06-18-2015, 06:38 PM
Strategy and politics were closely aligned, but Michael was not a politician. Nikolai doubted the sincerity of his submission was a calculated move designed to appeal to his ego. Yet what anger chilled his presence buried itself deep beneath the confines of logic.
Questions remained. Aria came to him. What was the nature of their initial meeting? Was this before or after Michael's valor on the DV battlefield? Other questions. What intention beyond self-defense would Nikolai take against an assassin foolish enough to confront him? "You want to preserve her life."
He spoke the conclusion aloud. "For your own design? Or for more plebeian reasons?"
His voice hinted disgust mixed with disappointment. Men were known to reject reason and strategy for baser emotions. He had not thought Michael one of such mundane number, but neither did Nikolai claim to know Michael at all.
Nikolai paused before ushering his final decree about Michael's future in the Custody. The truth was that Michael was thus far irreplaceable and only upon great declaration would he banish the strategist from his world.
Michael's design was to splinter the Atharim, but the task was impossible. Yet the existence of Aria's companion, pitiful as he was, suggested potential. The possibility of a broken Atharim beckoned second thought. If the splintering was possible, was that a goal Nikolai wanted fulfilled? And to what end. To rule the Atharim himself was undesired. Or simply to decimate a society that for the most part kept the world from the brink of panic? The ramifications would be catastrophic.
Now was the time for Michael to explain his plans for this faction, if he had any at all. It was time they confront the topic of the Atharim.
Questions remained. Aria came to him. What was the nature of their initial meeting? Was this before or after Michael's valor on the DV battlefield? Other questions. What intention beyond self-defense would Nikolai take against an assassin foolish enough to confront him? "You want to preserve her life."
He spoke the conclusion aloud. "For your own design? Or for more plebeian reasons?"
His voice hinted disgust mixed with disappointment. Men were known to reject reason and strategy for baser emotions. He had not thought Michael one of such mundane number, but neither did Nikolai claim to know Michael at all.
Nikolai paused before ushering his final decree about Michael's future in the Custody. The truth was that Michael was thus far irreplaceable and only upon great declaration would he banish the strategist from his world.
Michael's design was to splinter the Atharim, but the task was impossible. Yet the existence of Aria's companion, pitiful as he was, suggested potential. The possibility of a broken Atharim beckoned second thought. If the splintering was possible, was that a goal Nikolai wanted fulfilled? And to what end. To rule the Atharim himself was undesired. Or simply to decimate a society that for the most part kept the world from the brink of panic? The ramifications would be catastrophic.
Now was the time for Michael to explain his plans for this faction, if he had any at all. It was time they confront the topic of the Atharim.