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Kaithe DameDELTΔ HYPER
Friday, March 24, 2094
UCLA Medical Center
Soundtrack: Will Dempsey - Best Parts of Me
Alexander had spent the time since getting back from Cape Town making sure things were on track for the next race in Tokyo. The training crew were working on setting up a second simulator so that the two pilots could race head to head in the simulator. The routines focusing on ELS deployment were going well. He had them working on the overtakes and blocking maneuvers as well. He wanted to be sure that if Hart tried another sloppy or aggressive maneuver like that on the track, they were prepared to counter it. Mabel had taken the lead on getting the new approved ship designs started. She had already started asking for bids on the materials needed. She had his authorization to begin recruiting any personnel they might need for the project. She was working with Felix to determine what skill sets might be missing from the current team.
His daughter was going to get to leave the hospital on Friday and he wanted to be there for her. Katherine, their head of marketing, brought him a new dilemma to deal with. Valkyrie AGR Sport had been getting interview requests for Arianna. Katherine had told Alexander that the press were curious about her since the press conference. There had been chatter on fan sites as well. Katherine advised him to set up a press conference at the hospital before she was released. That the press hounds would only be put off so long. This way they could control the press’ access to Arianna, the narrative, and the story. They could give the media enough to hopefully appease their interest in those closest to Alexander. It was not like he was the pilot any more. The public and media seemed fascinated by Alexander’s return to racing. This would hopefully give Arianna some space and anonymity back once the media interest in her story died down.
Alexander had not discussed the requests with Arianna yet. He wanted to talk to her about it in person. Alexander had requested hospital security provide additional surveillance for Arianna while she was there. He was worried that she would be targeted because of him. He had been right. He had received a few reports from his wife that hospital security had intercepted a few reporters who had tried to sneak into her room to interview her. The hospital itself had fielded a deluge of phone calls from people asking about her condition and wanting to send her flowers and gifts. The hospital finally put up a generic message asking those who wanted to send something to donate the money back to the hospital to continue research in cybernetics like she was receiving to help those who go through similar physical trauma. The hospital released another press notification that Arianna was expected to make a full recovery and was not receiving interview requests and that she was entitled to privacy. The hospital explained that they couldn’t release private patient information, not to call. It had helped reduce the amount of phone calls the staff was receiving. It still left the staff busy.
Alexander was left with the dilemma of what to do regarding the media and his daughter. Katherine recommended that they set up the press conference anyway. Alexander could answer questions for the press if Arianna decided she didn’t want her face to be splashed across news networks around the world. Alexander had sighed and agreed to do it. He knew that Katherine was right the news vultures wouldn’t go away until they were given something. He would rather be at Arianna’s side to deal with them. He didn’t want her to get sidelined alone. She had not received any press training. Katherine agreed to go with him so she could give Arianna a run down on how to deal with the media. Alexander couldn’t argue that Arianna needed to understand that her life is about to change. She will not be as anonymous in a crowd anymore. People may seek her out and recognize her on the street. Alexander was man enough to also realize that Arianna would take that lesson better from Katherine than him. Alexander gave Katherine permission to set up the press conference. Katherine had been working with the team at the hospital to get everything moving.
Alexander and his ex-wife Candace had met with the team of doctor’s after the initial emergency surgery to save Arianna’s life. Once they had her stabilized they had run treatment options past them. One of the benefits of cybernetic augmentations was the ability to help people who had injuries like Arianna’s. The spinal cord damage was extensive. Cybernetics had allowed doctors and engineers to provide a way for those with spinal cord injuries to move again using computer neural networks that integrated with prosthetics. When the spinal cord was severed or severely damaged those computer neural networks could bypass the body’s natural networks but had to cover all the same areas. For paraplegics having artificial limbs makes this integration easier. It is easier to sync the computer neural networks with limbs designed for them. Earlier work in this area gave people back gross motor skills but they lacked the ability to process the finer motor skills. Technology has improved but most standard cybernetics available for paraplegics require artificial limbs or they have to learn with a reduction in sensitivity and fine motor skills. The experimental cybernetics that had been offered to Arianna was a way to bridge that gap.
Part of why she had to be in the hospital so long even in this day of improved medicine was because her bones had to heal before the installation could happen. This new experimental system had to be monitored during the initial installation phase. This new biotech followed nervous system pathways while establishing computer neural pathways and links building a new computer neural network organically to replace the body’s organic nervous system. As Arianna’s brain sought existing neural pathways the cybernetic software worked with her enhanced neural chip linking biological and computer pathways into one system creating a bioengineered system that complemented her body’s. The idea behind the technology was that the more she used it and refined the more of her existing control over her body would build allowing her to retain sensation, fine motor skills, along with gross motor skills without needing cybernetic limbs or a full body brace to move. Arianna would have to relearn to walk and move all those muscles just like a child growing up. The network would strengthen and expand the more she worked with it. Her progress had to be monitored at first and therapists worked with her to help her retrain her body. She understood that this process would continue for some time while the bioengineered cybernetic neural network grew and established those links. The technology used an advanced neural chip and processor with a special software program to control the process. The neural filaments were built from organic components taken from her diet and blood. Arianna had been on a special diet as well to ensure her body had what it needed to maintain and grow the network that would allow her body to move once more.
