Nik had an answer prepared. The screens shifted again, paused on a silhouette of Michael positioned before walls of blue fire.
Nikolai stood and rounded the table until he was positioned in front of the image, blocking out the view of Michael while the fires of his creation loomed around him. He clasped his hands behind him. "Our capabilities are thus far proved limitless. Land. Sea. Air. I foresee this group will transcend any current existing branch. I ask the Collective to consider expansion of the military."
Backs straightened at his suggestion. The man who posed the question, Adm. Kennedy responded with an air of tentative acceptance. "That means the Commander would serve as head of an additional branch, and on this Collective."
Nikolai nodded. He needed them to reach this conclusion on their own. By posing the question of military organization, they had. Kondrat might find Michael a threat, but they saw eye-to-eye at last night's dinner. Perhaps they could work together after all. It was a dangerous chess board Nikolai navigated, moving Generals and Admirals against their instincts while yet retaining their utmost loyalty.
"Indeed it would."
He turned to the man in question. "And what have you to say about the suggestion, Commander?"