|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 12, 2017 2:27:39 GMT
Minutes later the seat belt light comes on, so they buckle their seatbelts. The plane lands on the runway and is taxied to be aligned with the red carpet to the door of the plane. On each side of the red carpet, there were the flags of the two countries along with a larger crowd of cheering supporters with waving smaller flags. Waiting on the red carpet itself was the beaming Governor Andrea Bellevue of Worcester and Lieutenant Governor Matt Carter.
Asher closes his briefing book, puts it in the black suitcase, and hands it to the aide. He smiles at Edwards and Cox, "The woman on the left is Governor Bellevue and the man on the right of Lt. Governor Carter. Bellevue and I have the same alma mater, where we will be visiting today. She's a big admirer of yours, as her grandmother former Congresswoman Mary O'Brien immigrated here from New Ireland and Wales."
The door of the plane opens, and Colonol Davison stands next to it to shake hands with the gentlemen on the way out.
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 12, 2017 2:47:18 GMT
When the plane lands Edwards looks up at Asher before putting the briefing book in a red briefcase with the Seal of the State on it before handing it over to Secretary Cox who will keep it in safe keeping. Edwards looks at Asher as he speaks. "When did she immigrate?" Edwards asks as they get off the plane.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 12, 2017 3:09:34 GMT
"I think during the 1930s, if I'm remembering correctly. She was a strong figure in our national politics during her time under former Liberal Grand Chancellor Jacobi P. Sawyers in the late 1950s, as an early supporter of reopening trade and diplomacy with foreign countries and for ease of immigration. Underrated politician back then, but an early hero today."
As they exit the plane, the crowd begins cheering even louder.
When they step off the stairs and approach the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Governor Bellevue shakes their hands and says, "Mr. Chancellor, good to see you here! Mr. President, likewise! It's a great honor for me to finally meet you and host you here in Worcester. I have my own personal familial ties to NIW, so it's very special that you're the first foreign leader since our monarchy to step foot."
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 12, 2017 3:21:46 GMT
"Ah probably after the leader back then opened up the borders for people to leave. Good to see she was a major figure." Edwards says. He greets the Governor and says "It is most certainly good to meet you as well. It certainly is an honor to be the first foreign leader in a while to visit." He says as he continues to wave to the crowds.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 12, 2017 3:33:53 GMT
As they start walking down the carpet towards the limousine, they shake hands with the crowd. Bellevue keeps looking back at Edwards clearly starstruck.
Suddenly, a small man in a black suit jumps over the velvet rope from the crowd onto the carpet between them and the limousine and takes out a handgun. The crowd screams and ducks as he fires several shots towards the Asher, Edwards, Cox, Bellevue, and Carter. He screams "In ainm Dé!" before several guards tackle him to the ground. Bellevue is doubled over in pain. She touches the side of her abdomen and pulls her blood stained hand away. She faints as police rush to her aid. Meanwhile, the Grand Chancellor is lying on his back on the carpet, his dark blood pooling around him. Body guards surround him and shoo the crowd around away, and they call in emergency services. A red entry wound is seen on his neck and another just to the right of his tie on his white shirt. His skin is paling.
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 12, 2017 3:38:23 GMT
In the quick haste of the gunfire Edwards is shot in the shoulder and passes out from the wound and the pain. Cox was one of the first to fall to the ground as he was shot in the chest twice. He shakes slightly for a little bit before he eventually stills as his blood pools out around his body.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 12, 2017 3:48:25 GMT
Several ambulances, police vehicles, and military vehicles arrive on the site. A canopy is built around the crime scene to shield it from the view of the public. Edwards and Bellevue are carried out on gurneys and are transported quickly to the Pinth Memorial Hospital, as Cox and Asher are determined dead from gunshot wounds and severe blood loss by a doctor called in. They are placed on gurneys with sheets over them, and loaded into an ABI transport vehicle to the ABI's provincial complex.
Later on, Bellevue wakes up in a hospital bed with a pain in her left lower abdomen, which is wrapped. Over in the other bed, she sees President Edwards lying there will a nurse tending to his shoulder.
"Nurse, what happened? Why are we here?" Bellevue asks.
The nurse looks back at her with pity and looks like she will cry, a gunman shot all of you in the crowd. Chancellor Asher and Secretary Cox died by their wounds. The President here was shot in the shoulder but he will be okay. You were shot in your abdomen. I'm so so sorry."
Bellevue looks down and tries to process.
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 12, 2017 3:57:22 GMT
The President's eyes dart open as he wakes up in a hospital bed. He looks around seeing what he can in his position before he hears a loud ringing in his ears as he still tries to process what had happened. After a while he tries to get out of the bed managing to get his feet on the ground and stand up before collapsing to the ground in pain. "Where am I? What happened?" Edwards says in a timid voice as he tries to stay awake.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 12, 2017 4:28:55 GMT
The nurse rushes back to him and helps him back into bed.