The progress was slow at first but once those gross motor functions were established progress became faster. Arianna was walking again but still needed the aid of a walker. She continued to have some balance issues as her body relearned everything it had learned. The doctor’s assured her that she would eventually regain her grace and ability to walk unaided. The walker just assured that she wouldn’t fall while her body strengthened once more. She was able to use her arms and hands again. Her finer motor skills in her hands were taking more time to refine but she could type again and feed herself. She was not up to writing with a pen yet though or drawing. Her grip strength was not very strong yet. It was improving daily though the more she followed the exercise routines set out by the therapists working with her. The beautiful part of her recovery was that she would bear some scars but she could feel. Her skin reacted to heat and cold. She could feel the warmth of the sun on her face and feel the breeze over her skin. She could feel the pressure of someone holding her hand. She might have lost this level of sensitivity with the standard cybernetics.
Alexander found himself on a private shuttle with Katherine, Mabel, and 4 of the travel security guards. Alexander was going to leave Mabel behind at headquarters but she threatened to quit on him if he did. She wanted to see Arianna. Alexander had caved and agreed to bring her with him. Alexander had warned his ex-wife about what was happening. He didn’t want her to feel blindsided. Besides, it wouldn't hurt for her to have media training as well. Not that Alexander expected her to sing his praises. She had left him long ago. They had parted on mostly amicable terms. He resented that she couldn’t accept him after the explosion that had taken his arms. His interactions with his ex-wife Candace had revolved around co-parenting their daughter. The private shuttle was much faster than the larger and heavier team cargo plane. They landed in Los Angeles a few hours later. Alexander was surprised that they had managed to avoid the press at the smaller private airport where the shuttle had landed. They were now in a private transport on the way to the hospital. Alexander had texted Candace to let her know their shuttle had landed.
The driver went to a side entrance. The media were already at the hospital and camped out at the main entrance. The driver followed the parking lot into a parking garage connected to the hospital. He stopped outside the entrance to a pedestrian walkway on the fourth floor that connected to the hospital. There didn’t appear to be any media camped out at this entrance. Alexander waited to exit the vehicle as the security guards with him got out and looked around before letting him out. He climbed out before turning around to help Mabel out of the vehicle and then Katherine.
Alexander: “Well ladies shall we get this show on the road?”
They moved out as a group with two security guards in front of them and two behind them. The cement pedestrian bridge had designs and stamped into the interior and solar panels along the outside edges. Their group traversed the bridge quickly. The security guards had them pause as they opened the doors and peered inside. They closed the doors and turned back to Alexander.
Security: “Sir, there is a small group of media present just inside the door. I don’t think we will be able to get in without any of them seeing us.”
Katherine moved up to the security guards and spoke with confidence.
Katherine: “This is what we are going to do. I will speak to the press informing them that no statements or interviews will be given until the press conference. Alexander, you and Mabel ignore them and just keep moving into the hospital. Security will stay with you to help push them away if they get too aggressive. Does everyone understand the plan?”
Alexander sighed and nodded. “Let’s get this over with. Arianna’s room is on the sixth floor. Room 606. They had to move her to a private room for security reasons.”
Mabel: “Well let’s go. I want to see her.”
The security guards moved to the front and two each took a door while the other two moved in and began to force a pathway through the small group of reporters there.
Security: “Please move to the side.”
Katherine stepped through the door behind them and used her authoritative voice.
Katherine: “Alexander Knight and Valkyrie AGR Sport will not be making any statements or granting any interviews at this time. Please move aside so we can enter.”
Security guards were doing their jobs as they stepped into the reporters paths blocking their access to Alexander. Cameras were recording and flashes could be seen as pictures were being taken. Their group managed to make progress though.
Reporters were throwing out questions hoping to catch a reaction or a byline before the press conference. “What does your daughter think about your return to racing? Will Arianna be granting interviews? Where does she go to college? Is Valkyrie AGR Sport footing her hospital bill? Did your daughter have any plastic surgery while she was here?”
Mabel frowned at some of the questions but followed along behind Alexander. They were soon through the small crowd in the lobby just off the entrance and in the elevator. He gave a sigh of relief as the door closed.
Alexander: “That honestly went better than I expected. Well Katherine they gave you an idea of the type of questions you can expect.”
Katherine had a disgusted look on her face. “Some of those questions are highly inappropriate. It is a good thing you listened to me Alexander. Arianna is going to need that press training. I think they will hound her for a bit. Hopefully the press conference will prevent them from chasing her around.”
