of Senator Alexander Kirk shocked the entire nation. Across the country people were glued to their television sets. There was around-the-clock coverage on every cable news network. Even the broadcast networks cut into regularly scheduled programming to cover the event non-stop. Stories poured in showing people’s reaction to the horrible news. Everyone who was anyone in Washington, D.C. was being interviewed about the tragedy surrounding Kirk’s death. Baffled experts tried to explain what might have gone wrong in the air.
Governor Sam Clark watched the news reports, still in disbelief. Brett Mason and Emily Kates watched with him. Emily’s grief had not let up since yesterday’s disaster and every report showing someone devastated by Kirk’s death made her cry even more. Even Clark and Mason got choked up while watching the footage of hundreds of citizens converging on Columbia, South Carolina, to lay flowers at the door of Kirk’s campaign headquarters.
Much of the coverage was still focusing on the plane crash. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were being shown on the scene. The NTSB spokesman repeatedly reported that the official investigation had just begun and it would take some time to complete. He added that in all his years of experience, crashes of this nature were typically due to mechanical failure, but at this point it was only speculation.
Mechanical failure or not, conspiracy theories abounded throughout the media. They listened to the reports as people described their suspicions that there was foul play involved in the plane crash.
“If they determine that the explosion was from a bomb, I can’t wait until they find out who was responsible. I hope they string ‘ em up,” Emily said angrily. “I was going to vote for Senator Kirk.”
Clark and Mason simultaneously raised their eyebrows and exchanged glances with one another after that remark. Just then, the coverage of the crash site was interrupted and the scene switched to the station’s news desk. The banner across the bottom of the screen displayed Breaking News in big bold letters. The lead anchor announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, this just in. President Emmanuel Bonsam will be making a statement to the nation regarding the horrible tragedy that claimed the life of Senator Alexander Kirk. We now take you live to the White House Briefing Room.”
Clark and Mason glanced at each other again. “This should be interesting,” said Mason.
The scene flashed to the Briefing Room. Pete Stratton, the president’s press secretary was already fielding questions. “At this time we have nothing more to report on the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board investigators are still sifting through the wreckage, which is strewn across an area over half a mile long. The NTSB spokesman has stated that it will take several weeks to determine the exact cause of an incident of this magnitude.”
The pool of reporters simultaneously fired off a barrage of questions so loudly that Stratton could barely be heard over the din. “Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, please hold all further questions,” he said. Stratton looked to his right and signaled to someone off screen, then returned his attention to the press corps and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.”
Clark’s eyes narrowed as he watched President Bonsam step up to the podium. He frowned as he watched Bonsam stand before the press pool with a smug air of superiority.
“My fellow Americans,” he said solemnly. “Yesterday our nation suffered a tragic loss with the death of Senator Alexander Kirk. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the families of the other passengers and crew members who were aboard the ill-fated flight. I am ordering that the flag be lowered to half-staff for the next ten days in memory of Senator Kirk.” Bonsam then paused and bowed his head.
Clark was shocked. Bonsam came across
Governor Sam Clark watched the news reports, still in disbelief. Brett Mason and Emily Kates watched with him. Emily’s grief had not let up since yesterday’s disaster and every report showing someone devastated by Kirk’s death made her cry even more. Even Clark and Mason got choked up while watching the footage of hundreds of citizens converging on Columbia, South Carolina, to lay flowers at the door of Kirk’s campaign headquarters.
Much of the coverage was still focusing on the plane crash. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were being shown on the scene. The NTSB spokesman repeatedly reported that the official investigation had just begun and it would take some time to complete. He added that in all his years of experience, crashes of this nature were typically due to mechanical failure, but at this point it was only speculation.
Mechanical failure or not, conspiracy theories abounded throughout the media. They listened to the reports as people described their suspicions that there was foul play involved in the plane crash.
“If they determine that the explosion was from a bomb, I can’t wait until they find out who was responsible. I hope they string ‘ em up,” Emily said angrily. “I was going to vote for Senator Kirk.”
Clark and Mason simultaneously raised their eyebrows and exchanged glances with one another after that remark. Just then, the coverage of the crash site was interrupted and the scene switched to the station’s news desk. The banner across the bottom of the screen displayed Breaking News in big bold letters. The lead anchor announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, this just in. President Emmanuel Bonsam will be making a statement to the nation regarding the horrible tragedy that claimed the life of Senator Alexander Kirk. We now take you live to the White House Briefing Room.”
Clark and Mason glanced at each other again. “This should be interesting,” said Mason.
The scene flashed to the Briefing Room. Pete Stratton, the president’s press secretary was already fielding questions. “At this time we have nothing more to report on the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board investigators are still sifting through the wreckage, which is strewn across an area over half a mile long. The NTSB spokesman has stated that it will take several weeks to determine the exact cause of an incident of this magnitude.”
The pool of reporters simultaneously fired off a barrage of questions so loudly that Stratton could barely be heard over the din. “Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, please hold all further questions,” he said. Stratton looked to his right and signaled to someone off screen, then returned his attention to the press corps and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.”
Clark’s eyes narrowed as he watched President Bonsam step up to the podium. He frowned as he watched Bonsam stand before the press pool with a smug air of superiority.
“My fellow Americans,” he said solemnly. “Yesterday our nation suffered a tragic loss with the death of Senator Alexander Kirk. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the families of the other passengers and crew members who were aboard the ill-fated flight. I am ordering that the flag be lowered to half-staff for the next ten days in memory of Senator Kirk.” Bonsam then paused and bowed his head.
Clark was shocked. Bonsam came across
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