=============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/1 Posted Author CULT MEETING TURNS VIOLENT Wed Aug 06 She-Hulk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'This just in: University Cult Meeting Turn Violent!' On the tv, pictures of black cloaked youths with torches flash in the background, whilst on the radio one can hear a background sibilant hiss of life flames and a whole lot of shouting. "Earlier in the day, a supposedly peacefull show from the mysterious 'University Cult' turned into violent chaos as an off-shoot group calling themselves 'The Cleansers' suddenly attacked the main using torches and other things as weapons! Complete chaos has erupted here in 'The Quads' section of the University, there is a lot of smoke, several wounded individuals and still more fights occuring right behind me!" The reporter coughs deeply for a little bit before managing to continue, "The Cult was earlier thought to consist of no more than thirty odd individuals, but judging from the current numbers it was atleast ten times that, perhaps even more.. I was just told that the police are kept from the scene by a blockade! They've sent in a helicopter, but the smoke is getting very hard to pene--" then suddenly there's gunfire, the camera/microphone goes shaky before picking up images/sounds of the news team fleeing the scene. (OOC: A blend of radio and tv transmissions, part of the Suicide by Fire TP. Contact She-Hulk if you want info.) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/2 Posted Author AFTERMATH: CULT BURNING Thu Aug 07 She-Hulk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The different channels on the tv and radio are all a-buzz with the events of yesterday, images of the soothy vegetation and architecture of the UCC with Eclipse, Gale Force and other Powers of such capabilities helping to restore things from burnt crisps to proper cleansome wholeness. "And now we return to Ian with the local news. Ian, tell us the latest events from the University!" "Well, I'm currently standing just a few feet away from the collapsed building where hundreds of cult members were yesterday rescued from what appears to have been some sort of preternaturally created fire. CCPCU were greatly assisted by the local heroes Moebius, Chance and fellow CCPCU officer Quan Xian-Xing along with an unknown third, a teenager referred to as 'Hyper girl' by the former man in a mask." Behind Ian can be seen a still smoking ruin of broken brick and concrete, a number of flower garlands and bouquettes placed before it on the lawn. ".... police are saying no arrests have yet been made linked to the 'University Cult'...." "... most members seem to have had their memories of this whole past month wiped clean ..." "'Gemma Rhinestone' to be released without charges, police say, with sources indicating that the young student is suffering from clinical shock..." Red and yellow flash news blink across the bottoms of most screens: 'UNIVERSITY CULT DEATH TOLL LESS THAN 30' '70 STILL IN INTENSIVE CARE', 'NUMBERS OF DEAD FEARED TO RISE AS BODIES ARE FOUND BENEATH DEATH TRAP BUILDING', 'STUDENTS GRIEVE FOR 'DIVINE DOZEN', 12 TEENAGE GENIUSES DEAD FROM UNIVERSITY CULT BLAZE' ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/3 Posted Author EUROPEAN POWER RESCUES DOCTOR! Tue Aug 12 She-Hulk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (As reported on P!, the network for everyone who loves our loyal local heroes!) "THIS JUST IN!" squeals the blonde overaged pseudo-teen currently taking up the telly screen; Missy Wilkins, dedicated Power Journalist extraordinaire! "Oooooo, girls!" then she giggles, "and boys tooooo! Oh, I have to tell you, we've got a -cute- new Power in town! I mean, he's kind of -short-," and she cocks her head about 90 degrees to the left in the classical Missy Cutie(tm) way, 20 k worth of dentals shining from her bubblegum pink lips, "but I'm told atleast The Doctor knew to appreciate that!" Giggle. (The tv shows assorted shots of bruised and battered looking thugs in the latest hip mafia clothes -- gold rings, snazzy hats, yellow trenchcoats et al -- being led away by police while in the background assorted heavy assault weapons are being picked out from a boat-sized black car.) Back to Miiiissy, "That's the work of our mysterious french talking cute new power, uh-huh! From what -I've- heard, and honeys, you -know- Missy always speaks the truth," giggle bat bat giggle "apparently these bad boys had The Doctor all but -surrounded- when our mystery man jumped in and helped her out of the fray!" Insert deep, heaving, nylon top tearing sigh here. Then a trademarked Missy Pout(tm), "But I -do- wish our new folks would leave a -calling card- or a -name- or something, you knoooow? I mean, I don't even have a -picture-, and, well. Let's just say our handsome baddies weren't all that -good- at -describing- this muscle heapin' knight in grey armour." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/4 Posted Author CULT VICTIM SAVED BY POWERS Tue Aug 12 She-Hulk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (OOC: Flipping through the radio and tv channels (except for P! which is currently focused on the risque retelling of the supposed love affair between Eraser and the Mighty Hatman), this are some tidbits currently on the air.) "..zztbhrzzffhzz-- and today down in South Side, a mighty battle was had between GOOD and EVIL! YES-sah, mah children! For the DEVIL SPAWN that is called POWERS were seen in league with the DEVIL HIMSELF-ah! EVIL, I say, I say, EVIL is amongst uzzz---zzztht pray brzz..." "And in local news, powers Eclipse, The Doctor, the superspeed endowed asian girl called Tempest, a fire wielding female power called Solstice and an unknown fifth party armed with what appears to've been a katana were seen doing battle with a fire element and teleporting villain. The last is suspected to be connected to the horrific cult events of just a few days ago, as he was wearing the same black cloak as commonly seen.." "I am here down in South Side right now, Mary, and just behind me you can see the alley way where the battle is said to have been fought. Police are saying very little at this point, but our sources indicate that the young woman called Gemma Rhinestone, previously involved in the University Cult, was somehow involved. Some rumors suggest that she did in fact attempt to attack the powers involved as both Eclipse and the new power Solstice were seen carrying her off. Others are claiming that she were in fact saved by the powers from the obvious villain in the black robe, the latter whom have left some form of significant calling card behind after making a very unexpected escape.." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/5 Posted Author Interview with American Pride Fri Sep 05 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shortly after his spectacular effort in stopping a psychic manic from devestating the UCC Psychology Department, we here at Indy Wrasslin' were able to catch up with American Pride, who was on-campus to discuss his appearing at a college wrestling tournament, where he would be signing autographs for charity. Here's what he had to say. "There's times in life where you gotta go with your gut instinct. And let me tell you something, brother, when you're on a colege campus and see a guy dressed in a cape, reaching for a gun? You do what you have to do. Hell, American Pride is all about leaping into action to protect the lives of others. Sure, I had a good suit ruined. But American Pride doesn't care about how it looks... only about what it can do. And brother, I may have left the ring behind me, but let this serve as a warning to all those creeps in masks who think revenge is in their future... American Pride won't let you commit your random acts of violence. Not in my city, not in my state, and sure as hell not in my country... From Sea To Shining Sea!" ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/6 Posted Author News At 5 Wed Sep 10 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "In local news, spokesmen for the Gibbons Power Containment Compound have confirmed that the infamous Power criminal Prince Primeval has been scheduled for execution Friday evening at midnight. Primeval, who claims to be the world's oldest human being and the rightful master of mankind, is currently incarcerated in the Pound for the murder of British hero Saint George, whom the Prince slew on live television ten years ago. "Primeval's career may have begun as far back as 100,000 years before recorded history, when he was the leader of the first tribe of homo sapiens to evolve on Earth. The exact nature of his superhuman abilities are unknown, but his potent regenerative talent has forced Pound authorities to arrange for death by molecular disruption. He is also known to possess limited super-strength and the ability to influence the minds of others. Curiously, anyone blood related to the Prince is immune to his mind-influencing ability ... and after an estimated 5,000 generations that includes a sizeable proportion of the world population. "In World War II Primeval operated a Nazi air base which was destroyed by the Light Brigade. By the 1960s he had founded his own nation in the middle of the Sahara, using advanced science to turn the desert into a paradise. He helped found the Hateful Eight and had numerous long-term rivalries with American Powers. By the '80s the Prince had caused the destruction of JetWest flight 101 over Los Angeles, killing 240 people. He successfully invaded Subterranea and ruled it for approximately three years. In 1989 he mind controlled everyone on earth for a 24 hour period -- the 'Pax Primeval.' "For most of the 1990s Primeval kept a low profile, though he began to publish his personal philosophy as a series of influential books. His album 'MC Prime' soared to the top of the hip-hop and R&B charts. It was while on a book tour that he was attacked by a gang of European Powers, including Saint George. He was apprehended in that battle and has been spending the last decade delaying his execution. But the last barriers appear to be swept away. "Prison spokesmen admitted that the Prince was giving a last-minute interview to a member of the Crucible press, but insisted that security would be extraordinarily tight. Thousands of members of 'Tribe Prime,' the Prince's cult-like political movement, are already camped out on the shore of Lake Michigan, engaging in a candlelight vigil for their leader. "We'll be back with sports, right after these messages." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/7 Posted Author Channel 5 News Thu Sep 11 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "With less than thirty-six hours remaining before the execution of Prince Primeval, demonstrations on the shores of Lake Michigan have become increasingly tense. Behind me here you can see some of the thousands of members of Tribe Prime who have taken up temporary residence along the lake. These demonstrators, who have held a candle-light vigil since hearing of the Prince's long-delayed execution, have come from across the United States, from South America, the Middle East, New Zealand, Europe and Africa. Police have cordoned off the area around the lake shore and asked all residents to avoid the area. Nonetheless, large numbers of locals and tourists have flocked to the region to counter-protest or simply to be an eyewitness to this historic event. "With me now is Solomon, a leader and 'Alpha' in the Tribe Prime movement. Can you explain why so many people are gathered here today?" "We are here to draw attention to the plight of our chief, who is about to be murdered without a chance to defend himself." "Why do you say he is going to be 'murdered'?" "Tribe Prime does not recognize the authority of nations. We have been oppressed for countless generations and the only way we will ever gain freedom and equality is to defy such governments. Prince Primeval is not subject to the laws of the United States. His death, should it occur, will be a martyrdom for our people." "This morning President Bush called Prince Primeval a 'mass murderer, a terrorist, and an obstacle to peace in the world.' Do you have any response to that?" "Every enemy of this state is slapped with a label, Miss Daytona. A label that makes a man into an object, an easily classified threat to those entrenched in power. Our demonstrations, as you have seen, are peaceful. We operate within the laws of this country not out of obligation, but because it allows our grievances to be heard. The Prince has caused the death of many. This is an incontrovertible fact and I will not ignore it nor brush it under some spin-doctored carpet. But he has also granted freedom, peace, and prosperity to millions of human beings and other races. Perhaps your President should slap a label on -that-." "For Action 5 news on the shore of Lake Michigan, this is Donna Daytona." <> ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/8 Posted Author Action News Fri Sep 12 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Only hours remain before the execution of Prince Primeval, and anxiety in the city continues to mount. Yesterday's two incidents -- one on the University campus and another in the River West neighborhood -- resulted in the death of one member of Tribe Prime and the hospitalization of dozens of others on both sides of the ideological divide