Mabel looked mutinous. “Did she have plastic surgery? Katherine I am happy to kick any of them that step out of line for you. That poor child has been through enough without these vultures circling for something they can twist into something disgusting.”
Katherine chuckled at Mabel’s reaction to the press. “Mabel, that is why we brought security guards. These guys are here to see to our safety and Alexander’s family. They will be working with the hospital’s security guards and staff to run the press conference. We will also have the support of the UCLA press team. Between us, I hope we can keep it civil.”
Mabel just gave a snort and a nod. Alexander looked amused because he could see Mabel doing just what she threatened. It brought a smile to his face. About that time, the elevator stopped and they needed to exit. They made it to Arianna’s room without any further trouble. The security guards left them after they entered Arianna’s room. The security guards left to check in with hospital security and the arrangements for the press conference. Arianna’s room was full of balloons, flowers, and plants. Evidently there had been a lot of deliveries before the hospital had made their announcement.
Mabel beat Alexander to Arianna’s side. She was sitting up in a reclining chair. Mabel engulfed the beautiful blonde that was Alexander’s daughter. Arianna still looked pale and signs of healing and trauma were still evident.There was a long gash on her right temple that was shiny new skin of a healed flesh. The biggest change was the long curved hi-tech neural port that was unlike anything she had seen before. It curved around the base of her skull and was about an inch and a half wide. Her hair had been shaved in the area to accommodate the port. Arianna had such thick long wavy hair that you didn’t really see it until she turned her head. Some of the deeper bruising from the accident was still evident and fading a sign of how much trauma her body had endured. There were still dark circles under her eyes. Mabel leaned forward and pulled Arianna into a hug.
Mabel: “Arianna, it is so good to see you child. How are you doing? Did you get my plant?”
Arianna’s bright laughter filled the room with sunshine as she replied to Mabel’s questions even as she returned the warm hug. The smell of Miss Mabel’s perfume brought back fond memories of visits with her father in the last few years. Mabel had been a steadying influence on her father. She had also been instrumental in helping them strengthen their relationship as she grew into a young adult and he supported her and accepted his child was an adult now. Their relationship had gone through some growing pains in her teenage years. The distance had not helped.
Arianna: “Miss Mabel it is so good to see you too! Are you keeping my dad out of trouble? I am doing better. Yes I loved the gardenia. I didn’t have one of those yet. I will plant it after I get home.”
Alexander looked at his daughter with a smile. His whole body had relaxed seeing her alive and doing so much better than the last time he had seen her. Those who had just started working with Alexander would probably be shocked at how much warmth, love, and softness showed in his face. Typically his expressions were neutral or calculating, not necessarily hateful or robotic but cold and focused. He would live with the image of her on life support and have nightmares about it for the rest of his days. He approached her and bent over to hug her gently after Mabel stepped back.
Alexander: “Hello Princess. It is so good to see you. You look so much better. How are you feeling?”
Arianna hugged her father as tight as she could. Her mother had explained what her father had done to help her. She had not really been in a place to understand her choices. She had suffered a severe concussion and then they had her on painkillers and in an induced coma while she healed. She had been unconscious the last time he had seen her in person recovering from surgery. She couldn’t help the tears that flowed down her face that soaked into his shirt. Arianna: “Thank you daddy.” The time had been brief but the feeling of being trapped in her own body without being able to move had been frankly traumatizing and horrible. She knew that there had been other options but her father had gone out of his way to make sure she had the best option.
Alexander closed his eyes as he held his daughter close. She felt so frail and fragile in his arms. She was so precious to him. He knelt before her and just continued to hug her. He felt her tears on his shirt and her soft voice thanking him. His sobs and tears joined hers. Didn’t she know he would do anything for her? He was so grateful that she was still here with him. His voice came out gruff and ragged full of the powerful emotions flooding through him. “I love you Arianna. You will always be my Princess. There is nothing to thank me for. I would do anything for you. You are the one doing all the hard work with recovery.” The two seemed oblivious to the world for a few minutes. Reality finally faded back in. Alexander pulled back from the hug enough to wipe away her tears. He gave Arianna a warm smile.
Candace took that moment to interrupt their reunion. Candace had been standing next to Arianna’s chair on the right. Candace reached out like she was going to touch Alexander but then withdrew her hand. Candace gave him a nod of greeting instead
Candace: “It is good to see you Alexander.”
Candace of course recognized Mabel and knew who she was. Candace didn’t like Mabel and dismissed her and didn’t greet her at all. Candace hated the fact that Mabel and Arianna were friends. It galled her that Arianna liked the woman more than her real grandmother. Candace's voice was uncertain and held a hint of something sharper as she pointed to the other woman in the room.
Candace: “Who is she?”
