08-16-2016, 05:24 PM
Armande listened as the girl described everything she said she knew. He pulled area maps up on his desktop. Their agents and backchannels into various organizations and governments meant that their visual surveillance was not as hampered by military security as that of civilians might be. He found the entrance she described, far from the Kremlin itself. In fact it looked exactly the kind of hidden back tunnel the Czars and then members of the Politburo might have used in times of trouble. Though of course, it had done either of them no good in the end. Rasputin might have played a role in that.
Apollyon, though, would no doubt have expanded the complex of underground entrances and peppered them with cameras and guards. They were one issue, but Aria had gotten in unseen and with no collateral damage to alert Apollyon. And they had technology to help with that. But again, if she was telling the truth.
That was the difficulty. A sentient sat before him and it grated at him that she could read him, mold herself to what he expected, adjust her reactions. Not perfectly, no. Microexpressions and body language gave a great deal away. But it gave her an advantage.
It was very likely behind her constantly flip tones, a mask that made you focus on it rather than on the truth. He resolved to not allow her to anger him further. Mentally, he assumed a relaxed meditative state, the beginning of the Chongg Ran. All his senses expanded under his control. She would feel it, of course, with her ability. But now that he was relaxed, breathing even, pulse strong and steady, his blue eyes took in everything. Her ability, in this moment, in this state, did not bother him.
He watched her, not with malice, but with intent. There was something in her explanation that needed clarifying. "Your intelligence is thorough. But you have not explained to me why you cannot roughly map out the route we need to take. Why it must be you that shows the way." He raised a finger preemptively, raising his eyebrow to forestall an outburst. The girl felt put upon and he did his best to keep things logical and clear. "Before you get defensive and let your mouth put you in further danger, consider. You are here. Now. And you have our attention. There will be other opportunities to attack Apollyon. The very fact you have made it inside and out unharmed indicates the man has weaknesses that he is unaware of. If he has one, he will have others. I imagine the next few days and weeks will see the number of things that demand his attention multiply exponentially as a result of his announcement. One might almost think he was purposely making things difficult on himself."
He paused, noting the thought for future consideration. Then continued with his inexorable logic. "Your intelligence can be actionable. Or it can be put aside for other plans. So do not take my question as a personal attack. I understand underground tunnels are confusing. Mapping in three-dimensions can be difficult unless one has the proper equipment. If that is the case, say it plain. Or if there is another reason you can lead us but cannot show us the route ahead of time, state that plainly."
His eyes hardened to make it clear that the time for childish outbursts was over. "But in any case, do so dispassionately. You are not a child." It would be difficult to trust this girl. But if she was telling the truth...it could be worth the risk.
Apollyon, though, would no doubt have expanded the complex of underground entrances and peppered them with cameras and guards. They were one issue, but Aria had gotten in unseen and with no collateral damage to alert Apollyon. And they had technology to help with that. But again, if she was telling the truth.
That was the difficulty. A sentient sat before him and it grated at him that she could read him, mold herself to what he expected, adjust her reactions. Not perfectly, no. Microexpressions and body language gave a great deal away. But it gave her an advantage.
It was very likely behind her constantly flip tones, a mask that made you focus on it rather than on the truth. He resolved to not allow her to anger him further. Mentally, he assumed a relaxed meditative state, the beginning of the Chongg Ran. All his senses expanded under his control. She would feel it, of course, with her ability. But now that he was relaxed, breathing even, pulse strong and steady, his blue eyes took in everything. Her ability, in this moment, in this state, did not bother him.
He watched her, not with malice, but with intent. There was something in her explanation that needed clarifying. "Your intelligence is thorough. But you have not explained to me why you cannot roughly map out the route we need to take. Why it must be you that shows the way." He raised a finger preemptively, raising his eyebrow to forestall an outburst. The girl felt put upon and he did his best to keep things logical and clear. "Before you get defensive and let your mouth put you in further danger, consider. You are here. Now. And you have our attention. There will be other opportunities to attack Apollyon. The very fact you have made it inside and out unharmed indicates the man has weaknesses that he is unaware of. If he has one, he will have others. I imagine the next few days and weeks will see the number of things that demand his attention multiply exponentially as a result of his announcement. One might almost think he was purposely making things difficult on himself."
He paused, noting the thought for future consideration. Then continued with his inexorable logic. "Your intelligence can be actionable. Or it can be put aside for other plans. So do not take my question as a personal attack. I understand underground tunnels are confusing. Mapping in three-dimensions can be difficult unless one has the proper equipment. If that is the case, say it plain. Or if there is another reason you can lead us but cannot show us the route ahead of time, state that plainly."
His eyes hardened to make it clear that the time for childish outbursts was over. "But in any case, do so dispassionately. You are not a child." It would be difficult to trust this girl. But if she was telling the truth...it could be worth the risk.