Vol 2. Ch 4: Press conference of doom! (Coop)

[dakota]

Coop glanced at Tobrias with his shoulder's slumped slightly before answering Eleutheroi," I didn't mean to... ," he paused and looked around, trying to hide his confusion caused by the deja vu. He whispered to El, " didn't we just leave this party?"

Walking up to the microphone with a nod to the press secretary, Coop pulled out the speech again and began to read," Hello Ladies and gentlemen,

"As you know, my name is Zachary Cooper. As the Decree Slayer of Golthreia, it is my duty to inform you and the public that the city is in danger and I require your assistance. Over the last few weeks, it has become evident that a person or group of persons are involved in demon summonning in the city. It is important that you all assist the police in providing clues to who is responsible for this illegal activity. The police are currently co-ordinating leads and following up my own research, aided by the Guild's expertise. However, with your assistance, we will bring these miscreants to justice.

"Ever since the fall of my family in disgrace for similar crimes, it has become more important than ever to make sure it never happens again in this city. With the assistance of the police and you, the public, this will be possible.

"However, I should remind you all that you are not to engage people suspected of such terrorism. Instead, report them to the police immediately. The police, with my assistance as a guardian of the city, are equipped to handle the dangers these summoners, these terrorists possess.

"Thank-you."

He was at ease ove reading it again, but he gave Tobrias a silelong look as he step back beside the Guildmaster," What the heck is going on?"

[tag]

[Renekin Skywalker]

A din of reporters opened up with a barrage of questions, or looking to ask them, but any individual item was lost in the noise.

Rozatonosky stepped up to the mic. "Thank-you Mr. Cooper." He says. "This is indeed an important investigation that the city is undertaking, but will require the patience and vigilence of our fellow citizens as well." As the reporters quiet down, the LT continues. "We are, as I speak, already following up on a number of leads..."

"It is a press release, please pay attention." Tobrias whispers behind Coop.

"... I can now take any questions." Finishes Rozatonosky.

"Yes." Says an experienced-sounding reporter, winning first spot, well-know as a crime and politics reporter on Channel 8. "Formus, Channel 8. I have a question. Why are the police making such an announcement, with so few leads?"

Rozatonosky eyed the reporter. "The quality and quantity of the leads are not in question, as they have been reviewed by the Decree Slayer, with assistance from the police and the Guild's resources. This announcement is to inform the city that the investigation is on-going, but that their input is needed."

"This seems like a public-relations move, Lieutennant." Says Formus. "Or an admission of a blunder, don't you think."

"These kinds of press meetings are often solicitations for the public's aid." Counsellor Vas chimes in. "Golthreia's Police Magic Bureau is still in growth, and undermanned. Much like the Synth drug crimes a few years ago, any new wing of the agency must often gain not only the trust, but the attention of the public to help them band against this menace, these, magicians... these 'terrorists' as Mr. Cooper himself calls it."

"Calls them." Tobrias says, calmly. "A few miscreants are not to become the stereotype of a whole community."

"Thank-you Guildmaster." Says Vas. "Any other questions?"

"I have one?" Asks a female reporter from the Golthreian Times. "Mr. Cooper, did you know of your role as a Decree Slayer prior to your family's arrests and convictions?"

[dakota]

Coop tried to hide his confusion as he stepped up to the microphone. He did his best to repeat the answer. " I'd been in contact with the guild before the incident involving my family, but it hadn't been made clear what my role was until after the fact."

He looked out at the crowd of reporters before stepping back beside Tobrias.
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[Renekin Skywalker]

"Why have you waited so long to announce this?" Asks another reporter. "And why did you create the rouse of someone else having your role?"

[dakota]

Coop had to bite back the smart remark that he had given the first time he had heard the question," It was decided to wait until the time was right, and though we did not create the rouse, we did use it to my advantage."

He stepped back from the microphone, still trying to figure out what was going on.

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[Renekin Skywalker]

"Who created the rouse, then?" Asked the Channel 8 guy.

"Another reporter." Said Tobrias quickly. "Who used faulty reporting techniques, then tried to redeem himself. I do not remember the name." He finsihes, dismissively.

"Mr. Cooper." Says a woman in the crowd. She sounded familiar. "Are you doing this alone?"

[dakota]

Coop shook his head," No, I have the full support of the Guild behind me and we work in concert with the police department. All of our efforts are co-ordinated to ensure the safety of Goltheria."

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[Renekin Skywalker]

Consellor Vas looked about ready to say something, when another question came up. "So, you feel this is a police matter? Would not the military be better equiped for this? Is that not what the Decree Slayers were? A Royal Goard?"

"I'll answer that." Vas says, calmly. "While the military is better armed, their focus is outside the city. Inside, we have rule of law, which as you can see, the city does its best to enforce in a peaceful manner. The military would not be able to do so. In addition, no-one is above the law, as our Mr Cooper can attest to, having faced that law himself. It is better we keep it in the hands of the police, and boost their funding, then to hand it over to our military, forcing their attention away from their own important duties. Thank-you."

There was some silence as this was taken down and the soundbite noted. Vas knew his stuff.

"Mr. Tobrias, if the guild is a private organization, why is it involved in law enforcement to such a degree?"

"The Guild acts as a willing supplier of expertise to the City to ensure it has the tools to combat magical menaces." Tobrias answers. "We are private citizens, like yourselves, acting at the request of the police, to keep the city safe."

"Mr. Cooper, please. How do you feel, being thrust into the limelight like this, with such a major crisis?" The crowd goes silent, looking for another soundbite.

[dakota]

Coop hadn't expected this question, and it caught him offguard. He paused before answering," Each time my intervention is needed is a major crisis, but it is a bit of a relief to not have to work behind the scenes in this case."

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[Renekin Skywalker]

"Well." Says Rozatonosky. "I think we can move on from our introduction to Mr. Cooper. If there are no more questions, then thank-you for your time."

As the cameras flash, Eleutheroi seems to change posture, like he's gotten news. Glancing at Tobrias, he whispers from behind Coop in an even tone. "We're done."

[dakota]

Coop forced himself to hold back a sigh. " Good, this is harder than it looks on television." He turned to look at El and Tobrias," Did everything go okay on thier end?" He didn't bother hiding his concern. He focused on Tobrias," I didn't do too bad, did I?" He didn't know why, but after he'd said it, he felt like he was looking for the guildmaster's approval.

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[Renekin Skywalker]

"Well, it was what we needed." Tobrias says.

"Now, the press will feel like they own the rights to your story." Says Eleutheroi.

"That may be unavoidable." Tobrias says, as they pass through the door way. "But it is a necessary risk."

Once outside, they get into the limo. After the door was shut, Eleutheroi turns around to Tobrias. "Hey, wait. That crackpot wasn't there. How come he didn't call fake on the family line?"

Tobrias grins. "As it turns out, Mr. Cooper is a descendent of the Dolayus line. 3 generations away. A thin connection, but one none-the-less."

[Note: There was no-one named Dolayus that were Coop's grandparents or great grandparents. Hence, bombshell!]

[dakota]

" Doilywho? " Coop shook his head. " I never heard that name before." He looked at one then the other, confused. " Can you tell me what your talking about?"

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[Renekin Skywalker]

Tobrias grins shiftily. "Is it a fake? Is it a real connection?" He shrugs his shoulders. "Who can tell, so far back?"

[dakota]

Coop couldn't hide that they were annoying him. " Oh come on, tell me the truth. Are you just messing with me?"

He turned and looked out the window, resting his head against the glass. " Any word on how the real operation went? Everything turn out okay?"

[tag]