Chapter 11

Hi folks, well the laptop has come back from the hospital and at the moment is working fine. Thanks to my beta for working on this when I couldn't. Hope this lives up to the wait. Thanks to all who have commented and put the story on alert, it's nice to see people wanting to read my stories. By the way some of the ones posted on the site recently have completely amazed me, I sent a review for them but just wanted to say so publically. Clearly episode 14 and 15 are fantastic, I can't wait to see them. Well on with the story, leaving Stevie and Elizabeth for a bit and looking at how the staff are managing things in Elizabeth's absence. Thanks for reading.

_MSEC_

Sometimes threats need to be managed.

"Daisy!" the White House correspondent from the Washington Post screamed above all the other reporters, "What can you tell us about the attackers?" Daisy and her colleague from the White House, Brad Tiller, blinked at the flashing lights from the cameras. The noise was deafening. Although Daisy had participated in many press conferences, she hadn't felt this overwhelmed by reporters shouting at her since they'd announced Marsh's death.

Daisy took a deep breath and, knowing that this was being filmed, waved her hand to calm the crowd before she answered. "At this point we can state that there has been an organised set of attacks around the world, coordinated by a group here in the US."

The press core finally decided to return to their civilised form and Daisy pointed to a female reporter, whom she didn't know, to ask her question. "Has any group claimed responsibility?"

Brad jumped in. "Like Daisy stated, we know who is responsible, but we are not at liberty to give out any further information."

"Do you expect more attacks?" another journalist shouted out, louder than the others.

"We can't speculate further on that," Daisy quickly shot down the question. The last thing the situation needed was two press secretaries having a debate about whether there were more terrorist attacks to come.

"We are working with our allies around the world and their security services to bring the threat to an end as soon as possible," Brad added. He pointed to another reporter.

"Do you have any information on why the particular locations were chosen? Three bombs in DC, Britain, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Moscow?"

"That's one area we're investigating but I can't say more than that," Brad stated.

"Reuters is reporting that there were significant casualties at the White House and several at the State Department," another reporter called out. "What details can you give us?"

Brad looked at Daisy, letting her know that he'd take this one, then took a deep breath before replying. "Unfortunately, there were casualties when the suicide bomber set off the bomb inside the White House. The attack came as a surprise and the building had not been completely evacuated. We are now able to release the names of the ten dead and fifteen injured. They are in the packs being passed around now. All the families have been contacted but we ask that you give those families privacy to deal with their loss. At the State Department there were only two casualties. One is in the ICU at GW and the other is being kept in for observation. Both seem to be through the worst."

"Has the terror level been raised?

Daisy took this one and spoke directly to the reporter as she knew him. "Dave, yes, in conjunction with our allies, the terror threat level here has been raised. In particular, there will be tightened security at all government buildings and tourist sites in D.C. following the bombings. However, there's no need to panic and people should just go about their lives as usual, and be as vigilant as always. In the world as it is at the moment we should all be aware of our surroundings at all times and, if we see anything suspicious, we should report it to the relevant authorities."

"When will the President be going back to the White House?"

Brad turned to the reporter. "We are not advertising the President's movements at this time. He is safe here and his safety will be the most important information when deciding where or when he leaves."

Daisy and Brad looked at each other and, realising they really didn't have any other information to pass on to the press, wordlessly agreed to draw the conference to a close. Daisy stepped up to the mike at the makeshift podium. "That's it for now, folks. We will be back again in a few hours with any other developments or information. If there are any more attacks we will brief you as soon as we know anything."

They walked away from the front of the small room and exited the building, heading for the hangar where both their staffs were based.

"Thanks, Daisy. Tonight's just been crazy. It was good to have someone else to help keep the gaggle under control."

"No problem," Daisy replied. She then looked around them to check that they couldn't be overhead before asking quietly, "Do you think the attacks are finished?"

"Not sure, although this has been the longest gap between them. It's now three hours since the Lincoln Memorial was hit. Look, we'll keep in touch. The press will need to be fed again in about three hours. I'll check in with the White House staff and you check in with the State Department. If either of us has any news, we can discuss it before we go in front of them again."

"Okay, sounds like a plan," Daisy agreed just as they reached the hangar. They separated to head to their own departments.

Daisy walked over to Nadine's desk to report in. Daisy had spent the majority of the night with Brad and their assistants, trying to manage the press, and had only been back once since they'd first arrived, when Nadine had called and then briefed her on the scope of the attacks and on Stephanie McCord's condition. Fortunately, that titbit of news hadn't yet reached the press, and it was her job to ensure that it didn't.

