{Backdated} [Video: 001] Weds 9th December, Mid-Afternoon

[pastdoesntdefine]

[ When the video switches on, there's a woman dressed in black and dark green army gear, divested of weapons but clearly comfortable in uniform. Sharp viewers may recognise the outer facility area of one of the army bases, and there's a table next to her with obscured objects.

There's evidently someone else behind the camera, because there's an obvious pause as she waits for a signal to begin, before focusing directly ahead of her. Still wearing the protective helmet borrowed from the army, protective shades cover her eyes and the fabric of her balaclava is pulled up over her mouth. Someone doesn't want to be recognised on the network today - not her real face, anyway - and when she speaks, surprisingly clear, those who've had a chance to meet Agent Carolina in person will recognise her voice.

(Just don't ask about the power armor..) ]

I'm Agent Carolina. I believe some of you are already acquainted with some of my former colleagues from the UNSC space corp. The Government approached me with some intel that a few of our fellow Imports managed to dig up, intel that they wanted verified - and I did.

Congratulations. Thanks to you, we now know exactly where our neighbourhood party crashers came from.

[ She nods to the camera, and for a moment the screen goes black - followed by a series of black and white photographs of an island; first approaching from the sea, followed by a sequence of images leading off the shore, including a shot of a dead lemur spattered with poisoned darts, half collapsed over a device concealed in the sand.

Carolina doesn't speak again until there's a shot of a patrol group: an armored troop of humanoids, wearing a very familiar set of skullmasks, accompanying a heavy duty armored jeep as it trundled along a very well travelled path through jungle scrub. ]

They call the island 'Enoch'. It's just off the coast of Florida. [why is it always Florida?] I was under orders to keep my visit brief.

[ The image flickers again; this time? Video, initially shakey and lit up as though showing the world through night-vision goggles. Behold: the main enemy complex at the center of the island, the central building formed of a huge round dome, with the exterior formed out of an unusual-looking composite. The entire thing gives off the appearance of a huge human skull -- someone was paid well to emphasis a very specific aesthetic. ]

I couldn't see any aerial sweeps being done, but I don't think they were particularly worried about eyes in the sky. [The camera stops panning, instead zooming in on the local anti-aircraft artillery. Then the footage ends, and Carolina returns to the screen] There was a lot of troop movement, but how many there are was unclear, I couldn't get close enough for a better reading of numbers.

Either way, this place is well fortified, and they're well armed. They've obviously been here a very long time building a small army off the coast. They mean business. And until now? No one noticed. [...feels almost painfully familiar, actually]

I lacked the tools and time to hack their radio network, so I planted a device to track and decrypt transmissions on and off the island. Also picked up that lemur on my way out, and the trap it set off - might help to know just what kind of poisons they plan on injecting into trespassers. Anyone who's good with either? Get in contact.

If we're going to make a move, we should consider doing it soon. [her arms fold over her chest] I'll answer any questions best I can.

DECEMBER 10TH, 2015

[maskormods]

THE MAJORITY REPORT: DECEMBER 10TH, 2015

SHAKE IT OUT
As seen on all major news networks:
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0 struck Heropa on Sunday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The temblor hit at approximately 8:00 p.m. and could not be attributed to any fault line or tectonic activity, USGS reported. The cause is speculated to be linked to one or more imPorts, possibly related to the series of fires in the area. The earthquake was widely felt throughout the county, with many reporting moderate shaking near the epicenter downtown. About four minutes after the initial temblor, a quake with a magnitude of 2.4 struck the same area. It was followed at approximately 8:27 p.m. by a smaller one with a preliminary magnitude of 2.1. There were no reports of damages or injuries.

DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA
As seen on Lulzfeed, Bowling Stone Magazine, and Fitchfork:
Up and coming imPort band Dorian Gray and the Hedonists has been targeted by Five Dozen Dads because a bizarre amount of his songs feature the Devil in them. Clearly satanic verse! Think of the children!!!! He's corrupting the youth!!!!

Dorian is quoted to have said, "One: it's only three or so songs out of their entire oeuvre, two: 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'You're The Devil in Disguise' are classics back home, this is cross-dimension culture at work and three: the band's name is Dorian Gray and the Hedonists, they are not role models to begin with!"

This is "totally not" a controversy manufactured by Dorian and designed to drum up sales for the band's upcoming EP, which is releasing in early January. Ask your local record store if they're going to stock it. Buy, buy, buy!

