04-11-2018, 09:09 PM
He swept into the training chamber without preamble. Ranier hung back, just another Barrier Preator agent that shadowed his steps. Quite unusually, there was a briefcase propped at his feet. Michael was obviously absent, what with being occupied with planning the African mission.
A smile touched his lips like a father reunited with beloved children. He clasped hands with Al'Shaddis, greeting him. Having seen the man already once that day in Michael's company, he moved by soon after.
He appraised each man individually. Eager and bright-eyed, Nikolai approved of their collective presence. Once Karim joined the line, they were nine strong.
"I have three objectives for you today. The first is this."
Tech in the room flashed to life, depicting the invitation to the ball. "Two days from now, the Kremlin is hosting a fundraiser ball for the elite of the CCD. The funds will benefit humanitarian efforts abroad,"
he glanced at Jay as he finished. "In our partnership with the armed forces of Legion Premiere and the mission in Africa."
He released Jay of his gaze and addressed the group once more. "The ascendants will attend this ball for three purposes. You will provide the ultimate source of protection to our government, our guests, and to me. Second, the world will come to know you for what you are. Finally, we will together - all of us - combine the power into a display of sorts."
An amused sort of smile ghosted his expression a moment. He had ideas, but had not yet decided on the nature of the display.
"The following week, some of you will be deployed to Africa under Commander Vellas. I have decided that Al'Shaddis will remain here and hold ranking command in Vellas' absence. I will leave it to Commander Vellas to outline your objectives abroad. The members of the deployment party are yet to be determined, but I assure you, I am carefully considering who these will be. But-"
he turned to Jay, "Lieutenant Carpenter will certainly be one. His experience on the continent will prove invaluable. He will be responsible for debriefing the final party on what to expect."
He dipped his head slightly. Hopefully the boy has learned more control by then. If not, the battlefield would be a harsh teacher.
The last order of business followed. Nik glanced over his shoulder as threads of the power retrieved the briefcase resting at Ranier's feet. It came to float at his side when he opened the lid and beheld the contents.
He thought about preparing the medals prior to arriving, but the experience would be more valuable if their creation happened before their eyes.
The power flowed through him, that glorious and majestic river of wrath. He willed it into submission and a silvery orb floated to the forefront.
Twenty flows penetrated the orb and it writhed and warped in response. The metal splintered and nine silvery globs broke off. The metal became part of him as the stone and earth of Lenin's tomb once had been. Though with far less strenuous efforts, his gaze was sharply tuned to the work.
The nine pieces flattened, turned to spheres, then two bars were laid across. The metal, a mix of platinum and tungsten, shone with hundred needled facets around the edge, some shining bright silver, the others a dark matte metal. Unnatural, made only by the hand of the power, nothing of man could be so intricate. Embossed across one bar was a sword, the other cascading olive leaves.
The symbolism was drawn from the CCD seal, of course. The crossing of strength with peace - the sword and the olive leaves. He plucked the first medal from the air and held it in his hands. It was heavy but small enough to not tug on the cloth to which it would soon be pinned. It easily fit in the palm of his hand, but the sharp edges of the facets pricked like needles. The others hovered behind as he approached Karim and handed him his medal. One by one, he went down the line, distributing the medals to each man and speaking the same words, "You are one of the Nine. A rod of Custody dominion."
"Wear it at the ball. You're being conscripted new uniforms as well. Prepare well. Our time is coming."
He closed up the briefcase and returned it to Ranier's safekeeping. Finally, before departing, he had one last item to discuss. "Lieutenant Carpenter."
He beckoned the man to join him in a circle of silence, a sphere to protect others from overhearing.
A smile touched his lips like a father reunited with beloved children. He clasped hands with Al'Shaddis, greeting him. Having seen the man already once that day in Michael's company, he moved by soon after.
He appraised each man individually. Eager and bright-eyed, Nikolai approved of their collective presence. Once Karim joined the line, they were nine strong.
"I have three objectives for you today. The first is this."
Tech in the room flashed to life, depicting the invitation to the ball. "Two days from now, the Kremlin is hosting a fundraiser ball for the elite of the CCD. The funds will benefit humanitarian efforts abroad,"
he glanced at Jay as he finished. "In our partnership with the armed forces of Legion Premiere and the mission in Africa."
He released Jay of his gaze and addressed the group once more. "The ascendants will attend this ball for three purposes. You will provide the ultimate source of protection to our government, our guests, and to me. Second, the world will come to know you for what you are. Finally, we will together - all of us - combine the power into a display of sorts."
An amused sort of smile ghosted his expression a moment. He had ideas, but had not yet decided on the nature of the display.
"The following week, some of you will be deployed to Africa under Commander Vellas. I have decided that Al'Shaddis will remain here and hold ranking command in Vellas' absence. I will leave it to Commander Vellas to outline your objectives abroad. The members of the deployment party are yet to be determined, but I assure you, I am carefully considering who these will be. But-"
he turned to Jay, "Lieutenant Carpenter will certainly be one. His experience on the continent will prove invaluable. He will be responsible for debriefing the final party on what to expect."
He dipped his head slightly. Hopefully the boy has learned more control by then. If not, the battlefield would be a harsh teacher.
The last order of business followed. Nik glanced over his shoulder as threads of the power retrieved the briefcase resting at Ranier's feet. It came to float at his side when he opened the lid and beheld the contents.
He thought about preparing the medals prior to arriving, but the experience would be more valuable if their creation happened before their eyes.
The power flowed through him, that glorious and majestic river of wrath. He willed it into submission and a silvery orb floated to the forefront.
Twenty flows penetrated the orb and it writhed and warped in response. The metal splintered and nine silvery globs broke off. The metal became part of him as the stone and earth of Lenin's tomb once had been. Though with far less strenuous efforts, his gaze was sharply tuned to the work.
The nine pieces flattened, turned to spheres, then two bars were laid across. The metal, a mix of platinum and tungsten, shone with hundred needled facets around the edge, some shining bright silver, the others a dark matte metal. Unnatural, made only by the hand of the power, nothing of man could be so intricate. Embossed across one bar was a sword, the other cascading olive leaves.
The symbolism was drawn from the CCD seal, of course. The crossing of strength with peace - the sword and the olive leaves. He plucked the first medal from the air and held it in his hands. It was heavy but small enough to not tug on the cloth to which it would soon be pinned. It easily fit in the palm of his hand, but the sharp edges of the facets pricked like needles. The others hovered behind as he approached Karim and handed him his medal. One by one, he went down the line, distributing the medals to each man and speaking the same words, "You are one of the Nine. A rod of Custody dominion."
"Wear it at the ball. You're being conscripted new uniforms as well. Prepare well. Our time is coming."
He closed up the briefcase and returned it to Ranier's safekeeping. Finally, before departing, he had one last item to discuss. "Lieutenant Carpenter."
He beckoned the man to join him in a circle of silence, a sphere to protect others from overhearing.