"When will you accept peace as the solution?" Matthew Rycroft spoke for the cowering representatives in the security council chambers. "When you accept that sometimes violence //is// the answer." Gnash spat back at the shaken men. The steel of the blade had been pressed against Trhin's neck so long that it had begun to take on the temperature of her frenzied blood. This secretary would be far from the first person Gnash had killed. The evidence of that laid in heaps around floor of United Nations conference building. The remaining members of the security council sat at their seats attempting to remain calm as the representative the UK negotiated.

"Violence has been a long standing answer to many of the globes problems." His voice faltered. "No matter how unwanted it may be." The English man looked nervously behind him. The phoenix in the center of the wall was now obstructed by the recent additions of scorch marks and bullet holes, it's meaning now lost in the frantic firefight of a terrorists fury. "Violence, Mr. Gnash, is not //your// answer." Tears began to form in the corner of Mr. Rycroft's eyes. Upon looking back from the painting, his eyes had been drawn to Trhin and the knife gripping her trachea. "Then what is my answer, your excellency?" The representative felt the bitterness in Gnash's voice.

It had been three weeks. No one knew that the president of the United States was dead. No one had heard of the four gunman evading secret service. It was not publicized. The UN had been successful in planting a passible copy. Gnash had been in the Secret Service and could not understand the effort involved in a cover up. Only a handful of agents agreed him, but it was enough.

Rycroft could not produce an acceptable response. "Why was this covered up?" Gnash demanded.

"There are policies- necessities - you don't grasp."

"Explain them to me!" His voice was nearing a shout. Rycroft was stalling. Gnash drew his handgun and shot the Chinese representative too close to the heart, keeping pressure on the knife and Trhin. Rycroft flinched along with the three other members. "In an effort to maintain our political peace-"

"A president is dead! The time to maintain peace is gone. Does transparency mean anything to you? Justice or even respect for a man's life?"

Rycroft allowed his tears to fall. "We'll make an announcement." Rycroft stumbled over the words that stung him with resentment. "And we'll see if violence was your answer." Gnash dropped the knife and let go of Trhin. She collapsed on the floor in fear and relief.

"You've made a wise decision, your excellency. No matter how delayed." He spat his words at the representative. "I hope the bodies were worth it."