Several hours ago, on TV...
A clearly several years old computer-generated globe fades onto the screen, followed a few seconds later by an "11" on top. As a canned news jingle plays, the globe zooms in to North America, further in to New England, finally settling over Aventin.
"This is your six o'clock Channel Eleven News. What you need to know, when you need to know it. Anchoring tonight, Thom Thorne and Demy Zweiller."
"Good evening, Aventin. We begin tonight's news lineup with a discussion on the recent surge of super-powered crime fighting occurring on our city streets. Demy?"
"Thank you, Thom. Yes indeed, tonight the furious debate on superheroics continues, as noted experts James Cho and Diane Pennsworth will be discussing the topic here live."
"Please, call me Jimmy. It is a pleasure to be here tonight."
"Yes, a pleasure as always. I hope we can shed some light on the situation, especially on these recent arrivals to the streets."
"Now Jimmy, Diane, they say super-powered vigilantism can only help us as it forces the crime rate down and protects civilians. What are your thoughts on this?"
"Oh, I do so dislike those terms, 'super-powered', 'vigilantes'. Many people don't realize that actual superpowers are incredibly rare, accounting for between an estimated 1 to 5% of all crime fighters. In addition, not all crime fighters are vigilantes, as many are hired by police or private organizations."
"What about the rumours of government-employed heroes?"
"Well, Thom, you see, there's absolutely no evidence of crime fighters being sanctioned by any branch of the government."
"On the contrary, Diane! There's plenty of evidence if you look hard enough. Take this new team in Aventin. Matching uniforms, specialized equipment, fighting alongside the police even though the police won't confirm anything about them? Clearly either every single one of them is Bruce Wayne or they're working for the government."
"Oh, please. What about the Aventin Nightmare? He's been labeled a vigilante by the APD and yet he has some of the most advanced powered armour this side of New York. Clearly the man is independently wealthy."
"Moving right along, what do you have to say to those who think that these vigi- sorry, 'crime fighters' should be funded and given the same power as the police?"
"It's already one step from 'taking the law into my own hands' to 'I am the law'. Giving these people money is a ridiculous idea. Leave the law enforcement to the law enforcement officials."
"It's interesting you should mention that, what with the recent high-profile case with The Enforcer up in Toronto."
"I think those heroes sanctioned by the police should be given full-time jobs by them, but be made to reveal their identities if they haven't already and relinquish their unique technology and equipment. Think about it!"
"I hate to interrupt this fascinating discussion, but for now we need to go to commercials. We'll come back to this talk, but coming up next, exclusive information on Aventin's newest crime fighters, and reactions from people like you!"
The Channel Eleven News logo fades back onto the screen. It flashes and disappears, giving way to commercials.
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Topic: Roll to Be Heroic (On hold) (Read 177445 times)