Chapter 14
AN: So here is chapter 14, not going to say much but I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the reviews this week I have liked hearing what you think.
Some threats are resolved.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you could take your seats, there will be a brief statement about the terrorist attacks from the Press Secretaries of both the White House and State Department and then there will be time for questions. After that the Secretary of State will make a statement about other matters, where there will no be questions taken. Please take your seats as quickly as possible," Daisy's deputy spoke firmly from the front of the room in which the press had been holed up for over 12 hours.
The reporters all knew that they were the lucky ones. They were the White House press core and, as such, always had exclusive access to the executive branch of the government. It also meant that they travelled with the President at all times, even in this situation, so they were at the forefront of getting information. However, even they were near the end of their patience and were glad that a statement was finally being released and, hopefully, so would they be, as they hadn't been able to go home yet.
The noise slowly ebbed away as Daisy and Brad entered from the side of the room and approached the podium in the middle. Brad, as the senior press secretary, took the position to speak.
"Folks, this briefing will outline the events of last night and what has been accomplished by different countries around the world to bring this threat to an end. Please wait until I finish before asking any questions.
"As you are aware, overnight US time, there have been nine different terrorist events. In cities in the US, the UK, Australia, Spain, Russia, Japan and Germany. These attacks took a variety of different forms. I will run through them one by one to explain the nature of the threat and how it has been neutralised.
"The attacks began in the UK and Germany. The Parliament in the UK was attacked by a suicide bomber. There were 15 dead and 76 injured. The bomber's identity has been discovered and the UK intelligence agencies will release more information when they are able.
"In Germany, the attack came in the form of a package sent to the office of a member of the German Bundestag. The package did explode but the building had been evacuated in advance and there were only 6 casualties, all with non-life-threatening injuries.
"In four other cities around the world the US embassies were targeted. In Madrid, Canberra, Tokyo and Moscow our embassies were attacked with bombs. The ones in Madrid and Moscow were suicide bombers. The other two were devices left outside the buildings.
"In Moscow and Tokyo there were no casualties, apart from the bomber in Moscow, due to the preventative actions taken by the State Department with cooperation from the Defence Department. However, in Madrid there were 9 dead, 6 of whom were Marine Guards, and three civilian employees of the State Department.
"In Australia, the attack at the embassy was even more devastating as the bomber got beyond the perimeter and managed to destroy part of the building. We do not have complete figures for that attack but can announce that 21 people have been confirmed dead at this time with over 100 injured. These figures may, of course, change with further searches of the site.
"Now we come to the attacks in the US, where bombs were used at three different locations. We discussed certain elements of the first two at our last press conference but, just to confirm, there were 10 killed at the White House and a total of 17 injured in the two attacks. The third attack was at the Lincoln Memorial. Given the timing of the attack, it being the third attack, not the first, the area had been cleared of most people. Unfortunately, several homeless men were still sheltering in the area and were seriously wounded. The monument has extensive damage, as I am sure you will have seen from the information being broadcast.
"We are now in a position to release information about those whom we know are the perpetrators of these attacks. We have received communications from those responsible, blaming the attacks on US foreign policy. After further investigation, it appears that the attacks were as a response to the US and its allies' attacks in Syria against various groups operating in that country and the middle east. Several terrorists have been apprehended in different countries and are being interrogated as we speak. We have gained significant knowledge about the group involved in the attacks and we will reveal any further information as we are cleared to do so. We are able to say that through cooperation with our allies we have ended the current threat and all members of this group are in custody.
"Now, are there any questions?" Brad moved to the side as Daisy stepped up beside him to help answer any questions. There was the unsurprising clamour for attention that came with any press conference.
Daisy pointed to a reporter who was at least being polite and not jumping all over the person in front of them. "Jane."
"Daisy, Brad, how bad is the destruction at the West Wing? What is the contingency for the President?"
Brad stepped forward, given his role as White House secretary. "The FBI have begun their investigation of the bombing at the White House. It is likely to last for several days due to the nature of the attack. There is significant structural damage and repairs will not be able to start until the investigation is wrapped up. When we have any information we will share it. For now, President Dalton stays at Andrews."
"Keith." Daisy pointed to another reporter.