Alexander sighed and did his best to hide his anger with Candace. She had been the one to leave him. He had not missed her reaching out like she had the right to touch him and claim him anymore. She had no right to be jealous after throwing him away all those years ago. It upset him to know she had been unable to accept his prosthetic arms but had been grateful he had managed to save Arianna from that fate. That was some sick irony for you. Candace was one of the people who had hurt him the most. She had torn out his heart and stomped on it. He had made peace with her decision long ago. His lip curled in a snarl before he managed to stop it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He was here for his daughter. He might have to deal with Candace but he no longer gave her the power to hurt him.
Alexander turned to Katherine who had been quietly waiting in the background. She had been respectful of his time with his daughter and he appreciated her sensitivity about it. He motioned Katherine to come forward. Alexander rose to his feet and stepped back to give Katherine room to move up closer. He motioned to Katherine.
Alexander: “Arianna and Candace, this is Katherine Dubois.” He motioned to Arianna and Candace in turn. “Katherine, this is my daughter Arianna and my ex-wife Candace.” Alexander paused before continuing. He didn’t like the spiteful look in Candace’s eyes. He often wondered what he had originally seen in her. She had been his everything once. Now she acted jealous if there was another woman in his life yet she wanted nothing to do with him. He had long ago just stopped playing her games.
Alexander continued. “She is the Marketing Team Lead at Valkyrie AGR Sport. She is here to give you some media training. Unfortunately my return to racing and the reason for it, has created a lot of interest from the media. Valkyrie has been inundated with interview requests for Arianna. I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t had a few reporters approach you directly, Candace. The hospital has worked to give you privacy while you were here and healing. It seems to have leaked that you are leaving today. Valkyrie has worked with the hospital to set up a press conference here at the hospital. We need to talk about the media, Arianna.”
Candace snorted and crossed her arms, her eyes shooting fire at him. Candace’s voice was full of anger and loathing. Her tone was toxic and slightly whiny. It grated on Alexander’s nerves.
Candace: “How dare you Alexander! I will not let you use Arianna as a marketing plot to help your image. I will say whatever I damn well please to the media.”
Mabel’s eyes flashed with fire as she turned to Candace. Mabel: “Don’t you dare you harpy! You are such a hypocrite. You can say what you like but remember Candace, you reap what you sow.” Mabel gave Candace a knowing look that Alexander missed because he was focusing on his daughter.
Alexander ignored Candace and turned his attention to Arianna. He looked down into his daughter’s eyes as he tuned Candace’s hateful diatribe out. Alexander knelt down once more so he was at eye level with Arianna. Alexander took hold of one of Arianna’s hands as he spoke to her in a warm loving tone.
Alexander: “Princess you need to know that reporters and even fans want to know about you. It is up to you how much access you give them. If you don’t want to deal with the press today, you don’t have to. The best way to handle them though, is to give them what they want in a setting where we can control the narrative. I can assign you security if you feel unsafe. You might be recognized on the street. Investigative reporters are very good at what they do. I don’t want you to go out there and be surprised. I am sorry that this comes with my new job. I hate this aspect of my new job. I brought Katherine with me to help you through this. She is an expert in dealing with these situations.”
Katherine had been watching the interactions in the room and knew that Alexander’s ex-wife was going to be a problem. She would not be of as much interest to the media as his daughter though. She was the reason he had returned to racing by Alexander’s own admission on camera. Katherine would focus her efforts into mitigating the damage Candace could do. Katherine smiled warmly at Arianna. Katherine had to admit that Alexander’s daughter was a lovely young woman with long flowing golden blonde hair and hazel eyes. Arianna had her mother’s graceful build but her father’s aristocratic features. Katherine stepped forward and held out a hand for Arianna to shake. She kept her voice warm and tried to convey how much Arianna could trust her.
Katherine: “Your father is right. We have set up the press conference and he can field all the questions about you. You don’t have to attend if you don’t want to. We wanted to take this opportunity to prepare you for the public spotlight. Unfortunately even if you don’t do the press conference, that doesn’t mean that the journalists will not continue to approach you. They might approach you when you are not prepared and say something they take out of context and twist it. The gossip sites are horrible about that.”
Katherine gave Arianna warm sympathetic eyes because the poor girl had done nothing to deserve some of the shit that will soon be slung her way. The media could be quite cruel and some dirtbag journalists would do anything to sell a story. Katherine kept her voice confidential but firm as she tried to warn the girl.
Katherine: “Arianna when you return to school, you might be approached by complete strangers who think that because they saw your story on the news, they know you. You will be approached by those who will pretend to be your friend and then ask you for tickets to races or money. There will be people who will pretend to be your friend to learn things about you that you might not want to be public, who in turn sell that information to the media. Or they could turn out to be a gossip journalist who has made up stories about you or have sold candid pictures of you to the media. Fans might like or hate you and post on your social media. You need to decide how much of a public figure you want to be. Valkyrie can help monitor your social media feeds and help keep them private. We can help you with the security settings for example. I want you to understand that you will be a person of interest and focus, both good and bad. There will also be those people who just want to know you simply because you are Alexander’s daughter. What do you want, Arianna?”
