Page 18 of Bastian

The one they look up to for guidance.

I’m a criminal, too, just one who pays for others to get dirty.

After I’m done, the floor is open for the media to get their turn to ask questions.

Here we go.

The usual first questions.

Status of our troops.

I give them the answer they desperately want while lying through gritted teeth. They want me to undo years of fucked-up decisions by past administrations in three years.

My administration agreed to a peace deal that would have US troops out of war zones by June 2nd, and we’re sticking to that deadline.

Sighing, I keep my composure when the snarky and gotcha questions start.

I answer a couple more from the Associated Press that takes me twenty or so minutes to get through before we reach the end of the conference. Still, before I go, I call on a young lady sitting quietly at the back of the room with an iPad in one hand and her phone in the other, most likely recording the conference. She hasn’t raised her hand during the time established nor made any attempt to ask a question until now. “Mr. President. Good afternoon. My name is Nessa Adams, journalist for the Washington Weekly. The last administration severed most of our ties with Europe. What have you done, if you’ve done anything, of course, to make good without allies again?” She steps closer to the stage with a cunning smile on her face. Not a petty, conniving smile like some of these assholes here, but more ‘I’m hungry for the story’ smile.

Another gotcha question. After a few times of doing these types of conferences, you learn quickly that most journalists don’t care about the state of the country. No. They only care about getting that one hot piece to break to the media before anyone else. They want nothing more than to catch you in a lie or point out your mistakes. Specialists are the ones that are just starting and need to prove themselves.

I don’t blame them.

You must be ruthless to climb ahead of everyone else.

That I understand oh too well.

“I want it known that the United States and Europe are fully united. This morning I had a long conversation with our NATO allies. German Chancellor Weber, French President Dupont, Prime Minister Azarov, and Italian Prime Minister Ricci to continue to strengthen our union and show our overseas enemies that we’re stronger now more than ever. We’re also continuing to work with our other overseas allies as well. The Vice President is currently meeting with the Italian Prime Minister in his country.” With a condescending yet naturally charming smile, I finish answering her question leaving her no option but to move on to another question.

Whoever says lying gets you nowhere is an imbecile.

Nessa, the young journalist, clears her throat while everyone has their eyes on her. You can clearly see the girl is not amused by my answer or unshakable composure, but the rest of the press is eating this shit up.

The girl, Nessa, continues asking the tough questions no one here had the balls to ask, and while I take my time answering her, I realize she reminds me of someone.

Not her looks, but her take-no-shit attitude.

My chest feels tight like every day since she, and sometimes I find it difficult to breathe. To find my next breath.

“We know you’ve pardoned five criminals since becoming president. They were high-profile criminals who deserved jail time, yet you got them free and into our streets. Mind sharing the thought process of that decision. Doesn’t seem like a wise one.”

I smile big and give her half-truths. My version of the truth.

I pardoned them because they’re the type of men that don’t mind getting their hands dirty to help get rid of the scum of the earth that walk amongst us in high positions of power.I might lie, cheat, and scheme, but I never once hurt someone innocent in my eyes.

In the eyes of God.

And Kayro Cho, Arson West, Adryel Thorne, and Croix Jameson are men this country needs more of.

Trustworthy criminals.

“I believe everyone deserves a second chance.” I could care less about giving them a second chance. I just want the best criminals on my side. It always gives me a winning hand.

“Even cops and doctors who murder innocent people?” She asks.

“If you did your research, Miss. Adams, you are aware that both men committed horrible crimes, yes, but horrible crimes were made against them, as well, and our justice system failed them. They failed those countless innocent women Walsh murdered in cold blood. Although I don’t condone violence in any form, I do understand that bad things happen to good men that lead them to make hard decisions for the sake of themselves and others.”

Click.

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