Chapter 38

"Christmas Eve at Tundergarth Church"

Today was Christmas Eve, a day that Tim and I were supposed to be enjoying together with Tim, his dad and his Pikachu. Instead, I was here on a cold night in Scotland probably thinking I should have worn a pantsuit instead a black suit consisting of a jacket and short sleeved dress. My pantyhose clad legs were not built for the cold weather…but it was my own damn fault, it appears.

When we arrived at Tundergarth Church, Mrs. Thatcher and her entourage were focusing all of their attention on the Maid of the Seas cockpit which had been sitting in the fields for over three days since the bombing. It was apparent that Lockerbie was now a crime scene judging from the constant stream of both American and British authorities scouring the town for clues.

"Is everything all set?" I asked my cameraman as he ensured that the interview chairs were positioned in front of the cockpit. "Is the camera facing the cockpit?"

"Yep…" said my cameraman. But we might as well get started before we lose the light."

"Mrs. Thatcher!" called my sound guy as the British Prime Minister came over to get ready for the filming. Coming over at a moderate speed, she sat down in the chair as her entourage made sure she looked presentable for the cameras. I then took my position and sat down in front of Mrs. Thatcher, pulling my trenchcoat over my body to try and stay warm.

"Okay, we're rolling guys!" cried my sound guy as he cued me to start the broadcast. "Quiet!"

…

With the cameras rolling, I started the broadcast.

"Good evening and welcome to the CMN evening news," I began. "Lucy Stevens reporting. It has now been 3 days since Pan Am Flight 103 came down over the town of Lockerbie, Scotland resulting in the deaths of 259 people on board and an untold number of citizens on the ground still unaccounted for. The tragedy is also felt in the world of Pokemon as 25 students from the Pokemon League Academy in Israel, returning home for the holidays, were also killed along with their chaperones."

As I began my broadcast, the town priest Father Keegans stepped out and watched from a short distance before Christmas Eve Mass would begin.

"Some of the early reports we have received that Team Rocket is believed to be the chief organization responsible for the bombing, but it is not yet unconfirmed nor clarified. However, tonight I am honored to have the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom here with us tonight, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher. Mrs. Thatcher has been touring the town all day since she arrived this afternoon and has also spoken to the families. Good evening, Madam Prime Minister."

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Miss Stevens," she remarked. "This is without a doubt…the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of the United KIngdom, judging from the damages brought by the falling debris from the aircraft. Earlier today when I arrived in Lockerbie, I had a moment to speak to the victims' families and offered my sympathy and support for the return of their loved ones' remains."

"When you first stepped into Lockerbie today, Madam Prime Minister. What else did you see aside from all the destruction?"

"I saw townsfolk supporting other townsfolk," she replied. "It is during these moments in time that we as a country and as a commonwealth must come together to support one another in times of crisis. If her majesty were here tonight, she would say the same as I."

"Madam Prime Minister," I said, directing her to look at the cockpit of the Maid of the Seas. "As you look out at the cockpit of Pan Am 103, you can start to see a symbol or representation of this tragedy start to form. If Team Rocket were indeed responsible for the downing of Pan Am 103, what can you say to them?"

"I would say for them to look at the damage they had caused," explained Thatcher. "It is because of them that 259 men, women and children will never make it home for Christmas and all for what? To obtain their hands on creatures that are a protected species in the eyes of the world's people. It's also like you said that 25 of the victims were students from the Pokemon League Academy in Israel. Tonight, their teachers, their classmates and their families are in mourning."

At the same time, Psyduck also walked over to Father Keegans and rubbed against his leg.

"Some were as old as 18 and others were as young as 8 years old, ages that are supposed to be happy times with it being Christmas and all. I want to also commit especially to the families of the 25 students and the Pokemon that they were learning to train, that we will not rest until Maria Sakami and her Team Rocket organization is destroyed once and for all."

"Yes, I believe that the United Kingdom will do everything in it's power to aid in the hunt for those responsible for this deadly tragedy. Now, being as it's Christmas, is there anything you would like to say in terms of giving out messages of hope, Madam Prime Minister?"

"It's important to remember the words that our lord and master taught us that we love one another and that includes loving our enemies. Our world and our democratic way of life is not brought on by acts of violence such as what happened here three days ago, but through unity and understanding of one another. On this Christmas Eve, I ask you all to pray for swift justice and for appreciating the important people in your lives because one day, they will no longer be around in your life."

"Madam Prime Minster, thank you for your time," I said.

"Thank you for having me," she acknowledged.

As I closed the broadcast, I told my viewers to not only have a Merry Christmas, but also pray for the souls of Pan Am Flight 103, especially the 25 students and their Pokemon who were also murdered.

I then noticed Psyduck standing next to Father Keegans, having watched the whole interview from a short distance. At the same time, I saw a group of parishioners starting to arrive at the church meaning that Christmas Eve Mass was about to begin. Mrs. Thatcher and her entourage were also planning on attending.

"Hey guys, if you want to attend Christmas Eve Mass, you can go ahead or if you want to head back to Lockerbie, that's fine too."

I then made my way over to Father Keegans as he smiled at me.

"Well done," he said in his Irish accent. "Well done, Miss Stevens."

"Thank you, father," I replied. "Christmas Eve mass?"

"Yes, although slightly different from what was in the past," he remarked. "But, it's a good way for the town and the visitors to come together."

Just then, I noticed Raymond Alden arrived for mass and I still needed to talk to him as he proceeded into the church.

"You are welcome to join us, Miss Stevens."

"Of course, father. Come on, Psyduck."

As I walked into Christmas Eve mass, I knew that Raymond Alden would soon be leaving with the bodies of his daughter and editor-in-chief and being that Raymond Alden was a grieving victim, I was running out of time to get into the full perspective of a grieving father.

…

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