082 - Mutual Malice

[Shad]

[p:xq8v5kti]The press room hushed as Clarence Croft stepped up to the microphone. He hadn't been seen since the killing yesterday, but had agreed to make a rare formal statement in person early the following day. Every morning news program was tuned in to his announcement.[/p:xq8v5kti]
[p:xq8v5kti]"Yesterday was unfortunate," he understated, looking out across the crowd, "and Karn Tzimisces' attempt to capitalize on his party's loss is despicable." He took a long pause before continuing. "However, I would have not agreed to a compromise in the first place had I, and One Nation as a whole, not found it in some sense the right thing to do. General Tzimisces' demands are irrational, and I will not be so bold as to assume that the people of Ohio support him. I will not immediately abandon this compromise in the face of his taunts, but rather extend my hand to you, Ohio. Do what you will with it. Choose your own fate. No one is innocent."[/p:xq8v5kti]
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[p:xq8v5kti]Glenn shook his head when the short announcement ended. It might have sounded reasonable on the surface, but it was really the same old Clarence Croft policy. 'I am right. Turn to me or become my enemy.' Croft expected something as far fetched as the people of Ohio rising up together and overthrowing their one day old government, essentially at his command. Most of these people probably assumed Croft ordered the assassination in the first place, and the only ones who didn't support Reynolds were the ones who wanted to fight all along. It was as irrational a demand as Karn's. It wouldn't be long now, Glenn figured. Karn would say something else provocative, and Croft would hold the entire population accountable for passing him the mic.[/p:xq8v5kti]