The Gauntlet - Part 4
Since the E-Division still didn’t have a proper office in the city, all journalists were packed into a conference room in City Hall. It had been two days since Victory Girl made prime time for all the wrong reasons. All anyone expected was a token statement, some sort of ‘we support’, and then some coffee and snacks, all on the taxpayer’s dime of course.
Backstage, Victory Girl was pacing. She was less nervous when facing seemingly overwhelming odds, than facing the crowd that had gathered in the adjoining room. The Police Commissioner and the Mayor, as well as officials from E-Division of course, mistook it for something else. “We can always go back to the official statement we were ready to realise yesterday before you decided to come up with this… idea. It is a lot for one person to take on. You can still reconsider…,” whispered her adviser outside earshot of the rest gathered there.
“What? No. I’m not worried about my decision. I just hate having to face crowds, much less public speaking.”
“Oh. So, we’re going ahead then?”
“Yes. I can do this. Whenever the others are ready…”
There was no cheering as was usual when Victory Girl came on stage along with City and E-Division officials. On one hand, they knew the press conference was in response to a very serious situation, and on the other hand, no one knew what to expect. The PR representative quickly welcomed and introduced everyone before handing the mic over to Victory Girl.
“What happened in our city two days ago is by all means, unacceptable. E-Division was founded to help local law enforcement combat the growing threat of crimes perpetrated by Evolved individuals. However, in light of the statements made by the trio who were apprehended and are currently in custody, we have decided to alter the ambit of how the two wings of law enforcement in our city acts.
“Earlier, E-Division solely handled Evolved crimes and vice-versa, however, now, both E-Division and the Police will share resources for any and all crimes committed in the city. This will allow us to better handle situations like the other day and resolve them quickly and with minimum disruption to city life.”
“But Victory Girl, what about all those Evolveds who have come in the city with the sole purpose of challenging you, given you are now dubbed the ‘Strongest Evolved’,” asked a journalist who looked all business and voiced the question that was on everyone’s mind first.
“Many Evolved see themselves as warriors and as such have a desire to prove themselves. It is my responsibility as a resident and protector of this city to ensure that it’s inhabitants are not caught in the middle. As such, I have made arrangements with E-Division that whosoever wishes to challenge me may do so in a formal manner and I will see to it that I address such challenges to the best of my ability.
“However, endangering lives or even threatening to endanger lives means any challenger relinquishes any and all rights to a fair fight and as such will invite the full might of E-Division, the Police Force and of course, me. All challenges will be met by me outside city limits in a designated open space. Any attempts to engage in the city will be dealt with in the strictest of terms, both in apprehension and in prosecution.”
“Huff. And you think these ‘challengers’ will follow your rules?” asked the same disillusioned journalist.
“Not all will. For them, we have the law. Those who do, who actually have a warrior’s spirit, will be treated as such. Issue a formal challenge, and we will duel like warriors should; no running afoul of the law. For all those who called themselves ‘Evolved’, it’s time you started behaving as such.”
Backstage, Victory Girl was pacing. She was less nervous when facing seemingly overwhelming odds, than facing the crowd that had gathered in the adjoining room. The Police Commissioner and the Mayor, as well as officials from E-Division of course, mistook it for something else. “We can always go back to the official statement we were ready to realise yesterday before you decided to come up with this… idea. It is a lot for one person to take on. You can still reconsider…,” whispered her adviser outside earshot of the rest gathered there.
“What? No. I’m not worried about my decision. I just hate having to face crowds, much less public speaking.”
“Oh. So, we’re going ahead then?”
“Yes. I can do this. Whenever the others are ready…”
There was no cheering as was usual when Victory Girl came on stage along with City and E-Division officials. On one hand, they knew the press conference was in response to a very serious situation, and on the other hand, no one knew what to expect. The PR representative quickly welcomed and introduced everyone before handing the mic over to Victory Girl.
“What happened in our city two days ago is by all means, unacceptable. E-Division was founded to help local law enforcement combat the growing threat of crimes perpetrated by Evolved individuals. However, in light of the statements made by the trio who were apprehended and are currently in custody, we have decided to alter the ambit of how the two wings of law enforcement in our city acts.
“Earlier, E-Division solely handled Evolved crimes and vice-versa, however, now, both E-Division and the Police will share resources for any and all crimes committed in the city. This will allow us to better handle situations like the other day and resolve them quickly and with minimum disruption to city life.”
“But Victory Girl, what about all those Evolveds who have come in the city with the sole purpose of challenging you, given you are now dubbed the ‘Strongest Evolved’,” asked a journalist who looked all business and voiced the question that was on everyone’s mind first.
“Many Evolved see themselves as warriors and as such have a desire to prove themselves. It is my responsibility as a resident and protector of this city to ensure that it’s inhabitants are not caught in the middle. As such, I have made arrangements with E-Division that whosoever wishes to challenge me may do so in a formal manner and I will see to it that I address such challenges to the best of my ability.
“However, endangering lives or even threatening to endanger lives means any challenger relinquishes any and all rights to a fair fight and as such will invite the full might of E-Division, the Police Force and of course, me. All challenges will be met by me outside city limits in a designated open space. Any attempts to engage in the city will be dealt with in the strictest of terms, both in apprehension and in prosecution.”
“Huff. And you think these ‘challengers’ will follow your rules?” asked the same disillusioned journalist.
“Not all will. For them, we have the law. Those who do, who actually have a warrior’s spirit, will be treated as such. Issue a formal challenge, and we will duel like warriors should; no running afoul of the law. For all those who called themselves ‘Evolved’, it’s time you started behaving as such.”
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