Kate sat down as well, squirming until she's properly comfortable in the chair and watching the eponymously named Ms. Tits curious how the reality stacks up to Zoey's description.  She hadn't seemed to like her much, but Kate wasn't sure if it was a personality thing, government thing, or just envy...

"We already scheduled a press conference for tomorrow morning.  I expect you all to be in the uniform we designed for you and refer to yourself by your callsign from here on out.   And I do mean 'at all times'.  Mr. Tanner– if you can't pick a name for yourself in the next couple of hours, I'm going to do it for you"


Her tone of voice was very final, and she didn't wait to hear if they had any objections before moving on:

"We're going to need your help to keep the peace in the city, as well as assist in the arrests of the rest of the Brotherhood.  I remind you that the terrorists responsible for the attack on 'Camp X' are still at large.   The Department of Homeland Defense has issued  Federal arrest warrants for all of them, but asides several clones of the 'Legion' we've been tracking, we don't have a lead on the rest of the members as of yet" 

"Yes, ma'am," Frank said. This next part was going to be uncomfortable, but there were questions that needed to be addressed, and they needed to be addressed in the group setting. "But if you don't mind me bringing up the matter, we have a serious chain-of-command issue. Namely, without Price we don't have a chain of command.

"Who is in charge in his absence?"

Gwenyth's confusion only grows at Kate's provocative non-answer but before she has much time to dwell on it Ms. Cooper arrives and saves her from having to think about the matter too hard.

Gwenyth raises an eyebrow as Valerie speaks. "Tomorrow! Oh jeeze, oh jeeze, I- ah, um- do I really need a callsign? I mean, I'm not exactly unknown, and 'Blake' sounds pretty clear on a radio I think..." There's also the matter that she's never hurt anyone for realsies and she isn't sure she's quite ready to stop being an actress and start being an actual fighty for justice person, but she isn't sure how to raise that objection in a way that doesn't let down the confidence that has been placed in her.

"What's 'Camp X?'" Zoey asks. That sounds like they're trying to keep info from the stranger in the room but trying not to be so obvious about it. It's not working. If they didn't want to tell her what the heck they're all talking about then they ought to at least do her the courtesy of being blunt about it.

"Ms. Cooper, ma'am, if this is a briefing, why do we have non-Freedom-Force here? Also, I may have a way to track the Brotherhood better now, though just a possibility." Ana Sofía looks pensive.

"They are here because we need them" Valerie answered the last question first "I can't ignore what happened today. Kate, or rather, the cat-woman, is all over the news.  She saved half a dozen prime ministers from being murdered by the Legion, and ten times as many ambassadors and UN functionaries. The President herself directed me to bring her into Freedom-Force, and insisted that she should be part of tomorrow's press conference.  This particular 'Legion' has willingly decided to become an informant, and the intelligence he provided was invaluable in locating and arresting the Brotherhood Cell.  I've already invited Zoey to join in the past, when we met after the events at 'Camp X'.  I hoped she would reconsider my proposal"

The Legion wasn't explicitly offered to join Freedom Force.  Valerie considered him to be too volatile, plus there was a nation wide manhunt for him.  They still needed him, however.  Perhaps he could assist them tracking down the rest of the Brotherhood.

"I'm waiting the final answer from the candidate I approached about replacing Price.  The deadline I gave him is this evening, so I hope I will have news for you in the next couple of hours"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Wed 17 Nov 2021.

Zoey could understand why Legion would not have been invited. Although a Legion instance may be friendly, it would be too easy for a hostile Legion instance to impersonate him to potentially disastrous effects -- and all to hard to deter his many many enemies. Plus, due to the propensity for values drift, his one solitary power could be more of a liability than an asset as a... sigh... super hero.

About an infinity-million times more relevant (and hilarious!) was that Kate was the one they captured on video as the responsible party for saving so many foreign personnel. It was epicly funny to her that it hadn't been the apparent paragon that was Frank the Tank. He's the one who deserved the role of Freedom Force's face. Instead, it's Kitty Kate. Absol-fucking-lutely hysterical, and it's taking all her willpower and composure to avoid laughing her ass off.

"Sorry, I haven't stopped hating government since we last spoke," Zoey said with a vaguely sadistic smile. "If anything, the fact that my good friend here-" she walks to Kate to join in the giving of scritches, "- was caught being a good Samaritan is all the validation we need that no one needs anyone's blessing to be heroes, let alone that of the Fed."

Zoey takes a short break from condescending to Valerie to dote on Kate a bit more. "Really, Tabby Cat? Dozens of foreign fuckers? Great job, I'm so proud of youuuu~!" She hugs her and kisses her on the forehead.

She turns her attention back to Valerie. "That said, situations change. Kate and I would like to consult privately concerning your offer for a moment," she declares.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:57, Wed 17 Nov 2021.

"I see." She looks at the Legion clone. "If Legion here can help me with locations and some individuals, I may be able to start tracking down the Brotherhood. I just need a place to start, and he might be able to provide that."

Gwenyth couldn't believe Zoey's attitude. She was making fun of Gwenyth and acting like she was smarter and holier than everyone else in the room. Where does she get off thinking she's so damn superior to everyone else?! If she's like this as a member of Freedom Force then Gwenyth just might quit. Maybe the others see something in Zoey that Gwenyth doesn't... or maybe she and Ana are the only ones who see the problem. But so long as she is a guest here she has no choice but to bite her tongue.

