A Public Service Announcement [Audio]

[steelweb]

[Chief Beifong is keeping her voice perilously even and neutral, but the ends of her words and phrases are clipped. Those who've spoken at length with her will not be terribly surprised, perhaps to find an undercurrent of fury to her brief message.]


The full list of those released is not yet complete, but I do have one name which shouldn't wait.

I am able to announce that Erik Lensherr was released from the island.

Released in the full sense of the word as it applies here. Any details of the release will not be revealed at this time, as they are pending review.

Comments

[gottagofast]

"Released" my ass - he was in solitary confinement! Do you really think they'd just let him walk?

[steelweb]

The trial date was set, and given the evidence against him, his sentence would have been near impossible to commute. The government tells me he's been released. Any further details are classified right now. When they become public knowledge, as one of his kin, Mr. Shepherd, I promise you that you will be one of the first to know.

[gottagofast]

Oh the government says he's been released? The government as in the people who called him a terrorist and had him locked up and were pressing charges against him, you mean? The same government who writes the list of released citizens for you to deliver, that government? Gee, that doesn't sound sketchy at all!

Released him where, exactly?

[steelweb]

Lensherr's actions were criminal, and we locked him up without any need for the government to indicate we should do so. I don't regret that action, and I would not hesitate to do it again, should he so much as twitch in the direction of the innocent people at the Visitor Center site. However, as he has been released, there isn't a call to do so.

As I said, I can't give you more information right now. You'll have to wait until we have a full report, just like everyone else.

[gottagofast]

Yeah and he killed me, I'm not saying he shouldn't have been locked up. I'm saying he was the biggest thorn in their side, and now he's gone. Don't you think that's a bit too convenient?

Great, thanks, can't wait for the official government report on that one...

[sunflowersister]

I

But he

[sunflowersister]

I see.

Thank you.

[steelweb]

I'm sorry, Miss Ukraine. I can't give you more details right now. When I can, I'll let you know. In the meantime, if you need our help, please let me know.

[sunflowersister]

No, of course not, I understand. Please don't worry.

[steelweb]

... Any time.

[badnewsboy]

Ukraine, are you all right?

[sunflowersister]

I can't say for sure, sweetheart.

[badnewsboy]

You don't have to be, if you would rather not.

[sunflowersister]

Somehow it feels like it should be more complicated than that, I think...

[badnewsboy]

Just like that?

[steelweb]

Details are classified at the moment. They'll be made public when we know more.

[badnewsboy]

Classified by whom, exactly?

[steelweb]

Both the government and the police. We're looking into it.

[oftpartitioned]

Aren't YOU the police?

[badnewsboy]

The "government" is a word that's thrown around quite easily here. Which government would that be? The invisible one, or the one that we haven't seen?

[uneulogized]

Details are classified because you don't know what happened.

Whoops.

Our prisoner up and disappeared.

[soundofmagic]

No offense, but "released in the full sense of the word" doesn't explain anything.

I know people disappear here all the time, but don't you think it's a little weird that Mag— that Erik was "released," after everything he's done?

[steelweb]

I do, but that was clearly not my call. [She's pretty pissed about that, actually.] We'll be investigating it closely, I promise you.

[soundofmagic]

Oh. Um, thanks.

( He's about to leave it at that; but instead, he hesitates, as if contemplating something. )

... can I help at all?

[text message//Police encryption]

[steelweb]

The immediate response should be no. You're too close to this case, and have too many emotions crowding and clouding your judgement when it comes to Lensherr. I'm not sure you can stay impartial. I also don't know what you can do, other than make things explode. You haven't hidden your abilities or identity much, but I doubt I have a full list of all your powers. Or your associates.