04-18-2014, 06:15 PM
The link-up with local law-enforcement and ambulances was a public affair, with reporters (including the lovely, if foolish, young woman they had just rescued) present to hound him and the police with questions. Jacques, back to the roll of CEO played off his state of dress as a simple matter of practicality; the boss had to be able to kick mud in the trenches from time to time, but naturally he had deliberated to his far more experienced field personnel in regards with how to execute the operation so swimmingly.
He handed off his helmet and had no weapons on him, and it could easily have been assumed he had chosen to wear the heavy body armour for his own personal safety, rather then to actually be of use. Heavy questions were met head on; the rescued reporter of all people was the one cold enough to ask him the worst one.
"How do you feel about one of your men being killed in the line of duty? Is it true that his body was carried off before you could retrieve it?"
She held a tape recorder out to him, while other reporters tried to crowd in with microphones; outdated technology, but still employed for the visual que it gave to their listeners.
"Corporal Ime, as with any of the men in my employment, knew the risks. It is unfortunate that there are people in this day and age that use religion as a shield for such blatant acts of violence and hatred, but it must be kept in mind that this particular situation only came to pass because of your own blatant disregard for local customs and traditions. I hope for your own sake that your employers bring you home before you can get yourself into any more hot water. I will take this opportunity to ask that those who took Corporal Ime's remains return the forthwith, so I may see him home to his family and laid rest."
The last was delivered directly to one of the many cameras aimed at him, and the rescued reporter wilted at the barrage and edged back from the crowd to ponder her situation more carefully.
He answered a few more questions before excusing himself and his men; the cameraman and the wounded that they had been able to carry with them had been loaded into the ambulances, and the rescued reporter was given Jacques' card, then they piled back into the vehicles, his men seated comfortably inside once more (with Nick and Reed riding middle seats).
The vehicles pulled to a stop at the hotel, letting Reed, Nick, and Jacques climb out with an escort, before pulling away to return to the underground parcade and stow their gear. Jacques tapped Reed's shoulder just before they entered and he was stopped alongside Nick with the swarm of reporters, "I want that vest back, by the way. I leave at 0400hrs for the airport."
He handed off his helmet and had no weapons on him, and it could easily have been assumed he had chosen to wear the heavy body armour for his own personal safety, rather then to actually be of use. Heavy questions were met head on; the rescued reporter of all people was the one cold enough to ask him the worst one.
"How do you feel about one of your men being killed in the line of duty? Is it true that his body was carried off before you could retrieve it?"
She held a tape recorder out to him, while other reporters tried to crowd in with microphones; outdated technology, but still employed for the visual que it gave to their listeners.
"Corporal Ime, as with any of the men in my employment, knew the risks. It is unfortunate that there are people in this day and age that use religion as a shield for such blatant acts of violence and hatred, but it must be kept in mind that this particular situation only came to pass because of your own blatant disregard for local customs and traditions. I hope for your own sake that your employers bring you home before you can get yourself into any more hot water. I will take this opportunity to ask that those who took Corporal Ime's remains return the forthwith, so I may see him home to his family and laid rest."
The last was delivered directly to one of the many cameras aimed at him, and the rescued reporter wilted at the barrage and edged back from the crowd to ponder her situation more carefully.
He answered a few more questions before excusing himself and his men; the cameraman and the wounded that they had been able to carry with them had been loaded into the ambulances, and the rescued reporter was given Jacques' card, then they piled back into the vehicles, his men seated comfortably inside once more (with Nick and Reed riding middle seats).
The vehicles pulled to a stop at the hotel, letting Reed, Nick, and Jacques climb out with an escort, before pulling away to return to the underground parcade and stow their gear. Jacques tapped Reed's shoulder just before they entered and he was stopped alongside Nick with the swarm of reporters, "I want that vest back, by the way. I leave at 0400hrs for the airport."