Randomness

Once Green, the Captains (barring Xanthic and Cobalt) and the Angels (barring Symphony in Angel One) had gathered, viewed the available information, and read over the break downs provided by the analysts that Spectrum retained for situations exactly like this, they were in full agreement: it was looking bad for UnNamed, but his muck-rakers were digging and social media counterclaims were starting to surface. Those voices were currently small, but they wouldn't stay that way, not with the human predilection towards gossip and tearing others down. In addition, last night a Freedom of Information Act request had been put in for Cobalt’s medical records from the WAAF - a little tidbit that had been passed along by someone in UnName’s team having a crisis of conscience. It was a cause of concern for multiple reasons. Even though White had asked Shore to stonewall on the WASP side of things, it was only a matter of time before someone thought to make similar requests from that organisation too, and, legally speaking, they couldn’t be refused. It was only a matter of time before things were brought out to be twisted to fit UnName’s narrative.

Their final conclusion was clear: The longer UnNamed was free to act, the higher the odds of him turning the world back in his favour.

White drummed his fingers on the table as he considered his options.

The warrant for Jefferson Tracy’s arrest had finally been prepared and signed yesterday, but the wheels of justice, especially with the complex crimes the man was accused of, turned slowly. They had to attack on multiple fronts, to remove the support that would give the man the strength to fight the charges and the connections to squirm out of things. They needed the public pressure to ensure that justice was done and make him too hot to handle. This was a case that could take years to be seen through to completion should enough obstacles be thrown in the way and key persons be made to ‘vanish’ or withdraw their statements, and the man would be able to continue his campaign the entire time. If he did somehow get elected, the case could be dismissed entirely.

Complicating everything was the threat of the Mysterons. They were quiet right now, but that could change in an instant, and he hated fighting two wars at once.

Colonel White’s frown deepened as he considered alternatives, half an ear on the conversations happening around him. He could add fuel to the fire by requesting Cobalt (because the man would never allow his brothers to do so) go before the media and do an interview now. He knew that Cobalt would do it - an interview was the bait he’d dangled before Kat Cavernaugh - but doing so right now would wound him deeply. ‘Another option would be to give Scarlet an untraceable weapon and a ‘hunting licence’, but he is not ‘007’ and Spectrum does not issue a licence to kill as one sees fit. This needs to be taken care of quickly and efficiently.’ Decision made, he swept his gaze over his collected officers and tapped the table top twice to get their attention. “This needs to be escalated. UnNamed states that the report is just words, so let us have the man's own words convict him,” White declared. “Green, print out a copy of the warrant for me and have Spectrum New York arrange transportation and an investigative team. Blue, Scarlet, go pack your bullet-proofed civvies, prep an SPJ, and file a flight plan to New York. Ochre, you’re in charge until we return, maintain readiness in case of a threat.” 

“Sir?” That was Blue, head slightly tilted as he sought clarification.

“We are going to bring up the timeline. The three of us will go to New York. First thing in the morning we will pay a visit to Ms. Cavernaugh’s office and present her with evidence to damn Jeff Tracy: one of the worst of the sat phone recordings we have. Whilst it may not be admissible for the trial, we have plenty more. After that makes breaking news, we shall go to TI New York and arrest him.” A hard look was levelled at his senior officers, particularly at Scarlet. “We will execute this to the letter, gentlemen, and it will be done with strict adherence to all procedures. No ‘accidental’ shoves or trips, no whispered incendiary comments, and if he does resist arrest, only as much force as is required to contain him. There will not be a single flaw that a clever lawyer can use to dismantle all of our work and render moot all of the pain the Tracy family have gone through.” 

It was only when he got their crisp ‘yessir's that White nodded and went on to say “Remember, obliterating the myth of ‘The Great Jeff Tracy’, ruining the years of work he's put into his public image, and snatching away any chance of victory will do far worse to him than any physical pain will.” 

That got all those present exchanging looks that were distinctly Not Pleasant.