In the Newspapers!

In Praetoria, on the static:

Something big going down somewhere. T.E.S.T. moving a lot of equipment through the tunnels. Got close enough to hear bits, something about a ship. RD sure she saw D.U.S.T. as well, not verified though. Couldn't get enough people in to take a good look, lot of ghouls, more than normal. Coming now in fact, talk later.

SOCIETY PAGES

Bill Pitserpent-Cheng of Pitserpent Paper is proud to announce that his daughter Vanessa Pitserpent-Cheng has recently attained security level 50.

Vanessa, who has been doing her good work under the name of 'Vanessa Blade', has been an official hero since high school, when her father asked her to come with him as his sidekick. What was to be a weekend hobby turned into a calling for Vanessa.

Pitserpent Paper will be putting out a special line of their popular Paragon Journals and notepaper to celebrate this achievement.

Nature takes a Withdrawal!

Today a Clerk at the local bank was both relieved and disturbed when he found out that the girl robbing his bank meant the Plants when she asked him for the green.

The bank just acquired these new, genetically enhanced and low maintenance plants as a way to cut costs. The robber however explained that it was wrong to mess with nature and that the plants were not happy at their current location, she said she would take them to a better place and that he should get synthetic plants instead.

Witnesses report the robber as being a pretty, young girl with green skin and pink hair, her clothes seem to be made from plants and leafs, some suspect the girl herself might have been a plant. Witnesses also report she was making sure nobody was hurt and she even helped an old lady who apparently collapsed from a shock.

SKYWAY OBSERVER
Mystery regifting.

Police in our section of the city are appealing for witnesses to identify the mystery person who left a small sack of items outside Skyway's Police Station on Monday Morning. It has been confirmed that all the items had been stolen over the last ten years or so and efforts are being made to reunite the items with their owners.

Talos Tattler

Mystery attack on hospital.

Police today revealed that the disturbance last night at Talos General Hospital was a successful attempt by mercenaries of an unknown group to eliminate a target undergoing surgery at the centre. It is believed their attempts to kill the other occupants of the operating room was curtailed by Hero Surgeon Marshall Mouse of the Forge supergroup and hospital security staff.

A major revision of security procedures that may well see all weapons refused entry by the police sentry drones is now underway.

In a tiny corner of the Rogue Isles Reader

SUSPECT WANTED IN RELATION TO MURDER OF GANG MEMBERS

Two witnesses, females, reported multiple murders in the Port Oakes area. The suspect, who was described as a 'sickly looking man in a red robe' assaulted the female's partners with no provocation.

The victims were believed to be members of the Hellions gang.

Arachnos Officials have released no official statement, but cite that the suspect 'is wanted for numerous other crimes and should not be approached'

The two females are unharmed, but shocked.

A headline appears in the Paragon Observer

SUSPECT WANTED IN BRUTAL ASSAULT

At roughly 8pm last night, Professor Julian Hardave was assaulted by an unknown attacker in his flat in Steel Canyon. Neighbours didn't hear anyone exit or leave his flat, but heard the commotion. They found the Professor in a critical condition in his bedroom, and was rushed to hospital.

Doctors say his condition is 'critical' but believe it can be 'stabilized'.

Professor Julian is well-known as one of the leading academics in Mu History, and the PPD are treating it as a crime related to his profession.

Detective Rogers commented that 'Several items had been removed from the Professor's residence, though we do not believe that was the intent'

Anyone with any information on the matter are instructed to report their evidence to Detective Rogers.

Another headline appears in the Paragon Observer

MURDERER ON THE LOOSE: TARGETS KNOWN CULT

PPD in Steel Canyon were surprised when several members of a known cult arrived at the station to hand themselves over. The members, who were identified as lower ranking members, were covered in human blood and were visibly shaken.

The cultists gave details of a brutal attack, and is believed to be connected to yesterdays attack on Professor Julian.

The cult members are still in police custody until records can be found of any crimes they may have committed, but believe that a jail cell is a safer place for them for now.

PPD are urging anyone of Mu heritage to contact PPD as soon as possible.

((I'm posting this as Selina's player isn't V.I.P. I have not altered it in any way except for one grammar point I noted. There may be others I didn't..))