with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. In response to these violent clashes, the Superintendent of Police has called up every available officer to reinforce the cordon around the Tribe Prime encampment on the shores of Lake Michigan and once again urged citizens to avoid the area. "As you can see behind me, the Tribe have begun to take to the water. Using hired boats, inflatable rafts, and just about anything that will float they have taken their candle-light vigil to the surface of the lake. In response, patrols from the Gibbons Power Containment Compound have increased, with helicopters and armed hovercraft keeping a very aggressive cordon around the island prison ... to ensure that none of the Tribe's boats get anywhere near the Pound itself. "A funeral service was held this morning for Kwesi Atta-Krah, who was burned to death by Zek Piper, aka Arson, a previously unknown Power. Atta-Krah's body was completely incinerated so there literally was nothing to bury; the memorial service was held in complete silence and -- I have to say -- never in my experience have I beheld a scene of such cold and intense anger. Members of Tribe Prime who yesterday were quite willing to speak to the media and give their point of view are today making no statement whatsoever. The Tribe Prime encampments are a grim and solemn sight. Speaking is kept to a minimum and, when it does occur, is done in native languages. What once felt like a Civil Rights demonstration now feels like ... a revolution waiting to happen. "Power Crime Unit Captain Stephan Graves spoke today on the steps of Police Headquarters. He suggested that criminal elements in the city were using the events of Primeval's execution and the demonstration by the Tribe as a cover for otherwise unrelated crimes." <> "In times such as this it is easy to throw a punch, to find a stick or a knife, to shoot a gun. Don't do what is easy. Do what is hard. We are at our finest, all of us regardless of race, when we resolve our differences without violence." "For Action 5 News, on the shores of Lake Michigan, this is Donna Daytona." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/9 Posted Author News at 11 Sat Sep 13 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "And it looks like Riven, Industries is taking a hit on Wall Street, as rumors circulate about the absence of CEO and founder Alexander Storm. Riven is one of the largest producers of electronic paraphernelia in the US, supplying components for government technology, as well as more mundane forms, such as stereo systems, office machines, and a recently launched kitchen electronics line. Last year alone, the company was not only one of the top businesses in their field, but also increased revenue by thirteen percent. Alexander Storm reportedly took ill in the first quarter of 2001, before seeking treatment for an unknown illness. Rumors circulating claim that Storm passed away several months ago, and that the majority stockholders have withheld this information to ensure the stability of the company. The rumor insinuates that the public's confidence in Riven revolves around Alexander Storm, and without him, the company will collapse on itself. The CEO position is considered temporarily filled by CFO Harold Anderson. Devon Storm, son of socialite and hotel heiress Madeline Devon and Alexander Storm, is currently employed by the company while he finishes college. Our news department contacted Riven, Industries early this morning for comments on the recent tumble on the stock market, as well as Devon Storm and Harold Anderson, however, no one we spoke to was interested in issuing a statement. OOC: Just a little something. Any questions or interest in this (though I can't see why) drop me (Devon) a line. ;) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/10 Posted Author Charity Auction! Sat Sep 13 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In light of the recent tragedy, the Bainbridge Foundation would like to announce both a sizable donation to the city for the purposes of rebuilding and renovating The Pound. In the same vein, the Foundation will be hosting a charity auction to fund the numerous and devastating repairs that will need to be made. In the interest of making right that which has gone wrong, the Bainbridge Foundation proudly announces that it is currently accepting parties interested in participating in a Hero Auction. Those Heros who agree to participate will be auctioned off to the public for a single day. The rules of the auction are as follows: 1) There will be a minimum bid of $1000.00 for each Hero to step on the block. 2)Heros auctioned off will be expected to spend 24 hours with the one purchasing them. 3)Heros cannot be asked to reveal any information about themselves that they would not otherwise share. 4)Heros cannot be induced to participate in any activities they not normally participate in. This is, however, mitigated by common sense. Wealthy heros /can/ be required to take out the trash, for instance. 5)All Proceeds of the auction will go toward the repairing the damages incurred by the riots and powered battles. The Auction itself will be held on Oct 17 at a location to be disclosed at a later date. Those individuals willing to participate should contact Addison Bainbridge via the Foundation. (@mail Addison). ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/11 Posted Author Small blurb.. Sat Sep 13 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ... And in other news, the corpse of a young woman was found partially incinerated in an alley in the Hyde Park area. She has been identified as the girl calling herself 'Gemma Rhinestone', known from the University Cult riot in early August.. (OOC: This would've been on both the radio and tv, but only as a note in passing due to the media focus on Tribe Prime & Co events. This is part of the Suicide by Fire TP.) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/12 Posted Author Action News Sun Sep 14 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "This is Donna Daytona on the shores of Lake Michigan and behind me you can see the flickering light of the Gibbons Power Containment Compound. The exact sequence of events which took place in the prison over the last couple of hours is still not precisely known, but I can sketch out the basics. "A bit more than an hour before the scheduled execution of Prince Primeval, the infamous Power-villain's adopted daughter Primeva infiltrated the prison and succeeded in instigating a large-scale breakout attempt among the inmates. One of the released inmates, code name Magnitude, possessed powerful earthquake-generating abilities and he caused substantial damage to the island as a whole. Prison guards attempted to contain the breakout on level 2, made up largely of non-powered convicts, while three local Powers -- identified as Chance, Paragon, and Gail Windsor -- stopped the breakout on level 3, where the more dangerous Power crimnals were kept. "The breakout, however, was just a smokescreen for the attempted rescue of Prince Primeval, who was giving a last-hour interview to Tribune reporter Estelle Lee. With a temporary loss of main power thanks to Magnitude, Primeval was able to break free of his restraints and a brutal hand-to-hand melee broke out between Primeval, Primeva, and four local heroes: Quintessence, Tempest, Eclipse, and Moebius. "What appears to have happened -- and again, we don't have all the details confirmed yet -- is that Primeval crippled Quintessence and Moebius before Moebius teleported the Prince to the already-prepared Molecular Disruption chamber on level four -- a room popularly referred to as 'The Chair.' On instructions from Moebius, a technician still at his post flipped the switch -- killing both hero and villain. "As if the damage Magnitude had done to the prison was not enough, at the same time a monstrous alien awoke in the Pound's medical facility, endagering several innocent lives and threatening to bring down the rest of the prison. This ... raging Behemoth -- and I can think of no other word to describe it -- collapsed much of the rock island before leaping off into the waters of the Lake. The doctors and nurses on staff were saved from certain death by the quick action of Catherine Wright, American Justice, and Solstice who, in her civilian identity of Autumn Auburn, is a doctor at the prison's medical facility. "We are still uncertain exactly how many Power criminals may have escaped the facility. Even now reports are coming in of other inmates who reached the city but were apprehended by Powers there. Primeva fled when her father vanished and the Behemoth's location is unknown. Warden Kowalski has announced that main power at the prison has been restored and all inmates are in lockdown or transferred to Alcatraz on the West Coast. The repair effort is being expedited with the help of several Powers. There was rioting on the shores of the lake when the news of Primeval's death was made public, and there were several arrests of Tribe Prime leaders, but the demonstrations have ended with a surprsing speed and calm. Already, as you can see, the beaches are nearly empty and the Tribe seems to be melting away as quickly as it appeared. "Moebius's body has been claimed by his fellow Powers and the identity of this masked hero has not been revealed to the media nor, I believe, to the prison staff. Detective Gail Windsor has announced a press conference will be held 'sometime very soon.' "Reporting live for Action 5 News, this is Donna Daytona, on the shore of Lake Michigan." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/13 Posted Author Multicar Pile-up at the Pier! Tue Sep 16 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At approximately 11:30PM last night, a panel van containing medical supplies for area hospitals lost control on the Navy Pier access road, careening across the median and causing accidents involving 34 vehicles before a tire failed and it rolled. Oxygen tanks stored within the truck detonated with the impact, killing two employees of WestAir Inc. that were riding in the back. The driver and passenger of the van suffered only minor injuries and were released from the hospital early this morning. None of the people in the other vehicles sustained major injuries, although damage is estimated in excess of $250,000. An investigation into the deaths of the WestAir employees is likely, as their presence in the back of the truck was in violation of company safety regulations. Funeral arrangements for Samuel Wintersteen and Norton Bell will be held on September 20th at 8:30AM and 12:20PM at St. Francis' Cathedral. << Much kudos for those that participated in my wacky hijinks: Adam, Dave, DJ Breakbeat, and Aisling! And if anyone's investigating into the incident, let me know! ^.^ >> ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/14 Posted Author Channel 431 News: Reversal Knight Tue Sep 16 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ High Cable is an odd place. The normal highwater mark reached by viewers is scrambled porn and infomercials. ("That radio in a can looks amazing, Jon! Tell me more!") In the distant, remote reaches of High Cable (the sort of place only modern-day explorers might find) is a locally-produced news show, with all the production values of a community college programme. It's more popular than it deserves to be, though, for two reasons... actually, several. The usual anchor-desk woman is fairly attractive, reasonably talented (if she's lucky, she won't be at this job for long), rather perky in multiple ways, and she displays a poorly-disguised contempt for the young beefcake jock who reports the sports scores with the skill and grace of navigating shopping carts back to the grocery store. Jock: Check it out! The local team, like, was real proficient at manipulatin' the ball! Jaine Atrios: ... Thanks... Mooncalf. Jock: Hunh? I'm notta m... Jaine Atrios [interrupting, cutting J's microphone]: So thanks to James Millbridge, loyal viewer, for submitting some live, on-the-spot footage of recent developments in the downtown core--a News 431 exclusive! [Footage plays. A black sedan races through very sparse, 3 AM traffic, chased by motorcyles--a white one, then a black one, ridden by a woman in white and a man in black. Each motorcycle is highly distinctive, despite the extremely low quality of the video. Then streaks of light: the car takes laser fire from the white motorcycle. Very soon, all three vehicles are out of camera range.] Jaine: Black and white, good and evil, meeting for a climactic battle? Well, no, not really. Jaine is interrupted by Jock, who might be complaining about his nonfunctional microphone. Jaine: It was the night of role reversal--eye witnesses report the white rider was none other than the infamous Miss Spite. The black guy was apparently some unknown guy, "Knight Exemplar", who by all accounts did a really fine job of getting himself beat up by Miss Spite, only to be rescued in turn by an anonymous woman with, according to the same eyewitness reports, "a very big gun." Jaine waits for the teleprompter to catch up. She'd even done the fingerquoting with a look of amazing disdain. Jaine: Police report taking the passengers in the car in custody under suspicion of mob-related activity. One of them, local loan-shark Cambridge Masterson, was taken to hospital for serious laser injuries. Miss Spite was not apprehended. Police had no further statements they wished to release to us. I guess we're not good enough. Stay tuned to News 431 for... news as it happens. Eventually. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/15 Posted Author Thrilling footage from Chinatown! Wed Sep 17 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Throughout the night of the 16th and well into the afternoon of the 17th, various media networks begin showing spectacular footage taken from a Power fight in Chinatown. Each of the networks claims that the footage came from an 'anonymous source' but the quality of the images is crisp and clear and taken with a professionalism that far exceeds your usual 'bystander with camcorder' footage most often taken of such fights. As such those involved are treated to thrilling footage of a Power battle in progress. Easily visible are Tien Lung in an extremely impressive draconic form and the young speedstress known as Tempest in her perhaps ill-chosen costume. Also involved are a man later identified as the Millionaire David Lecroix in what is perhaps the last recorded footage of him before his murder, an unidentified man dressed for office work, and a large robotic dragon apparently made of a hodge-podge of cobbled parts. Their foes appear to include a giant bovine-seeming winged demon, a dozen or so monks from a fighting Tong, and an unidentified Japanese man with a bright red dragon symbol crawling up the side of his clothing. The battle footage is brief but intense, punching, grappling, clawing, and a sudden shockwave that knocks out most of the windows on the street. The footage culminates in Tien Lung being handcuffed and driven away in a squad car. On MOST of the networks, it is not readily obvious why the Power was arrested. But not so on the local FOX affiliate. With a gleeful announcement that the following graphic footage may be inappropriate for younger viewers (and a pregnant pause while they wait for every child within earshot to rush to the screen) they show the footage that the other networks would not. With claw and fang the Tien Lung savages two of the Monks, skewers the demon with a sword, and then hacks said demon into teeny tiny bits of meat once the battle is ended. FOX dutifully reports that the Monks were merely dupes mind-controlled by the unknown Japanese man. FOX does /not/ mention that the two monks that Tien Lung savaged survived without truly significant injury. The other networks do mention this, even if they don't show the footage. One casualty is reported from the battle, 12 year-old Lin Fa Shen, killed by one of the mind-controlled monks in an effort to force the Power heroes to back down. Seven other people were taken hostage, but were saved by the quick actions of Tien Lung and Tempest. The unknown Japanese man escaped without a trace. Tien Lung was held briefly for questioning and then released on her own recognizance. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/16 Posted Author Channel 431 News: Surf's Up, Dude! Thu Sep 18 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A snippet from the six o'clock edition of the news show preferred by picky High Cable Explorers, News 431! Featuring everybody's favourite perky misanthrope, Jaine Atrios! Weatherman Francis Vee: The forecast for this week is total... His microphone goes silent. It's very likely that Jaine cut it off. Jaine: Alright, Mooncalf, thanks for that interesting forecast. Just in: News 431 wannabe reporter James Millbridge apparently has a brief, on-the-scene interview with some new hotshot, the guy who calls himself Knight Exemplar. Video cuts to a really terrible, low-resolution feed--looks like it was shot with a fourty-dollar battery-powered webcam. The sound isn't much better. Parts of it have been excised. Off-camera voice [male]: So, guy, what happened? Black motorcycle-suit-clad guy [Knight E.]: It was the surfer who stopped the car, bravely dodging their gunfire. OCV: Surfer? Knight E.: Oh yes. Rode a surfboard. Shot bolts of energy from his hands, I think. Struck the car with technical precision and incapacitated it with a minimum of collateral damage. Very proficient. OCV: But wasn't it you who... Knight E. [interrupting]: Nonsense. I ensured the wounded were tended-to before the paramedics could arrive. That was all. Please, excuse me. I must be going. OCV: Uhh, thanks, guy! Knight E.: It was truly a pleasure. Video ends abruptly. Focus is back on the News 431 anchor. Jaine Atrios: Well, there you have it. Superhero? Or excuse for ever-increasing tax rates? More on this after the, argh, sports report. From Mooncalf. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/17 Posted Author World News Sun Sep 21 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Ever since their live press conference on the steps of City Hall a few days ago, the new 'Dawn Patrol' Power team has been active nonstop around the country ... and around the world. "Hurricane Isabel proved to be far more powerful than anyone had expected and the new team got a real workout pitting their amazing abilities against the forces of nature. Quintessence, shown in this foootage, used his control over water and earth to prevent flooding and erect safe zones for the positioning of emergency equipment and shelter. Solstice, who in her civilian identity is a doctor at the high-profile Gibbons Containment Compound, can be seen here organizing an emergency airlift of dozens of people critically injured by the hurricane. "Soon after the storm had dispersed the team vanished ... only to reappear at the legendary Sydney Opera House, already under attack by the well-known Power criminal known as Overture. With a newly-reconstructed 'Symphony of Sins' at his command, Overture attempted to comandeer the Opera House for a performance of his 'Requiem for a Planet.' The arrival of the Patrol, however, appeared to be unexpected and after Eclipse transformed the villain's musical instruments into plastic toys the criminal fled, along with his mysteriously musical gang based on the Seven Deadly Sins. "Less than an hour later the Dawn Patrol was caught on tape in Tombstone, Arizona for this battle with the enigmatic and powerful psychic menace known as The Caul. Despite the team's lack of anyone with self-professed magical or mental abilities, luck appeared to be in their favor when the Caul found his ragamuffin outfit changed to lead. Soon captured, he escaped from the Texas Rangers before he could reach imprisonment. "New York television reporters caught this manifestation of a new youthful Power in the city subway system. The terrified young man saw his body turn to steel and began to rampage through the Big Apple before the Patrolwoman 'Tempest' caught up to him and persuaded him of the error of his ways. "He's gonna stop beating people up and destroying cars and stuff for no reason now and he's always really wanted to be a Power and maybe he can turn his super-steel body off or something and then he could still go to school even though school is really boring but we're supposed to be heroes now so everyone go to school and work hard and oh he's gonna call himself the Adaman-Teen which I think is kinda funny but cool okay bye." "It was not until after dark that reports began to come in of a militia movement in Montana which the Patrol went to investigate ... only to find that the population of an entire town had been mentally dominated by the mutant worm known as Master Maggot. Paragon used his phenomenal strength to confine the innocent civilians behind an earthen barrier while American Justice penetrated a hail of National Guard machine gun fire to reach the multi-legged menace. Maggot is believed to once again be successfully contained and delivered to government officials." "All in all, a very busy dawn-to-dusk workday for this fledgling team." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/18 Posted Author World News pt 2 Mon Sep 22 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Not ones to rest on their laurels, the dynamic Dawn Patrol has again lept into action hot on the heels of their globe-spanning debut this weekend. "This time the heroes found themselves in the town of Olinda, Brazil. A town that has recently found itself under attack by swarms of giant killer bees. The killer bee, more accurately known as the africanized honey bee, is a dangerous hybrid bee mistakenly introduced into the wilds of South America in 1956. The bees besieging the beleagured townspeople of Olinda seem to have been a further mutation of this hybrid, far more aggressive and ranging in size from normal to nearly the size of a horse with a stinger several feet in length. "Investigating the source of the these baffling bee attacks were Patrollers Eclipse and Chance while fellow Patrollers Gail Windsor, Solstice, and the Mighty Quintessence used their powers of wind, fire, and water respectively to create a barrier of smoke around the town, temporarily giving it a reprieve from the repeated bee assaults. It became rapidly apparent that the bees were under some sort of sentient guidance as they responded far more intelligently to these tactics than ordinary bees should, and only the quick actions of American Justice saved Gail Windsor from a viscious bee counterattack. "It did not take long for Eclipse and Chance to find the source of the mysterious melliferic menace, what can only be described as a 'hive' of techno-organic nature buried deep within the earth. Temporarily beating back the insect invasion, the heroes took the offensive. The final members of the team were called in, Tempest and Paragon arriving within minutes of the call demonstrating the teams vigilance and rapid-response capabilities. With everyone in place the wall of smoke was gathered through joint effort into a column and then forced into the gigant bee-hive. "More than just bees were smoked from this hive, however, as the final source of this hive of horrors became apparent. A Power-villain calling himself the Bee-Keeper and sporting a fantastic suit of techno-organic armor came forth along with a final threat for the heroes, the Queen Bee, a flightless monstrosity that proceeded to attack our heroes mercilessly. For a time it seemed that the Bee-Keeper might make good his escape as the Queen Bee proved nearly impervious to harm and the villain's armor was so agile that the flighted heroes were unable to catch him. But a last-ditch effort from the Patrolwoman Chance changed the undersuit of his armor into lead, and this extra weight slowed him enough that the mighty titan Paragon was able to swat him like the bug he is. With the Bee-Keeper down, the bees reverted to normal bee-like behavior. While this is still somewhat of a problem, rapid response teams from Developmental Neogenics Amalgamated have descended upon the scene to take control of the situation, allowing our heroes a much deserved rest." Accompanying these reports are a series of still images. A gigantic wall of smoke encircling a small town. American Justice cleaning bee-ick off of her sword while talking with Chance. Paragon, Quintessence, and Eclipse herding the Queen Bee into a containment cage using strength and powers. And Tempest standing next to a downed giant bee, fist upraised in the classic 'I just killed a giant killer bee' pose of triumph. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/19 Posted Author Unidentified Flying Object Tue Sep 23 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Focus in on a young woman in a business suit. "I'm Kimberly Greaves for P!-News Network. In a surprise announcement, an unidentified object weighing in at over sixty tons is approaching Earth. We go now live to NASA headquarters in Houston, Texas." Focus in on Colonel Robert Peters, a middle aged man with greying hair, on a video screen. "We're live with Colonel Robert Peters. Colonel Peters, what exactly is approaching the Earth?" Colonel Peters frowns and rubs his head. "That's just it, Kimberly, we really don't know. Sensors detected the outlying object as it passed the orbit of Mars, and it's very small and extremely dense. The estimated time of impact now is roughly 48 hours. We believe it's slowing down, though as it does not quite match the usual seen statistics of meteors we're really not too sure." Kimberly Greaves returns into focus. "Latest news indicate that if it continues in its current path, the perhaps-meteor will be making its impact not only in the Illinois area but presumably near Crucible City. However, there is no need for panic: the government has long since made preparations in case of this kind of event, and numerous preternaturals capable of space flight have been contacted or volunteered to assist. If the object can not be contained, it will be diverted to go past our planet." OOC: This scene is an introductionary one for Solaria, as per her player's request. If you are interested in helping out, and will be able to be on around or past 11 PM EST tonight, contact She-Hulk around that time. Thanks! ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/20 Posted Author Don't panic! Incoming UFO.. Tue Sep 23 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ << OOC: This would be all the current buzz on the radio and tv channels, if significantly lowered in tone from the government's hard work to keep panic from spreading.