General Arters sagged wearily in the witness chair as the congressional hearing dragged into its eighth hour. He knew the senators were just doing their jobs seeking answers about the catastrophic portal crisis. But the endless skeptical questions were taking a toll.
"General, allow me to clarify," Senator Clark said, an edge in his voice. "You're saying that despite all our military might, we were unable to seal off the very first portal that opened. The one that completely leveled an entire town. Do I have that right?"
Arters straightened. "As I've stated, the early portals were utterly unpredictable. Their energy fluxuated rapidly. By the time we developed a safe sealing method, that first breach had grown too unstable to close."
"So you failed to contain the threat when it mattered most," Clark shot back. "Because of that failure, hundreds of innocent lives were lost!"
Arters clenched his jaw. The loss of so many civilians still haunted him. But lashing out would not help now.
"Senator, we did everything humanly possible once we understood the nature of the threat," he said tightly. "My teams were able to seal all subsequent portals across the nation using the new plasma barrier method. We adapted as rapidly as anyone could have."
Another senator spoke up. "But the fact remains, you lost that town. And we still have no explanation for how those children there apparently developed...magic powers." She shook her head in disbelief.
Arters sighed. "I wish I could explain it either, ma'am. The survivors we rescued were as shocked as we were. All we can do now is help them adapt to their abilities, and this new reality."
"And what if more humans arbitrarily gain powers?" Clark demanded. "How do we control that?"
Control. That was what this was really about, Arters realized. The government feared the unpredictable nature of the portals and superhuman abilities. Fear led to control.
"With respect, sir, we cannot control what abilities citizens may spontaneously manifest," Arters said carefully. "Our role is to protect and guide them, not restrain them."
He made steady eye contact with each senator. "Have faith in our people. These powers do not have to divide us. Together, we will move forward into this changed world."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber as the senators absorbed his words. Arters had given them much to think on. But he knew this was only the first of many trials in navigating the upheaval wrought by the mystical incursions.
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There would be missteps and failures again. But they had to cling to hope, adapt together, and never lose sight of their humanity along the way.
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Dr. Maya Torres forced herself to smile calmly as the cameras trained on her. She hated public speaking, but someone had to try reassuring the public amidst the portal crisis panic.
"Dr. Torres, many Americans are terrified more portals could open at any moment," the interviewer said. "What do you say to alleviate their fears?"
"I understand people's concerns," Maya replied. "The early portals took us by surprise. But now we've developed an effective containment method using plasma barriers."
She held up a small projector. "This prototype can seal a portal by creating an energy field attuned to the portal's unique vibrational frequency. We can quickly adjust the frequency to match any new breaches."
The interviewer still looked skeptical. "But how do you know your barriers can seal every type of portal? No one even understands how they form."
Maya nodded. "You're right, the portals are not fully explained scientifically. However, our plasma barriers have proven effective on all documented cases after the initial outbreak."
"Still, there's no guarantee, is there?" the interviewer pressed. "What if one appears somewhere too sensitive to barricade safely, like a crowded city?"
Maya hesitated. She couldn't promise their barriers would work flawlessly every time. This was uncharted territory.
"You make fair points," she conceded. "I can't offer ironclad guarantees. But I can promise you our team will keep adapting these barriers to seal breaches swiftly wherever they may emerge. We won't give up until we've made our world secure."
The interviewer considered her words. "I think people needed to hear that - the honesty but also the determination to keep developing solutions. It gives us hope."
Maya allowed herself a small, grateful smile. She knew the public was afraid, but refusing to surrender to fear was what would see them through this crisis. Together, using science guided by compassion, they would close the portals and reclaim their peace of mind. She had to believe it was possible.
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"Congressman, I implore you to consider the immense opportunity these portals represent!"
John Masters leaned forward intently in the plush office chair, meeting the congressman's skeptical gaze.
"Mr. Masters, didn't you read the disturbing reports from those soldiers?" Congressman Hill replied with a frown. "The portal they entered was filled with hostile creatures and environmental hazards. Sending private expeditions would be disastrously dangerous."
John waved a hand dismissively. "A minor setback. With the proper preparations and protections, who knows what riches could be extracted from these new realms?"
His eyes gleamed as he continued. "Precious minerals, rare magical artifacts...there is immense wealth to be had if we move quickly to stake our claim."
The congressman still looked doubtful. "Some things are more important than wealth, Mr. Masters. Like protecting human lives."
John resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Naive idealist. He leaned in closer.
"Imagine the tax revenue such private ventures could generate," he pressed on smoothly. "Revenue that could fund public infrastructure, schools...your next re-election campaign."
He saw a glint of interest flash in the congressman's eyes and knew he almost had him. Dangling that campaign money was the clincher.
"You raise some fair points," the congressman conceded. "Perhaps a tightly regulated exploratory program could be arranged, for the greater good."
John smiled inwardly, pleased with his work. The bill would surely pass now. The potential profits were astronomical. He had to stake his company's claim before competitors beat them to it.
"On behalf of my shareholders, thank you for recognizing this prudent opportunity, Congressman," John said, standing to shake his hand.
Of course, if any lives had to be lost along the way, well, that was simply the cost of progress. But John wasn't about to let ethics get in the way of his bottom line.