01-11-2015, 10:43 AM
Freetown's walls loomed as solid as a prison. She would be little more than a hostage there, with or without Legion Première's contracted protection. Danjou had apparently not chosen to take advantage of a mother willing to move mountains to save her daughter, but she would not guess the same of the new Interim-President.
Natalie felt Jay's absence keenly, though she had intended that he not follow. Right now, she did not want the association of Legion Première's protection to cloud the demands she had to make - which was why, after her initial address, she directed herself to Lt. Folami. She was not the Legion's piece to barter.
"We serve the people of Sierra Leone. All its people, lieutenant. We are not your enemy. And we are almost ready to leave."
She spoke flatly. The "almost" was for Jacques' benefit, not out of belligerence for the order. Any vitriol she swallowed down, though her temper was rising with increasing force. The measure of control she exerted deadened her expression, but Natalie had never been known for her warmth.
"This refinery is barely fit for habitation. The civilians living here have lost everything; they are in need of blankets, clothes, food. Medical supplies. If you will not let us administrate the care ourselves, at least allow us to facilitate extra supplies for this camp and others like it. The Interim-President controls the airport. He has the power to accept that aid."
Or deny it. The Temne camp leaders were still gathered around Folami, and if any of the reporters were doing the damn job they ought, the world's eye would bear witness to his answer. It was the best she could do, but she wanted that promise. At the very least.
The intensity of her gaze did not waver, though she was aware she was trampling on a fragile nerve, making demands she was in little position to enforce. She offered aid on their terms, capitulated when her heart railed against the defeat, but it was not without warning. The word civilians was a purposeful reminder; war crimes against them would be taken with due seriousness.
Natalie felt Jay's absence keenly, though she had intended that he not follow. Right now, she did not want the association of Legion Première's protection to cloud the demands she had to make - which was why, after her initial address, she directed herself to Lt. Folami. She was not the Legion's piece to barter.
"We serve the people of Sierra Leone. All its people, lieutenant. We are not your enemy. And we are almost ready to leave."
She spoke flatly. The "almost" was for Jacques' benefit, not out of belligerence for the order. Any vitriol she swallowed down, though her temper was rising with increasing force. The measure of control she exerted deadened her expression, but Natalie had never been known for her warmth.
"This refinery is barely fit for habitation. The civilians living here have lost everything; they are in need of blankets, clothes, food. Medical supplies. If you will not let us administrate the care ourselves, at least allow us to facilitate extra supplies for this camp and others like it. The Interim-President controls the airport. He has the power to accept that aid."
Or deny it. The Temne camp leaders were still gathered around Folami, and if any of the reporters were doing the damn job they ought, the world's eye would bear witness to his answer. It was the best she could do, but she wanted that promise. At the very least.
The intensity of her gaze did not waver, though she was aware she was trampling on a fragile nerve, making demands she was in little position to enforce. She offered aid on their terms, capitulated when her heart railed against the defeat, but it was not without warning. The word civilians was a purposeful reminder; war crimes against them would be taken with due seriousness.