[So, the television then switches to the live press conference.] [Dame Eckerd; a general from the European Union (one some of you saw earlier on the helicopter during the crown jewels mission); The Templar leader (sans swordswoman accompaniment); and the current head of the European Union all file in. There's a full press corps which is taking pictures.] [Earlier the current Prime Minister made a statement deploring the attack and congratulating the joint forces for saving most of the hostages while mourning the tragic loss of fifty six lives.] [Rebecca Charamut (the EU leader) had also given an earlier statement, much to the same effect. Wasn't joint with the Prime Minister as he's presently on a state visit to Australia. Lucky him.] (I wanna visit Australia. ;_; Where's my ticket?) * EU general comes to the podium first. "First, I've just been informed that the current efforts to seal the hole in the bottom of the English Channel through the scuttling of a decommissioned destroyer have been successful. At present there is no more water flowing in, and the environmental impact appears to be minimal." To recap our earlier statement, after the initial failure of a conventional anti-terrorist team, the British government sent in a special forces reconnaissance team, under the command of Dame Eckerd of Mi-5 ::he gestures to acknowledge her:: under the correct assumption that the terrorist incident was a trap and it had been the initial intent of the terrorists to destroy the Chunnel during the rescue effort. Although the reconnaissance mission was not conducted in full cooperation with the European Union, the intent of the effort was to gather information to subsequently be used in a joint rescue operation. * Jonathon taps his pad lightly and thoughtfully, waiting for the opportunity to ask. He's taking the whole thing in, although the camera's probably focused on the talking head. This force discovered that the mechanism to flood the Chunnel was already in place and with the assistance of Ms. Lonava ::gestures to the templar leader:: who was working with European Union forces we were able to evacuate the trains and passengers. Unfortunately fifty six passengers lost their lives and another thirty two were injured in the efforts. There were apparently a small number of individuals possession advanced technology and likely heavy genetic and/or cybernetic enhancement that augmented the terrorist forces and were responsible for the many previously unanswered questions about this attack. One of these three was captured, another killed, the one directly responsible for the deaths of thirty five passengers is still at large ::picture is shown of the Ice guy, with a normal skin tone:: and presently the subject of a world wide man hunt. These individuals were apparently mercenaries, with help from captured terrorists and the captured team leader in addition to other investigate avenues we will find and punish those responsible for this atrocity. The details of this investigation will be covered in a press conference in two hours once we have more solid information. ::He then goes to sit down and Rebecca Charamut comes to the podium. [There are translators working for the record, but this is all in English.] * Jonathon takes some pictures. Whoop. * Charamut speaks with a slight polish accent, but her English is top-rate. "In the aftermath of this tragedy we will take all efforts to find and bring to justice those responsible and strengthen ourselves against an emerging threat of individuals with abilities beyond those of ordinary humans seeking to cause mass havoc and destruction." * Lonava, the Templar leader, watches Charamut with considerable interest. * Jonathon sits back down as well, listening intently However, we will not abandon those values which make our societies strong and moral even in the face of this new menace. Therefore while we will take all available to steps to prevent another like incident, at the same time we will make sure that not everyone with such abilities are treated as guilty parties and avoid the mistakes of the past by preventing the establishment of a set of second class citizens who would be less likely to cooperate and more likely to be driven to destructive anger. As such, we're establish clear rules of conduct for treatment and detainment of individuals with extraordinary abilities. These will be active in all European countries which participate in the Special Forces focused on these situations (this excludes the UK, for the record). * Jonathon raises an eyebrow. Didn't expect that sort of statement. In addition, I'm endorsing and amendment to the European Convention on Human Rights to explicitly prohibit exclusion of rights simply because an individual possesses extraordinary abilities. The future will be at times terrifying and at times wonderful, but we will all reach it together. [General reaction seems to be a fairly surprised one, although a few reporters seem to have expected this, or fake it well.] [Lonava smiles slightly at the completion of this statement.] [Charamut steps down and General takes the podium again. "We'll now take a few questions, however we assure you that we're presently trying to condense all the information about what happened and will be sending out reports as more facts become clear."] [First question comes from a French television reporter. "When will the survivors be released from the processing centers?"] [And there's a EU press secretary picking the reporters, for the record.] First, anyone needing medical attention is already receiving it and we've notified the families of survivors and victims. Second, we should have all of the survivors out within four hours, we regret that these measures are necessary, but they're well treated and they all quite understand the need to capture any terrorists that tried to slip out in the confusion. [Second question German newspaper reporter. "How do you answer reports that there was a total lack of cooperation between the British Mi-5 and the European Union Special Forces until the Chunnel had already begun flooding?"] ( "I would have to say... yes." ) There was continuous contact at the highest levels, your source is simply misinformed. While the reconnaissance force was solely under the command of the British Government they did keep us informed