OOC: Distributed across major news networks. Thursday, August 5th.

IC:

Anchorwoman - "Recently elected UN President, Jean Ping, Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and la Francophonie of Gabon, will be addressing the world shortly. This emergency session and announcement can only be in regards to the recent revelations of Vampires being a very real part of our world. Ah, he's starting now."

[An African man walks out on stage. van der Voort, Camilla Baines, and Hardestadt are also with him]

Jean Ping - "People of the World. Many strange and frightening things have been revealed to us over the past few weeks. Some areas of the world have responded with violence, with fear, with apprehension. This is not an issue that we can easily set aside, and as such we have determined that the Vampire community is yet another microcosm of the World Community."

He pauses.

"We have convened and reviewed all the information on the topic. Experts from the field of medicine, occult, and the church met with various commissions and committees to sift fact from fiction. After meeting with representatives of the various Vampires organizations, we have chosen to offer a non-voting, non-leadership seat to the Camarilla which shall be filled by the Vampire leader known as Mr. Hardestadt. This role will be an advisor position, providing direction and leadership to the governments of the world on the topic of Vampires. We recognize the Camarilla's claim of authority over all Vampires, and endorse them to work with Governments of the World to ensure order and cooperation from the Vampire community."

He waits again.

"Are there any questions?"

Male American Reporter - "What about the governance structure known as the Sabbat?" Jean Ping - "We have determined that their organization is not compatible with our goals. Next."

Female Chinese Reporter - "Aren't Vampires out to kill us all? Aren't they evil?" Jean Ping - "We have discovered that Vampires run the spectrum of morality. They are inherently no more evil than you or I. Next."

Female British Reporter - "Mr. Hardestadt, What of the Assamite threat we hear of? Is this something to concern ourselves with?" Hardestadt - "It is a matter of great importance to the people of the world. The Assamites are a group of Vampire criminals descended from the Middle East that has ties to terrorist and radical Islamic groups. They have been known to work closely with mortal terrorist groups from the Middle East that your governments are already aware of. If you encounter one of these creatures, do not engage them. Notify the authorities.

[Camilla purses her lips and looks away; van der Voort leans forward and looks intensely at Hardestadt for a moment before looking away.]

Male German Reporter - "What do you Vampires want?"

Camilla Baines - "Dear, we want nothing more than to exist. We have many things to offer you - history, riches, and knowledge. Most importantly, we offer friendship. Given time, I believe we can integrate perfectly into your societies and become productive and upstanding members." [She smiles warmly]

Jean Ping - "That will be all for now, your respective Governments will be briefed and information will be further distributed. Thank you."

OOC:

This is an official posting of the MST's office. This is a fictional news report for a fictional game set in a fictional universe. For questions or comments, please contact amst-charlie@deadletteroffice.org, please do not respond publicly to this list.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

[A middle-aged man with short, brown hair is sitting in front of the camera. The tagline "Brian Winter - Central American Correspondent" parts through the bottom of the screen, the red graphic a stark contrast to Winter's pinstriped blue suit. Brian looks at the camera, shuffling some papers together, and starts speaking - a low, bassy monotone.]

"In an unexpected move today, we have a new world power. The leaders of Central America have formed a collective union, and although each country will be maintaining their own sovereignty, they had decided to coordinate their resources under one banner, and one man."

[As the narration begins, cameras fade in to an outdoor stage area, surrounded by citizens. A heavy military guard is present, and given the circumstances, it is obvious why they are there. The heads of state of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama are all shown, signing a charter agreement and shaking hands with a thin, gaunt man. His pale complexion and sandy brown hair exude a strength of character and charisma that the crowd seem to pick up on.]

"This man, Jesus Aquila, a noted spiritual advisor... and vampire."

[Cameras switch to a scene from later in the evening, with Jesus Aquila addressing the crowd from a pulpit on the stage. He is speaking in Spanish, with Portuguese and English subtitles relaying the speech to the television watchers at home.]

"Long have my kind been supporters of the people of Central America. We have been the not-so-anonymous benefactors that have helped stabilize your homes, fuel your economy, and protect your citizenry from the hostile actions of other countries. We have given our lives for the right to live amongst you as your equals.

It is with great pleasure that I announce Unión Americana Central. We, the people and the leaders of Panama, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua have put aside the barriers of race and politics that have separated us for so long. We come together now to ensure a new era of safety and prosperity for our people - ALL our people, human and vampire alike. I am honored to serve you now as El Regente del Unión Americana Central, much as I have served the people in the past."

[The crowd, taking a cue from the heads of state, begin applauding wildly. The scene cuts forward to another portion of the speech.]

"...and to this end we will be naturalizing all vampiric citizens of the Unión Americana Central. They will be able to live and work among you more freely than ever before, and we will benefit from their resources enormously. We will soon have a special identification process in place for records and identification purposes..."

[Again the scene slices forward, this time picking up as a loud chorus of cheers are dying down. Jesus is smiling, thrilled by the reaction of the crowd.]

"And we will be creating a symbiosis like never before. You need not fear from any vampire, as we will be instituting a program where citizens can donate blood, receiving a 115 peso payment, or its local currency equivalent, for each half liter they choose to donate. This purely voluntary program will gives us a means to feed not only those of us forced to live off of blood, but to provide for the families of our people by giving them the money to purchase food, clothing, and other basic necessities. With this program, there is no need for any of the sons and daughter of our Union to want for sustenance again."

[The roar of the crowd is infectious, and soon a chant of "Je-SUS, Je-SUS!" can be heard. On that note, the scene fades back to Central American correspondent Brian Winter.]

"We are as yet unsure of any response from the world at large, but initial reactions have been mixed. Some analysts suspect that this new Union has been joined out of fear of the menace that vampires represent, but the reactions of the people certainly seem to speak otherwise. This is Brian Winter, reporting from Mexico City, Mexico."