Frank sighed. This was going to be tough.

Kate was smiling before Valerie's little speech, and not paying close attention but she does preen a little at the recounting of her deeds.  Perhaps subliminally or perhaps reflexively due to the addition of more scritches she begins to audibly murr, a soft purring sound coming as Zoey joins in offering proper appreciation for her sacrifices.



Of course then it stops as she blinks, "We do?" she questions her agreement with Zoey's declaration of intent to discuss things.  As she starts to focus again she also realizes something else.  "Did you say the President?"

Ana Sofía looks at Frank as he sighs, fighting back the tears starting to form.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Sun 21 Nov 2021.

"Yes.  THE president" Valerie exasperation had nothing to do with the fact she had to repeat herself, but with the conversation carried over the ether "Go ahead and take five minutes to discuss it among yourselves. In the meantime - the rest of you"

She turned her attention to Ana, and the rest

"- can start practicing your script for tomorrow. I don't want you to deviate it, under any circumstances"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Wed 17 Nov 2021.

"Umm, excuse me, Miss Cooper.  But we haven't discussed the price for my cooperation. I have several conditions of my own. So, you know, when you've got some time to spare" though it was difficult, the Legion managed to keep to keep the smug smile off his face as Valerie arched an eyebrow at him

"Don't give me that look.  I've got to look after myself.  You've got every police officer on the planet looking for me, probably with instructions to shoot first, ask question later.  AND when Magneto founds out I flipped, he's going to come after me.  You can understand why I must have some... assurances"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Wed 17 Nov 2021.

"He'll be much more cooperative as a Zombie. Just saying" Fiona delivered the 'threat' with such a straight face it was impossible to tell whether she really meant it or not.  Possibly, she did.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Wed 17 Nov 2021.

Frank bit his lip to stifle another sigh. Of all the people in the room, Ana Sofia topped a very short list of people whose respect he cared about, and now he had a sinking feeling he'd just lost it forever. He had thought that she'd known about Zoey — not just suspected but known — and that they'd simply not been talking about the elephant in the room all this time. But no, from her perspective, he must seem like he was part of a criminal conspiracy now.

Could he somehow explain how horrified he'd been, and still was, by Zoey's actions? Would it matter?

This was why he'd left the X-Men. The moral ambiguity was overwhelming.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm used to posing. I assume we're not taking any questions if there is to be no deviation at all. Perhaps you or someone else will take all the questions."

Zoey nods to Valerie and heads for the door to have a little private huddle with Kate.

Meanwhile, Danny sat back in his chair ... his hands behind his head and feet not yet on the table.  He had a slight smirk on his face; one of great intrigue and interest.

"Uniforms, huh?" was all he had to say.

"Yes.  The Spandex.  The Capes.  Facemasks, if you opted for one" Valerie wasn't jesting "all of which you'll be expected to wear whenever you're on duty, starting from the press conference tomorrow"

Valerie was interrupted by the ringing of her phone.  She didn't bother taking it out of her purse, but answered it immediately by tapping on her AirPods.


"Valerie Cooper here, one second please"

She would provide one last bit of instruction before leaving the room to take her call:
"Go study your lines, they should be in your inbox by now.  All questions were pre-vetted by our PR team.  If any reporter goes off-script, I would be the one to answer"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:41, Thu 18 Nov 2021.

Kate waves at the room as she is lead out by Zoey a bonce in her step.  Catching the bit about costumes and spandex she starts giggling a little.  The amusement only growing as she realizes how serious Valerie is about it.  Everyone else can have spandex, she has a cardigan, and a skirt!

Of course it would never occur to her that Valerie may have designs for a uniform for her too!

"It's been a little bit since my last modeling gig. Just never done it with a live audience. Let's see what they've sent me." Ana Sofía looks a little happier turning to the PR stuff, like the spandex and all might enthuse her rather than worrying her. She pulls out her phone to check for the message from PR.

Frank's uniform was something the PR hacks had been calling 'the gun show'. It was sleeveless, designed to show off his massive biceps. Frank was used to short sleeves as part of a football uniform, so this wasn't much of a change. The tight pants, likewise, didn't bother him. Yet, put it all together, and he still felt a little silly in the uniform. Maybe it was that he felt a little undignified for a federal agent. Or maybe it was just that the colors were too gaudy. Regardless, he didn't much like his uniform. He didn't hate it, but it wasn't what he would have designed for himself.

He appreciated the lack of a facemask, though. That would have felt too weird for him.

With a shrug, he pulled out his phone and checked his Inbox. The first email had the subject line: MASK. His shoulders slumped as he read it...

Frank,

We've changed our minds. A domino mask will be supplied with your uniform. Wear it.

The email then droned on for several paragraphs with the reasons why he was being made to wear a mask, but he only skimmed that.

"Damn it."

Barely a minute went by before Valerie stormed back into the room.  Frantically, she reached for the phone she left in her purse.  She didn't have any reason to doubt the person she was talking to, but she had to see it with her own eyes.  Even after she did, she could still hardly believe it.

"GNN everyone" her voice was hoarse as she turned the screen of her phone for them to look at.

The headline at the home page of the Global News Network read "Statue of Liberty – Gone", with an accompanying picture to prove it.  The statue was, indeed, gone, replaced by a giant, upright, 'X', formed out of the 31 tons of copper, and 125 tons of steel, that used to make up the Statue of Liberty.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:56, Fri 19 Nov 2021.