META-HUMANE



Do Meta-Humans think they are above oridinary citizens? Are Meta-Humans above the law? Are Meta-Humans a threat to humanity? Are we better off without the Meta's? These are just some of the questions that are on the minds of us non-powered civillians. To find the answer to these questions I ventured with a somewhat negative perception to the Meta's favourite social area, Pocket D. A Pocket Dimension where heroes and villains alike can soicalize without the fear of violence breaking out. I admit, I was a little nervous being the only "proper" human to be in the club but I put on a brave face to further my investigation.

First I spoke with a woman who I over heard someone call Evrin. I asked her thoughts on other Meta's, aliens and the potential threat of an invasion however Evrin was dismissive towards my questions so I gave up. I then spoke with a hero who went by the name Stingirl. An alien from the planet Horuzz. She was humanoid but had the likeness of a bee. I asked about how she ended up on Earth, she told me she was teleported here and now wishes to become a citizen. As usual, I spoke my mind and told her that I do not believe that aliens have a place on Earth because it could lead to a possible invasion. This seemed to offend her and she refused to answer any more of my questions.

By this point, most of the club's attendees took offence to my thoughts and beliefs. I was given plenty of verbal abuse, threats and it was known I was not welcome at Pocket D. Just when I was about to give up, Jennifer Packer, agreed to let me conduct an interview with her.

Jennifer Packer or Jenny, stood out from most of the heroes and villains in the club. She is a woman who has the appearance of a rat. Because of her rat features, the way she spoke was peculiar, yet understandable. Jenny told me the reason behind her odd appearance. Apparently, Jenny got hold of a wishing stone and instead of wishing for powers her mind wandered when she saw a rat. The wish got crossed and Jenny transformed into a humanoid rat. Jenny told me that she gained the power of fire and wind. However, the fire does no lasting damage but can somehow light wood.

After Jenny's transformation, homeless people helped her adapt to street life since she could no longer live at home. Even though Jenny is a hero, she told me that her brother is not a nice person. When trying to sort her relationship with her brother she caught her brother and his friends abusing mutants for sport and fun. At this point in the interview, Jenny began to cry. Not wanting to continue with this subject for the sake of Jenny, I asked her her view on meta's and aliens. Jenny had a balanced view and it all depends on what they do, she reminded me that we should not judge those we know nothing about. "If you need us, you cheer us!," Jenny answered when I asked what she thought on civilians and police who rely on the heroes.

Not everything is all downhill and dark in the life of Jenny, despite her appearance she is romantically involved with a prince named Loxas. She described him as heroic, brave caring and noble. Jenny told me that she does not plan on getting too intimate with the prince and refuses to have sex with him until marriage. "Even rats (h)'ave honour," she joked.

To conclude our interview I asked her if she is happy with where she is at in life, Jenny did not answer with a simple yes or no, however, she responded by telling me that she is more comfortable with where she is now.

After my interview with Jenny, I realized that my perspective on meta's and aliens were those of an ignorant person who made a judgement without doing proper research. I learned that meta's and humans both have their problems and fighting each other won't make our problems go away. Instead of being ignorant towards someone, I was reminded that sometimes we should put ourselves in their shoes.


-Selina Carter
Paragon Times

*Covered more tastefully in some papers than this one.*

Interdimensional Lesbian Love Tiff!

World renowned skirt chaser and fashion designer, Stoneberg, also known as the heroine Tiger White, went on a drunken rampage last night, after allegedly failing to seduce the Russian ambassador from a parallel world.

After insulting the patrons of Pocket D, the heroine challenged the ambassador and her aide to a fight in the popular arena system, unfortunately we could not cover the actual fight itself, but Tiger White appears to have lost badly, as she later wept about it being unfair, while being the worse for wear.

*Pictures are included showing a rather drunken Ellie glaring and shouting at the crowd and ambassador Vyera, in this article and some other sensationalist rags they included the photo’s of the vomit covered, sulking and weeping Tiger White too.*

“Good afternoon, and welcome to your lunchtime segment of Entertainment Today.” The attractive newsreader smiled into the camera. “The city of Paragon is today buzzing with the news of the latest antics of the well known fashion designer and part time hero, Ellie Stoneberg. Famous for her work in fashion and infamous for her work as a city hero, the feisty English girl was last reported to be acting in a far more outlandish manner than we’ve come to expect.”

