Shad
Midnight
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Post Count: 2684
Location: Lion's Maw
4252503 Potch
200 Soldiers
38 Nation Points
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 Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: 077 - Bad Moon Rising |
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[size=150:1tl8fssi]Bad Moon Rising
[p:1tl8fssi]"Looking sharp Andy," Marcus said to his brother, now decked out in a suit for the day's events. The ceremony would not kick off for another two hours, but people were already starting to filter into the stadium in western Ohio where Reynolds would give his speech. The allure of what the final settlement would be drew quite a crowd, for the resolution between One Nation and Ohio had been kept a secret up until now, a simple cease fire standing in the meantime.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]The secrecy was for security purposes - to keep disgruntled units on either side from retaliating while both sides were in a vulnerable position. Further security required all attending to wear indistinct, non-military clothing and take assigned seats on a first come first serve basis. Weapons of any sort were of course prohibited, and there was only one open entrance. The perimeter was being monitored closely, and the external security consisted of men hand-picked by Croft and Reynolds in teams of four, two from each faction. These teams were even required to go to the bathroom together, and began their shifts a day before the event's location was chosen. Considering less than a week ago the two forces were in close combat with each other and some tempers were surely still high, no chance was being taken for a breach in security. Internal security was left to UN peacekeepers sanctioned by Andrew Lizar; no one entered the stadium armed without his approval in person.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]There wasn't much concern for trouble anyway. Andrew and Marcus knew what the formal settlement was, as did the other Freedom Fighters, but few others were informed. Croft and Reynolds knew of course, but based on the wide range of media speculation nothing substantial had leaked. Most expected extremes: either that Reynolds was soft enough to accept unconditional surrender or that Croft had been pressured to back down entirely.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]In reality, as was to be announced inside the stadium at the start of the event, Ohio would be granted one year to negotiate re-entry into the United States with partial autonomy, similar to Puerto Rico or Guam. If a decision could not be formally reached in this time, One Nation or any alternative force authorized by them would be permitted to reclaim the state through occupation. In the meantime, the Ohio militia would publicly stand down and imports on military equipment would be controlled. It wasn't a bad deal for Ohio, and presented with an emphasis on the partial autonomy would probably sit well with the average citizen there, who would neither see their homes ruined in war nor face a verdict completely contrary to their desires. Reynolds was expected to give a speech to this effect following an introduction by Andrew and a recitation of the agreement. Clarence Croft, originally reluctant to attend, had agreed to sit on the stage as proof that he was not pressured into the decision. After some thought he even volunteered to possibly say a few positive words after Reynolds' speech, assuming it was to his liking.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]As soundmen and announcers rehearsed the performance the Freedom Fighters stood around in a locker room, not altogether comfortable but air conditioned at least. Andrew aside, they had no special role in the event, but would be attending in a VIP section along with Karn Tzimisces and a few other noteworthys on either side as well as a few respected senators and congressmen. Both sides readily agreed that neither the current president of the United States nor any UCPA representative be invited, a staunch indication of shared disdain for the course of politics at the present, and a firm message from Croft that successful reunification did not negate the need for successful reform.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]Dressed in suit and tie himself, Glenn was especially enjoying the day. Not only did it mean another successful mission in a sense, granted they'd played little roll in it, it also brought to a close a situation that if pushed overboard could have cost a lot of innocent lives. More thrilling still, it left the fighters with mysteries to be solved in the form of Tyne and Akira. Serj, Krivin, Anwyn, and this newcomer Lionel all seemed to take an extreme interest in Tyne, and that was enough to get Glenn excited about it too. They each kept their reasons fairly private, but it was obvious enough that this mage was an honest to goodness badguy. Miwan and Khali's appearance was equally prophetic. Glenn and Akira were never more than coworkers in a sense, but he would gladly join the search. This ceremony marked the end of some political turmoil, but also the beginning of new and far more personal adventures. The return perhaps of a black and white good and evil on one hand, and of a mystery to solve on the other. He too had a mystery to solve, in the form of his sword.