The Rise Of A Porter

Everyone eventually calmed down. Soon the reporters were asking questions after questions to Nathan who refused to give away any information regarding their plans. Mostly because there was no plan. Still, the reporters kept scratching the surface in hopes of something out of him. But couldn't. His lips were sealed shut. The reporters eventually got the clue and started asking different questions which Nathan happily answered.

The first question to be asked was an obvious one, "The former government of United States of America, had already tried to retake the swamps which ended up as being labelled as 'The deliberate massacre'. So what makes you think this time would be any different?"

Nathan smiled. He had been expecting this question and he was more than prepared to answer it too.

"We have been preparing for it since the failure of our first attack. He has more or less upgraded our pieces of equipment and gears to provide us with an advantage over the dwelling reptilians on the swamps."

"What type of gears are you talking about? Could you please clarify on that?" Another reporter chimed in.

"I'm afraid I cannot. But I assure you, the gears have been tested and have proven to be highly efficient against the monsters." Nathan clarified.

"Can you give us any information about where did you conduct these experiments?" Nancy asked.

"I'm afraid that's classified information." Nathan cut her off and went further with the next reporter in line.

"Sir, with all due respect, you're behaving like the monsters are watching this conference." Nancy smirked while the other reporters joined in with her, "I can assure you, no monsters have a subscription to any of our media houses."

Almost all of the reporters simultaneously let out a chuckle. Even Nathan joined them.

"That's a good one ma'am. But I'd like to tell you, monsters aren't the ones we are concerned with right now." Nathan smiled as the others were confused about what he meant to say.

He had unintentionally hinted at Devon. Luckily the reporters had no way of knowing about him. Before the things got out of hand, Nathan rushed to clear the confusion. 

"Ahem. I'm sure all of you know about the recent incident at the Griffith observatory. So I'll keep this short. If you think that, that incident was caused naturally, then you're wrong." Once again he had all the attention on himself, "That situation arose because of a group of people who call themselves, 'The White Wolves', decided to screw us over."

"We are still interrogating them but so far we have been able to get only a little information from them. One of the detainees informed that someone within our country helped them. The unknown individual or organization not only helped them get here undetected but unleash hell over Los Angeles. We are still trying to find their identity. That's the reason why we are trying to protect the information about the upcoming raid as we don't want anyone to meddle in national affairs."

As soon as Nathan ended his little speech, multiple reporters immediately shot their hands up. They wanted to ask many questions regarding the matter but to their dismay, Nathan signalled them to sit back.

"I know all of you have various questions about it. But since I wasn't present there it wouldn't be fair if I end up watering things down, even a bit. Thus I would like to call upon someone who not only witnessed it all happen right before his eyes but was also the reason why we all are still alive and kicking. The American hero, Mr Arnold Black."

The Hall erupted with applause as Nathan left the centre stage and Arnold walked up to the podium. Under the spotlights, upon that stage, Arnold stood to answer the reporters, half of them were looking at him like starved hyenas. They didn't even wait for him to complete what he was saying and immediately jumped at him with uncomfortable questions. 

"Mr Arnold, how do feel with innocent blood on your hands?"

"Did you intentionally withhold your powers to gain fame after 'defending' LA?"

"If you could kill the monster from the get-go, why didn't you?"

There was a multitude of questions which deliberately portrayed him in a bad light. These questions were framed to drag him deeper in the mud. The only reporter who hadn't joined in was Nancy, as she had witnessed the scene with her eyes. The rest of the reporters, however, were hovering over him like a bunch of scavengers. Waiting for him to lose his cool. 

Nathan had expected something like this but they were going too far. He signalled the officials to end the conference but just when he was about to escort Arnold out of there, Arnold stopped him. 

"I now understand," Arnold mumbled in the mic and everyone got silent. His voice was cold and hostile, "I now understand how ungrateful y'all can be. You want to know why I didn't use my powers?"

No one had the guts to speak anymore. Not after feeling the aura leaking through his body. 

"I didn't use it because I cannot control it. Not completely. Had I gone out of control, would you take the responsibility for it? Ask Johnny what happens when I go berserk. He had witnessed it first hand." Arnold continued, "Moreover if I had used the powers and the dragon would've grown cautious of me, then how was I supposed to kill it? Do anyone of you have answers to my questions?"

He scanned through the crowd, yet no one could answer him. 

"Blaming someone is very easy. But it isn't so easy when you have to put yourself in their shoe, now, is it? I know no matter what I say or do, people would keep blaming me for your shortcomings, and now I've had enough. As some of you have said, you deserve better than me. You're right. I'm not capable of defending you and that's why I've decided to retire once the issue with the swamps has been dealt with. Thank you for your time." Arnold dropped the bombshell on them and walked off the stage.