12-08-2013, 04:08 PM
Dr. Weston's reply came as no surprise. They were the words of a realist, who could not help but hope for a better world. Michael could sympathise, although he doubted it.
Still...the man had united half of the world under one banner. Perhaps she was right, but until he saw otherwise, it was a melting pot for destruction.
"I would rather not take the risk at all,"
he replied after a moment. "If that man dies, there will be chaos. These people he is meeting are fanatics. They answer to no-one but their God, they have made that abundantly clear. Any bloodshed would most likely ignite a fire far too large for anyone to extinguish."
It was something people seemed to have forgotten over time. It was so easy to kill now that a life was like a blade of grass. He knew that only too well. "There is an old saying: 'Discretion is the better part of valour.' Discretion is key to this operation."
He turned to Zokoskev, who had already begun making estimates. "However many soldiers you have noted, cut the number in half."
He resumed his conversation with Dr. Weston, adding an explanation. "Mecca,"
-why Ascendancy had chosen Mecca of all places was beyond him - "will be taught like a drawn bow ready to fire. Excess soldiers increases the danger of violence."
Zokoskev opened his mouth to speak, but Michael cut him off, already aware of what he wanted to say. The man was good, but he was far too heavy-handed and over-cautious. "We will be in the heart of al-Hasan's territory, if they launched an attack, they would have the numbers to overrun a guard twice the size. We would have to mobilise a force that would look more like an invasion to counter it - and as Dr. Weston has said, this mission is for peace."
Michael glanced at Zokoskev again to see if he had any more objections before continuing. "We can discuss the details when I have formed a more complete plan, unless you wish to add anything? If not, let us dispense with the formalities. This operation is extremely important. Both of our lives depend on it."
Still...the man had united half of the world under one banner. Perhaps she was right, but until he saw otherwise, it was a melting pot for destruction.
"I would rather not take the risk at all,"
he replied after a moment. "If that man dies, there will be chaos. These people he is meeting are fanatics. They answer to no-one but their God, they have made that abundantly clear. Any bloodshed would most likely ignite a fire far too large for anyone to extinguish."
It was something people seemed to have forgotten over time. It was so easy to kill now that a life was like a blade of grass. He knew that only too well. "There is an old saying: 'Discretion is the better part of valour.' Discretion is key to this operation."
He turned to Zokoskev, who had already begun making estimates. "However many soldiers you have noted, cut the number in half."
He resumed his conversation with Dr. Weston, adding an explanation. "Mecca,"
-why Ascendancy had chosen Mecca of all places was beyond him - "will be taught like a drawn bow ready to fire. Excess soldiers increases the danger of violence."
Zokoskev opened his mouth to speak, but Michael cut him off, already aware of what he wanted to say. The man was good, but he was far too heavy-handed and over-cautious. "We will be in the heart of al-Hasan's territory, if they launched an attack, they would have the numbers to overrun a guard twice the size. We would have to mobilise a force that would look more like an invasion to counter it - and as Dr. Weston has said, this mission is for peace."
Michael glanced at Zokoskev again to see if he had any more objections before continuing. "We can discuss the details when I have formed a more complete plan, unless you wish to add anything? If not, let us dispense with the formalities. This operation is extremely important. Both of our lives depend on it."
"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."