News from Session Three 11-4-04

Dateline: Chicago: Local superhero group, The Untouchables foils scientist kidnapping plot. Following the apparent vanishing of a technical team from Wescosa Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals, the Untouchables discovered evidence of Anarch involvement. Reports suggest that the kidnappers used science-weapon to conceal the scientists before removing them from the building. The Untouchables managed to trace the criminal and caught them in the lair, dealing with them decisively in a brief melee which followed. Afterwards, they were able to free the victims and return them to their normal state. After the rescue Dr. Ernest Blacklaw commented, “When I first heard there’d be a new super-group in town I thought, “Oh Great” now there’ll be super fights at the Daley Plaza every week. However, now I’m convinced that they’re exactly what this city needs.” The Chicago Police Administration continues to decline comment on the team. Opinion polls taken this morning show 51% believe having a superhero team in the city is a good idea, 38% disagreed, and 11% were undecided. That’s up approximately 10% from the previous week. The poll has a margin of error of +/-5%. While the exact membership of the team is unknown, it is believed that one member may be Bolt, son of the noted Australian Hunter-Bloodlines, the Kangaroo. Bolt has not been seen in a year following his inauspicious debut with the Aussie superteam, The Huntsmen, which left him hospitalized. Additionally, some reports link apparent Syzmanski super, Shutdown, to the notorious Anarch Firstborn. Firstborn, who remains at large, began the Anarch group The Prometheans in the late ‘70’s and was involved in the final battle of the Storm Riders several years ago in which three heroes died. He is well-known as a Bloodliner supremacist.

Dateline: Athens: Greek Military and Police officials are on high alert tonight following a series of rampages by what appear to be Bloodline powered gangs. Apparently driven by the rising panic in Eastern Europe over the threat of a Pandemic Bird Flu outbreak, the groups attacked several sites, including poultry farms and zoos, killing hundreds, if not thousands of birds. European Union officials, as well as authorities in Turkey and Russia met hurriedly last night following the events. As the area for the flu spread has grown, unrest and panic has become the word of the day especially in poorer, outlying regions. Some fear the Greek action could spark more attacks throughout the area. In Asia where the Avian Flu apparently originated, a conference of Asian leaders, except for China, met to discuss the possible crisis. While less than a hundred human cases have been reported, doctors fear an outbreak in a densely populated area or city. “We are unprepared for this situation,” one doctor stated off the record. “We have perhaps ten thousand doses of Tamiflu in the Vietnam, but estimates suggest we will need at least a million to contain a serious outbreak.”

Dateline: Chicago: Police remain baffled by a bizarre phenomenon which stole a full day from an entire apartment block. Residents of the 2300 block of Westwood awoke yesterday, October 15th, believing it to be October 14th. A check by police confirmed that all 78 residents of the Carruthers Building apartment seem to have slept through twenty-four hours. At this time, the EPA has dispatched units to the scene to check for any chemicals or gases which may have created this effect. Most residents have been cleared from the building while local authorities assess the risk.

Dateline: Midwest: Federal official announced that they had diverted and escorted a passenger flight following a reported terrorist threat. The United Airlines Flight traveling non-stop from Sioux Fall, SD to Chicago was intercepted mid-flight and ordered down to an Air Force base just outside Cedar Rapids, IA. Homeland Security operatives cleared the plane quickly and a team of experts began inspection. As of this time, passengers aboard the flight have not been released. According to one official, “it is necessary to make a full and complete background check on all passengers based on the information received.” Thus far no explosive or weapon has been reported, but information is minimal. Pressed for further details on the nature of the threat and the source of the information, officials declined to answer, stating simply that the “danger was imminent and the threat credible.”

Dateline: Washington, DC: Rep. Mary Pat Farnard (R, W-Va) introduced legislation today designed to regulate and curb the use and abuse of Bloodliner abilities. The Limitation Act for Super-Humans (LASH) would require all persons possessing powers to register, submit genetic material and enter federal custody should their powers prove to be a danger to the community at large. “Given the events of the Zero Moment, it has become increasingly clear that left to their own devices, Bloodliners are a conspicuous threat to normal humans. It is only a matter of time before something like this occurs in a populated area and thousands are killed.” While the ultra-conservative Farnard has little hope of seeing her bill passed, it has generated much discussion behind closed door. The issue of Bloodliner autonomy has raised hackles on both the far right, who see them as a potential national security risk, and the far left, who see them as enforcers and thugs. The LASH bill is scheduled to go to the floor of the House for discussion early next week.

