Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #156 is a reply to message #155] |
Sun, 22 July 2012 19:33   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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"Oh my Lord," Dianne breathed, shaking her head gingerly. "I had no idea."
Jeff took a tissue to wipe away the tears that had slid down her cheeks. "Neither did I. There have been so many flowers that each patient here could have three or four bouquets," he murmured, squeezing her hand gently, and waving toward the flowers that were already there with his free hand. "I've made arrangements for them to be distributed in nearby nursing homes and veteran's centers. There are teddy bears and stuffed animals by the score. I've chosen a few to keep, and the rest will be given out to the children here in the hospital and distributed to police and fire departments to be used for traumatized children. The hospital staff will collect the hundreds of notes and poems for us to look at later." He kissed her hand. "As hard as this has been, it's also been a good thing just to realize how the public views us. It's heartening, and at the same time, humbling."
The camera went back to Ned in his outdoor studio. "Thanks, Rae. So there you have it, folks. It's been a year of changes for International Rescue. There are definitely more operatives, as evidenced by the presence of nurses in Thunderbird Seven. It appears that some of these new operatives are women. There are new uniforms, and new technology is being utilized. But more importantly, with the downing of Thunderbird Seven, we see how truly international the scope of their operations has become."
The camera angle shifted. "There have been rumors before, some more reliable than others, of IR craft being brought down, and its operatives being injured..."
"I guess no one believed Wilson and Lindsey about my crash in the desert," Scott said wryly, over Ned's comments
"... They've come close to death, as in the incident with the Sun Probe..."
"That was a close one," Tin-Tin murmured. The other girls looked at her.
"You were on that?" Elise asked, eyes wide. Tin-Tin nodded slowly.
"... And there was a rumor that the U.S. Navy had once shot down Thunderbird Two."
"Unsubstantiated, of course," Virgil muttered. "There's no way that the Navy would admit to that!"
"But never before had a Thunderbird been brought down so publicly. Never before have we actually had footage of it. And never before has International Rescue openly taken their operatives to a public hospital." Ned waved toward the building behind him. "Ever since IR's chief medical officer and her companions were brought here, there have been people surrounding the hospital campus. Some are here to protest, some are here to gawk, but the vast, vast majority are here to lend their support and add their prayers and best wishes for the injured, and for International Rescue overall."
He shifted in his chair, and lifted the data pad he had in his hand. "Many, many dignitaries from around the world have sent messages of support and get well wishes. I have here an official statement from the office of the World President, Her Excellency Maria Ynez de la Vega."
The screen changed to show a small picture of the President in the corner, and the text of her message beside it. Ned read in voice over, "'To the members of International Rescue, I would like to tender my personal prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery from your injuries. Our world owes you much, and I hope its citizens will join me in expressing thanks for the hope you bring and the lives you have saved. May you long continue in your good work.'."
The screen went back to Ned, who took a deep breath before speaking again. "As someone who has been rescued by IR, I must second those sentiments, and I ask that those around the world whose lives have been touched by them - as mine has been -- would be at the forefront of those wishing them well at this difficult time." He paused once more, then smiled and said, "As we wrap things up, we'll leave you with a sampling of the notes and messages that have been sent to the hospital for International Rescue. Until next year, this is Ned Cook, saying goodnight from Los Angeles."
A montage of rescue venues, taken from edited bits of the many reports, began to flash across the screen. Superimposed over them, in text that would show up easily, were the messages from various heads of state, and even from celebrities they had rescued in the past. An alternating male or female voice read them off.
Jeff smiled. "I'm glad we had this recorded. It's not easy to keep up with the messages." He turned to his wife, only to find her asleep. "Wore you out, did we?" he said softly, giving her a fond look. He brushed the hair away from her forehead and gave her a light kiss there, hoping that the bristles of his fake mustache wouldn't wake her. "Sweet dreams, love."
Post by Tikatu on 11/26/2006
  
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