Karina Sparshott looked around at the other city officials who were seated along the expansive conference table inside Starling City Hall. She, as well as every other official present, were called into this late night meeting less then an hour ago by Mayor Castle herself; the short phone call leaving them with a sense of unease as they waited for her arrival. She had never seen everyone who had a role in the city's functions present in one room before. Everyone from the contracted urban planner to the head of waste management was present. As the superintendent of schools, she wondered what type of emergency could possibly warrant all of them to be present. The last she remembered hearing was the mayor and the Captain Lance went to meet with that man terrorizing the city.
Mayor Castle then rushed into the conference room with Captain Lance notably absent, pushing Karina's speculative mind into overdrive.
"Thank you all for coming in such short notice," Mayor Castle shouted above the still murmuring voices of the city officials. "I know you are all must have questions as to what happened at the meeting with Mr. Brickwell tonight."
Mr. Brickwell? She never referred to him so formally like that before; especially when there were no cameras present.
"As you already know I met with Mr. Brickwell to discuss the terms to release the alderman that were captured yesterday. I am thankful to report that they are alive and have been freed from captivity."
The officials begin to clap; but many shared glances as to why they could not have been informed when they returned to work the next morning.
"However," Mayor Castle said abruptly to interrupt the applause as it began. "Mr. Brickwell had later informed me that he has the address of every city official, which includes every person in this room right now. He threatened to begin killing every single one of us if I do not cede control of the Glades to him."
The room erupted in panicked voices, asking how he was able to get such personal information, and what she was doing to guarantee the safety of them and their families. Others began yelling to give up control of the Glades, with others asking about the families that are still living in the Glades. Mayor Castle struggled to regain their attention; but Karina remained silent as she waited to see what the recently elected mayor would say.
"Now listen everyone!" Mayor Castle yelled as she pounded on the table. "I know we are all afraid for the safety of the city. Mr. Brickwell is a terrorist for using such threats against us, and it is policy of this administration, and all the administrations before me, to never give into terrorists."
But, Karina thought silently.
"But," Mayor Castle continued. "We are citizens of Starling City just as much as the citizens we serve, and in light of such a horrific threat, we must ensure that we are present to help this city through this crisis!"
"What is she saying?" the man next to her whispered, confusion written on his face.
It means she is not ready to die for this city.
"I'm not sure," Karina shrugged and gestured for the man to continue listening.
"I have decided to give up control of the Glades to Mr. Brickwell – TEMPORARILY," Mayor Castle had to shout the last word as the room again erupted with dissent, as well as rationalizations in favor, of her decision. Mayor Castle attempted to regain order by shouting over the crowd, but failed to do so as the city officials argued over the decision.
Karina observed the scene silently as she contemplated the news. The position the mayor was in was a political nightmare: cede control of the Glades and be labeled a coward on every form of media for the rest of her term, but if she resisted and an official was killed she would lose all her political allies in the city. Judging by the absence of Captain Lance she had already lost one ally, and the crisis had only just begun. The fear she sensed in the room intoxicated her, feeding into her calm mind as she began to formulate her plan to save the city; and if things went well, it would do so much more.
