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[b][center][color=96D2B7]UNITED STATES OF AMERICA[/color][/center][/b][/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=96D2B7][I][B]WASHINGTON DC[/B][/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=96D2B7][b]APPROPRIATE RESPONSE[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][INDENT][hr][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][color=DARKGRAY]Patricia "Trish" Tilby listened in as the President of the United States spoke at the podium, an unusual sight for her colleagues. For her, it was astonishing to see someone so significant up close. As a correspondent for WNA, she was accustomed to reporting on the ground across the country. And no matter where, she often found herself in mutant affairs one way or another. Trish ensured her coverage of the issue was always fair and balanced, that it didn't feed into growing anti-mutant biases. Plenty in her field couldn't care less as long as there was a chance to gain prestige and notoriety from it. Even if it meant being morally dubious. 

Of course, Trish wasn't a saint. How else was she able to be sitting here in the briefing room? It cost a lot of favors, but seeing the President walk in was definitely worth the price. And as was learning about the country's newest weapon, who single-handedly defeated an invasion force all on their own: Warbird. Based on footage of them in the field, they were quite powerful and distinct from other powered heroes through their light show. It was incredible but also an alarming development, one that could trigger a superhuman arms race, spark global tensions, and transform the military-industrial complex in its entirety. 

But as intriguing as it was, there was a more pressing matter on her mind. 

[color=96D2B7]“Will there be any questions?”[/color]

Trish was quick to raise her hand, but among the sea of hands, it wasn't fast enough. Franklin Stern of the [i]Daily Planet[/i] was the first one to be picked, a notable professional in the field. He cleared his throat and began to speak, [color=AC8A88]"Thank you, Secretary. This revelation from the President himself is, quite frankly, astonishing for all of us to bear witness. And with the little time to process.. well, everything, we hardly know anything about this Warbird besides the fact that they're a powered individual. And that factor alone will undoubtedly contribute to the debate regarding masked vigilantes, whether you intended it or not. So, for the sake of transparency, will this administration divulge who is behind the mask? If not, why?"[/color]

[color=96D2B7]"That is a good question, and this administration understands that the American people, at this time, have plenty of reason to fear the increasing number of 'powered individuals' that are appearing in this day and age."[/color] The Secretary responded with characteristic tempered optimism, a friendly face that could often hide an incoming barb. [color=96D2B7]"However, we would stress that the Warbird is not a masked vigilante, but a unique and unprecedented member of the military's special forces, and as with many individuals within our great nation's security infrastructure, will remain anonymous to the wider public to protect both herself and our strategic interests. Unlike individuals working entirely outside the legal infrastructure of the nation, however, she is beholden to both the rule of law and the operating parameters applicable to any application of decisive force by the United States of America."[/color]

Trish wrote the answer down in her notebook quickly, but only did it out of obligation to her job. She wanted to ask about the administration's stance regarding Genosha and the recent developments in the island country. A country considered a rising star in AI research and development, which had only recently begun opening its market to the international community. Funny enough, it had signed separate multi-billion dollar investment pacts with the European Union, the People's Republic of China, and the United States hours before the Chippy scandal broke. And that ultimately culminated in the government's dissolution by its citizens, leaving the deals in limbo for the foreseeable future. Not to mention th-

[color=white]"Thanks so much, Secretary. Staying on the topic of transparency, will they answer directly to the President or the military?"[/color]

She completely forgot to raise her hand. 

[color=96D2B7]"The Warbird will operate under the authority of the United States Air Force, although as the Commander-In-Chief of all branches of our military, the President, of course has final say on any matters."[/color]

[color=white]"So, isn't it then, concerning for one singular person to suddenly have a power unprecedented in American history? There will be people who are going to be naturally afraid that such power could easily be abused in the future. What sort of safeguards have been put into place to prevent the President and, to a larger extent, future administrations from misusing Warbird?"[/color] [i]The Daily Bugle's[/i] Washington correspondent asked derisively to provoke a more emotionally charged answer. 

[color=96D2B7]"The currency of our military is unprecedented power. Three of the top five largest air forces in the world sit within the branches of our military might. Our nuclear capability has remained unmatched since we first harnessed the power of the Atom and will continue to do so."[/color] The Secretary paused for a moment after evoking the dominance of recent years, before continuing. 

[color=96D2B7]"The US military, especially under this administration, takes the duty of remaining the world's premium warfighting force with the seriousness it deserves. You may ask what dangers this new power presents, but we ask instead of the greater danger we should face should our enemies, which we now know exist even beyond the confines of this planet, harness such a power before us. That would be an intolerable risk to the nation and people that we will not risk."[/color] This was more in line with the fire and fury of the administration's dealings with rivals, although it soon eased through the softening of the Secretary's words. [color=96D2B7]"But to those with concerns, we say this: the President remains beholden to the rule of law, the American Constitution, and finally and most importantly, the judgment of the American people. This is the case with past administrations and our own, and we trust the people to continue to elect those who would take such duty seriously."[/color]

Trish raised her hand yet again, not expecting to get picked at all. But then the Press Secretary gestured at her.

[color=F4793F]"Thank you, Secretary."[/color] Trish flipped her notebook to the next page and then continued. [color=F4793F]"It's only been two days since protesters in Genosha elected a mutant to lead the country's interim government after overthrowing the previous government. The same one who led the militant group, Brotherhood, in the 1960s and now leads an entire nation, seemingly with the people's blessing. What's the administration's response to the recent developments? And secondly, there have been reports that the former president plans on forming a government in exile in the coming days. He also plans to seek out international support to facilitate his return to power. That includes the United States, where he and the remnants of his cabinet are currently residing."[/color]

The Secretary was ready to respond until the President himself approached her with a warm smile and gestured at her to step aside. Trish didn't expect [b]him[/b] to entertain her question of all the other questions yet to be asked. He slid over to the podium and started his answer off with some good old-fashioned humor: "Heh, now this is where I have to step in and tell my good friend here to take a hike, the grown-ups are talking now." 

He let the room laugh for a second before resuming, "No, but seriously, the United States of America has always and will continue to champion democracy. What happened in Genosha should have been a case study of its values being realized. Her people exercised their inalienable rights to assemble and express their grievances against their government without resorting to violence, just minor scuffles with the authorities here and there.

"What concerns me greatly is letting a terrorist hijack a largely peaceful movement."

"humanitarian reasons."

"Sebastian Marlowe, [i]New York Times[/i]." "A question for the President himself. Will you deploy Warbird?"[/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]
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