The camera view changed to show archive footage of Ellie tearing through a group of gangers and stuffing several of them into the same garbage dumpster whilst the reporters voice continued. “Much controversy has been generated over recent years by what some would call her excessive use of force, which can be seen clearly demonstrated by her treatment of the various gang members in the city. However, up until now, her methods have been defended by many law enforcement officers, citing that humiliation in the face of their fellows is a far more effective deterrent than a few nights in the cells, and much less likely to be treated as an initiation rite.”

The camera cut back to the studio and the anchor woman smiled again. “All that may have come to an end though, as last night, in the extra-dimensional nightclub known as Pocket D, a favourite haunt of many of our city heroes and of Ms Stonebergs’ in particular, she was reportedly observed not only in a drunken condition, but was also seen to be verbally abusing the other patrons, making threats of violence against them, and even coerced one patron into a fight using the clubs arena facilities. What happened during that incident is not clear, but Ms Stoneberg was later observed to be leaving the club in a state of disarray, having apparently lost the altercation badly.”

Today, we attempted to contact Ms Stoneberg at her tropical island home for a statement. Initially, our telephone calls went unanswered, but after much perseverance we were able to obtain a short conversation with her and this is what she had to say...”

The camera view shifted again, this time to a still of very dishevelled Ellie taken just as she was exiting the arena fight, and her recorded voice began to play.

“Sorry, who did you say this was?” Her voice sounded rather sleepy.

“This is Elaine Candou, from Entertainment Today, Ms Stoneberg. Do you have any comments regarding your reported behaviour in the extra dimensional nightclub known as Pocket D, last night?”

There’s a short pause before a hesitant voice replied. “I’m sorry? I don’t know what you’re talking about... I was in there last night sure, but I left about half past ten, after some guy wouldn’t put out his cigar...”

“So, you’re claiming that you have no knowledge that you verbally abused several patrons of the nightclub, and were involved in a fight with the Russian ambassador for dimension Eka Upsilon five two, a fight which you apparently lost quite badly, despite multiple eye-witnesses and actual video footage of some of the events?”

Again, there’s a pause before a reply is forthcoming. “Yeeeaaaahhhh... Lady, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about... ”

“You deny the allegations?”

“I don’t even know what allegations you’re on about... I wasn’t drunk in the D... Hell, I don’t GET drunk very easily, y’know? Not without like, fae wine or something... I sure as hell didn’t lose any fights with Vy either... She wouldn’t last like, two seconds in an arena with me... It must have been an imposter...”

“So, you are alleging that, in fact, the person responsible for your drunken brawling and verbal abuse of other patrons, was an imposter? Someone pretending to be you?” The reporter's voice clearly indicated their lack of belief. “Can you explain why someone would go to such elaborate lengths to discredit you, Ms Stoneberg?”

“Uh.. No... Well... I’m not that pop...” Her voice suddenly cuts off and a few seconds later is replaced by a richly feminine voice with a strong Dutch accent. “Hello? Who is this, please?”

This time, it’s the reporter who hesitates briefly, before responding. “This is Entertainment Today, part of the Paragon News Network. Can I take it I am talking with Ms Jessica Stoneberg, the well known partner of Ellie Stoneberg?”

There are a few seconds of silence, followed by a soft click as the line goes dead and the camera switches back to the news anchor.

“And there you have it folks. Ms Stoneberg denies her actions last night and instead made some wild allegations of an unknown imposter trying to besmirch her good name. Rest assured that Entertainment Today will do its utmost to investigate this story and bring you the real truth behind last night's events as soon as possible.”

In the afternoon print of the Paragon Observer..

FOUR DEAD IN SHOP KILLING

Early this morning, at about 10am, business was steadily picking up at Fine Threads store in northern Steel Canyon. Then, about thirty minutes later, an unnamed criminal wanted in connection with other numerous murders stormed the store, attacking anyone who got in their way.

Overall, ten people were reported injured, and ambulance crews announced three had died at the scene. Another died in hospital.

