[29th March 2011]
[PRT/Protectorate Portal Site, The Docks, Brockton Bay, Maine, United States of America, Earth Bet]
Barry Renick watched as Army Corps of Engineers worked with various local construction companies, and whatever qualified firms that could be brought in on short notice, to assemble the foundations and shell around where the great metal slab had been placed to block the Portal. It was ridiculously fast construction considering the protection envisioned by the team of Tinkers and Thinkers hastily assembled and designing it literally overnight. Unfortunately it was also far too slow for his, and most of the world's, comfort as well due to the dangers that lurked on the other side.
Not only that, but the Bay was beyond tense as the gangs adhered to the hastily arranged Truce, but watch as both the Brockton Bay PRT and Protectorate were reinforced. Reinforced, likely with the aim of sweeping said gangs out of the way to ensure the safety of the nightmare scenario before his eyes, and in case any of their members had been subverted. So far they'd found nothing indicating the other side had used a Master, but even with all the resources suddenly being deployed there were so many potential incidents to investigate.
Even the basic information package on 'general geopolitical information' on the other Earth had caused panic in the higher echelons. Claims that aliens were real, and that Mars was filled with high level Master Stranger Shaker...not-humans, had been investigated by multiple truth detectors; everything pointed to the other side's delegation genuinely believing the assertions were true. Barry tried to avoid thinking about that situation, beyond ensuring that the very best bio-scanners were up and running at the site, and brought into secure facilities across the Bay.
"Deputy Director..." greeted him from behind, and he turned his head towards the trooper coming inside in his PRT gear "...I see the site is progressing well"
"Captain West, it is going as well as it can be, which still isn't fast enough in truth"
"There's still the option of filling it up concrete Sir"
Barry sighed at that, returning to sit at his desk in this 'secure' mobile command centre while gesturing for the Captain to take a seat across from him "That was considered Captain, but matters were decided above our pay-grade to attempt engage with our...opposites, on the other side. After all we cannot be sure if this effect can be recreated, and then have to deal with a more hostile faction should we rebuff their...efforts at peaceful interaction with us"
"Ah, of course, though in part I wished to report that the matter has, perhaps obviously, been a topic of intense discussion within the ranks. I'd recommend a further briefing, especially with those being brought in from outside our area of operations. Civilians and media are proving problematic in questioning; it only takes one weak link..."
"I understand Captain, I'll ensure the matter is brought to Director Piggot's desk" Barry replied with a nod, and adding the matter to the agenda for the meeting later "Now, what is the situation out in the rest of the city?"
"Holding together Sir, we've stepped up patrols as ordered, and anyone with any sense is laying low. Even the E88 and ABB are staying quiet as per the Truce, though there have been some issues with the Merchants as we clear out the Docks and the Boardwalk. Nothing serious, but I've compiled a list of incidents, and those arrested, for your approval on recommendations for sentencing or not"
He took the proffered file with a nod, giving it a glance, before looking back up at the Captain "You have something else to say it seems to me Captain?"
Captain West nodded taking out another file and handing over "Yes Sir, potential problem during screening, though not in the sense of infiltration. Background checks on families of individuals being brought in for potential areas of influence brought to light a potential trigger for the daughter of the head of the dockworkers association. Thinker screening indicates likelihood of powers, and a quick background check has raised some flags"
Barry frowned as he opened and skimmed the documents "Winslow...ah, I see your concerns. Why are we only hearing of this now?"
"Unknown Sir, I'd recommend it be quietly investigated by a new caseworker. With all the scrutiny coming on our operations I felt it important to bring this your attention before someone else comes across it"
Barry nodded "Yes, if you can recommend someone you trust to investigate the matter further I'll issue authorisation. Just, it is vital this be kept quiet. We can't afford any issues with public trust now of all times..."
