Okay, here's a quick chapter. Thanks again to all who have read and especially all who are nice enough to review. I appreciate the input and the encouragement.
-Emergency Newscasts #'s 1-3-
Interlude
We come to you live with an update on the situation in Palumpolum.
Anonymous sources from high within the Sanctum have confirmed that the fugitive l'Cie escaped from the quarantine around Palumpolum. Our reporters were on location to get an exclusive look at the l'Cie and to show our viewers the dedication of the Sanctum in ridding Cocoon of all traces of the Pulsian threat.
Cue the footage...
It seemed that PSICOM had the situation well in hand as they surrounded the l'Cie earlier today. At the last minute, the monstrous l'Cie turned the tables and savaged the soldiers sent to detain them. Reports on the total casualties are sketchy, but one source indicated that the number of soldiers and civilians killed in today's firefight is well over two hundred.
Primarch Galenth Dysley assures us that the Sanctum will not stop until it has extinguished the threat from Pulse.
Three Days later...
It's been three days now since the dreaded l'Cie escaped custody of PSICOM in the streets of Palumpolum. Our source inside the Sanctum has assured us that they are close to discovering the whereabouts of the dangerous fugitives, although no one has revealed how they plan to find them. With time passing and the trail growing colder, the citizens of Cocoon can only wonder if they will be the next victims of the deadly Pulse l'Cie.
The Sanctum cannot confirm the total number of casualties of the massive battle in Palumpolum three days ago. The death toll now stands at two hundred sixteen PSICOM soldiers, seven members of the Guardian Corps, and four hundred and twenty seven civilians.
In other news...
Two weeks later...
Cocoon is still in mourning after the devastating loss of the beloved Palamecia, along with its entire crew complement of seven hundred thirty nine. While we cannot confirm the loss of our Primarch, Galenth Dysley in the battle, there has been no sign of the revered leader.
The Sanctum announced today that it has arrested, tried and summarily executed a known l'Cie sympathizer and ally. Bartholomew Estheim, a former Sanctum employee, was detained for questioning after a massive firefight at his estate in Palumpolum led to the deaths of fourteen PSICOM soldiers, and the serious injury of dozens more. Our source in the Sanctum has advised that investigations revealed Mr. Estheim as a traitor who aided and abetted the murderous l'Cie, who are now being held responsible for nearly fifteen hundred deaths. As an accused traitor, he was tried by military tribunal, found guilty of treason, and executed in accordance with Cocoon penal law.
Estheim was the father of Hope Estheim, one of the alleged l'Cie involved in what is being coined 'the Palumpolum Massacre.'
No trace of the l'Cie has been found on Cocoon. Some believe that they may have fled for Gran Pulse to raise an army and return to finally destroy us and our way of life.
TBC...
Okay, so if you can't guess, we're off to Gran Pulse next. I'd considered writing through the Palamecia and The Fifth Ark, but those chapters are really more battle driven than anything else. There's not a whole lot of story or character development to be added. I figured they might slow up the story rather than add anything, so I'm skipping them.