Arianna was feeling a little overwhelmed. Arianna had been so happy to see her father. Her relationship with her father was so different than her relationship with her mother. She had lived with her mother for most of her life. She loved her mother but she could be overbearing. She had always tried to push her to do what she wanted and expected. She pushed Arianna to dress a certain way and to seek out certain kids to be friends with. Her mother had always been concerned with the appearance of things. She would listen to Arianna’s feelings about something and then dismiss them. Her mother rarely respected her boundaries or cared about what she wanted. Her mother had wanted her to be a doctor or financial broker. Arianna wanted to help heal the planet. She wanted to do something meaningful with her life. She was studying botany and was in a graduate program with a focus on repairing ecosystems. She wanted to be a part of the solution for the planet. Her mother had told her that there was no future or money in that career. Her mother had majored in business and had settled for a career in human resources. She had wanted to be an executive running a department with a lavish lifestyle. She talked about it all the time.
The men her mother had dated were all successful executives that she felt could give her the lifestyle she craved. The men were so different from her father. Most of them were respectful to her but simply didn’t interact with her much. The men were almost always good looking but shallow. Arianna never understood what her mother saw in them. Arianna had moved into the dorms for college. She only went to visit her mother for holidays and breaks. She still spent her summers with her father. She had needed that distance from her mother. Arianna’s mother had never really bad-mouthed her father much. She just harped on how she had been blinded by love and had settled for a more domestic and suburban lifestyle with his career in the military. She had blamed his career for the loss of their marriage. She had said he had changed after his accident. Arianna had been so little when her father and mother split up, she had never really understood the dynamics of what happened. Arianna had always just humored her mother. It was easier than arguing with her over what she saw from her relationship with them both. All her father would say about their break up was that her mother decided that she didn’t want to be with him anymore. He always told her that it didn’t matter because she was still her mother and she should respect her. He never spoke poorly about her mother even when she heard some of the awful things her mother would say when she thought Arianna couldn’t hear her. She saw the pain her mother’s words caused her father. He grew thicker skin eventually. She no longer saw pain in his eyes, just resignation when dealing with her.
Her father could be very focused and intense. He had to work during the summers she had visited him. He might have had to work but he never made her feel like she was an afterthought to his life. He explained priorities and made time to spend with her in ways that showed her he cared. During the week when he was working, he always came home on time and they made dinner together. They ate at the dining room table together. They would watch a show or play a board game after dinner. He would read to her at bedtime. During the summer on weekends, her father planned little adventures for them. They both loved being outside and hiking and camping was their thing. When he wasn’t with her, he would call her and text her at least once a week to check in with her. Her father always listened and really paid attention to what she had to say. He was genuinely interested in her life, thoughts, and feelings. He always encouraged her to explore whatever interested her and to try new things. He was always supportive.
Arianna looked at her father’s concerned face. She believed her father. She reached out and grabbed his hand and squeezed it supportively.
Arianna: “I don’t mind the whole world knowing you are my father. I have the best dad. I am not ashamed of you. Would it bother you if I did the press conference?”
Alexander looked almost like he was in pain as he met his daughter’s eyes. He smiled and squeezed her hand gently in return.
Alexander: “Princess if it was up to me, I would hide you away from the culture vultures and protect you from their viciousness.”
Alexander heard Katherine’s swift inhale and her almost panicked look as she shook her head no. Alexander chuckled ruefully to himself as he admitted to others that Katherine knew better.
Alexander continued with a sigh. Alexander: “But wiser heads than mine had argued with that path. If you don’t talk to them, they will think there is something to hide. They will follow you everywhere. If you do the press conference today, yes people will recognize you on the streets. You will probably still get approached by journalists, media people, and fans. But we can control the narrative and reduce the amount of interest in you. We can direct all future media requests to my office if you would prefer. Or we can arrange for you to have an independent Public Relations professional to advise you. Either way I wanted Katherine to give you some bare bones advice on how to deal with the media. That way when you are answering questions, you know how to answer them in a way they can not twist or misconstrue.” Alexander cupped his daughter’s cheek with his hand. “What do you want to do Princess?”
Candace was looking ready to murder Alexander. She turned to face Arianna with lightning in her eyes and thunder in her voice. “Arianna, your father wants to use your situation to gain sympathy for him and to make himself look better in the press. Valkyrie is going to tell you to spin things how is best for their team. They don’t care about what you want.”
Mabel’s authoritative sharp voice cut across Candace’s as she interjected.