VAMPIRE EMPIRE
As seen on the gossip tabloid-turned-show TMI:
Tobias Matthews, rumored imPort playboy, turned himself in for assaulting natives and turning them into vampires. Vampires! Blood-suckling fiends! These newly branded fledglings are now under the care of Kanaya Maryam. Allegedly, this is the connection to an army of undead (cited during the July 2015 swear-in).

While at least one of these vampires (allegedly named Terry Hart) has actually attacked innocent natives, it is known that both Toby and Terry have been bound by Sabriel to prevent any further attacks on natives.

But despite lengths to secure the vampire binding, Kanaya's heroic vampire reintegration efforts, and Tobias Matthews submitting himself for lock-up, you cannot help but wonder -- how safe is the native population? How safe is it really?

PUT THE FUN IN FUNDING
As seen on the internet as well as all imPort city newspapers and national morning talk shows:
Moved by the patriotism and sacrifice of fallen imPorts, SOMEONE has started a campaign on the crowdfunding website ShareTheLove to help pay for victims' medical expenses. The recipients include imPorts, regardless of their registration status, as well as natives. Please donate! It's the American thing to do.

NO BEATING AROUND THE AMBUSH
As seem from widespread coverage in almost all US-based online, print and TV news outlets:

HORROR IN HEROPA

Disaster! Terror! Fallen heroes! Arsonist FIRES erupted in downtown Heropa on the night of Sunday, December 6th, serving as a lure to draw America's heroes into a treacherous AMBUSH. Once imPort heroes were fully engaged with aiding civilians, they were suddenly thrown into disarray when their superpowers were altered through unknown means. Soon after, masked assailants appeared and took ruthless advantage of the confusion. Attacking without mercy, these heavily-armed TERRORISTS seemingly had no purpose but to kill imPorts: the same imPorts who moments ago were saving citizens from ravenous flames. Yet the heroes still inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy in fierce street fighting, and the attackers disappeared into the night, leaving destruction in their wake. In the aftermath, it appears that imPort powers remain afflicted by whatever SABOTAGE was inflicted on them.

A statement by military spokesperson Chandra Sweet condemned the "vile and despicable attack on innocent American civilians and the brave heroes who came to assist them," and promised the government's "full and unyielding support" to imPort heroes in restoring their powers and bringing those responsible to justice. The government's statement publicized the following heroes as known casualties of the ambush at this time, with TWO dead and FIVE injured:

DEAD
Hal Jordan, overwhelmed by many attackers while on-scene to aid civilians!
Maya Fey, AKA the Pink Princess, a teenaged girl gunned down in the street while aiding a prosecutor in danger!

INJURED
Barnaby Brooks Jr., scorched by enemy lasers while fighting the fires!
Kanaya Maryam, also struck by the enemy's laser weaponry while battling fiercely against many foes!
Manolo Sanchez, suffered a merciless assault which left him poisoned and with broken bones, despite being armed only with his guitar as he saved FURRY PETS from a store!
Nicolas Demidov, who fought nobly in defense of American lives despite his Russian heritage, blasted by laser fire and pierced by a poisoned syringe!
Dorian Gray, treacherously struck down by poison and felled by a broken leg while in the line of duty!

Sweet provided no information on how or when imPort powers might be restored to normal. She also refused to speculate on possible perpetrators of the attack, although suspicion is already focusing on the Soviet Union and anti-imPort extremists. Heropa has already been struck by anti-imPort terrorism this year, with many buildings targeted by the Hornets in February. Sources within the military have stated that whoever is responsible clearly has access to BIZARRE technology and ENORMOUS resources. The government has promised to provide further updates as the investigation develops.

Stay tuned.

HEROES WITH HEART
The following statement made by media darling Barnaby Brooks Jr. (issued the same day as the injured and killed imPort names are leaked) will cycle the national news stations and newspapers:
"Thanks to help from a quick-thinking imPort who kept calm during the chaos, as well as the dedicated medics who gave me a thorough follow-up exam in the aftermath of the attack, I'm grateful to say that I have received a clean bill of health and am fit to resume hero work. Many others, however, were not so fortunate. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, and my thoughts are with the first responders and fire victims, native residents and imPorts alike, who are currently recovering from their injuries. As we come together during this dark time, rest assured that many members of the imPort community are cooperating with local law enforcement in order to expose and apprehend the criminals responsible for this tragedy."

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
As promoted in PEEPLE MAGAZINE:
IMPORT AMBASSADOR Francis Urquart was (non-lethally) captured while Holiday Shopping! Witnessed being very cosy with one of Nonah's natives, highly suspect. Is love in the air for our Nonah Ambassador just in time for Christmas?

Or is this something else?