The suspect reportedly went straight for the only till operator at the time, Archie Roland. Roland, aged 24, was known as a low-level Mu, and is the second in a number of weeks to be targetted regarding Mu.

Police authorities can confirm that the suspect is the same one involved with the attack on Professor Julian Hardave, who is still recovering from the assault he barely survived, as well as the attack on known mystic cults.

Arachnos authorities have also chipped in, saying that the suspect is wanted for numerous murders and attacks on civilians, criminals and authorities alike.

As the situation begins to escalate, authorities are being pressed to elevate the situation into a city-wide manhunt, before more casualties crop up.

Anyone with a Mu-background, abilities or involved with Mu in anyway are urged to be extremely cautious and never travel alone.

In the Entertainment section of the Paragon Times, May 28, 2012
Paragon Hero Competes For Charity

Skilled archer Emily Andersen, known as Agent Munin and as the partner of Hephaestus-1 during the final two seasons of A&E's "Serv'd", competed in a celebrity episode of "Top Shot", pitted against rocker and hunting enthusiast Ted Nugent. The prize money of $50,000 will be awarded to the winner's charity of choice. Ms. Andersen chose the Galaxy City Relocation Fund, an organization dedicated to help those citizens displaced by the meteor storm on Galaxy City, to represent on the show.

"I lost my home, so I understand what these people are going through.", Andersen commented, the Earth of her home dimension destroyed by a comet that grazed her Earth and broke the planet apart, "This is a small way to help those in their time of need."

When pressed about who was the victor (the episode was filmed several months ago), Andersen stated, "I can't tell you who wins, but I can say it is definitely a very close competition the whole way through. Ted (Nugent) is a wonderful man and a fierce competitor."

The celebrity charity episode of "Top Shot" will air on the History Channel June 6 at 9PM Eastern, in celebration of the show's premiere on that date in 2010.

Human Smog, The Column of Samantha Christophe.

(Published in the Paragon Times and on its own online page)

Opinionated. It’s not actually the same as Arrogant, something that people seem to forget quite often. In fact, it’s an inescapable fact of day to day life. Everyone is opinionated. Everyone, after all, has an opinion, the free will and, admittedly variable, brain power to form their own opinions on people, events and occurrences.
It was therefore interesting to hear the word being used to describe a Heroine…by herself. Arrogance, as she rightly identified, is where you consider yourself to be above something or someone. That Heroine? Ellie Stoneberg, aka Tiger White.

I’m opinionated too. I’m of the opinion that a large proportion, no, scratch that, all readers just had thoughts come up as soon as I mentioned that name. I’m also of the opinion that a large number of people were rather ungenerous with said thoughts.
And, frankly, why not? Why not, indeed, when Mrs Stoneberg is blunt, an apparent attention-grabber, party animal and shameless flirt? And, only recently, she got dead drunk and lost a fight to an extra-dimensional ambassador. Topped only by her vicious explosion in a public area that killed and injured many.

Vicious is another interesting word, one that journalists and tabloid spin-doctors throw around like it will win them brownie-points with the fickle Gods of the rumour mill. Do you know what it takes to be vicious? It takes pre-meditation. A game of football or soccer can be vicious, if one team is clearly prepared while the other isn’t. A bill can seem vicious, when it feels like the person you owe is squeezing you for every buck you own.

It’s hard to picture ‘vicious’ when you confront someone with news of something they should have prior knowledge of, and there face is a picture from the book of excreting brick-like-objects. It’s also interesting how, before you’ve even said anything, they wrinkle their nose at your G&T before you’ve even said howdy-doo, and it’s only later that you learn the ‘drunk’ Mrs Stoneberg was reported of reeking of gin. Something reeks here, and it’s not the alcohol.

I’m no flawless judge of character, I’ll be the first to admit that. A string of ex’s certainly seems to back that up (Johnny Jameson, wherever you are, you still owe me ten bucks you tight-wad) But there are some things you just can’t lie about. And either Ellie Stoneberg is good enough to storm Hollywood and Broadway, or she was genuinely shocked and horrified to see the news of todays explosion. If you’ll pardon one woman’s opinion, based on research and todays interview, I think there are singing parrots on the Internet with more acting talent than Mrs Stoneberg.