Mabel: “Shut up Candace. Once again you have no idea what you are talking about.” Mabel turned to Arianna with a loving expression on her face. “Arianna, I am telling you can trust Katherine. She is very good at what she does or she wouldn’t head up marketing and public relations for Valkyrie. If you are worried about what your mother had to say, I have three independent public relations experts standing by if you would rather work with someone who was only looking out for your interests. Katherine is telling you the truth, child. You are old enough to know how the media works. You have seen what they are like. Or you can hide and choose not to show your face. You know your father would do anything to protect you. You know he would prefer that you did hide and not show your face. Which would defeat the nefarious motivations that your mother is trying to assign to your father’s actions. The choice dear child is yours.”
Arianna shook her head sadly. When had her mother become so hateful towards her father? She had praised his efforts in private to Arianna but now that he was here to help her cope with something that had spilled over onto her from his life, she was all bitterness and hate.
Katherine looked at Arianna and gave her a rueful smile.
Katherine: “Arianna, would you rather talk to the other PR people before making a decision?”
Arianna smiled at her father and leaned forward to place a kiss on his cheek. She leaned back and winked at Katherine.
Arianna: “Nope. If you can get my hard headed father to listen to your advice, it must be worth listening too.”
Her mother started to protest but Arianna gave her mother a sad but exasperated look.
Arianna: “Enough mom. I am going to do this. I am an adult. You don’t have to be here for this if you don’t want to be. That choice is yours but this is mine.”
Mabel nodded relieved to see Arianna showing some spine in regards to her manipulative mother. Mabel gave Arianna a sassy wink in front of her mother and two thumbs up.
Candace looked like she had swallowed a bug and simply gave a rough nod.
Katherine made Alexander move to the side. She pulled a chair up in front of Arianna and began to prepare her for the kinds of questions they might ask. How to skillfully avoid questions she didn’t want to answer. She assured she didn’t have to answer any questions she didn’t want to by saying no comment. Arianna nodded along and absorbed the thirty minute lesson on how to talk to the press. Candace paid attention but was still stewing in silence.
Katherine kicked Alexander outside as she helped Katherine prepare for the press conference. Candace reluctantly thawed towards Katherine and helped Arianna. Katherine had brought a new outfit for Arianna to change into to go home in. She had been unsure what her mother had brought her. It was a simple white pullover tunic top with floral leggings and slip on canvas sneakers. The outfit was simple, would look good on camera, and most importantly would be comfortable and easy for Arianna to get in and out of. She left Arianna’s hair down and put no make up on her. Their lights might wash her out but Arianna was a natural beauty and it didn’t hurt to remind them that the young woman was recovering from life threatening injuries.
UCLA Medical Center: Large Meeting Room
Arianna Knight
Hospital security was stationed around the perimeter of the room. There was a long table set up at the front of the room with several microphones on it. There was a host of video drones from various agencies in the air above the crowd. There were 6 chairs set up behind the table. Two of Valkyrie’s security guards were along the wall behind the table. The other two were stationed along the wall on each side of it. They were close enough to intercept anyone who might try to reach their principals. Arianna had been introduced to the Valkyrie security guards on the way down from her room. They had all been perfect gentlemen and polite. Not that Alexander expected any less from them. Mabel took a seat along the wall near the exit. Katherine accepted the wireless microphone that one of the hospital staff had handed her. Katherine had agreed to let the hospital’s media person handle opening the press conference. Katherine would only interfere if she had too. Arianna took the fourth seat in, Alexander took the seat on the other side of her, as Candace took the seat on the other side of Arianna, leaving Arianna between her parents. Arianna’s primary doctor with the hospital had taken the far seat and Katherine had taken the end seat.
The media were packed into the room that the hospital had set up for the press conference. Cameras had started taking pictures the moment they had appeared in the room. The low buzz sound of drones was a background noise. The noise level was tolerable but the noise went up briefly with excitement as they entered before falling quiet.
“The UCLA Medical Center has called the press conference to hopefully answer your questions as best we can. Please understand that this is a medical institution and that patient confidentiality is guaranteed by law. We will only be sharing the information that Miss Ariana Knight has cleared us to release. First Doctor Hawthorne will give a brief discussion of the treatment that Miss Knight has received and her condition. Then Miss Knight’s mother Candace Martin will give a brief statement followed by her father Alexander Knight. Miss Arianna Knight will then give a brief statement. Please hold your questions until after the prepared statements have been given.”
Dr. Hawthorne: “Arianna Knight was airlifted to the medical center from the scene of the accident where she had been hit by a vehicle. The impact with the car shattered her legs and threw her into the air. The impact with the curb at the scene caused a skull fracture and severe concussion. The angle of the impact and the force of it severed Miss Knight’s spinal cord. She also suffered from numerous minor cuts and lacerations and bruising from impact with debris from the vehicle. She was rushed into surgery to stabilize her. Once Miss Knight was out of the woods, decisions had to be made for her future quality of life. Miss Knight’s injury left her a paraplegic. The choices made were to implement cybernetics to give her a quality comparable to what she had before the accident. She is now leaving the hospital to continue her recovery at home.”