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]As Andrew peered past his brother adjusting his tie, it brought back memories of other, grander triumphal conclusions. These people standing about before him, these were the Freedom Fighters. Even Ibuki, who'd just arrived with Adrian for the big event and was holding the baby by his side, had been a part of the team at one point. Amazing how things had changed. Not a face among them besides Marcus had he known before that plague forever changed humanity. They were all dead or missing or retired from action. Even Andrew, despite having certainly seen some action recently, was presiding over this event as a political peacemaker, not as a warrior. His role here was utterly unrelated to the battle he'd fought and the people he'd fought it with.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Sam!" Andrew called out, waving his arm as his brother finished with the tie. Reynolds had just entered the room after a somewhat late arrival. Here was a man Andrew could trust. Neither overly formal nor obnoxiously friendly, not a suck-up but not overbearing, his good intentions resonated from the heart.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Andrew! Hi!" he waved back energetically.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Do you feel confident about this?" Andrew asked as the two walked towards each other.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Entirely," Reynolds replied. "I can't thank you enough for convincing Clarence to meet with me. I never could have hoped for a more progressive conclusion to all this."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Thank the UN," Andrew responded. "It's what we're here for."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"I learned a lot from meeting with Croft," Reynolds said with a smile, "and I think he did too, though our time together was brief. This speech I wrote last night, it might cost me my career, but it's going to make a big difference."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Just what do you have in mind?" Andrew gave him a stern look. "You have to remember, these people need someone like you to rely on. I hope you're not planning to resign."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"No," Reynolds said. "I plan to let them know the truth."[/p:1tl8fssi]
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[p:1tl8fssi]"It sure is hot up here," Red moaned through her headset as she peered down at her sister in the crowd.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Whatever," Blue griped back, "at least you don't have a thousand sweaty humans bumping into you."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]The security forces knew about these two, though not of their UCPA affiliation. Andrew Lizar had approved of their aid in person, so no one doubted their intentions. Michael Wight was not attending the event, in compliance with Reynolds' and more blatantly Croft's wishes, and likewise the support his organization provided was kept secret. Letting the world know that the UCPA was actually doing its job would have been counterproductive at this stage, given the degree of mistrust David Holmes tactlessly developed with both One Nation and Ohio. Holmes had himself stated something to this effect in communication with Wight the previous day.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"I'm frankly relieved that the problems we nearly caused were averted," he'd gone on to say. "You have no idea the burdens of a man in my position."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"I try to avoid the political intrigue," Wight replied.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Exactly. That's not an option for me. The best I can do is moderate between the forces of self-preservation and purpose. You probably don't know this, but we tried to stir the pot Michael." Holmes let out a sigh. "We gave Reynolds a means to keep fighting. He shot us down. But the board isn't corrupt, just cautious. I think Reynolds taught us all something about bending when it just isn't your turn. The board unanimously agreed to let this one slide and do nothing further to hinder the peace process."[/p:1tl8fssi]
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[p:1tl8fssi]"Ladies and gentlemen, President of the United Nations and hero of the great war of liberation against Hunt Antoire, Andrew Lizar!"[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]Thousands, tens of thousands, representing One Nation, Ohio, and interested parties from all around the world put their hands together for the start of this heavily publicized event. Marcus and company filed into the VIP seating near the stage as Andrew began.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Far too many times, throughout history, lives have been ruined and empires have crumbled over wars that need never have been. The tragic flaw of many great militaries has been to keep fighting when the original purpose has been accomplished and forgotten - to fight for the sake of fighting and forget the cause, forget that war is the final, last ditch, least desirable means to an end. The most noble, righteous, honorable, worthy act any military force can do is to stop fighting when other means become available. Last week, One Nation accomplished this by agreeing to enter compromise negotiations with Ohio." Andrew bowed his head slightly and took a seat, while a UN attendant rose to the platform to read the formal declaration pronouncing Ohio's settlement.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"That's why he's in charge," Serj said as the recitation began.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Yeah," Marcus chuckled, "Andrew always had a good head on his shoulders, at least when he's not being possessed by dark god psychopaths."