>> As the unidentified object consisting of extremely dense material approaches Earth, preternaturals and assorted devices are being sent up to meet it. The time it's taken to get this close, especially once it slowed down at Mars and took 48 hours to reach our planet, has enabled both superhero teams and governments to prepare their defenses. It's been estimated that if the object -was- to reach Earth, the resulting catastrophe would be so total as to cause a new ice age. Though it has slowed down significantly, it is still at a speed where it would pierce Earth's crust straight through to the mantle, setting off earthquakes and volcanic eruptions all over as millions of tons of debris get hurled into the air. Nuclear winter is mild in comparison. However, defenses are up, and there's a variety of interlocking plans to take care of the object before it gets close to causing any sort of harm whatsoever. << OOC: The NPCs are so far secure. Some who are already of that mindset are stocking up extra much on water, rice, etc or taking to their underground safe areas, but so far the dominant feeling seems to go between jaded 'it's the end of the world, AGAIN!' to 'let's party like it's 99, but better'. >> ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/21 Posted Author Dawn Patrollers Fight Living Earth Tue Sep 23 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Manuel Soares of Santarem, Portugal, obviously did not count on the appearance of an entire team of American superheroes when he planned to hold the city of Lisbon hostage for an as yet undisclosed sum of money this afternoon. However, appear they did in response to an emergency call from UN Emergency Services. Soares, a native of Portugal, is beleived to have been dabbling in the occult. Police have extracted and impounded several books from his residence which include a number of volumes on the Vatican watch list. He broke into the Lisbon Museum of Ancient Art at approximately noon and stole a device called the Scepter of Al-Ranuk (see sidebar). In attempting to activate the device, which had lain dormant for millenia, Soares apparently made a mistake and was transformed into a tremendous creature of earth and stone that referred to itself as 'Taag, the Living Earthquake'. (Video shows grainy footage of a creature many stories tall casually smashing a bridge to bits). Minutes after it's initial appearance, two American heroes were on the scene. Tempest and Paragon, members of the newly created Dawn Patrol, were on hand to prevent a major rail disaster as the creature made it's way towards a fault-line that runs directly under Lisbon. Warned by geologists that the vibrations given off by the creature would trigger a massive earthquake, the pair raced to stop it. Working as a team, both heroes managed to hold off the monster until the rest of the team arrived. Solstice tried to halt the advance of the monster by melting the outside of it's earthen body to liquid rock, while then Team Leader Gail Windsor and Quintessence battered at it with wind blasts in order to freeze the rock into immobility. The tactic did not work for long as shown here in this video. The creature manages to rip free and swat the hero Eclipse to the ground. A last minute save by Tempest keeps him from plowing through a bus of terrified tourists. And in this footage, shot by a cabbie, Paragon is seen here using the massive diesel engine of the TransEurope Express like a baseball bat to batter the monster. After a fight lasting several minutes and involving all of the Patrollers, the battle comes to a climax as Paragon and Eclipse keep the menace at bay mere feet from the fault line as Tempest begins to run around the creature so fast that she creates a powerful tornado-like effect around it. To this, Solstice and Quintessence add a massive flame strike; Gail adds to Tempest's whirlwind to create an open-air blast furnace that breaks down the accumulated stony material around Soares. Eclipse is shown here apparently changing the shell around Soares to water, washing the man to the ground where he was detained by the authorities. A short clean-up effort later, and it's another successful mission for this new global superteam. This is Belinda Carlyle for the BBC. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/22 Posted Author It's not an object.. Tue Sep 23 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ << OOC: This is all the buzz on the radio and tv channels for a little while, until they're distracted by Dawn Patrol stuff. >> It turns out that that unidentified flying object was actually a humanoid alien! Some super dense being from another galaxy, something about being five thousand years before the arrival of one or another hostile alien race. Not that much to worry about.. Heroes Paragon, Photon and Aurvandil were essential in guiding the being down to Earth.. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/23 Posted Author Johanesburg Disaster Averted! Wed Sep 24 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CNN breaks into regular programming to give the following live feed: "This is Garret Sperig live from the Johanesburg, South African office of CNN. Behind me, is live coverage of the end of a battle that started just over an hour ago, with storm clouds brewing. Reports say that the figure in the zepplin high above the city is Doctor August van Gevern, former head of the South African Directorate of Sciences. Earlier this day, he broadcast his demands on the televisions and radios, even telephones some say, that Apartied must return or he will destroy all the black communties in South Africa. It didn't take long for Patrollers Tempest and Paragon to arrive. However, seeing this, Doctor van Gevern started his terrorizing of the city, first by creating a whirlwind of sizable portions. Tempest, ever quick to action whirled around the tornado in the opposite direction, unravelling the unnatural winds. Meanwhile, Paragon was assulted by what appeared to be a creature of living lightning, which soon turned out to be a robot of some sort, after, as you can see in this image, Paragon's direct hit ripped through the robotic chest, exposing the machines wires to it's own electricy, thus defeating it. Not long after this, the other members of the Dawn Patrol arrived. Eclipse and American Justice were involved in a battle atop the zepplin with a series of smaller robots, but a veritable army, none the less. Providing cover so Quintessence and Solstice could make their way inside. There are reports that the pair battled the good doctor himself in some sort of scientifically enhancing suit. Meanwhile, team leader Gail Windsor has been battling the unstable forces of nature which the Doctor set upon the city, while another member: Chance by name, has been running about, protecting the good citizens of City and Ghetto alike. Numerous people have already been saved by her efforts, and the efforts of the other Dawn Patrol members. As you can see, Gail Windsor, formally known as Windlass, has appeared to win the battle of the unstable weather which was starting to cause floods in the lower parts of the city. We'll try our best to obtain an interview with members of the Dawn Patrol once the cleanup effort is mostly complete. This is Garret Sperig reporting from Johanesburg, South Africa." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/24 Posted Author KNAD Broadcast 9-25 Thu Sep 25 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The popular morning drivetime duo of Deuce and the Jack, currently working for the alternative station WNAD "Music Below The Belt!", had this to say regarding the 'world tour' of a certain super team this morning... Deuce: ...so there I was, about to clean the pavement with my tongue... The Jack: Do you just have the power of super disgusting habits, Deuce? Go stand in the corner... but hey, since we're on the subject of preternatural prowess, let's talk about our favorite new bunch of do-gooders, the Dawn Patrol! Deuce: Aw, do we have to? I'd like to keep my lunch down. The Jack: You never keep your lunch down, nimrod. I've seen what you eat. No, really, I put together a little file of photos and clippings and found those Dawntreaders are quite the group of freakazoids. Let's see here... There's the sound of papers rustling, while Deuce whistles offkey. It sounds a bit like 'The Ants Go Marching One By One'. Or 'Taps'. Both. The Jack: American Justice... now there's a patriotic theme. Nobody's quite sure if she's the same lady that fought in World War II. This pic here shows she's aged pretty well if so... check it out, Deuce. The skinny is she likes throwing herself into hopeless fights and catching bullets in her teeth. Deuce: (chortling) Tanks for the mammaries! The Jack: You are such a child. I like that in a man. Then we've got Chance. What the hell sort of name is that? I mean, is she lucky? Is she a mascot of some sort to make sure the team scores? She needs a big furry suit. Deuce: I'd like to take a chance scoring with her. Nice threads. Rowr! The Jack: You'd like to score with anything that doesn't eat you first, dirtbag. Okay, it's Eclipse time. Captain Brood. This guy would make Jean-Paul Sartre seem like Chuckles the Goofy Clown if you stood them side by side. Two words pal: happy pills. Of course, this schtick does seem to have netted him chicks dim enough to fall for the gag... angst went out in the nineties, dude. Deuce: Observe the dark clothing, the grim demeanor. Ooooh, spooky /and/ sexy. The Jack: Too bad ladies... I hear he got picked up for assault. Maybe a little jail time will teach him the meaning of pain. Meet El Toro, your new husband. A laughtrack that sounds like Freddy Kreuger dicing up kittens on nitrous oxide. <...continued in the next post...> ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/25 Posted Author KNAD Broadcast 9-25 (cont) Thu Sep 25 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Deuce: I saw that crook on Wrestlemania once. Thews of rock. Wits of... rock. The Jack: Inbred cousin, Deuce? Enough on that... let's pull up this info on the airhead leader of this band of powered misfits, Windlass... er, Gale Force. Silence. The dreadful whimper of dead air for a whole three seconds. Deuce: (clears his throat nervously) Dude, you said the 'W' word. The Jack: So what? She had some sort of attack at Mandrake's during that wake for Moebius and hasn't been seen since. Well, it's /said/ it was an attack. I'm more inclined to believe she was three sheets to the wind. (rimshot) Deuce: We all like to toss a fifth down and demolish gift shops, am I wrong? The Jack: Frequently, dufus. You said Paragon was a guy who used his head. (soundbite of gurgling lab decanters) Well, he does... to ram into villains at warp speed and knock himself cold. Should have been named the Caped Calamity. Deuce: Ooh, the gay community isn't going to like what you said. The Jack: They should call up Quintessence as a backup, then. I don't think I've ever lived through a more flamboyant costume. Master of the Elements! Word is he's so enthusiastic that criminals just step back and let him bury his own teammates. Someone get the Quint the ADD Eskimo some Ritalin. (paper rustles) Deuce: ... (sounds like he's choking to death) I wanna touch the hiney. The Jack: Nice photo of Solstice, innit? Some drooling neanderthal got hold of a negative from some swimsuit shoot the Patrol and other heroes are involved in. Sweet hot Aunt Jemima syrup... (rapidly squeaking chair) ...she's got my vote as All-Around Feelgood Heating Pad. Please tell me those are real, sweetie. Deuce: I don't care if they're recycled bags... hey! Gimme that picture, Jack! The Jack: You'll get it all sticky and this is a family show. Speaking of which, what family would be complete without the token Magical Girl! We played a tape of Tempest chattering normally to a bunch of chipmunks and they all nodded, formed a band and played until their little hearts exploded. Sad. Deuce: Death by dyslexia! Man, cute little dress. How old is she again? The Jack: Can you spell indecent liberties, Deuce? Let's hope she can run fast enough when tentacled nasties like you rise up to drag her off to Hentai Land. Another silence, though Jack's fingers can be heard tapping along the console. Deuce: Hey, I was acquitted of all charges and gave back the jujubes. The Jack: You're hopeless. (plays a spot that informs you that YOU are a sinner) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/26 Posted Author Channel 431 News: Weekday Whiplash Fri Sep 26 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back on high cable: CHANNEL 431! Very late-breaking news! Jaine Atrios: By "late-breaking" you mean "almost 20 hours later", then yes. Very "late-breaking" indeed. (She manages the finger-quotes each time.) I would personally like to thank each and every one of our film editors for going on strike at the last minute, leaving Mooncalf the Weatherman to do it. Thanks alot for the upcoming video mess, mooncalves. You viewers know who to blame. Jock the Sports Guy: The new... Jaine interrupting: I'm getting to it, fratty! You're not stuck in this deadend job. (she sighs.) Alright. Reports of a late-night disturbance in Harvey have the snooty residence of Union Avenue up in arms. Crotchety Old Lady: And then this motorcycle, that knight fellow, just roared on in, well over the speed limit... (Really grainy footage shows a black racing motorcycle, ridden by what *could* be a gray platemailed figure, roaring by... it's pretty blurry.) Belly-Packing Middle Manager: Then there was all this whip-cracking sounds, and... (suddenly flustered) Well, I grew up on a... farm... trained, uhh... horses! Frumpy Housewife: There was a fight in that clinic, that new clinic. I thought I saw somebody sneak in, but when that Knight Exemplar guy came? I knew it was going to be trouble. But he's got a sidekick now? Devo Lass? (Camera's back to Jaine Atrios.) Jaine: Why do I put up with this mess? Well, there you have it. Did this knight weirdo save the day at some clinic? Do people care? Is he yet another mooncalf in a city filled with them? I don't know, I hate my job. Thank you, and good night. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/27 Posted Author Fox News Report Fri Sep 26 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In news to hand there seems to have been another attack last night, similar to incidents in the Eden Endway arcade. Eye witness reports say there was a bright flash of light, followed shortly by what some described as a minor earthquake. Unconfirmed reports say there were several costumed powers flying around, and a lot of what one person described as 'totally filthy Russian obscenities" and further bright flashes coming from shapes in the sky, including a bright green glow, described as some as looking radioactive, and what was described as Jason crossed with a gargoyle. There was minor property damage, however everyone seemed to flee the scene before the police arrived. It is currently suspected that it was the work of some communist super villain, seeking to raise the red flag over our great country, but police are still investigating. This has been Samantha Mahar for Fox News, news that matters, fair and balanced. <> ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/28 Posted Author Commercial Sat Sep 27 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fade in on the secret base of Dr. Omnivorax, a powerful villain with an impressive jawlike helmet. He is stalking through the base with several of his minions, his mighty booted feet thumping across the vast area of his control center. "Now, my lackeys, power up the Devastatron! In just a few short moments, I, Dr. Omnivorax, shall rule the world. Wait to throw the switch until I give the final signal!" His minions scurry around like bees while Dr. Omnivorax gets into his control chair, and he reaches into his pocket for some caramel chip cookies. As he begins to eat, the Devastatron reaches full power, glowing with purple and yellow lights as Captain Champion crashes through the ceiling in a crumbling bluster of rock and metal. "Dr. Omnivorax, we meet again!" Dr. Omnivorax struggles to speak as he raises a finger, trying to get his minions to activate the Devastatron. "MMPH! MMPH! MMMPH!" He howls and sputters, as Captain Champion smashes him through a console. "What's the matter, Doctor? Left without the usual witty banter?" "MMMMMPH!" He declares as he is imbedded in a wall. As Dr. Omnivorax's face is shown, woozy and beaten, imbedded in concrete, a logo appears across the screen.... GOT MILK? ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/29 Posted Author Entertainment Tonight Sun Sep 28 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The familiar Entertainment Tonight theme sweeps across the speakers, as the special effects give way to Mary Hart's beaming face. "Good Evening - today is September 28th, and this is Entertainment Tonight. I'm Mary Hart." Switch Cameras to Bob. "And I'm Bob Goen. Tonight, we've got a story in Crucible City about a /big/ move, for a /big/ guy." The screen shifts to a shot of a large semi-truck, with the words 'NORML' spelled across it, as it speedily glides down a highway. Mary's voice-over: "NORML, the National Orgainization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has moved it's star proponent, Caleb Burgess, all the way from Los Angeles to Crucible City this past week." Mary Hart's voice continues as the picture changes to a montage of various images; The pictures and short video clips show a fifteen-foot tall, handsome green guy, in a flurry of different situations. They range from pro-Marijuana reform ads, file photos of the guy apprehending criminals, saving kittens and children from burning buildings, and even short video clips of identical copies of the guy assisting in the construction of a children's shelter. "Caleb Burgess, since 1997, has been helping assist Los Angeles in a variety of capacities as a public servant, all the while creating good publicity for the cause of NORML. Why, then, is he making the move? Maria Menounos has the story." The camera changes to the perky Maria Menounos, standing before what looks like a giant green bermuda-short wearing leg. "Behind me is the /biggest/ proponent of the legalization of marijuana." Maria turns around, and the camera pans up to the big, smiling green guy. It's then that Maria starts to move upwards. Apparently Entertainment Tonight sprung for a cherry picker for this interview. "So, Caleb - what are your thoughts on moving nearly half-way across the country to Crucible City?" "Well," comes the reply from the baritone-voiced giant. "Crucible's had a lot of troubles, and I hope I can do some good for the people there, y'know?" "Well, we look forward to seeing how things go. Have a great trip, Caleb!" "Thanks." With that tiny info-bit down, the world of attention-deficit programming returns the screen to Bob Goen. "We'll have the latest story on J. Lo and Ben's newest beauty secrets, after this." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/30 Posted Author Channel 5 News: Serpent Attack! Wed Oct 01 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (TV reporter, switching to shots are shown of the Top Shelf Bookstore, with a shattered skylight and scattered books and tables.) The quiet of the newly-created Top Shelf Bookstore was shattered today when a monster rampaged through its normally peaceful aisles. Witnesses report a 'crimson serpent' of unnatural size springing forth from seemingly nowhere, attacking a table of youths that had gathered there. (Switch to 'person on the street view', with a older, dumpy man pointing to the store.) "I was just gettin' my coffee, when this snake just comes outta nowhere! It was read, and I saw some guys goin' to try stop it, I dunno what they were thinkin', they weren't in costumes or nothin'! They weren't any powers I knew, but there was some pink girl, but I didn't stick around. Powers is real dangerous, you know? I just grabbed my coffee and ran outta there." (Switch to a teenage girl, looking distracted.) "Well, I just kind of hid under the table, but I saw this guy, he pulled out a gun and shout at it, and there was some guy shootin' some kinda eyebeams at it. And then the table flew into the air and that, you know, I just ran. I was so scared." (Switch to a young man with neatly cut hair, wearing a polo shirt.) "There was this pink angel with six wings - you know, like in the bible - fighting the serpent and then it threw it to the street below! Truly, the Chosen walk among us; an angel and a serpent? If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is." (Back to the reporter.) The serpent died upon impact, according to police. Traffic was blocked briefly, but the road is open again thanks to the work of the city's diligent cleanup crews. Next: Could your baby be a power? A local doctor says he has a test that works! But first, these messages. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/31 Posted Author Channel 5 News: Building Collapses Sat Oct 11 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Channel 5 newsdesk appears at the commercial break, around 8pm. The anchorman is sitting at the desk, with a little box over his left shoulder reading "Building Collapses!" with a picture of smoking rubble. The anchor turns to the camera, and says, "This is a Channel 5 News special report. Now on the scene, special correspondent Ben Wright has the story." The shot changes to nationwide syndicated columnist, and gonzo investigative journalist, Benjamin Thomas Wright Jr. We see him from the waist up, wearing dark aviator glasses on his bald, goateed face, leather trenchcoat on, bad boy good looks well in hand. He holds up a hand to the earpiece hastily put on him as he stands in front of the rubble of a building. "Not twenty minutes ago, the building behind me was standing proudly here in Chinatown. It fell, and fortunately, Patter of neighborhood team, the Shanghai Knights, and Tempest, the resident speedster of the Dawn Patrol, were on-hand." The clear image changes to a grainy shot of a Patter saying, "What happened, we aren't a hundred percent sure, but I've been told that it appears to have been a localized earthquake device, presumably on sonic bases. We managed to get everyone out of the building, as Tempest has already said, but only through our combined efforts. As for arrests ... I only wish we could point fingers. Be assured that there will be answers." The shot changes to a better camera view of a fire chief. "Thank God those heroes were here. We've got everyone from the building accounted for. No lives lost. Found this, though," he says, and holds up the mangled remains of some sort of device, "and we're turning it over to the police for analysis." The shot goes back to Wright, standing among the wreckage. "When asked whether there was a villain behind all this, and if the Dawn Patrol and the Shanghai Knights were working together on the case, Patter had this to say:" It cuts to a grainy shot of the battered, but still fashionable, Patter saying, "It was only good fortune to find such talented and brave people all here at the same time." Then back to Wright: "Sound suspicious? -I- sure think so." And then back to Patter: "At this point in time, there is no investigation, but I think I can safely speak for the Knights when I say we will not leave stones unturned." Wright steps among the rubble. "Two superteams represented. One mysterious device. And the lives of dozens of innocents shattered. Who was behind this? Our heroes claim they don't know. Was this the site of some battle of the costumes?" A pause, and he tosses his trademarked devil-may-care grin to the camera. "I intend to find out...and Channel 5 will be here to report it." The view switches back to the anchorman. "Thanks, Ben. Benjamin Thomas Wright Jr., author of 'Take A Good, Long Look' and the syndicated weekly column, 'BTW', in an exclusive for Channel 5...one of the first of many, we hope. Now we return you to 'Capes: A History of Our Heroes', here on Channel 5." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/32 Posted Author Mine Collapse Kills Seven Sun Oct 12 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The local network news picks up a previously local-only story from mining country..... A generically suited and tie-necked reporter stands beside an empty dirt road, in front of a sign bearing the simple inscription 'Mine 37'and the emblem CCFD surrounded by a wreath that on second look appears to be a stylized earthworm. "I'm standing outside Mine 37 of the Cargan Cutter Feoras Delving company, where tragedy struck late last night. A total of 7 miners are reported dead and a mining foreman is in custody today, accused of setting off a demolition charge against company orders, triggering a massive cave-in. With the clarity of daylight, this story first carried by local affiliates has drawn wider attention, owing to the report of the presence of a handful of powers in this rescue and rumors of an unknown threat in the depths below." "Workers on the scene report that a car carrying Cargan Cutter Feoras IV, son of company founder Cargan Cutter Feoras III and CEO since his father's death in a mining accident less than a year ago, arrived some two hours after the cave in, and Feoras, along with the car's chauffer and an unknown woman headed into the mines, ordering an evacuation and the creation of a fire barrier around the mine entrance, with orders that any beetles...yes, that's beetles....coming up from the mines were to be destroyed on sight. Some minutes later, a group of eight miners from a level below where the collapse occured emerged from the mines at a run. Seismology reports from the region indicate a small explosion registered underground not long after the miners were rescued, and it was several minutes later before the trio emerged from the tunnels, the chauffer reportedly wounded." "Since the story originally broke, our cameras were finally able to catch up with one of the miners from the lowest level." A picture of a grizzled, goateed older man with sinewy arms shows on the screen. "I don't know who the woman with the Feoras was, but she was something powerful, I can tell you. Lifted all eight of us up the shaft with her mind just like someone'd strapped a rocket to us. Went wizzing up past a flood of little beetles going down. Shoulda heard her voice too....was like the sailors talk about a Siren's song, I tell ya. Heard it echoing up the shaft after us, along with the Feoras' roar. Sounded just like his pappy, he did. Gave them beetles what for, I bet ya. And I'll tell ya this. Some folks said that the young Feoras left the business, and didn't deserve to take over when his pappy died. Just you try saying that around any miner after this. He's his father's son, and his father's power's in him. Won't no miner hear no bad words about him