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[29th March 2011]
[Situation Room, White House, Washington DC, United States of America, Earth Bet]
Being President was less enjoyable each day that passed James Gillen found as he sat in the Situation Room on a conference call with the heads of the PRT, Directorate, and the Canadian Prime Minister. The Joint Chiefs were unhappy, the Senate and House were unhappy...the Protectorate were unhappy, and everyone had differing advice to give on how to deal with the crisis in Brockton Bay. It was Earth Aleph all over again, expect this time Earth Gimel as they were calling it, apparently had a greater number of powerful Capes than Aleph had along with a whole bunch of insanity down to Mars being inhabited.
'The answer to question then why isn't ours then is?' he thought watching the tinkertech display showing all the military units across the United States. The general response to that question on Mars was horrifying; it might actually inhabited, but according to Earth Gimel it was inhabited by mind-reading, shape-shifting, aliens who could turn invisible and phase through materials at the highest level. So how in God's name would they know if those things weren't living underground on Mars?
'Oh, and the Vampires too, how could we overlook those' he reminded himself remembering that strange conversation with the Army and the PRT being deployed to the city, and need to keep it from public consumption along with the aliens. For now though he pushed those thoughts aside, listening as Director Costa-Brown laid out the analysis of the brief video correspondence, then data-exchange, with Earth Gimel several hours ago. More frightening news and insanity basically; along with a concerning series of diplomatic indicators of a, at least relative to themselves, united front being put forward by their version United Nations that was more than a defunct talking shop.
"So both the Parahuman Response Team and the Protectorate are recommending sending a delegation as offered by Earth Gimel, just to confirm?" he clarified after a few minutes of listening to the bickering on the monitors between the various factions "Now, Rebecca, I'm not against finding out more information, but I've been well briefed on the risks that come with simply not concreting up that thing and trying to forget about it"
On the screen Director Costa-Brown shook her head "I'm sorry Mister President, but we've run multiple analysis on just such a scenario and we feel it would offer limited protection over and above engaging with our opposites. We can still revert to that strategy of course, but we recommend engagement, even trade as they stated, as such a strategy is more likely to lead to a more stable situation in the long-term. In the short term it would allow us further information gathering to confirm whether they are being truthful in their stated intentions, or are hiding more hostile ones"
"It also opens us up to revealing more of our hand to them Director Costa-Brown..." General Buchanan replied, though not entirely disagreeing with her point "...along other dangers"
"We understand General, but they've already effectively scouted us out, so we have less to lose and more to gain by dealing. Secondly, we are unsure if simply trying to seal up the portal would actually end the danger, as a) we still don't know how they opened it in the first place, and b) the location makes such a tactic problematic if they have para-humans with abilities to affect the material. A multi-layered Gate structure, as they appear to be doing, offers us the capacity to block the rift, while also keeping our options open"
"Yes..." Rory Calhoun, his Chief of Staff, interjected "...but there is also the political aspect. Public awareness of this situation is difficult to control, and Gimel's already send offer of aid from parallel Canada and Japan. All very good, and a positive sign, but people are afraid *now, once that subsides some are going to want to try go through the portal, either due to misguided beliefs, to avoiding legal matters, or simply refugees seeking to return to alternate version of their homelands"
"Yes, we are aware of that difficulty, but it isn't one that is going to go away by simply blocking it off. Even down to the composition of the local gangs, and abilities of certain parahumans in the area..." Costa-Brown replied then gave an unhappy sigh "...and maintaining the option of offload certain cases, should we negotiate to that effect, might not be the worst thing in the world as per State Department and DOJ assessments"
"So, the general recommendation is that our government, and the Canadian government, accept this offer to confirm on the other side of the Portal?" James asked after a brief series of communications confirming support from the Canadian Prime Minister who was on a side conference with his own advisors. Rory, to his surprise, gave a nod.
"I have concerns Mister President, serious ones as mentioned, but Director Costa-Brown has made her case convincingly I think. For now at least I'd recommend we keep our options open, and we work towards calming the public with talk of possible information trade, and the fact the Protectorate are out in force. Where we go from there depends on what we learn"
James nodded as the others voiced agreement "Alright, that sounds acceptable to me, though for the moment let's keep this contained to North America only. We've trouble enough with the Chinese Union-Imperial and others without risking some sort of international debacle during a response..."
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