1-26.3 Newspaper: Incident in Aspic

Written by: Sergi Enum, Technocrat Information Circulation(TIC) Senior Reporter.

(Aspic, TIC) After numerous false leads, sensationalist articles and contradictory points of view on the tragic events that occurred in the city of Aspic last week, TIC has succeeded in sorting through the information and created a final report.

The naval garrison in New Kellus, Western Shelf, was mobilized last week when the port of Aspic issued a distress call to all available military facilities after an earthquake devastated the city within hours.

The Kellus fleet were first responders to the sight but only arrived immediately after the last quake occurred. The city was in chaos as citizens fled the city in fright while others were caught or killed by destabilized infrastructure.

Reconstruction and military officials rushed to pacify the area and stabilize any structures deemed on the brink of collapse. By night, the population was reportedly calm. However, the city itself was a complete ruin for many major economic sectors.

Seismologists arriving in the city two days ago confirmed that the catastrophe nicknamed “The Quake of Aspic” was not the result of natural phenomena, but rather that of a sigma.

Consultants analyzing the Technocrat Database of Known Grand and Magnum Sigmas (TDKGMS) believe the sigma responsible for this incident was a Grand sigma known as Quake. It’s last known user died of natural causes thirteen years ago.

Authorities are in a desperate bid to locate this sigma, but so far no leads have turned up. It has been blacklisted in all Technocrat conclaves worldwide, and anyone in possession of it is expected to be promptly arrested.

Dr. Crist Mantle, one of the seismologists analyzing the incident, said they have a decent amount of evidence suggesting the first quake originated from a house owned by one Natalie Olgue.

When TIC searched for a comment, authorities informed them that Natalie Olgue washed up on a beach approximately one kilometer away. A medical examiner believes she may have drowned, although the nature of her passing is still being investigated for foul play.

However, TIC has reason to believe the body recovered does not belong to Mrs. Olgue as the examiner described a young woman. Any known records of the deceased approximate her age to be well over sixty-years-old.

According to witnesses, the destruction was the result of one man, an influential figure in Aspic’s underworld, Balder Rex, also known as the Lion of Aspic.

At approximately noon, following the first quake, Rex emerged from the Olgue home and began rampaging, killing everything in sight.

“He had no regard for anyone or anything. The boss went in, and when he came out he had a nasty grin on his face,” said Lio Tig, a former member of Balder Rex’s organization, which has no distinct name.

A body was later found in the wreckage of the Olgue home, and it has been confirmed to be that of one Ivan Foxwell, a known associate of Balder Rex, confirming the claims that he was slaying his own men in addition to innocent civilians.

Authorities have spent the past week searching each and every one of Rex’s properties and spent countless hours interrogating as many of his former associates as possible, although no clear motive has been determined.

Regardless, Rex’s acts have been deemed an isolated affair, and thus none of the former associates have been arrested as accomplices despite the efforts of early on-site prosecutors, who have been attempting to use the organization’s prior activities to get them all condemnation.

The associates are fleeing Aspic in droves mere moments after being released by authorities. The prosecution is expected to drop their cases soon.

Rex’s body was found on the shores of Aspic near the port. Autopsies determined that the cause of death was a piercing through the heart. The body suffered a tremendous beating before his death, and burst blood vessels in the eyes may indicate that he was suffering from psychological damage as well.

“As of now, who or what killed Balder Rex is an absolute mystery. Given the wound to his chest, we’re assuming he was murdered, but as to the perpetrator, it’s as if a ghost swooped in and slew him for his crimes,” said MO Robert Hoover, the leading military official in Aspic’s military occupation.

The desperate citizens have been moved into temporary refugee camps set up within the ruins of the city as reconstruction efforts are underway. Many citizens are eager to return to homes, but many have left the town.

“I’m planning to start a farm,” said Gerrent Tust, who refused to divulge his former occupation for unknown reasons, “I think I’ve been around the city, and people frankly, for far too long. Fresh air is nice when it isn’t tearing around you at 100 kph.”

It should be noted that the name above does not appear in any records regarding Aspic citizens.

Citizens report that Aspic had encountered numerous incidents of panic in the days and hours leading to the Quake, and the Technocrat officials stationed here before the catastrophe have come under scrutiny for not responding to these (relatively) minor events.

Two nights before the Quake, a dock structure, Warehouse 6, was discovered destroyed and emptied of goods inside. Few know the cause of this destruction.

A day before the Quake, a known affiliate of Balder Rex, Marc Crue, known in the organization as the “Ghost Gun” was seen firing shots in public at unknown targets. Several explosions could be heard in an abandoned plaza before the chaos ended. Hours later, Crue’s body was discovered with a significant gash through his chest that pierced his sternum and heart.

In a similar, possibly related event, Rex’s other primary affiliate, Terrent Gust, the Curved Storm, was seen tearing up streets with tornadoes and other devastating wind sigmas the morning of the Quake of Aspic. Once again, the foes were unknown, and Gust’s body could not be found. Authorities expect Gust to either be dead or have fled the city.

The state of affairs here is indeed fragile, but the Technocracy has issued statements declaring that everything will be alright within a few weeks. A spokesman said the ‘mood’ of Aspic is likely to turn around once segments of the city can be adequately repaired.

The search is still running for the killer[s], or in this case, the hero[es] responsible for ending the Quake of Aspic and halting Balder Rex’s carnage.

No details regarding [their] identity have been brought forward. However, one citizen voluntarily approached TIC with information, who only wishes to be referred to as ‘Igel.’

“There were two of them, yet I couldn’t see their faces. Maybe I wasn’t worthy of looking at [them], I don’t know. Whoever they were, they served humanity a fine platter that day.”

When asked if there was anything more he might know about the heroes, he said, “All I know is that they were more than heroes. There is one term and one piece of advice I have for everyone, especially if you’re someone who enjoys spitting on other’s shoes. Fear the Black Meridian.”

When asked to elaborate, Igel refused to give further comment.