So, how does that bring closure and commiseration to the bereaved families after the event today? It doesn’t. People want someone to blame, someone to point fingers at and to call for their blood. Human nature has been the same for hundreds of years, and it often doesn’t seem to bother that the Truth may or may not have to come in a bit later. And, admittedly, Mrs Stoneberg has no real evidence that she was not, in fact, where she appeared to be at the time. Not unless someone does a very thorough search of any and all CCTV cameras in the city. During the drunken incident she was, according to her, at home with her wife. During the explosion at the restaurant? Home alone, barring one pet kitten. Anyone could tell you that’s hardly a solid ground for denial.

Which is why, if people use their brains for a moment, is why it all seems too damn convenient. Given a personality that would be generously called ‘outgoing’, while others would settle for ‘blunt’? It doesn’t take a genius to guess that Stoneberg, in her role as Tiger White, has more than a few enemies among the meta-powered community. It doesn’t even take that much of a stretch of reasoning; Stoneberg runs a self-made, successful business. There are more than a few cutthroat companies out there who would just love to acquire something like that, or put it out of business. There is a reason Hollywood makes this kind of story so damn often, because it’s not like they’re short on source material…
And cloning and possible doubles? This is beyond old news, people. If I even have to mention Praetoria, you’ve clearly been hiding under a rock for a number of years, and would probably be better off there. Never mind the penchant the non-powered and meta-powered villains of the Rogue Isles for messing with science that make Frankenstein and Jekyll look like six year old kids messing around with ‘My First Explodey Chemistry Set’.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not calling for any ‘Get out of Jail Free’ cards. In fact, if you did think that, kindly slap yourself and save me the trouble. But, on the other hand, pointing fingers without any damn investigation and proof, when we are more than well aware of the possibility of doubles and clones actually existing? That’s not any better. And it’s certainly not the Truth.
Do you want to know a simple Truth from Aunty Sam? The citizens of Paragon are lousy, fair weather friends. There are people who bleat and cry for ‘Self sustainability’ and less ‘reliance’ on metas, as if the likes of the Rogue Isles will somehow stop being a problem. Even I struggle to understand the logic there. But who is it, when the walls falls and the shrieking void or the freaky aliens come calling, that we turn to without a second thought? Who has it been at the forefront of every major defence of people, country and planet time and time again?
The Super Heroes.
You want to know another Truth? There are people out there today, maybe even some people reading this, who wouldn’t be here following the Second Rikti War. When Galaxy City ([Insert Deity] rest it’s memory) was attacked, there was a heroine in Gemini Park who saved a lot of lives. She didn’t manage to save all of them, sure. But even Hollywood manages to remember sometimes that you can’t always save everyone. She did her best, and saved who she could. Who is she?
I’ve already said her name plenty of times.

Before today, I didn’t know her from Eve. I wouldn’t say I know her too well even after having talked to her, given it was only an interview, one I’m glad I managed to get in before the so-called ‘Mainstream’ media managed to run its arrogant pages (Yes, that word again). But I know that, even if she is a part alien, part cat young woman with a lot more money that me and no need for body armour during parts of her day, she’s still as human as me at the end of it all. Still fallible, still emotional, still entitled to the same damn respect that I’d expect as a human being (or a sentient person, for all you PC types…)
Some of the outspoken act like Heroes demand constant respect and adoration from the masses, which is bull-hokey in and of itself. And maybe we don’t owe them ‘everything’ or anything like that. We Humans are tenacious little stains, after all.

But we do owe them one thing.
And that’s the damn Truth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

((Posting this today so people have time to read and react tomorrow, when it will actually be published in the morning -Alpha ))



7th of June, 2012
Human Smog, The Column of Samantha Christophe.

(Published in the front of the Paragon Times and on its own online page)

Sometimes…sometimes you need to take the high ground. Sometimes you need to take one on the chin, or the cheek, or the backside. Turn the other cheek, and all that. Be the ‘better’ person. Sometimes, that’s the only way to resolve problems and stay vaguely sane in this world.

And sometimes you just wish you hadn’t, that you’d done what might well have been the ‘right’ thing and got blood on your hands for the sake of cleaning one stain off the worlds face. Thinking about it, I guess I’m glad that’s never been my call. It’s another reason I continue to hold that people who decry any and all Heroes are idiots or worse; somewhere, somehow, a Hero has to make a decision like that every damn day.

