Participants:
| Scene Title | The Valkyries Call, Part I |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Michael Spalding receives a surprise visit… |
| Date | June 17, 2009 |
New York City
Michael Spalding's Apartment
«…for the third straight day in a row, relentless fighting in the streets of Moscow indicate that the violent uprising of evolved revolutionary Vladimir Koschek shows no sign of an end. With nearly half of the Russian armed forces working at his side, Vladimir's bloody coup d'etat has now claimed six hundred lives and left countless more injured.»
The British accent of a foreign correspondent echoes through the thin walls of an overly warm fourth-floor apartment. While breeze does blow in through the open windows, playing at gauzy-thin curtains, it does little to relieve the heat of one of the first truly warm days at the tail end of spring. Sprawled out across his sofa, head tilted towards the television, Michael Spalding watches the sight of tanks rolling in front of the silhouettes of the Kermlin's spires, backlit by fiery orange light.
«Koscheck has demanded the immediate surrender of all Russian parliamentary figures, as well as President Medvedev, or the fighting will continue. With Russia already crippled by food shortages and border skirmishes with an increasingly aggressive China, the beleaguered nation has turned to the United States and Great Britain for military support. Prime Minister Brown and President Petrelli convened late last week with the United Nations Security Council on this very issue.»
The sound of a knock at the apartment door across the spacious studio causes Michael to jerk up off of the couch, the television remote sliding down off of the cushions to fall with a clatter on the hardwood floor. Swinging his legs off the sofa, Michael pulls himself up to his feet, "Yeah—hold on I'm coming." Bare feet scuff the wood, tired and languid steps made all the heavier by the heat.
«To further complicate matters, NATO forces currently trapped within Russia's borders have come under heavy fire in Volgograd by a guerrilla attack that reportedly originates from the global terrorist organization known as the Vanguard. With a routing of their headquarters in Germany months ago, it is believed the Vanguard remnants had fled east into Russia, pursued by NATO personnel.»
Fumbling for his wallet, Michael opens it and begins fumbling through the bills inside, reaching for the doorknob without looking up. "Hey, you guys got here fast, I heard Pannuci's was good with that but—" The cursory look up from his wallet as the door opens reveals that it is not a pizza delivery as expected, but rather a rather bemused looking blonde in a leather jacket.
«In a press conference earlier today, President Petrelli of the United States urged both sides of the conflict in Russia to agree to peace talks and a nonviolent resolution of the conflict. Neither President Medvedev nor Koscheck were willing to concede to the negotiations, leaving the prospect of continued violence high.»
"I—" Fumbling over his words, Michael glances back into the apartment, then folds his wallet closed. "I'm sorry, I thought you were—" his nose wrinkles, followed by a snort. "Ah—are you sure you have the right—" The blonde nods, then reaches in to her jacket, removing a leather folio that she flips open with a crooked smile. Michael's eyes scan the blue on white text: Special Agent Sarisa Kershner. CIA Special Actions Division. The dumbfounded look he has only grows now, seeing that.
«In other world news, China has garnered attention in the global scene by announcing the results of its first-quarter evolved registration results. The department of genetic infrastructure reports that China currently possesses one-thousand two-hundred Evolved citizens. With the Chinese mandatory drafting for all Evolved citizens of China -– regardless of age –- this effectively constitutes the largest standing army of Evolved soldiers in the world.»
"Michael Spalding?" Sarisa's raised brow and momentary silence gives Michael enough time to swallow awkwardly and nod, motioning into his apartment as he backpedals away from the door. "I'm special agent Kershner with the CIA," she reiterates the information on her badge, "but you can relax, I'm here on unofficial business. I've actually come on behalf of General Sebastian Autumn…"
«This announcement by the Chinese government is hot on the heels of the United States' announcement that the FRONTLINE bill has reached Congress for the second time, and is expected to pass before the month's end. The realization of the FRONTLINE Initiative would mean the beginning of the United States' own specialized evolved branch of the armed forces. The second draft of the bill outlines a plan beginning with the instatement of trial groups of FRONTLINE Across the eastern United States, beginning with "Unit One" in New York State.»
Eyes narrowed and brows creased together, this isn't what Michael was expecting the CIA was here about at all -– not that he truly had any inkling of what the CIA would want with him. "I—I'm sorry I don't think he and I have ever met. This—" he glances at the television, something said on there catching his attention before a jerky look is given back to Sarisa. Having the pieces of the puzzle put together for him, Michael's mouth opens in wordless question of her true intentions here.
«Vice-President Andrew Mitchell had this to say today at a White House press conference regarding the FRONTLINE Initiative: "I think it's a sign of solidarity among the people of America that this bill is finally on its way to becoming a reality. For too long we as Americans have been struggling with the idea of security and safety within our own borders, and I think it's time that we stop looking beyond our shores, and start looking at the problems right here on the home-front. We can't hope to help other nations if we ourselves are struggling to stay unified."»
"The General wanted me to inform you personally that your medical leave of absence has been canceled, and you are to report to active duty on the twenty-eighth." Ice blue eyes stare down Michael's confusion, cut through it like a saber and drive straight into the heart of the issue. "You've been chosen to lead Unit One of FRONTLINE, New York, Lieutenant." Her lips quirk into a faint smile. "Congratulations."
«Mobilization of the first FRONTLINE unit is expected to happen as soon as July…»