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]Anwyn, Miwan, Yue, Adrian, Ibuki, Alex, Marcus, Kevin, Glenn, Serj, and Krivin sat in a line with some of the few individuals authorized to wear military uniforms to the event. If the rest of the party from their mage battles were in attendance, they were stuck in the commoners' seating. For those few who got the royal treatment though it provided a grand view of the attendees, who filled both the stands and the field in front of the platform. While jeers and applause followed almost every proclamation, a pleasant, reassuring sense of neutrality seemed to preside over the event as a whole. As the reading came to an end and the resolution had been laid bare, Reynolds rose to the platform to say his piece. Though cheers and boos came evenly from his own party and those of One Nation remained silent, his international popularity of late led to a prominence of positive.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Citizens of the United States of America, let this day be remembered not as an end but as the first step towards something greater. In fear my people resigned to isolation, and in that isolation we found temporary comfort, but that time is gone. Now we are geared for war, to fight that which we fear. Those things - corruption, misappropriation, greed - will surely consume us if we bow readily as a conquered nation. But we have not been defeated, and we will not give in. We will attack from new angles to rescue a higher cause. This, at its heart, is not a war for liberation or unification; it is a war to restore fading ideals." A single shot rang out and Samuel Reynolds' brains splattered across the stage.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]Pandemonium was perhaps not a striking enough word for it. People were screaming, running, jumping over each other towards the exit. Security reacted fast. As guards on the roof painstakingly tracked the killer through the crowd, iron doors came down to bar further entry and exit in the various seating sections. It didn't stop the Freedom Fighters from springing into action. While Andrew and Anwyn were politically obligated to stay out of this one, the rest rushed out into the concession area. Andrew gritted his teeth. He had confidence in the other Fighters to get the job done, but to just sit there was insufferable.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]Guards were holding the audience at bay, but the Fighters were easily recognized and allowed to pass. They quickly joined up with some security running down the corridor. Walkie talkies declared that the man was still in the field trying to mingle. He started towards an exit as the public panic grew more and more severe.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Halt!" the guard next to Marcus shouted as they rounded the corner and came face to face with the man, amidst a hundred others. Bang! and the guard fell over, the slug barely stopped in his bullet proof jacket, a perfect aim at the heart. The man started running the other way, but they were on to him now, and so was Blue. People were diving to the ground right and left following the second shot, making him stand out all the more.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"I'm taking him alive," Blue shouted over her headset. "Don't kill him."[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Damn," Red yelled, having finally got his head in her crosshairs with no bystanders behind. She lowered her gun just an inch and fired. The man's right arm was hit so hard he spun in a full circle, but never stopped running. He let loose three shots as Blue came rolling out of the crowd in clear view of him. She kept moving and they missed.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]"Wait until he's isolated," a voice screamed over a megaphone behind her. The assassin surely heard it too, but he had nowhere else to run. Blue sighed and rolled back out of sight. A gate was intentionally opened on the end of the field he was approaching to force him out of the crowd. He couldn't take a hostage with only one arm and keep moving, and he knew a dozen guards on the roof must have his head in their sights, so he was forced into it.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]Two guards were waiting inside. They were both on the ground in two more quick shots, too bruised from the impact to continue. Andrew couldn't take it anymore. He launched himself forward and stopped right in front of the man, who took a few easily dodged shots at him. Andrew sent out an electric jolt that hit so hard the man almost fell over backwards. The rest of the crew caught up and Kevin pulled out a gun, clipping the man's ankle. As he stumbled Tre and Bobby along with Karn himself made it into the walkway through another entrance. The man unleashed a storm of bullets at the Fighters, which Andrew prevented just in time with an energy shield. Having reached him, Tre and Bobby finally tackled the killer to the ground.[/p:1tl8fssi]
[p:1tl8fssi]There was a struggle. Knives came out, but an elbow to the face finally incapacitated the assassin. It also dislodged a thin feature-altering mask over his face. Karn stormed up to him and violently ripped the mask away, taking a good chunk of hair with it. The face beneath was not immediately recognizable, but Tre and Bobby both felt a knot in their stomachs after studying it for a moment. They looked up to Glenn, whose expression confirmed their own.[/p:1tl8fssi] |
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