I’ll stop dancing, anyway, and get to the point. One people may well probably know already. As of yesterday evening, the 6th of June, Alexis Cole-Duncan, aka Miss Liberty (Not Ms Liberty, her daughter) is dead. Murdered while trying to negotiate peace with the Isle of Warburg.

Warburg is a stain in the sea that doesn’t have much right to exist anymore. A hot-bed of conflict, primarily over the missiles batteries it has, and the devastating payload manufacturing plant, named ‘The Web’ in typical Arachnos Spider-fashion.
This is all old news, though. If you somehow don’t know it, go look the damn thing up. Take an interest instead of relying on the Heroes and then verbally backstabbing them…

This writing is messy. Abruptly moving house followed by the sudden death of a rather prominent ex-Heroine and daughter of Statesman himself could do that to a person. I suppose you get used to certain people being around, and then when they suddenly aren’t it comes as a shock. Given Alexis was seventy seven this year (and didn’t look a day past thirty, if that), it doesn’t seem unreasonable to expect that, like her father, she’d be around for many years to come.

Except that’s not happening, now. The world has lost a good woman who was known for turning the other cheek, because Marshall Jason Blitz of Warburg was given ‘one more chance’. Would things have been different if someone had ‘dealt’ with Blitz before now? Would it have been better if the Freedom Corps and city Heroes simply stormed Warburg and disarmed the missiles, much like in ‘76 when the Heroes of the day forcibly disarmed the nuclear weapons on both sides and averted idiotic Mutually Assured Destruction?
Apparently, one of the people to blame for all this is Malaise, born Jean-Pierre Lourdin. A man who was given ‘second chances’ by both Sister Psyche and Ms Liberty. Turns out that the naysayers were right in this case; sometimes, it seems, bad just stays bad.

Where does that leave us, then? The former Miss Liberty is…former. Malaise and Marshall Blitz are apparently in custody, thanks to Manticore and other Heroes that were drafted in to help with the ‘peace’ conference, although they were apparently out-manoeuvred when it came to defending Alexis.
I guess, much though it seems easy to lay the blame on them, I for one can’t. Seriously, what the hell do people expect? They were Heroes. They acted like Heroes act, trying to give second chances and going things ‘for the greater good’. That’s what we expect of them, right? Damned if they did, damned if they didn’t…

Should we? Should we stop holding them to such ideals, almost impossible ideals, and instead ask them to do the right thing? To simply take the scumbags and head-cases out of the world? Then again, I guess that just destroys the whole point, the whole symbolism of the Hero, doesn’t it?
It’s a mess. All of it. And Statesman, from all accounts I can find, is currently un-findable. Supposedly tracking someone else, someone behind both Malaise and Blitz. I guess he decided that there are some things you just need to do yourself. I doubt anyone in their right mind could blame him for being angry.

Eh, this will have to do, mess though it is. I’m done. I just hope Statesman does the right thing…whatever that may be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

8th of June, 2012
Human Smog, The Column of Samantha Christophe.

(Published in the front of the Paragon Times and on its own online page)

I have to confess. At first I honestly though my Editor had had enough, that he wanted to throw something up that I would then report on, get laughed at for and then have to fix. That the world just wanted to throw some more excrement at the rotating air-cooling device, for a ‘change’.
I really, really honestly wish I had been right, and that it had all been some kind of sick prank.

Marcus Cole, born June 6th 1896, aged 116 as of just two days ago, known to the world as the Hero Statesman…is dead.
I didn’t even know it was his birthday this month. Guess the big guy didn’t like keeping track. I can’t say as I blame him; even I'm starting to accidentally 'forget', because it feels like you're getting old. I don’t know which would be worse; thinking the universe really is empty and doesn’t acknowledge we even exist, or that some cosmic entity knew that his own damn daughter would be murdered on the day after his birthday. And then, the day after…

Statesman. The Statesman. Someone’s friend, someone’s father, someone’s grandfather. A Hero, a symbol. Still just a man. He survived both World Wars, Brass Monday, Nemesis’ few day rule as Emperor of the America’s, the First Rikti War, the ongoing Second…the guy survived a damn nuclear missile to the face.
And now he’s dead. Just like that. Dead.