ALL QUIET ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT
As briefly mentioned on national news outlets and national public radio:
It's been really very quiet.

WHO'S BRITNEY?
As seen on BlueTube:
Native internet celebrity Jon Jonson went viral yesterday when his hysterical, tear-streaked plea to LEAVE THE IMPORTS ALOOOONE garnered much sympathy.

CODE SWITCH
The Homeland Security Advisory System has moved from SNOWFLAKE to VIOLENT VIOLET in response to this domestic aggression against imPorts.

WANT TO SUBMIT TO THE MAJORITY REPORT?
The Majority Report comes out the 10th and 20th of every month. You may find details and submit here. The cut-off time is 12:01 AM PST on the 9th and the 19th for the corresponding dates.

text; id: staryu

[lunaraneae]

[So this whole powerswap thing hadn't gotten off to a great start, what with the fire and the earthquake and the armed attackers. But it was cool! Cindy went home, she rested up, she learned how to not shoot fireballs from her fingertips... Her hair still kept frizzing because of the pesky lightning, but that might have also been because of the Florida humidity.

But there are still some issues.]

So quick question: I think I'm bringing stuff back to life? Every time I swat a fly it jumps up and walks around again. Plus I think I made a dead rat dance. Not as fun as it sounds.

Any advice for a newbie wizard?

text;

[akito]

Hi
I hope everyone is O.K. after the fire and power switching and ambush
Does anyone know how i can make $10,000 ASAP?
(｡• ᵕ •｡)



((ooc: someone has been in the hospital and has no health insurance oops...))

8 ⚙ VIDEO

[viced]

[ Mitchell -- who is normally the picture of control on the network -- perfect hair, perfect clothes, he doesn't even normally reach out to flick his comm on when he's on the network. At first, there's just sound -- nothing at all, just a grunt and a "motherfucker", followed by a jostling sound, a rush of wind from movement, and then the camera clicked on -- showing a whirlwind of swirling video while the man who'd once been the mayor in another world, swears again, and finally seems to peel his hand back from a button, wide-eyed, holding one hand with another --

And he looked a disaster. Hair sticking out in one place, knicks from shaving, a grimace on his face, and...even his tie is askew. ]

Well shit --

[ For lack of a better word. ] Just my luck, I'm shit with any power I get. This would've gone better, if you just had to hear my voice.

[ But Mitch's luck is notoriously bad. ]

Sometimes, I'm convinced powers can't get any worse, and then shit like this happens.

So, obviously, The Clarvoyant was right, huh. [ Softer, a little more bitterly than before. ] Uh, if youi're out there -- we should talk again. About ways to make sure this doesn't happen again.

I have my own plans for De Chima, moving forward. I assume, though, that most of you also have suggestions. [ Business, his tone says, like night and day, he's ready for it, leaned forward, palms flat on the desk, looking much more like his old self, despite the fac that he looks like a mess. ]

What I want is to make sure that we have avenues for communication, for moments like this. This isn't even within the import community, and as easy as it is, to focus sometimes on what the worst of us do, we can't forget that there are people out there who don't believe that most of us are just people trying to get by -- that we're not dangerous. A few of us have gone through this before, you know? Over and over, actually. A lot of us from the city dealt with groups who wanted to fuck with our powers -- or just kill us, a group, in particular. I gues I wouldn't be fucking surprised that these things will happen no matter where you go.

But, ah, that's why we have to be better. Smarter than them. Listen to what our powers are telling us, if we can. What I want to do is open up the lines of communication with our government, the police and military to make sure they're well-warned if this shit is going to happen -- be ready and waiting with the right prevention measures, way to get into contact with the people who can come and hell. Because no matter what happens, whether we catch them or not, we need to be ready to deal with them -- or someone like them again.

But -- ah, obviously, I'm still adjusting, like most of us are. [ Sheepishly, he tries to lift his hands, but they're stuck to the table. They don't budge.] Conventional wisdom says that this shouldn't last much longer, but...

Who knows. We've been caught unawares before. We have to be ready for any possibility. Beyond that...? Well, ah, what else do you want to see? Do you have ideas for how to move forward, without making us into enemies?

[ And he tries to lift his hand, to shut off the comm, but his hands? They are still stuck.

He looks down at them, and then to the comm, and then back down to them, strain clear on his face with the grimace. It's obvious, he's trying to pull them off, before the desk jumps, from the effort, and the comm bounces with it, and he has to try more, a few more bounces before his hands rip from the table, and he flies backward, landing off screen, but obviously on his ass, with the "Shit!" that slips free, before he reaches out to slap a sticky hand on the comm. ]