"Anything new?" Daisy asked as she made eye contact with Nadine.

"There've been no new attacks or messages. The FBI has traced the attacker in DC and, although he isn't talking, they've searched his apartment and found a huge amount of incriminating evidence. In the UK, MI5 have done the same with the residency of the attacker there. They believe there's enough to bring others in. We're awaiting news now."

"And Stevie, is there any news about her?"

"She's out of surgery and the Secretary and her husband are with her."

"She's okay, though?"

"I believe so, but our job is to ensure that no one discovers this until the Secretary wants to release the information."

"There were no questions about her at the briefing. And I don't think the press are allowed out of their building and, with her being at a military hospital, all the medical professionals work for us so are unlikely to leak the information."

"Good. Keep a lid on it."

"Yes, Ma'am." Daisy turned to leave just as Jay ran up to them.

"They caught the one in the video in Australia. He was making a film in Sydney. Looked like they were aiming for the Opera House."

"So they're not finished," Daisy stated.

"Apparently not. The police there aren't releasing any information to the press. They think it will just panic people."

"Has the President been informed?" Nadine asked.

"Not sure. Should I go?" Jay asked.

"No, I'll brief him. You get in touch with Blake. The Secretary will want to know about these developments."

Nadine left her staff and headed towards the President's area. She saw Russell Jackson so went over to him.

"Mr Jackson, we have news from Australia. They've caught another one of the attackers."

"Really? They seem to be falling like flies. The director of the FBI just broke the suspect here."

"Are there any more attacks planned?"

"Yes, there were, but we hope to get in front of it now.

Russell relayed to Nadine what he had just heard from the FBI and had already told the President. "The man arrested at the Washington Monument was in charge, although he clearly didn't believe in the cause enough to die for it. He just cut a deal in exchange for his life. He admitted to sending the bomb to the State department and said that the bomber in London was responsible for the Germany postal attack as well as the suicide bomber in London. There were a total of seven involved. Four died in the attacks, we've caught one here, one in Sydney, so that just leaves the one in Japan unaccounted for. We need to coordinate fully with Japan so that we can hopefully stop this before there are any more attacks. They know what they're looking for and, hopefully, once we've got the guy in Japan, that will be the end of it."

"That's very good news, Sir. I'll let the Secretary know."

"Before you go, how's her daughter doing?"

"She's out of surgery and has woken up, but time will tell, Sir."

"We have another situation that you could help us with, Nadine." Jackson ushered her towards the side of the hanger to ensure no one could overhear them. "We seem to have lost the first son. Could you check with the Secretary's family and see if any of them know where he is?"

"Of course, Sir. But has his detail no idea where he is?"

"No, they lost him when he left the hospital. He was in quite a state and, although we don't think he could've left the base, we really have no idea where he is. The Secret Service are reviewing all the cameras on base but, as you know, there are many blindspots where there aren't any cameras and he could have slipped through and be anywhere now."

"I'll call Blake. He can check with the Secretary at the hospital and I'll send him to the barracks to check the family rooms to see if Harrison's there with the children."

"Thanks. Oh, Nadine, I'm sure you're doing this but, given the situation with the Secretary, can you keep in close contact with the ambassadors in the countries that were attacked? We have to ensure our people are cared for and brought home if necessary."

"Yes, Sir. The Secretary gave instructions before she left and Blake has been relaying messages. We have this under control. The State Department's in good hands." Nadine, not the biggest fan of Jackson, wanted to ensure that he didn't take this opportunity to assume control of Elizabeth McCord's domain. Nadine would always protect the Secretary, especially from the President's chief of staff.

Jackson nodded then turned back to the President's section of the hanger. Nadine moved back to her desk and called Blake. She relayed the information to him that she had just received and, although he reported not seeing Harrison at the hospital, she left the situation in his capable hands. She'd be surprised if he found Harrison Dalton but at least the Secretary would have a heads up about the situation.

_MSEC_

So if you would like to let me know what you think that would be great. I will post more in the middle of the week, assuming technology continues to be my friend. I am wondering about the rating for the next chapter so if you would like to read chapter 12 early and give me your advice please PM me and I will share with you on the site. This can't work with guests, you need to be a member. Enjoy the episode tonight if you are in America. Thanks