"Calm down, Mr. President, you're safe now. I... I regret to tell you that all of you were shot by a gunman... Chancellor Asher and Secretary Cox were killed, sir. I'm so sorry."
Bellevue begins to tear up as she turns on the television to Austerain Cable News (ACN). They're replaying footage from a witness of the shooting with the headline "CHANCELLOR, NIW SECRETARY KILLED BY GUNMAN" occasionally changing to "PRES EDWARD, GOV BELLEVUE INJURED". The news switches between the witness footage and aerial footage of people in the airport evacuating as military and police authorities swarm the place.
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 12, 2017 22:07:39 GMT
Edwards groans as he gets back into bed. His face drops as he hears about the death of Asher and Cox. He puts his face in his hands as tears come to his eyes. He then looks at the TV after Bellevue turns it on. Tears start rolling down his face ever so slightly as he watches the news.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 12, 2017 23:20:35 GMT
Back at the Palace of Auster, the complex was under lockdown as the protesters had now dispersed while military equipped police surrounded it on guard. In the Cabinet Room, there were monitors set up in front of the Cabinet table, where newly sworn in Interim Chancellor Sarah Versace was sitting with Defense Secretary Warner, Domestic Security Secretary Rogers, Law and Justice Secretary O'Brennen, and Secretary of State Sinclair. On the monitors appeared the ABI Director James Meacham, Worcester Lieutenant Governor Matt Carter, Army Secretary Andrew Sandhurst, and General Anne Pettis.
"Director Meacham, what is the latest intel on the shooting? Anything valuable from the raids and his information?"
Meacham clears his throat and shuffles his papers, "Yes, Madam Chancellor, we obtained our proper warrants. The assassin's name is Ray McLean aged 32, resident of Pinth. Our raids in his apartment found an encrypted laptop and we obtained his cell phone from the pat down. Phone records indicate that he made several calls into North Wales in the Federal Republic of New Ireland and Wales at the Governor's Mansion, meaning that he made calls to Governor Christiana Polacco or someone close to her. From his laptop, his search history shows the public schedule and exact times of the Grand Chancellor as well as online websites for handguns. He purchased the murder weapon over Facebook. During the interrogations, he admitted that his only targets were Chancellor Asher and President Edwards and that he is connected to NIW's far right party. He won't say the exact person who put him up to it, but our evidence points to Governor Polacco."
Versace rubs her temples and sighs.
"General Pettis, what is the state of the country's security?"
Pettis says, "Madam Chancellor, we have temporarily shut down flights between NIW and Austerain, and shut down all high speed rail stations in case of other attacks. Federal and provincial government buildings are under heavy security as well."
"Good," she says, "Lt. Governor Carter, you're the Acting Governor of Worcester until Bellevue has recovered. You're at the hospital, right? Tell me, how is the President and the Governor?"
Carter says, "They're waking up, ma'am, but the doctor tells me that they will be all right. He said that the President will be fit enough to fly out by tomorrow with a medical team and equipment accompanying him."
Secretary Sandhurst says, "I spoke to the Air Force chief about arranging a military transport aircraft to transport Secretary Cox's body back to NIW to fly out behind the President's plane."
Secretary Sinclair interrupts, "We should probably hold off on that right now. The President may want to stay for the state funeral of the Grand Chancellor this week. At any rate, it might be a good time to call the Acting President of NIW."
Versace nods. She picks up the black telephone in the center of the table and dials.
"Libby? Patch me through to New Ireland and Wales' Acting President in Dublin. Thanks."
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 13, 2017 1:14:15 GMT
Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin
The Acting President sits in the situation with the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security. The Attorney General, Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force. The Director of National Intelligence is there as well.
Baron looks at the Director "What's the current security threat to New Ireland and Wales?" The Director looks at his papers before looking up "Well very high. Intelligence seems to point towards the mastermind of the assassination taking orders from someone in New Ireland and Wales."
"Austeren Intel seems to think it might be Governor Polacco." the Secretary of Homeland Security pipes in.
"Well her comments certainly don't help her and we all know she hates Asher and Edwards. Wouldn't surprise me. Attorney General, could we bring her in for questioning or can we just open up an investigation?" Baron asks.
"Madame President, all we could do is open an investigation. It would look a bit too bad to bring her in for questioning plus it's illegal." the Attorney General says.