I’ll be the first to admit that costumed Heroes aren’t the be-all and end-all. There are brave, everyday heroes in the PPD, the Fire Department, the Armed forces…hell, average Joes and Janes who train up, get a licence and fight crime. But…Statesman wasn’t just a Hero. First he was an average man, then a soldier, then a Hero, and then a symbol. I don’t think anyone in the ‘civilised’ world didn’t know the name Statesman. Although there were probably a few who never knew the name Marcus Cole.

I kept writing bits of that in present tense. It’s like my own brain can’t fathom that he’s gone. He was one of those things, those day to day facts. Like bills, up-and-away burger, the tram lines and traffic jams. Grass grows, birds fly, sun shines and Statesman fights crime.
Fought crime…

I wonder if he ever felt taken for granted? Like the fact we expect the PPD to be there, to do something, only on a much bigger scale. Statesman, the Trolls are trying to blow up my school; Statesman, Zig prisoners are escaping, what are you going to do? Statesman, Arachnos are attacking, why can’t you fix this?
That hurt to write. That actually made a jaded, world-weary [*****] wince. Maybe this is some kind of sick and twisted justice; we took the big guy for granted, expected him to be the hero, expected him to be there, to save the day.
And now he’s gone.

It’s like natural disasters. You never figure it will happen until it’s on your doorstep. I’ve found it hard to write from time to time, as every writer does. But this time? This time, I don’t even know what to say anymore.
I need a drink. A strong one. I get the feeling I won’t be alone in that endeavour. So I guess I’ll raise a glass to Statesman, whatever gods and heavens there are out there rest and respect his soul, and hope that, in world that just got a little bit darker, the Heroes of today can live up to or surpass the standards of the Heroes of yesterday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Headline of the Paragonian Watch


DISGUSTING

That is what was said today, following the raid of a bank by four villains dressed as some of Paragon's finest and recently passed away heroes.

The villains, identified as Blackwell, Miss Rad, Lockout and Cesspit, costumed as Statesman, Sister Psyche, Miss Liberty and Manticore respectively, made off with thousands of dollars and evaded capture by the heroes that arrived on the scene. Afterwards, they proceeded to the nightclub Pocket D to gloat about their exploits, reportedly attracting the ire of the majority of the patrons.

"It's disgusting" Detective Kips said in a public interview "In all my years on the force I have never seen anything so disrespectful. Heroes like Manticore and Statesman, rest his soul, deserve more than to be masqueraded by criminals without even a shred of common decency"

PPD are looking into the case. The four villains have understandably been placed on the top of many heroes 'To get' lists, though PPD officials feel the need to stress restraint.

"They're monsters" Kips said "But they're human. That means they can spend the rest of their lives behind bars."

Skyway Sentinel
06/13/12

A change in the rules?

<Picture is of a one day old child. It has Red Fur and Rat ears bent at the tips.>

Ordinarily the birth of a child is not news. I mean, they're born all the time in Paragon as they are in every city, town and village around the planet and we don't cover them. But what makes this child different and newsworthy should be obvious. The question I find myself being asked is this. What does the birth mean for humanity? Is it a sign that humanity will flourish and has an amazing ability to adapt or is the child a sign that humanity as we know it is coming to an end?

The child, Victoria Blackfur, was born on Monday in the maternity ward of Skyways' LaGrange medical centre and her parentage is extremely unusual. You see, she is the daughter of Jessie Blackfur, an office manager at Anderson Construction and Miss Blackfur is a Rat. I don’t mean that harshly, just matter-of-factly. She has admitted that she was not born human but as one of those four legged, little scurrying things that are so often blamed for society's ills. The girls’ father is noted Mu rebel and hero Sullivan – which perhaps explains the red fur that scientists and veterinarians are at a loss to explain. Rats don't have fur when born.