"Do we know why they targeted the Lincoln Memorial?"
"We have been told it was linked to the terrorists' idea of a target where there would be a large number of the public at any time, only they did not realise that we would clear the mall at the onset of any terrorist activity."
"John." Brad indicated to another reporter.
"Daisy, we haven't seen the Secretary of State much tonight, is there anything going on we need to know about?"
Daisy cleared her throat and used the statement that she and Matt had come up with as they'd walked to the hangar, even though it wasn't entirely accurate. "She has been coordinating the State Department's response to the attacks on our embassies but she will be through to speak to you shortly." Daisy nodded to her deputy to get Elizabeth. This wasn't her idea and she'd go on record to that effect. She couldn't decide if this was the bravest thing or the stupidest thing her boss had done since she'd come to office.
The door at the back opened and Elizabeth walked in with Henry, which was a surprise to most in the room. They were preceded by Frank and two other agents. The rest of the State Department team, Nadine, Jay, Matt and Blake, filed in behind them and all stood along the back wall of the small room.
Elizabeth moved with grace to the podium and waited for the room to calm. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, clearing her throat as she did, "Last night our country was the victim of several terrorist attacks. You have already been briefed on these. However, I have some sad news to announce."
_MSEC_
Earlier...
Colonel James McMann had experienced front line surgery. He'd been in Afghanistan and the Gulf but this moment was one he'd remember for the rest of his life. He was the one who'd tried to save the life of the First Son and had failed. After attempts at blood transfusion Harrison's heart had simply given up and now Colonel McMann had to inform the President that his only child was dead.
He slowly pulled his mask from his face, called the time of death, and took off his outer scrubs. He watched as the other Airmen around him came to terms with exactly what had happened.
"Before I go out there, I hope I don't need to remind you of patient confidentiality," he said to the collective group, not looking anyone in the eye. "There will be a great deal of press coverage. There will be no quotes, apart from the official statement, from any member of this team. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Sir," everyone mumbled in reply.
In all honesty, McMann didn't expect anyone to speak to the press, but they'd never been in a situation like this, so he needed to be sure.
"Right, I'm going to speak to the President. Clean the area and prepare his body. I expect his mother and father will wish to be with him as soon as possible."
Colonel McMann walked from the room, took a deep breath, and made his way to the waiting area that the President's detail had secured for him. He was let through the door to a small waiting room and walked up to President Dalton.
"Sir."
"Yes, Doctor. How is Harrison?"
"Sir, I'm very sorry, we tried all we could but he'd lost a lot of blood. Harrison died 5 minutes ago."
Conrad couldn't say anything. His wife, Lydia, broke down in her chair, weeping.
_MSEC_
Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Many of you will perhaps have been aware that my daughter Stephanie has been in a relationship with Harrison Dalton. Tonight they told us they were expecting a baby. Unfortunately, during the night, Stevie suffered an ectopic pregnancy and lost the baby."
Elizabeth cleared her throat. She needed to do this. Henry stood beside her and gently took her hand. They'd all decided that the truth was the best. Like he'd said before, you don't need to defend it, just let it out like a lion and it will defend itself.
"I wish this was the sad news I had to tell you. However, on hearing the news about his unborn child, Harrison Dalton took his own life. He was found and rushed to the medical centre on the base but, in spite of everything they did, nothing could save him. As you can imagine this is a terrible tragedy for the President and his wife. They have lost their son, Stevie has lost her boyfriend and the father of the child she has just lost, and the families have lost a future grandchild. Please respect our decision to share this news with you and please respect the privacy of both families while we grieve. Please refrain from asking any more questions. There will be no more information given about this situation. Thank you."
Hushed silence filled the room. Elizabeth clasped Henry's hand tighter and walked from the front of the room, making sure that she didn't fall apart in front of the eyes of the press. She noticed several of the press core in tears and she hoped that the honesty they'd used here would prevent anyone from trying to dig into the events of this morning. Her entire focus now needed to be on Stevie and Alison who, in very different ways, were taking Harrison's death very badly.
_MSEC_
AN: So I know this is not the ending many of you wished, I have written the other ending too and may add it as an alternative when the story is finished if people would like to read it. Let me know what you think and the final chapter should be up over the weekend. Thanks for the support.