"Thank you, Attorney General. Let's open an investigation. Meanwhile, Secretary of Homeland Security close down the borders and airports. Secretary of Defense, put our armed forces on Special Code Blue. Someone call the Chief Commissioner and tell him to patrol the streets in major cities. Someone else call the Treasury Secretary and tell him to suspend trade on the stock market by my order." Baron says
"Madame President, the Chancellor of Austerain is on the line for you." One of the Generals say with the phone in his hand. Baron takes the phone "Hello, Madame Chancellor?" she says into the phone.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 13, 2017 1:26:47 GMT
As they're waiting on the call to get through, the council is in deep discussion. Finally when it gets through, Versace shushes everybody.
"Madame President, thank you for taking my call. I would ask how you were doing, but I think that would be redundant to ask at this point. How is the security situation on your end? Our guy's name is Ray McLean, and he was targeting Asher and Edwards. We've traced his phone calls to the North Wales Governors' Mansion. We think he has family back there as well."
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 13, 2017 1:35:24 GMT
"The situation is as fine as it can get. I have the National Police patrolling our streets, airports and borders closed, etc. McLean? That's the last name of the Chief of Staff to Polacco. We've opened an investigation into her and I guess we will need to expand the investigation into her staff as well. Oh joy. Just what this nation needs." Baron says "I'll probably be getting a call or tweet from Chairman FitzGerald about this attack soon. He'll say something about security and so on."
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 13, 2017 1:52:43 GMT
Versace chuckles dryly, "Don't worry about him, Madame President. While he's tweeting, we've been forced to take up leadership."
Sinclair silently looks at Versace and clears his throat.
"Anyway," Versace continues, "President Edwards is in the hospital recovering from his wounds and he is conscious. I'm told that he will be fit to fly out by tomorrow, but I expect that he will want to stay for Asher's funeral this week. Once the funeral is over, President Edwards might return home to NIW with Secretary Cox's body. I would feel obligated to attend Secretary Cox's funeral during this hard time for our two nations."
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 14, 2017 1:04:37 GMT
"That is good to hear. Thank you, Madame Chancellor. I of course will imagine he will want to stay for the funeral. He really did admire Asher. One time during a campaign event I remember him telling me afterwards was Asher's style of leadership and politics had inspired him. You of course will need to send us the hospital bill for Edward's treatment. We need to file it so we can pay it properly. It would be our honor to have you here for the funeral of Secretary Cox." says Baron
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 14, 2017 1:22:58 GMT
"He was very happy when Edwards accepted the invitation to visit Austerain. I was a skeptic of allowing open diplomacy in the first place but I remember him saying that since NIW was the first to accept the open invitation to visit, that he and President Edwards would 'become like brothers, and the Fathers of our nations', and that the 'friendship between our two peoples' would flourish'. I would like nothing better, Madame President, than to preserve that legacy."
The room on Versace's end filled with silence as some were choking up with tears.
"Anyway," Versace continued holding back tears, "There is no need to worry about Edwards' hospital bill, as our health care is public. We're happy to pay for it ourselves. I look forward to visiting your beautiful nation to join together in mourning for Secretary Cox."
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 15, 2017 2:44:07 GMT
"I believe that legacy is important to preserve. We can't afford to shut ourselves up in our own borders. Not now, not ever." Baron says as she wipes a tear from her face. "We look forward to having you for the funeral. We would also like to extend an invitation to a few other events. Minor and quick events but we would be glad to have you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 15, 2017 3:03:16 GMT
"I would be pleased to attend other events during the visit to NIW. At this time, we have to show unity and friendship between our leaders and our people, in addition to the solidarity of the funeral."
Secretary Sinclair wipes a tear and gives Versace the "hurry up" hand signal.
"Thank you for answering my call, Madame President, my time is running short. I now have the difficult task of addressing the nation in its state of shock and mourning. We will keep you updated on the health of President Edwards and our intel."
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 15, 2017 3:06:08 GMT
"Thank you or calling me, Madame Chancellor and yes please keep me updated on Edwards and any new intel. Now please excuse me, I have to direct the DoJ to sue Polacco. Of course she's using this as political leverage for her plans." Baron says with a sigh
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 15, 2017 3:11:05 GMT
"As the guilty party, she's attempting to distract from the real issue. Her energy ought to be better aimed at gun control in her own province," she chuckles warmly for the first time since the assassination, "Good luck to you with the civil rights lawsuit, Madame President. She'll have bigger things to worry about in the future. We'll be speaking again very soon."
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 15, 2017 3:14:12 GMT
"Well she'd never allowed gun control sadly. Thank you Madame Chancellor and best of luck as Chancellor. We are rooting for you." Baron says before hanging up the phone.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 15, 2017 3:20:37 GMT
"Thank you, Madame President. My thoughts are with the people of New Ireland and Wales over the loss of Secretary Cox. Please convey my condolences to his family as well." The phone hangs up.