After we received this picture, we spoke to Pastor Michael Galloway of Skyway's St Martins' church and asked his opinion on the child and what she meant. “Speaking as a member of the church,” he said, “I feel it would be a mistake to comment on the spirituality of the child of the child without gaining further direction from Rome. Certainly the situation is unusual but, taking into account the number of aliens, god-impersonators, angels and demons we seem to have around us today, it was almost inevitable it was to happen sooner or later. And it may have done prior to this. In fact the only basis objection the church can have is that the child was conceived and born out of wedlock and that is hardly Victoria's fault now, is it?”

Another person we spoke to on the street had a different opinion. “It's disgusting” she said, declining to be named. “Obviously this Sullivan was unable to find a real, human, woman so chose a filthy creature of the sewer to be his pet. As for the child? Well, that's his fault for not making sure she was sterilized first. But we give them the rights, don't we? Rights that should be reserved for humans are being given to every Tom, Dick and Harriet that arrives. It's disgusting. We've sounded the death knell for us humans.”

Anderson Construction were unable to comment but one anonymous source stated that the company would be giving the family every support.

Victoria Blackfur is already, it seems, splitting opinion. Her parents have both accrued plaudits for their endeavours - Sullivan in the heroic nature and Jessie in the business world – and the one thing we can, seemingly, hope for is that they will raise their girl to the better but the path will not be easy and only years down the line will we know if the arrival of this child is a hope for the future or a warning.


Owain O'James

..part of the morning News bulletin on Paragons favourite Breakfast show….


…..and the PPD are reporting a sudden upsurge in Circle of Thorn activity in Prez Park, a spokesperson said that there has been a huge leap in numbers and there is concern that this may lead to more incidents in adjacent neighbourhoods. A local Mystic source says this may be linked to a number of strange portents seen in the park over the last few days, however, as always, the Mystic could not say what these portents actually foretell. .........

..News item from the Midday News on Paragon favourite Daytime channel…

..And in continuing clashes in Prez Park between Circle of Thorn members and the PPD, four Officers were hospitalized due to injuries sustained in what the a PPD Spokesperson described as an escalating situation…..

..Late night New round up on Paragon’s favourite Last Night News show…

..and the PPD continue to report a rising menace in Prez Park where the Circle of Thorns seem to be making major move, a number of PPD Officers have been injured and extra support has had to be deployed…..

..on the Sunday morning Review of the Week program , on your favourite Paragon Sunday morning TV channel…..


..This week nine PPD officers have been hospitalized by the upsurge in Circle of Thorn activity in Prez Park. It is reported that the PPD are rethinking their strategy for the Park, and may have to redeploy heavy support units to the area……

..on The Crime Show , on that ever popular factual channel on Paragon TV…

..and we have learnt that the PPD , despite deploying some Hardsuit units, have withdrawn many of their Officers and have fallen back to the area around the Skyway Gate. It now seems that part of Perez Park, which had been relatively quiet for sometime has once again become a battleground. A Hero presence has been spotted, an armour clad, blue haired female was seen rescuing a number of PPD officers, from a band of Thorn blade wielding cultists.
Our reports speak of the Circle of Thorns, in strength, pushing back the Hellions and Skulls, taking captives and forcing them to dig up so called mystic hot spots. It looks like the Circle is back with avengance………

…on Cape Watch, your favourite Hero gossip report show on Paragon TV…

..and as well as the armour clad, blue haired, battle maid, another new Cape Face has been seen dealing with that Thorny issue in P Park, this one has no hair of any hue, and is currently being called the Fish Bloke, he was seen taking down a number of less Circle gangers last night, sorry no vid footage as yet…come on you Cape Spotter .. but, no ! please ! don’t enter those high risk areas just to get your name on the show , and win a classic Cape Spotters tee shirt…….

Vanguard. Portal Corp. Freedom Corp. Various Departments of the US Government (including the FBSA, NSA and DoD). Leading Super Groups.

A very detailed report on the dimension designated Eka Upsilon 5 2 was sent to all of these and more by Susan Bright, psionics instructor to the New Vigilantes. Included in the report are translations of incriminating documents stolen during an earlier raid on the dimension (as well as copies of the Russian originals). More importantly, also included are details of a large low-level psionic field covering possibly the entire world and acting as a behaviour modifying field. In addition, energy fluctuations within the field are shown to be near identical to those associated with the Carnival of Shadows on Primal Earth, and interpreted as being the same form of energy stealing from living humans.