and which allowed us to intervene once it became apparent that the situation warranted it. ::he pauses a moment:: * Jonathon starts jotting down some notes. Obviously, if the British government had joined with the European Union Special Forces a higher degree of cooperation would have been possible, but it would be speculation to say that this would have prevented the flooding of the Chunnel and saved any more lives. [General then allows Eckerd to speak.] I'd like to reinforce what General Thornley said, we were in continuous high level contact, while national problems are best handled by national agencies when problems crossed borders we all realize cooperation must rank as one of our highest priorities. [Italian reporter, best known for web-casts. "President Charmaut, considering the obvious difficulties encountered in this incident, why are you choosing this time to further tie the government's hands?] This does not represent a major change in policy, we've always taken steps to guarantee the rights of all our citizens, regardless of their abilities. I simply wish to reassure the public that while this threat is real and I take it very seriously we will not allow it to force us to abandon our basic values. [And Jonathon gets picked for the next question.] Session Time: Wed Jun 30 00:00:00 2004 * Jonathon nods and stands, looking at both the representatives of the Templars and of SAB. "Given the nature of this new threat, do you feel that the operatives were fully equipped to handle a terrorist threat? Some may believe further training is in order..." * Eckered takes that. "We want better results in the future and will obviously make efforts to learn from this incident and be better prepared to stop or preempt any such incident in the future." Obviously in the past the parliament has had to make choices based on the urgency of a variety of threats. After this incident I'm sure everyone in the British Government will take all necessary efforts to make sure that training and equipment needs are commiserate to the threat. * EU General takes it after her. "Extensive training and equipment is already the basis of our model of special forces to deal with these problems. While Mi- 5 has often chosen to prioritize the recruitment of agents with unique abilities, I'm certain they'll look to our model where need and we'll happily cooperate with them in that endeavor, even if the United Kingdom chooses not to become a full member." [Lonava doesn't comment, despite Jonathon's look.] * Jonathon nods to each in turn, giving Lonava an odd expression before sitting back down. [Next question goes to a CNN reporter. "In a follow up, is Mi-5 going to undertake any changes in philosophy to prevent under preparedness in the future?"] * Eckerd keeps an even expression, probably took some effort. "We'll be internally reviewing the outcome, in addition to a review conduct by Parliament, and as is our standard policy will institute any reforms that would lead to improved performance." [BBC reporter. "Is there any cost and time estimate regarding repairs to the Chunnel?"] In good part thanks to volunteered efforts by Ms. Lonava and her organization we expect repairs to be completed within a month at a cost below a hundred million pounds. * Jonathon nods and writes himself down a note. ( The note reads "Pick up waffles for breakfast." ) [There seems a good deal of surprise at the cost figure, apparently it was expected to be much higher.] * Jonathon doesn't seem surprised. It's his turn! [Chinese State Television reporter. "How is such a low price possible? What sort of support will Ms. Lonava be providing."] (?) Extra-ordinary abilities are primarily possessed not by enemies of civilization but those who want the best for our world as I and all of you do. Ms. Lonava is one of these individuals and she will allow us to drain the Chunnel without the use of expensive equipment. However, the exact nature of her technique is a trade secret. [Lonava smiles faintly.] [Next question goes to well known female Arabic television reporter with an Al Jazerra affiliate known for focusing on the mystical. "To President Charamut, what was the exact nature of your deal with Ms. Lonava, given that her organization is known primarily for protection of its members and not charity work? To Ms. Lonava how can we be sure that given the militancy of your organization this entire event wasn't orchestrated to compel concessions by the European Union?"] [Charamut seems slightly taken a back but the rest manage to keep their exterior cool.] * Jonathon whistles off to the side and mutters something under his breath. He's covering his mike though, so it's off the record! I, We would not negotiate with anyone responsible for this atrocity. The idea itself is simply preposterous. ::She seems more than a little flustered:: * General steps up with an assist, as does Lonava. * Jonathon writes down another note. While many in Ms. Lonava's organization possess extra-ordinary abilities we are quite certain they possess no ties to any terrorist organization or we would not work with them. ::He looks like he's going to say more when Lonava steps in:: * Jonathon writes down some more, shaking his head calmly. I fully condemn this atrocity and would not accept anyone into my organization that would use such despicable means. Nothing that occurred today is justified under use of force in self defense, and if any credible evidence was found showing that I'd mistakenly accepted someone I would make sure that individual was brought to justice.... You offered no support for your accusation, but while I can not prove a negative, I can say this. Since I founded our mutual defense organization several years ago our conduct has been in the open. If you have accusations based on our conduct, and not your prejudices, I will gladly answer them. However, that will have to come on another occasion. ::dismayed cries of reporters and a few shouted questions:: Our offices will be open well into the night to provide additional details. * Jonathon smiles at that. Pure Jonathon smile. * Jonathon also doesn't call questions, though he has them. They never get answered anyhow. [Everyone heads off and the television cuts to some fairly boring analysis mostly repeating what was already said and drawing obvious conclusions.] [End.]