As it hath begun, so shall it end

[Subtleknifewielder]

The situation grew grimmer by the moment. Irene managed to keep a professional face through it all, but she was tensed up as tightly as a spring. Turning to their escort, she asked, "would it be interfering too much if I could do an interview someone down there? It would help to put this in perspective if I could get an eyewitness accountof whatever just heppaned."

[Imperator Azenquor]

Without a moment of hesitation, Mikhail pulled out his cell phone and dialed several numbers. He spoke rapidly to another individual in lightly accented Buryatian before nodding and putting his phone back into his pocket.

Turning to the Australian delegation, Mikhail replied:

[i]“It would be possible to arrange such an interview, but not here. According to my contacts, it would be easier to interview people away from the scene so as to not arouse suspicion.

If you wish we can leave for the nearest hospital. Several of the students have been ferried there and there will be less security there. I must however say that you will need to be…discrete about how you film at the hospital. The security forces generally do not like permitting journalists to interview victims before they have taken statements from them.”[/i]-Mikhail


[b]***Esternaya University***[/b]

The number of bodies on the ground continued to increase for several minutes until there were at least 200 of them positioned side by side. A small crowd of students emerged from the building, visibly dazed. Several students were sobbing violently while others appeared entirely in shock.

The remainder of the soldiers leading the operation marched solemnly out of the building and back towards the security zone. Convoys of ambulances continued to arrive, moving rapidly through the security zone and onto the campus lawn.

[Subtleknifewielder]

"Very good," she said, a small smile appearing for a moment despite the tense situation occuring across the street. It vanished in the next instant.

"The camera can be put away if it will arouse suspicion. We ways discrete enough for your contacts, I think." Absently she tapped at a button on her shirt. It could have meant nothing, could have been a subtle cue to something else entirely.

"I would ask if, in this case, my camaraman could remain here, but you probably don't want us to split up, do you?"