now. And you mind me....don't none of you be bothering the widows neither, 'less you want your pretty cameras dropping down a shaft somewhere." Back to the reporter: "A little further investigation has revealed that all four men to bear the name of Cargan Cutter Feoras are or were powers, with strong ties to the earth and stone. The youngest Feoras was reported to have broken ties with his father and moved to Crucible City to become a jeweler, before his father's death placed him at the company's helm. Company spokespersons have refused to provide any comment on the nature of the beetles reported, and so far have denied all requests from entomologists seeking to study the creatures. Unconfirmed rumors have stated that only bones were recovered from the collapsed tunnel, sparking talk of flesh-eating beetles in some circles. Funerals for all seven miners are scheduled for next Wednesday at the non-denominational Miner's Chapel." (OOC: Inquiries may be directed to Cargan, Srenia, or Miracleman) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/33 Posted Author Small Newspaper Article Tue Oct 14 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Smaller than one would expect, perhaps, especially if one was there. It's possible someone, or someones, were paid off or otherwise influenced to keep things quiet. It relates how, yesterday evening at approximately 8:30pm, Crucible City General Hospital suffered invasion by disgruntled paramedics with assault weapons. The suspects landed on the roof in their medevac helicopter, then moved down through the building. Halfway down, they encountered resistance by brave power-heroes who stopped the invasion and rescued the staff and patients. The identity of the suspects is not known, because when police arrived no one was there, and there was no evidence remaining of what had taken place, other than the collapse of one stairwell and bullet holes in many interior walls on the fourth floor. Apparently there were no eyewitnesses, or at least none who can remember precisely what happened to the suspects after the arrival of the heroes. Another small blurb notes that there was a three-vehicle accident at the intersection of Auburn and Chestnut streets, but that the third vehicle was gone by the time police arrived on the scene, and the driver of the second vehicle claims he was not in his car at the time, having been carjacked while in motion by parties unknown. (information requests to Stahl) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/34 Posted Author Public Sevice Announcement Wed Oct 15 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ American Pride's Voiceover: It's a natural high. Feeling your muscles burn, your lungs ache, every part of your body working in perfect synch. You can't get it from injecting poison into your veins. You can't get it by popping pills. You can't get it by smoking anything. The only way to get this feeling is by working for it. "Drugs are for those who're afraid of putting a little effort into themselves. Remember that the next time someone offers you drugs... and just say no." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/35 Posted Author From ESPN.com Wed Oct 15 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AP (CHICAGO) - The fan that was accused of 'stealing' a foul ball, and costing the Chicago Cubs the World Series was nearly lynched after the Game 7 loss tonight. However, the timely appearance of a Power, going by the identity of the mythical goddess Freyja, stopped the rioters. Landing besides the young man, she appeared to chastise the angry fans, frustrated once more by a spectacular post-season failure. When she finished, she then traced a rune in the air, and both she and the foul-ball fan vanished in a flash of light. Shortly after the incident, the 26-year old fan called his family from Florida. Apparently the self-styled goddess decided that the fan was best served taking up the offers of several Florida businesses, as well as the governor, in staying there until the anger dies down about the playoffs. For more information, please see http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2003/news/story?id=1638975 ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/36 Posted Author Mysterious Explosions! Sat Oct 18 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <> "Tragedy and mayhem ensued early this morning when two seemingly unrelated, yet simultaneous explosions ripped out." "The fire department had to contend with the destruction of the Morelli Building in a five alarm fire that injured eighteen and left seven confirmed dead, at this time. Fire Chief Walter Matthews has not ruled out anything, but states that this was too effecient to be an accident. Experts are combing the rubble for whatever evidence can be found." "A boat owned by the multinational shipping firm Venture Capital exploded at the exact same time, though no relation between the two incidents has been found. Numerous witnesses reported seeing a rather large 'sphere' emerge from the water just minutes prior to the blast, some speculation that Powers, or Extraterrestrials were involved. Killed were the entire crew of the ship, Bonnie's Venture seventeen in all, including local resident and Captaion Richard Morgan, a father of three. The Coast Guard has sealed off that area during clean up and their investigation." "For ABC Seven Eyewitness News, this is Miriam Hernandez reporting." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/37 Posted Author Boy Missing Mon Oct 20 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Page 5 of the Tribune) Police have issued a missing persons notice for 16-year-old Blake Fuller, Sophmore team quarterback at Welding High. Fuller is 6'4" and weighs approximately 250 pounds. (Picture inset). He was last seen driving away from his family home at 11:45pm the night of 10/15/03. Police have not speculated on the nature or manner of his disappearance but have not ruled out foul play. His father, noted real-estate tycoon Randall Fuller, has received no notice of kidnapping or forced abduction. In a statement to the press, Mr. Fuller stated 'My son was having problems at school and was being harassed by undesirable elements; I'll be taking this up with the school board at a later date.' ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/38 Posted Author Fuller Boy Still Missing Sun Oct 26 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Blake Fuller, reported missing last week, still has not been found. Authorities working with his parents and the Welding High administration have yet to produce a clue as to the 16-year-old boy's whereabouts. "There exists no evidence of foul play; teenagers take off all the time," one detective working on the case was quoted as saying. "Sometimes these cases drag on for months before we locate their whereabouts. No note or ransom demand has been forthcoming, so we're keeping our eyes open." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/39 Posted Author Monster Attacks! Thu Oct 30 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We have confirmation that some kind of creature has broken up through the middle of Michigan Avenue. The footage you see behind me was shot by a civilian on the scene ..." "The creature appears to be accompanied by dozens of human-sized individuals which -may- be refugees from Subterranea. The Dawn Patrol is on the scene and ... according to police reports ... have handled the situation nonviolently. There are no serious injuries, but drivers will want to avoid the Michigan Avenue area, which has been blocked off by authorities." "More on this situation as it develops." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/40 Posted Author N: EARTH INVADED! Sun Nov 02 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Did we get it? Are we broadcasting? "By now all of you know that the city is under attack. We have confirmation that this phenomenon is not confined to Crucible City, but that the entire planet Earth is being invaded by forces from another world. Satellites are being knocked out, so we don't know how long we will be able to continue broadcasting, but we'll try to keep you abreast of developments for as long as possible. "We have a reporter in the field, where we are sending you now. Robert, are you there?" "Yes Jessica. Yes I am. As you can see behind me, Crucible City is a war zone at this hour. Those streaks of light coming down from the sky are metal capsules which are dropping down and shattering when they hit the ground. This is leaving a large crater, out of which comes a tank that looks to be about the size of a house. I've never seen anything like it. These tanks are falling by the hundreds ... maybe by the thousands. "In the air above me, jet fighters are dueling with flying wing aircraft that are displaying a Nazi swastika. They seem to be holding their own, but there are also ... well, I can only call them flying saucers up there. They are using some sort of explosive energy beam that none of our aircraft seem to be able to stand against. There are also soldiers flying through the air with some sort of jet pack; they're traveling in large numbers and assaulting targets in commando style raids. "I have seen infantry troops, men in Nazi uniforms, in the streets in large numbers. Some are spraying green gas using large backpack weapons -- we have been advised that these are poison and acidic gas. I've seen it dissolve a car in about ten seconds and even an El train. I've seen ... monsters out of some horror movie wearing black Nazi uniforms and carrying rifles. It's ... it's surreal and terrifying at the same time. "Rockets are falling on the city. I've counted at least a dozen impacts in the last hour. Many of these missiles are hitting civilian targets as well as military ones; the destruction has been ... astounding. "From here ... from here I can see some kind of walking machine. It's ... about a story high. It's got guns and missiles on its 'arms'. Okay, there are three of them. Dan, can we get some better cover? Can we ... >BRAKABRAKABRAKABRAKA< "Robert? Christ ... We ... The complete scope of the initial attack is not yet known, but the invaders have struck military bases, governmental facilities, airports and highways across the United States. Unconfirmed reports have come in from Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East, suggesting that the invasion is indeed global in scope. "We encourage everyone to stay indoors and to obey all emergency broadcast messages. There ... there are tanks closing in on this building. We will continue to broadcast as long as possible. May God have mercy on our souls." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/41 Posted Author All Channels Broadcast Sun Nov 02 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The President of the United States addresses the nation; his head sporting a bandage spotted with red. He speaks, his visage /grim/. "My fellow Americans, we are at war." "The invader is another world, a world which appears to be like ours on the surface, but is in reality horribly different. It is a world in which the brave Allied soldiers in World War II were defeated, and the forces of fascism succeeded in their insane goal to take over the entire planet. For the last 60 years, the only symbol the people of this, this alternate Earth, have ever known has been the swastika. They call themselves the Iron Reich." "Across America, our air forces are taking flight, marines and army units are striking back on the ground, and naval and coast guard units are in battle with Nazi submarines. The National Guard is being mobilized, and we will persevere against this threat. America is under attack, but we are not alone. The Iron Reich armies are coming from orbit around our planet, striking nations all around the world, trying to form a beachhead for a larger invasion. But I promise you, we will throw them back to whatever planet they come from." "If you are a member of the National Guard, report to your post immediately. Otherwise, remain in your homes and listen to emergency radio broadcasts. We know the Iron Reich is striking satellites out of orbit at a, at a very rapid rate. If necessary, you will be directed to evacuate to specially prepared centers. In the meantime, the safest place for you is in your home." "We live in a time that challenges us at every turn. But in times like these, we can look back to find inspiration in those who came before us. Our parents and our grandparents emerged from a crippling Depression to become an Arsenal of Democracy. Through their brave spirits a world was liberated. We must be vigilant, we must be strong, and we must be united." "God bless America." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/42 Posted Author Field Hospital Report Sun Nov 02 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A harried looking news reporter stands in front of a sea of army green tents surrounding a taller building. "This is Roger Silverman reporting from Harvey, just south of Crucible City. Ingalls Memorial Hospital has been transformed by these recent events to the core of a tent-city where Doctors fight a second war, a war to save the lives of those injured by the Nazi invasion. Doctors, powered healers, even civilians with nothing more to offer than a strong back and a willing pair of hands give their all to help the injured." (OOC: @tel #1402 then leave) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/43 Posted Author Sears Tower Menaced Sun Nov 02 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A grave looking reporter stands in front of heaps of wreckage, where bloodstains indicate a recent fight. "The Nazi attack on Crucible City continues unabated tonight, as a SS armored column made an attempt at Sears Tower. Leaving behind over twenty dead, the Nazis were reported to have been stopped by a combination of heroes who included a large stone-like man and a Norse goddess. Lost in the initial attack was Captain Nashorn of the Air National Guard, when his A-10 was shot down by an enemy saucer. God bless." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/44 Posted Author Nightly News: Day 3 of the War Tue Nov 04 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. America, and all the ships at sea. This is your nightly bulletin on the progress of the dimensional war." "The Battle of New England continues to rage as Reich forces push towards New York City, blocked by divisions of regular Army bolstered by National Guard units and local Powers like Seventh Son. In the west, US forces have fallen back to Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas, where it is rumored that Nazi saucers have been captured and taken for analysis. Nazi tanks have begun to strike south from Canada, pushing in towards Crucible, which continues to stubbornly resist the third day of orbital invasion thanks to the effort of over a hundred Powers living in the city. In South America, Nazi armored columns, protected by flying wings and missile strikes, are sweeping up through Brazil, headed for Central America. Eyewitnesses continue to report that the forces of Earth-N have been reinforced by local guerillas. This may be the first sign of natives of our world assisting the invader... "In Africa, the Prime Nation has rallied behind the return of it's infamous Princess, Primeva, who appeared on live television holding the severed head of a blond-haired, blue-eyed SS commander. Propaganda aside, the country has come under intense long range bombing from a Nazi stronghold deep in the African jungle. Egyptian forces have linked up with Israeli and other Mideast countries to lead a spirited defense of the region, focused on the oil fields, which have come under intense bombing by the Reich -- which apparently has no need for crude oil, relying as they do on advanced fuel cells to run their vehicles." "Hundreds of civilian ocean liners which were at sea at the time of the invasion have been sunk by Nazi submarines, though some subs have been sunk by the British fleet. European land forces, including American troops abroad, have been relatively useless while that region is bombarded from the air. Plans to bring US troops back to North America to help in the defense have been thwarted by Nazi air superiority over the Atlantic." "Chinese infantry and armor units are marching into Russia at this hour, after a desperate conference between those two governments, with the result that Chinese tanks are expected to strike at Earth-N's Siberia base before the end of the day. Information is hard to come by, but what we can confirm, we'll pass on to you." "God bless America!" ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/45 Posted Author N: Unexpected Allies? Sun Nov 09 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "The White House announced today that Power criminals in prisons around the country have been offered reduced sentences should they agree to battle the invaders from the Iron Reich. The program, to be supervised by the Department of Power Affairs, will group convicted criminals into special operations squads known as 'Chain Gangs.' Each Chain Gang will be supervised by a trusted Power hero. "Colonel James Makepeace was the federal spokesman making the statement, and he was asked how the government could be certain these criminals would cooperate. 'We've taken steps,' he said with confidence, but refused to elaborate. Civil rights groups have already begun to protest the new policy, demanding to know the method for assuring the compliance of convicts. "In a related story, at-large Power criminals around the world have begun to surface, striking back against the invading Nazis. In addition to General Winter's assistance to the Chinese-Russian forces at the Battle of Lensk, our African correspondent confirms that Vesuvia, former member of the Tyrranical Ten, has been spotted among the forces of Prime Nation. NASA has reported that Commodore Mason, Lord of Skye, has returned to Earth from deep space. Although he was attacked by Reich flying saucers operating out of their new lunar base, he slipped through the blocade and is now believed to be operating in the upper atmosphere, his exact location unknown. "There were reports earlier in the week that Earth Power criminals may be joining with the Nazis, but it now appears the exact opposite is the case. We'll bring you more details on this story as it develops." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/46 Posted Author Astronomical Oddities. Sun Nov 09 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From the website of the American Astronomical Society: Astronomers around the world tonight have wondered upon the sudden brightening, and subsequent dimming, of Fomalhaut tonight. Fomalhaut, the alpha star of the constellation Piscus Austrinus, flared tonight from the seventeenth brightest star in the sky to a luminosity rivaling Polaris - it remained this way for two hours before returning to its previous state. Members of the astronomical committee are already speculating on the nature of the sudden change in luminosity; Garrison Adams, professor of astronomy at the University of Illinois, has suggested that it may be the result of 'lensing' produced by a gravitic distortion moving through the path of the star's radiance. directed toward our planet. Still others believe it to be the first signs of the star's death throes - it is of course possible that it might be going through the first of several 'little novas' as suggested by the Latronum Theory. Whatever the case, it is probably something that this generation will see completed in our lifetime, but astronomers across the world will stay on watch for further signs of this intriguing phenomenon. Sam Jimson, Webmaster University of California - Los Angeles ( @mail legwork to Chuul-Nathar / Mr. Gray. ) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/47 Posted Author Entertainment Announcement Tue Nov 11 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Radio Free Crucible, there are often advetisements for events. One in particular is an announcement of a 'USO-type' entertainment show that will start Wednesday, at around 8 PM Crucible Time (WHich is, RL, 9 PM EST and 6 PM Pacific). Please refer to +bbread 6/67 for details. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/48 Posted Author City Under Siege Wed Nov 12 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A pirate radio broadcast crackles and sputters through the air over Crucible City. "...fucking heat wave broke just in time for these bastards to show up. We're on? Okay. "Welcome to Radio Free Crucible, boys and girls, your public service resource for all things survival-oriented. Today we're taking a quick look at how the Windy City's holding up under pressure, and the answer is, well, we ain't been bombed into the dirt just yet. "The 'burbs are pretty much emptied out at this point as people very sensibly decide that soccer games are less important than continued breathing. A mass exodus into flyover country - for those of you who don't look out the airplane windows, that's southern Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Indiana - has turned most of our bedroom communities into ghost towns. "The town core is another story. Local Powers have been fighting back in spectacular fashion. While there are craters everywhere, most of the major buildings are still standing and resistance actually seems to be stiffening. The field hospital out in Harvey - or rather UNDER Harvey - is THE place to be if you wear Spandex and leather. It's practically a coffeehouse for Powers, and as the Nazis have found out several times over, these people get really pissed off if their cappucino gets spilled by a mortar impact. "Most everything that's worth stealing in town has been swiped by now. Given that most of those resources are going to feed, clothe and equip the increasingly well-organized resistance forces, I don't think anyone but the insurance companies are going to mind. There are relief centers set up in and around the core of the City - they tend to move around, so watch for the US military. MREs may suck but they beat hunting what's left of the local rats and pigeons. "Morale's about what you'd expect, given that we're being invaded by fantastically advanced Nazis from another dimension: We're mad as hell. A little birdie tells me that Crucible may be hitting back and hitting back hard within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned. "Time to pack it in and get the fuck under cover, kiddies. Keep your heads down and your hopes high." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/49 Posted Author Attack on Austria? Fri Nov 14 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VIENNA, AUSTRIA (CNN) -- Sources report that a streak of red light lanced over Europe yesterday evening, impacting into one of the older and larger buildings of Vienna and instantaneously reducing it into rubble; fortunately the home had been evacuated and its residents moved to a shelter, so there were no casualties. The famous European Power Geneva, also known as Captain EU, was the first on the scene, and a small battle is said to have occured within the dust cloud before things were once again calm. The two attackers, identified as Kevin Murphy and Officer Quan Xian-Xing of the Crucible City Powered Crime Unit, known as the 'Flying Squad', were apprehended and brought to Stein Prison outside Vienna. The US Embassy has entered into negotiations with the Austrian government, but as of yet it is unknown exactly what they were doing in Vienna. Sources suggest that the entire situation was a misunderstanding, but there has yet been an official response to these rumors. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/50 Posted Author A Message from Earth-N Sat Nov 15 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ All telecommunications frequencies are blanketed for the second time by N-Earth broadcasting technologies. Those with Cell Phones and Radios and Walkie-Talkies will get the audio - TV and such will get video. Every television news station on Earth receives recorded versions of the following broadcast: The screen starts with the flag of the Iron Reich flapping in a breeze, and then it fades to show Hitler once more. His expression is sad, his body-builder's physique wrapped in a black uniform. "People of the Earth across the Barrier, I greet you. Know you that just under a day ago one of our camps was attacked in a cowardly raid by terrorists of your world. 115 heros of the Reich were slain. Such cannot be tolerated, and will not be tolerated." The broadcast from N-Earth Continues: The Fuhrer's stern visage fades, and then the screen splits into four rectangles. His voice audible over the images shown. "For every soldier slain, so too will /ten/ of yours be slain." On each quarter of the screen is shown a group of obvious prisoners, almost entirely composed of women and children. They are herded into a ring of four high tech looking emitters, which then create a force dome over them. "This is the fault of those who struck with such base tactics, this is the price of failure." Totenkommandos, the Deaths Head Legion, approach the emitter arrays, and each plugs the nozzle of his weapon into a port. The domes are then pumped full of a bilious green vapor. Inside...the prisoners mill, then cower, then die in choking agony as the poison torturously kills them. Every detail is clear, the domes wired for sound. "Let the lesson be learned." Hitler's voice intones before the broadcast ends as abruptly as it began. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/51 Posted Author A Message from the USA Sat Nov 15 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shortly after the Earth-N attrocity broadcast, the United States government spokesman Colonel James Makepeace authorized the following video footage to be broadcast on all frequencies. The Colonel provides the voiceover. A small Army unit is engaging a similar-sized Nazi unit, with vehicles exploding in the conflict. "Earlier today, a Chain Gang was sent into the heart of abandoned Washington, D.C., on what was considered a top-secret mission." The Army troops begin getting the upper hand... apparently with aid from behind the enemy lines. "This footage, shot on the western border of Virginia, shows the outcome of that mission." The fight is over. Through the flames of a wrecked Maus walk two dark figures, each supporting the other. One male, well-muscled and bloodied, one female, missing part of an arm. As they draw closer, their guises become obvious -- one is the famous ex-wrestler American Pride, the other is the infamous sonic-criminal DeciBelle. "Lost in action were the kleptomanic seductress Teela Porter, cybernetic thief Digitalize, and murderous monster Tailspike. However, their mission was a success." The camera zooms in on Pride, who seems to be carrying a well-protected carrier's pouch. "Their mission was to ensure one vital objective." Pride opens the pouch and carefully withdraws several pieces of very old paper, displaying them to the camera before replacing them. The voiceover stops, as Pride speaks. "No matter how many people lose their lives... no matter how much pain and suffering we go through... We The People will carry on... We The People will persevere... and in the end, We The People will overcome. Because nothing can stop something as strong... as American Pride." "The principles of freedom upon which this country was founded are once more safe. The Constitution of the United States of America has been rescued from the Nazi invaders. We may lose lives, units, cities. But we will never lose America. And that will give us the strength to triumph. Good night... and God Bless America." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/52 Posted Author Odd Sighting in the Desert. Sat Nov 15 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Over the News Wires, with pictures) An odd phenomenon showed up in the American Southwest some time between dusk on Saturday night and dawn Sunday morning. About a dozen mesas sprouted signs that could be seen from the air. Each sign is a Nazi Swastika symbol, made of rocks, surrounded by a circle and with a line going through it, like a 'No Smoking' sign. The circles and lines are done in red stone, but the message is all too clear. (Questions, comments, go to Jacob.) ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/53 Posted Author The Powers Respond Sat Nov 15 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hitler's broadcast of November 15th showed the entire world just why the most commonly used phrase to describe Nazis is 'I hate these guys'. In its wake many news agencies are bombarded with accounts of counterstrikes and other acts of general defiance. One such account comes complete with rather striking footage depicting an all-out assault on a concentration camp by a mixed force of Powers including a number of known members of the Shanghai Knights, Doctor Catherine Wright, and famed speedstress Tempest of the Dawn Patrol. The commentary that accompanies the images notes that the attack was already under way when Hitler's broadcast broke into the airwaves. Eyewitnesses to the assault report that the graphic display of blatant cruelty served only to anger the heroes as the footage readily attests to. Among the images shown repeatedly throughout the evening: A view of the base from afar, centered on the hangar where the heavy armor is kept. A hangar which quite suddenly explodes into a tremendous ball of flames and smoke, followed in rapid succession by the outlying barracks buildings that house the camp's soldiers. Doctor Catherine Wright ducking out from behind cover to fire bolts of energy from a futuristic-looking weapon of some sort, and later organizing freed prisoners in their departure from the camp. Freyja of the Shanghai Knights, wreathed in flames and tossing a fiery spear into a machinegun tower, which promptly explodes. And then obviously from later in the assault Freyja carving glowing runes in the very air itself, visibly healing numerous wounds on a crowd of rescued prisoners standing around her. Lady Atom, wreathed in nuclear fire, unleashing blast after blast of destructive energy on the Nazi forces below, cutting a large swath through their lines. Patter of the Knights sashaying through the battlefield as though she were on a fashion show runway, seemingly chatting idly while all around her Nazi soldiers clutch their heads in pain and collapse to the ground. An inky black cloud that obscures everything within it that is suddenly blown outwards and totally dissipated by a gigantic shockwave that rocks the camera violently. At the center of the shockwave is Tempest, standing over the fallen bodies of nearly a dozen Nazi soldiers. She seems to vanish from where she stands and by the time the camera tracks to her again a split-second later she is standing amongst the fallen bodies of another ten Nazi soldiers and apparently screaming at them. The angelic Seraphim hovering within a pillar of light, glowing wings outspread. He floats overtop of a building that the newscasters inform the viewer is one of the infamous Nazi gas chambers. Seraphim seems to grow brighter and brighter as he hangs in the air until finally a blinding beam of light shoots from his outstretched hand, annihilating the building and instantly turning it into smoking rubble. The official estimates from this operation indicate that around a hundred and fifty former prisoners were rescued and the entire Nazi garrison was either killed or captured. An armored column from the National Guard arrived shortly thereafter to see to the care of the freed prisoners as well as to take into custody fifty Nazi prisoners. The guardsmen salvaged what they could from the base and then set demolition charges to spite what was left while the Powers remained on guard against possible counterattack. The mission was accomplished without further incident and the entire base was reduced to smoking rubble once the guard pulled out. Whether further terror retaliation will be forthcoming for this assault has yet to be seen. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/54 Posted Author Rain of the Supermen! Mon Nov 17 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "This is Radio Free Crucible bringing you the latest update on the war. For the last week and a half stubborn defenders in and around the city of Las Vegas have held out against incredible odds, using some sort of secret weapon hidden under the Nevada desert. That defense has, it appears, come to an end. "Tonight, -thousands- of flying Powers in black and silver uniforms descended from the sky over Vegas, flying in formation over the city as they projected deadly beams of energy from their eyes. When interceptors scrambled from nearby Nellis Air Force base, the Nazi super-soldiers smashed them out of the sky with their bare hands. They seem impervious to bullets, though a few were downed by direct hits with air-to-air missiles. When Nellis was destroyed, those fighters still in the air made a desperate bid for safety, heading for Kansas City. With the fall of Las Vegas, it is believed that everything west of the Missouri river will come under the dominion of the Iron Reich within days. "We have more reports from around the world confirming the presence of these so-called Supermen, and will bring you details as they are confirmed." ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/55 Posted Author Disaster Narrowly Avoided Wed Nov 19 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kansas City, Kansas. Following the complete route of the Allied forces in the Las Vegas area, the bulk of the surviving airpower from that conflict made a bid for safety by retreating to the Kansas City aerodrome. Looking to capitalize on the chaos in the chain of command caused by the influx of these new, currently leaderless, forces; the Nazis commanders in the west ordered a rapid strike on Kansas City. Their objective: Destroy all Air Force and Air National Guard fighter craft that had been saved from the fall of Las Vegas, and destroy as much of the native Kansas City forces as possible. Unable to afford such losses, the combined military command threw together a hasty plan of defense looking to beat back the veritable plague of Nazi 'Ubermen' at all costs. Believing that the crucial Crucible City pocket was stable enough to risk drawing upon the forces found there, the military command put in a call for support from Paragon, Dawn Patroller and temporary Federal Marshall for the duration of the conflict. Answering the call alongside Paragon were his teammates Solstice, Quintessence, Chance, and the pink shapeshifting newcomer known only as 'Meeba'. Also arriving to provide all possible assistance was a mixed group of heroes and warriors including Werner Von Stahl of SHI, the youthful telekinetic Power known as Poltergeist, the eccentric Dr. Huh, the powerful sorceress Heliotrope, and the enigmatic Green Man. All fronts along the Kansas City defensive line were hit with a massive strike that in any other conflict might be considered an all-out attack, but if reports on the numbers of these Ubermen are reliable then this can only be considered the tip of the iceberg. As it is the Kansas City aerodrome was quite nearly overrun, but fast and decisive action by the Crucible City natives blunted the point of this attack and threw back the Ubermen advancing on their lines. Having done so they then spread out to assist in the defense of other areas along the front. Their assistance was invaluable in every situation they found themselves, and it is only their swiftness in beating back the first wave and then spreading out to assist other units that saved the defenses from collapse. As it was this 'limited strike' was only just barely repulsed, with significant casualties being sustained by conventional forces. There are reports of numerous injuries among the Crucible City Powers present for the battle, but so far there have been no reliable reports of any fatalities. Reports also indicate that there may have been substantial numbers of Ubermen taken prisoner, but again such reports are as yet without confirmation. All that can truly be said at this hour is that the First Battle of Kansas City has resulted in a victory for Allied forces. We can only pray that the Second and subsequent Battles of Kansas City result in the same. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/56 Posted Author President Captured! Tue Nov 25 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We interrupt this broadcast for the emergency broadcast system...this is not a test, repeat, this is not a test." The TV's show a harried looking reporter, nobody anyone would be familiar with. "Reporting for CNN, this is Martin Jones reporting...in a lightning raid the forces of the Iron Reich struck not low, but high...the destruction of Cheyenne Mountain nearly absolute as the Ultimate Ubermensch and his local counterpart from our own continuim led over a hundred of the Lohengrim 'supermen' against the forces stationed there." "Casualty reports are still being tabulated...and though the defenders of the mountain were valiant, the forces arrayed against them struck too swiftly, and with too much force to be more than slowed." The reporter touches his ear piece, and then looks even more grim, if one can believe that. "This just in...the President has been captured, and the Joint Chiefs summarily executed by a Lohengrin death squad...this is...unbelievable. That such force could be..." A flash of light burns out the camera that was on site, ending the live feed from the Mountain. "...Wally? Can you hear me??" Martin looks down, his hands rising to cover his face. "I can only hope that our cameraman on the scene got out..." He looks up then, eyes silvered with tears, and his expression dark. "People...listen...I'm not anyone important, just the only one present that could broadcast...listen...we can't give up hope, we MUST fight on. America, hell.../freedom/ is at stake!" Gunshots sound out, and the distinctive sound of Lohengrin heat vision. Martin looks off screen, "I don't have much time...remember people...America isn't government, it isn't states, or cities...America is its people...and we..." Twin spears of crimson light transfix the young man...lancing through his chest. The signal cuts off. ============================================================================== =============================== IC: Multimedia =============================== Message: 14/57 Posted Author Channel 431 News: Kite-High Fri Nov 28 Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Channel 431 has invested in new sound effects for better post-production values! There's somebody tapping morse code off-camera (doot de-doot-dootle doot de doot) but those few who still know morse know it's all nonsense. Anyway, there's Jaine Atrios! This time she's in a smart, lean business-skirt type affair, but has a military cap wedged on her head. Jaine: Welcome to Channel 431 News, the last bastion of irrelevancy in the war against truth! Wait. Which mooncalf wrote this entry line? That's idiocy. The things I put up with. She stops sounding aggreived after a moment, then resumes: Today, Knight Exemplar, jousting to save the city in an altercation over the Lake Michigan against Nazi Mooncalves? We cut to a live, on-the-spot action! [Twilight, sky shot. Pegasus-and-knight are barely visible as little more than a shiny speck... and then disappear in a streak and a belated sonic boom. The target appears to be another, smaller, darker speck. The camera zooms... and it still looks blurry...] Cameraman's voice: What the hell? That's just a kid! [Another sonic boom charge, the kid just disappears. Camera cut back to Jaine at the desk.] Jaine: So. Knight Exemplar, saving us from Nazi children? Or did the mooncalf fly a little too high once too often? We report, you decide... wait. That's copyrighted! Who writes this? Bring his ass here! [Fade to black, amidst sounds of scuffling.] CHANNEL 431 News: The last bastion of truth. ==============================================================================