09-28-2013, 11:35 AM
The press struggled. Time was ticking away. The strict ten minutes allotted to their questions was shrinking fast, and they were torn between probing the Ascendancy for plans regarding the United States and seeking official statements about these surprising turn of events.
Thirty years in politics did not mean it was easy. He could not tune out everything and focus on the single entity that tempted distraction. He repeated his three main islands of statements over and over. The strategy for fielding press conferences and interviews were always the same: maintain eye contact and stick to your main points.
There was a shadow on the room. Though each and every eager face vying for his was completely oblivious to its presence. It was outside the spectrum of their meager minds to comprehend or sense. A wailing pitch that only those born to greater capacities could hear.
All but one man. Trano looked side to side, then shrank within himself. Nikolai's scanning of the back row paused to settle on the uncharacteristically quiet American. His Chinese compatriot, however, was forthcoming as ever.
The leading rows of the press corps turned when the Ascendancy called upon Ke Si Chen, who brought up that for all the legislation put forth, never once had the CCD approached China. Or for that matter, any other nation of the Americas, which at this point in time, should be easy pickings.
"Resentment? Is it not? For the country that wronged you." Chen asked with more insight than anyone else had thought to bring up. Or they were too hesitant to point out.
Nikolai began to answer, but suddenly the explosion of popping glass stopped him. Every coil of light shattered overhead, raining down shards of glittering glass like a sharp curtain fell between the edge of his podium and the front row of the prestigious CCD press corps. The stage dimmed. Though Nikolai did not so much as flinch, the eclipse cloaked cavernous angles of light hard on the planes of his face. He of course knew it was coming. It was the very safe effect he'd forced in that Bologna car park the first time he touched the power.
Unfortunately, half a heartbeat later, the off-stage security agents swept into view and practically pasted their bodies against his. Which meant their conference was over; a shameful ending to cut their time two-minutes short.
He was immediately whisked from the stage though not without landing a final glance on Trano.
He wanted Trano to know exactly what he did, and feel powerless to do anything about it. It was a risk Nikolai was not completely comfortable taking. Either he would depress Trano's will so thoroughly that the man would cease his campaigns or Nikolai was crafting his future adversary. He couldn't have the man killed outright. He needed him broken.
They met eyes. Give up, the shade his smile said, you'll never win.
Additional agents swarmed into the room out of no where. Until security was verified, nobody was going anywhere, unless it were to visit an interrogation room.
Thirty years in politics did not mean it was easy. He could not tune out everything and focus on the single entity that tempted distraction. He repeated his three main islands of statements over and over. The strategy for fielding press conferences and interviews were always the same: maintain eye contact and stick to your main points.
There was a shadow on the room. Though each and every eager face vying for his was completely oblivious to its presence. It was outside the spectrum of their meager minds to comprehend or sense. A wailing pitch that only those born to greater capacities could hear.
All but one man. Trano looked side to side, then shrank within himself. Nikolai's scanning of the back row paused to settle on the uncharacteristically quiet American. His Chinese compatriot, however, was forthcoming as ever.
The leading rows of the press corps turned when the Ascendancy called upon Ke Si Chen, who brought up that for all the legislation put forth, never once had the CCD approached China. Or for that matter, any other nation of the Americas, which at this point in time, should be easy pickings.
"Resentment? Is it not? For the country that wronged you." Chen asked with more insight than anyone else had thought to bring up. Or they were too hesitant to point out.
Nikolai began to answer, but suddenly the explosion of popping glass stopped him. Every coil of light shattered overhead, raining down shards of glittering glass like a sharp curtain fell between the edge of his podium and the front row of the prestigious CCD press corps. The stage dimmed. Though Nikolai did not so much as flinch, the eclipse cloaked cavernous angles of light hard on the planes of his face. He of course knew it was coming. It was the very safe effect he'd forced in that Bologna car park the first time he touched the power.
Unfortunately, half a heartbeat later, the off-stage security agents swept into view and practically pasted their bodies against his. Which meant their conference was over; a shameful ending to cut their time two-minutes short.
He was immediately whisked from the stage though not without landing a final glance on Trano.
He wanted Trano to know exactly what he did, and feel powerless to do anything about it. It was a risk Nikolai was not completely comfortable taking. Either he would depress Trano's will so thoroughly that the man would cease his campaigns or Nikolai was crafting his future adversary. He couldn't have the man killed outright. He needed him broken.
They met eyes. Give up, the shade his smile said, you'll never win.
Additional agents swarmed into the room out of no where. Until security was verified, nobody was going anywhere, unless it were to visit an interrogation room.