"Well.. I am still alive." Smuts said "It can't be said about many others. What a terrible day.. Thank God you people are alright. Where is Coetzee ?"
At the television screen that was hanging in a corner the liberated Minister-Mentor could be seen in what was apparently a press conference.
Mr. van Oosten was wearing a shirt and a set of trousers he had received from a citizen.
"My fellow citizens.. my countrymen.. on this day I am not sure whether we should rejoice or should weep. While it maybe sure that MilInt is on the run and very likely defeated many good citizens, and foreign friends, lost their lifes, lost loved ones, lost their sanity, their health today. I am particularly referring to the massacre on Parliament Square earlier today.
That's I have requested for the flags here to be lowered to half-mast as it wouldn't be appropriate to let them fly on top-mast in celebration. What I hear now from is that over 600 our compatriots lay dead and many more are wounded or otherwise damaged. With them lay some 50 of our friends that have come to join us in our fight for the preservation of our rights and who have earned every bit of gratitude. "
The camera shifted along the line of people that were standing behind him. A Globexian naval officer could be seen. He had a small microphone in his ear - apparently for the translation.
"And..it isn't over yet. As we speak prisons are uncovered and prisoners liberated. In some cases we will have to tell families that their loved ones will never come home again. And even when the last prison is liberated then the task of looking for missing persons is still not over. It will only end, in some cases, when history itself will end.
He looked into the camera and wiped his head. He was exhausted and feverish as he clear got sick in his prison.
"I am open for questions now.."