Versace sighs and thinks to herself before turning to the council, "Now we prepare for the address to the nation. Let's get on that as soon as possible."
As those in the room start to make calls and speech drafting, she stands up and walks over to the windows. She peers down outside of the gates, where there are cards and flowers in front of it 8 feet deep. She thinks about Asher and what she could've done to help prevent it, and finally breaks down a little in tears for the loss of Asher before recomposing herself to help draft the statement.
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 15, 2017 3:30:43 GMT
After the phone hangs up the Director of National Intelligence walks back into the room after being on the phone with someone else.
"Madame President since Polacco became Governor of North Wales we've been keeping tabs on her and her staff. Well after the assassination we went and looked at what we had gathered. Madame President, John McLean, the father of the assassin, instructed his soon to kill Chancellor Asher and President Edwards giving him detailed instructions."
The President looks at the Attorney General "Can we arrest him?" The Attorney General nods "Assassination is a Class A Special Felony and as such he waives any immunity so yes you can arrest him."
The Director pipes up "We have agents nearby waiting on your order to arrest him."
"Do it." says Baron
Minutes later federal agents apprehend John McLean and put him in a helicopter to transport him to Dublin.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 15, 2017 3:54:06 GMT
ABI Director Meacham listens in his earpiece and says to Versace, "Ma'am, I've received word from our joint intelligence that Mr. McLean's father has been arrested and is en route to Dublin. He gave instructions to his son on the plot, apparently."
Versace says, "So it's true. Governor Polacco's own Chief of Staff. Any updates on Ray McLean?"
"So far, his answers to our interrogations match with the intel. He doesn't know if Polacco specifically ordered it from the top, but he says that his father was influenced by her. However, apparently he's connected to an outsourced Irish-Welsh nationalist group based here in Austraton. He says that they assisted in this plot and planned on a bomb on the highway exit of Austraton International as a backup."
Versace gasps and walks quickly over to him. Talking quietly, she says, "Your agents need to go to that exit and search the area in case they planted the bomb days ahead. Get the information you need to arrest the co-conspirators and have them turned over to the NIW DOJ. Now."
Meacham nods and makes a call.
****
Back at Pinth Memorial Hospital, Governor Bellevue has her hand placed on President Edwards' as they watch the news together.
"Can you believe this? How can this happen?"
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 15, 2017 22:38:27 GMT
Edwards looks at Bellevue before answering "Bad things always happen to good people. I got really close with Asher and I've known Cox since we were children. Both good men. It is bad people that do these things to good people. It's a sad fact but one that's been true for most of history."
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 16, 2017 1:37:32 GMT
"I'm so sorry," Bellevue hugs him, "We should consider them both martyrs for diplomacy. Erect memorials for them, form foundations and trusts dedicated to the education of new diplomats. A good way to honor their legacies, I think. At this point, that's the best we can do."
***
The next day, the doctor comes in the morning and discharges them, prescribing medications and giving medical advice for rest and treatment of pain.
"Mr. President," Dr. Kilwin says as he puts his hand on his good shoulder, "I wish for you a speedy recovery from your injuries and your emotional injuries after this ordeal, and wish you best luck in the future." He shakes his hand as agents escort the President to the limousine for the airport under heavy security, flashes of cameras appear behind the wall of armed guards.
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 17, 2017 0:08:04 GMT
"Thank you for your excellent care, Doctor." Edwards says to the Doctor before being escorted away still thinking of Asher and Cox as he heads towards the limousine to head to the airport. He gets in the limousine and leans his head back to again rest his eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Austerain on Feb 18, 2017 0:32:33 GMT
When he arrives at the airport, he is whisked quickly away into the Chancellor's airplane. Before Edwards had arrived, Chancellor Asher and Secretary Cox's coffins wrapped in their national flags were loaded onto a C-17 with an artillery salute. An hour later, the plane carrying Edwards himself lands in Austraton International Airport, and Edwards is again whisked quickly into the limousine to go to the Palace of Auster. In the limousine is Secretary of State Sinclair.
"Hello Mr. President," Sinclair says hoarsely as he shakes his hand, cupping another hand on top, "How are you feeling?"
The limousine and motorcade drives quickly onto the highway, with their side of it completely empty for security reasons, as they head to the Palace.
|
|
|
|
Post by New Ireland and Wales on Feb 18, 2017 20:42:18 GMT
"Ah, Mr. Secretary good to see you again though the circumstances could be better. I am as well as one can be at this point. How are you though?" Edwards says after he gets into the limousine though he still isn't smiling.
|
|
