Upholding the Devil's Bargain

[Jonathan Price]

Jon Price stood in the Press Briefing Room, Malcolm and Cece were flanking him and the press corps was already gathered, all with questions.

"As it was when I ran the Communications for Prez Ryder... hold all yuir questions until after the bloody statement. Y'interupt the man, yuir arse is escorted out and your access is revoked for the rest of the term. So don't be fookin' idiots and behave." Malcolm said as he moved the mic over and pointed at a couple of reporters. "And I mean you..."

"Yeah yeah Malcolm... " one said with a chuckle.

"We mean it." Cece said and put her finger to her lips. "Hush until after the President has spoken." she glanced over at the cameras and was waiting for the 'go' signal.

"Thank you Malcolm, Cece..." Jon said as he looked at his notes. "I suspect this statement won't be very popular, at least initially."

"Just deliver it with confidence. Channel your inner Nick Ryder." Malcolm whispered.

"I just wish Solara had written this... she had such a way with words." Jon said and smiled slightly. "Not that it isn't good."

"Aye, I know. I miss her and Jonas too." Malcolm said and cleared his throat. "You're on sir."

Jon stood at the podium, a somber expression on his face as he looked into the cameras.

"My fellow members of the Alliance, allies, friends. We all know of the ultimatum put forth by Dominus, turn over our military leaders and pledge fealty to him or we will suffer the same fate as Mars and Gorvan Prime. It is with a heavy heart and great reluctance that we will abide by those terms, on the condition that we are acting in good faith. As I speak, a shuttle with our senior military leaders are on their way to the coordinates set by Dominus. We wish them a safe journey and a safe return. The lives of the residents of Terra Alpha are my primary concern. We will however defend ourselves against an attack and we in no way weak for doing what we are doing." Jon clenched his fists. "I will defend and protect this Alliance and this planet with every power and force at my disposal. The ball, as they say, is in your court Dominus. We upheld our end of the devil's bargain you asked, we ask that you uphold your's." he sighed. "And may whatever deity any of you worship bless this Alliance and those we sent."

[Michelle Ortiz]

A reporter stood in the center of the press corps. Her blode hair was brushed back smooth into a simple ponytail, a recording device in her hand, "Megan Donahue, Los Angeles Times. Mr. President can you name the officers that have been turned over to Dominus? Can you answer to a Freedom of Information request that has Admiral Sandoval's commission being reinstated?"

[Jonathan Price]

Jon sighed and gripped the podium. "Admiral Sandoval and General Mattis are going to Dominus. Not my first choice and I did not let them go easily, but they chose to go, it was their choice. And yes... Admiral Sandoval was reactivated. Her choice again." he looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "And why do you care if her commission was reinstated?"

[Michelle Ortiz]

Megan grinned, "Mr. President it doesn't matter at all, but I did want to see if you'd admit to who has been sent. Maybe catch you in a lie? After all Admiral Sandoval is a hero to your people. Some say even the next president. You say that you wish for their safe return. How do you propose that to happen? With Dominus' track record isn't this a suicide mission?"

[Jonathan Price]

"I said 'wish', wishes don't always come true, but Admiral Sandoval has returned from seeming death more than once. I am positive that if there is a way back, she will find it and will return home with the others that went to him. BUT... if we are to survive, we need to abide by Dominus' terms... even IF they may seem distasteful. Countless millions have already died today. And I will not be known to history as the President of the Alliance that allowed more to die meaninglessly. Perhaps he can be bargained with and if anyone can get through to him... it may be Rebecca Sandoval. Lady Bellatrix appears to be her alternate and she and Dominus sired children. Knowing OUR realities versions of those two... that is something that never would have happened and yet it did. So perhaps there is hope for a peaceful resolution.We need to remain calm as a whole."

[Michelle Ortiz]

"Do you believe this will stop subsequent attacks?" Another reporter asked.

"Do you have anything to say for the families effected by the destruction of Mars?" Another demande.

"And Gorvan Prime," a third added.

[Malcolm Foster]

Malcolm stepped forward. "Oi! One at a time... please... clearly we have sympathy for those families who have lost people on Mars and Gorvan Prime, and will this stop future attacks? Bloody hell if we know... we've literally had an hour since all this happened. We're doing what we can to avoid future attacks, but for all we know Dominus is going to ignite every planet in the whole bloody galaxy and that'll be it then. So instead of worryin' about what we're going to do, worry about how all of us are going to survive and support each other." he looked at the reporters. "This isn't about playin' politics. It's survival. Best and brightest are working on solutions but give them a fockin' minute. An' if this is the end of all things, then cherish every moment you have left. I am sure none on Mars or Gorvan Prime knew today was their last day, that the last hour was their last hour. And Dominus knows that we care about that and is going to use that for his benefit. For now... he's won. But even for him... his end could be at any time as well. So he better savor this victory."

[Shrin]

"Does that mean you are planning a military strike of some kind?" One of the reporters asked.

Shrin gave Foster a look that said she would take that question. Stepping to the podium the Andorian woman stood before the reporters, "Ladies and Gentlemen I am General Shrin. Earlier I was promoted to take the place of General Mattis. To answer you question uh...."

"Calib Nance. Hag Harbor Tribune."

"Of course. To answer your question Mr. Nance, which the answer is simple, we won't be discussing military strategy. Our forces, however, will remain on heightened alert for the foreseeable future. That means the malitias created by my predecessor will be transferred to active duty, and the fleet will remain under yellow alert. That does not mean we are planning or we are expecting an imminent attack. Only that we are preparing for a possibility."

[Cece Ryder]

Cece approached Shrin and gave her a nod of her head. “In essence, we are reactivating the old Imperium security protocols that we have lived with for over a half decade. The Compound will be restricted to pass holders with clearance only, bio scanners and cloak suited security will patrol all secure locations. Non essential staff will be given paid furlough or able to work from home. However in light of the weaponry Dominus is employing, we have declared all government installations no fly zones, so that means ladies and gentlemen... you’re walking or transporting back to your offices. Your shuttles have been impounded and will be delivered to your respective agencies by this evening. I hope no one had anything they couldn’t live without for a few hours.” She said with a slight smirk. “As Chief of Staff... I have that authority. ANY complaints and you won’t get them back until the morning. We will provide a transporter beam out for you or you may use public transportation, the bus will be here in... 23 minutes.”

[Shrin]

"There's always the train," Shrin added with a sadistic smile knowing many of these reporters thought riding the train or the bus beneath them.