The media started throwing questions out at the doctor. The doctor actually got up and left. The hospital representative informed them the doctor would not be answering any questions.
Candace looked around nervously before beginning her statement.
Candace: “My name is Candace Martin and I am Alexander’s ex-wife and the mother of Arianna Knight. Arianna is my only child. I want to thank the UCLA Medical Center Staff for taking such good care of my daughter. My daughter is an adult and I am grateful that she is expected to make a full recovery. I want to make one point clear. Alexander Knight is no longer a part of my life except that we share a child together. Please respect my privacy and leave me alone.”
Candace gave a brief nod to indicate she was finished and leaned back in her chair.
Alexander: “Thank you all for honoring my request for a press conference. Your interest in my daughter’s well being has been heartwarming. It was easier to address you all at once than agreeing to individual interview requests.”
Alexander gave them all a playful expression as he told them. “As you all know, I am a pretty busy man.”
He reached over and took Arianna’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He gave her a warm loving smile before turning back to the cameras. He threaded his fingers through hers and continued to hold her hand. Alexander had tears in his thinking about what could have been the outcome. His voice was gravely with emotion.
Alexander: “I want to echo the thanks of my ex-wife Candace. The UCLA Medical Center and its staff have taken great care of my daughter. I am so grateful to the team of doctors and medical professionals that helped in her recovery. There are too many to individually name but know you have my undying gratitude.”
Alexander cleared his throat which was tight with emotions before he continued.
Alexander: “Arianna is my only child and the joy in my life. I am so very proud of the young woman she has become. I ask that you respect her wishes and privacy. It is her decision if she wishes to speak with you or not. Please respect her boundaries. Please also bear in mind that she is still recovering from what should have been a fatal accident.”
Alexander gulped. He hated the idea that he had to share his daughter with the world. He understood the press’ curiosity about her but it didn’t make his protective instincts any easier. All he wanted to do is grab her and run. He knew it was his prior experiences with the press that was talking and feeding his paranoia. He gave Arianna an encouraging smile. He could at least make this easier for her. Alexander’s face softened as Arianna gave him a brilliant smile. He turned to the media present with that smile still on his face.
Alexander: “Ladies and Gentlemen, my daughter Arianna Knight.”
Arianna gave the media a nervous smile. She clung to her father’s hand. Her golden hair caught the lights as she turned to look around at the audience. She couldn’t believe all these people were here to see her.
Arianna laughed as she began. “I didn’t think so many people would want to meet me.” She shrugged as she turned her head to look at her dad who was watching her closely. She gave him a warm smile as she met his eyes.
Arianna: “I am just a young woman going to college. I am working on my graduate degree in botany with an emphasis on ecosystem repair. I am a young woman like so many around the world with an amazing loving father. I don’t understand what you find so special about me. I am not anybody special.”
Arianna blushed as camera flashes almost blinded her. Alexander gave her hand a squeeze as he spoke to her.
Alexander: “You are the most special person in the world to me.”
Arianna smiled at her father and fell silent. She knew her father meant it.
Katherine picked up her microphone as the press were going crazy with the questions. She needed to bring some order to this chaos.
Katherine: “Please calm down. One at a time please.”
Every hand in the room shot up. Katherine pointed to a familiar face who was patiently waiting with their hand raised.
“Jessica Smith with Fox News: What was it like to grow up with an AG racer for a father?”
Arianna blinked a little surprised by the question.
Arianna: “My parents had already divorced before my father started racing. I spent summers with him and occasionally got to see him race. He was busy but he always made time for me. I lived with my mother during the school year. He was just dad to me.”
Arianna shrugged uncertain about why they had asked that.
Katherine helped facilitate the press conference from there.
“Beatriz Caetana with EU Observer: Is it true that due to your father that you were implanted with experimental cybernetics?”
Arianna did a double take on that question.
Arianna: “My father paid for the upgraded cybernetics that were installed. My student insurance didn’t cover them. I was only eligible for the upgrade because I met the criteria for them though.”
“Jamaica Williams with People: Are you considering any one on one tell all interviews in the future?”
Arianna laughed at the question. “No. There is nothing to tell. What you see is what you get. I don’t see that as necessary.”
“Hans Keller with Gossip: Arianna, if I may say, you are a beautiful young woman. Many racing fans will be curious. Are you dating anyone?”
Arianna blushed crimson as she replied.
Arianna: “I am not but that is not the kind of information I believe AG fans should be focusing on. Fans should be looking at the racing. Which pilots are showing the most skill? Who is placing at the races? Are the pilots activists? I am. I follow Kofi and Harrison for that reason.”