Dateline: Chicago: Another explosion rocked an industrial park in West Chicago in what has come to be described as Anarch vandalism by Federal authorities. No one was injured in the blast but property damage is estimated in the hundred thousands. In other news police have begun to search for Jack Green of the 32nd Ward in Northern Chicago after his disappearance while walking his dog late yesterday evening. The Police have instituted a wide ranging hunt of the area which has been plagued in recent weeks with a string of apparent large animal attacks.

Dateline: Boston: In a shocking move to family, friends, and colleagues, the Department of Homeland Security refused to disclose the location of two scientists removed from a cancelled MIT research conference. Prof. Hildalo Seguer and Alfredo Leeman, both of Northwestern University have not been heard from in ten days. A DHS spokesman refused comment. “I cannot make any statements on this matter. I cannot confirm or deny that Drs Seguer and Leeman are in our custody.” A judge is scheduled to hear secret testimony from the DHS as to why discussions of the case and any evidence must remain secret. In Evanston, Federal authorities seized equipment and computers used by the scientists and their team.

Dateline: Aruba: Leopold Stavros, noted euro-Bloodliner and retired hero (formerly known as ExStasis) announced the opening of his new Bloodliner only nightclub and hotel, located on an island just offshore. Known as Club Paradigm, the facility will provide food, drinks and entertainment specially designed to appeal to superhumans. While normal humans will be permitted in as guests of members, “they might not enjoy themselves,” said Stavros. “We of the Bloodlines have special needs and enjoy mingling in the company who share the burden of these powers.” While there have been some local protests against the sale of the land to Stavros, Aruban officials point to the potential increase in tourist trade as well as the large sum paid by the wealthy Stavros.

Dateline: Tokyo: Interpol has begun issuing global warnings for consumers ordering black market or modded PS2 consoles in North America and Europe. An investigation has uncovered a conspiracy to plant a sophisticated subliminal program in those machines and a variety of other illegal or semi-legal electronics and software. Though the precise nature of the subliminal is unclear, Interpol Agents said it was tailored to affect younger and more impressionable players. Though not affiliated with the production of these products, Sony stock fell 13% on news of the warning issued. Investor fear that consumers will return products or avoid new purchases of Sony consoles in the Christmas Shopping season. RIAA chair Jack Valenti renewed his call for tougher enforcement and restriction of bootleg and black market products citing the warning as proof that “..their danger goes far beyond mere economic impact.”

Dateline, Reno: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has suggested that those who deface freeways with graffiti should have their thumbs cut off on television. Goodman, appearing Wednesday on the "Nevada Newsmakers" television show, said, "In the old days in France, they had beheading of people who commit heinous crimes. "You know, we have a beautiful highway landscaping redevelopment in our downtown. We have desert tortoises and beautiful paintings of flora and fauna. These punks come along and deface it. "I'm saying maybe you put them on TV and cut off a thumb," the mayor added. "That may be the right thing to do." Goodman also suggested that whippings or canings should be brought back for children who get into trouble. "I also believe in a little bit of corporal punishment going back to the days of yore, where examples have to be shown," Goodman said. "I'm dead serious," said Goodman, adding, "Some of these (children) don't learn. You have got to teach them a lesson, and this is coming from a criminal defense lawyer." "They would get a trial first," he added. Another panelist on the show, Howard Rosenberg, a state university system regent, responded by saying that cutting off the thumbs of taggers won't solve the problem and Goodman should "use his head for something other than a hat rack."

Dateline: Chicago: Police responded to a disturbance call late yesterday in South Chicago. Arriving at Grover Cleveland High School they found the doors open and the school completely emptied of furniture and accessories. No witnesses have been found to how the theft was carried out. Police are searching for Nathan Horne, the nightwatchman on duty at the time.

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