OOC: For the sake of continuity, the following takes place just after the bomb goes off.
Office of the Lord Protector, Commonwealth Parliament building, New Beaconsfield
Crofts looked over that day's issue of the Times.
" 'Statistical Error' on page E5, iron production rates superseded pre-set aims, did not fall 85% short as article suggests" he said, speaking into a phone linked directly with the Department of Public Relations.
Usually this kind of work was reserved for specialists within the Department, but once and a while the Lord Protector liked to engage in it himself. Of course his "corrections" were approved on the spot, whereas usually these "corrections" would have to be "validated" by a sub-committee before going into print.
Suddenly a loud, thundering blast snapped Crofts out of the tedium flow of the day. Before he knew it ten military-wing Major-Generals were in the office. They surrounded the Lord Protector and escorted him out through a secret tunnel behind a painting on the office's eastward wall. Once the tunnel was secure again Crofts was able to separate himself from his bodyguards.
"What's happening?" the Lord Protector demanded.
"Sir" one of the Major-Generals responded, "a dirty bomb has just gone off in downtown New Beaconsfield. We're escorting you to the Crisis Room below the building."
A look of anger and sheer surprise came over Crofts' face.
"Yes, of course. Carry on."
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Crofts emerged into the Commonwealth's Crisis Room filled with Major-General, CSIS, police, and military higher-ups all trying to communicate with their men in the field.
Consul of Security Gerrard Howe sat at the head of the room's conference table, a mixed look of shock and defeat covering his face.
"Gerrard Howe, you are hereby relieved of the position of Consul of Security and are under arrest for performing a job involving national security with gross incompetence along with a pending charge of high treason" Crofts coldly said, confronting Howe.
"No sir...no, you're mistaken...NO!!!" Howe yelled as he was dragged away by two of the military wing Major-Generals.
"Sir!" Paul Cabot, head of the Major-Generals called out, "I've just received word from one of our security vans."
"And?"
"They picked up William Cahill and David Collins sir....they've confessed"
"Get me a link-up with Brigadier Johnson in Béal Feirste" Crofts demanded, emotion suddenly void of his voice.
The screen on the room's far wall lit up, finally revealing the face of Brigadier Michael Johnson of the Éiren Military Provincial Government.
"Sir, I just heard what happened. How may I assist you in helping the Commonwealth move through this tragedy?"
"You have already failed once" Crofts replied.
"David Collins and William Cahill were just arrested in New Beaconsfield. No official confession has been drawn up yet, but they have taken credit for the bomb. You let them get away Johnson...but no worries. I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. A chance to serve the Commonwealth with honour."
"Of course sir."
"I will appear on the emergency broadcast network, and inform the people of the Commonwealth what who was behind this crime. I will promise them vengeance. You will be the right hand of the Commonwealth, brigadier. You will carry out that vengeance.
You will have your soldiers in Éire systematically execute every Éiren male over the age of seventeen. Do this and you will serve as the perpetual Military Governor of Éire at the rank of Lieutenant General. Do you understand Brigadier Johnson?"
"Yes...yes sir, I do" Johnson responded in a shaky but decided manner.
"Long Live the Victorious Revolution brigadier."
"Long Live the Victorious Revolution sir."
With that the screen went blank. Everyone was shocked, but they were smart enough to keep from showing it.
Sensing this Crofts went on, "This Commonwealth has endured Tory Unionists, Communists, and it will endure this. This string of terrorism ends now. Our rule will be absolute. Our authority complete."
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Emergency Broadcast Studio
Crofts sat at the thick, old, oak desk, identical to the one in his office. The backdrop showed the view of New Beaconsfield from his office's large window. Then entire set was made to emulate the Lord Protector's office.
"5....4....3....2....1....on air" the director singled to Crofts.
"People of the Commonwealth. I address you this day as steadfast as I have ever been.
Those who have committed this act of barbarianism have been apprehended. David Collins and William Cahill have detonated a dirty bomb in downtown New Beaconsfield.
Their hate for this Commonwealth, for freedom, liberty, order, and justice have cost hundreds, if not thousands of lives.
There are some who say this Commonwealth smells of smoke. It does, it does because we as a people, as a Commonwealth, have been through fire. We were forged in the fire of the Victorious Revolution. We survived the bloodshed of the Tory Unionists, the gun battles with the Communists, and the war with the ÉRA. Now those of that barbaric organization, their treasonous goals shattered, have taken the lives of innocent civilians. These are not the actions of men, but of animals.
Tonight this ends. Tonight the Commonwealth's baptism by fire comes to a close. Tonight I promise the citizens of this Commonwealth that vengeance will be swift. It will guarantee our Commonwealth's stability. Those who oppose liberty, bread, victory, equality, order, and justice will be scilenced forever. This Commonwealth will prevail as it has before.
Long Live the Victorious Revolution."