Alexander glared at Hans Keller and his growl was picked up by his microphone.
Alexander: “Keller, that was not an appropriate question for my daughter.”
“Lilly Stryker with TMZ: Good morning Arianna. Could you tell us about your relationship with your father? He seems to be very protective. What was he like when you started dating?”
Alexander’s focus switched to Stryker now and he pointed at her shaking his head no.
Arianna patted her father’s hand with a laugh.
Arianna: “My father supports all that I do. He is always there for me. I know without a doubt that he loves me. As you can see, he is very protective of me. He threatened my first date over the phone. The poor boy was terrified. He followed my father’s instructions to the letter. He danced only with me at the school dance. He had me home by 10pm and left me at the door with a peck on the cheek. He never asked me out again. We have come to an understanding now that I am an adult. He doesn’t ask and I don’t tell.”
Alexander turned his attention to Arianna with a raised brow. He leaned over and whispered in her ear.
“Are you seeing anyone? Why haven’t I met him yet?”
Arianna just laughed, her eyes sparkling merrily. She patted him on the hand. She rolled her eyes at him.
Arianna: “Relax dad, you know I will tell you if I date anyone and it gets serious.”
Alexander didn’t like that answer but now was not the time. He gave her a look like this conversation is not over.
“Angela Ramirez with NBC Sports: Have you been following your father’s return to racing?”
Arianna sighed as she answered. “I have been trying to but you understand with the timing. My attention has been on recovery. I plan to follow it more closely as I have more time.”
Katherine decided that was enough. “Alright folks, we are wrapping up this press conference. Arianna needs to get home. Any further requests from the media to speak with Arianna Knight can be forwarded to the Public Relations Team at Valkyrie AGR Sport. Thank you.”
There was the usual last minute chaos as reporters tried to sneak in additional questions. The security guards held back a few of the more aggressive reporters as those behind the table exited the room.
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KingKofiFan: Wow Knight’s daughter is a Kofi fan!
$erwa: What ? How did you find this out? First I have heard of it.
KingKofiFan: She did a press conference when she got out of the hospital. She is pretty too!
KingKofiFan: Check out NBC Sports for her interview.
Bertha: She also said she was Harrison Fan. She is not that pretty.
NoraRules: I like that she seemed so genuine. She didn’t just give lip service to her father’s team.
BadBrad: She doesn’t matter. She is not a part of this sport.
ApexSuperFan: I agree with BadBrad. Why are we talking about a team principal’s daughter who is not involved with AG at all?
Bertha: Agreed. Why are we talking about Knight’s brat?
TeamCondorSF: I don’t really care about her but she did look all beat to hell from that accident.
Susie: Yeah she had bruises for days.
ApexSuperFan: Again who cares?
Abdullah: She honored her father. Good child.
Zygonista: I don’t see the relevance.
Bertha: Why are the media covering this? Was it a slow week?
Merica1: It was nice to see some American representation on AG racing even if it was the principal's daughter.
BatDave: I am Batman and I approve of Arianna. I like that her focus was on racing.
Bertha: [content removed by moderators]
ValkyrieFan56: It was nice to see a more human side of Knight.
Bertha: His daughter got special cybernetics thanks to her daddy’s connections. Not everyone has those resources. Arianna Knight is a spoiled princess. #inequality
Nobody404: Medical records are privileged information. Cybernetics are highly regulated. Knight’s daughter could only get those augmentations if she met the criteria for them medically. You can’t blame a father for wanting what is best for his daughter. I don’t blame him for that. If others had the resources they would move heaven and earth for their children too.
Bertha: [Content removed by moderators.]
Social Media
OfficeDrone#12: Interesting interview. Knight looked almost human.
SuperfanAGR54: I thought Knight was going to deck that reporter.
DantheMan: I wouldn’t want to be her date.
Superfan2075: Knight is a marshmallow.
DadBod89: solidarity #fatherhood
Hater101: Who the fuck cares? She is a looker though!
Papabear34: As a father, I related to that interview. #fatherhood
Nana2050: Knight is a good father.
GeorgeFly: Don’t see what all the hype is about. Big deal he has a kid. So do others.
ValkyrieFan56: Arianna Knight is gorgeous. Can she be the new mascot?
Weedhead81: Maybe she likes weed?
SexyM@m@5: Boring who cares.
Paulmulder4eva: It didn’t have anything to do with the pilots. #badnews
Britball12: Why the hype?
!YouSlow!: Don’t care. I did like that she tried to put the focus back on racing.
xImFasterthanUx: This news does not matter unless you like gossip sites.
AGInthusiast: Agreed does not matter
micheal650004: Blonde bombshell alert
llamalover4life: Yes she is pretty but has nothing to do with her father’s career.
ieatAGR: Well except he said he came back to racing for her. That is important to note.
Weedhead81: @AriannaKnight Will you go out with me?