by Brian Moon
Chapter 20: July fourth.
Paragon City celebrated the fourth of July with as much pomp and circumstance as the times permitted. A parade was held in Paragon Heights and ended at City Hall followed by speeches from the local politicians and state representatives. The theme for the day seemed to be taking pride in the city and it’s communities. The crowd was inspired at the thought of ending crime and making the city a safe place to live once again.
Lukas was happy that he didn’t have to sit through all of the speeches. He had to get to the City Park and fire up the outdoor grills. Southern United held its fifth annual family picnic in City Park. It was a way to give back to the people of the City and give Southern United good publicity. Lukas and Helena enjoyed themselves helping to serve on the food line, while other employees took care of games and entertainment. It wasn’t possible to hold fireworks in the park anymore due to the construction going on so it was moved to the shore line where a large garbage scowl had been cleaned and decorated for the honor of setting off the fire works. It was anchored well off the shoreline to ensure everyone could see the spectacle and celebration of the greatest nation in the world. People gathered on the new boardwalk or lay on blankets on the beach itself to watch the fire works. It was a festive show of colored explosions and the entire city seemed to enjoy the celebration.
July fifth:
“LUKAS!” Nemesis shouted. Even without the internal communications device he would have heard Lord Nemesis’ yell from down the hallway. He rushed to the workshop not completely knowing just what to expect. In all the time he had known Lord Nemesis, he had never heard the older gentleman raise his voice. His tone may grow colder, more menacing, but never louder. Rushing into the private workshop to find his leader bending over a lab table his hands pressing something firmly against it. The leg braces hissed as they worked to keep him up right, but seemed to mirror the wearer’s mood. “Have you seen the Times this morning?”
“No sir, not yet.” Lukas replied crossing quickly over to the table.
“Read this!” Lord Nemesis said poking the article with his finger.
Lukas looked down to the front page of the paper, the headline read:
The New Heroes of the City!
…Yesterday, Paragon City not only celebrated July 4th with the usual patriotic flare, but with a new announcement of independence. Not from a tyranny of an oppressing country, but from the tyranny and fear from the criminal elements that have held a death grip on every aspect of our lives. Not even our city officials are immune to the demands of these overlords. In many articles this reporter has pointed out time and time again where our own police departments were unable to fight or turned a blind eye to the crime happening around them. Public outcry for change in our broken system has long been over looked and smoothed over in the Mayor’s office and now our cries for help have been answered.
Many of us have heard rumors or stories about the presence, of what the mayor’s office called vigilantes, with extraordinary powers. Their Leader, who calls himself The Statesman, was the first to be seen with his costume of red, white, and blue and long cape. He has formally joined forces with others with unique abilities to publicly announce the formation of the Freedom Phalanx. They formed this group with the single purpose; to free our fair city from all crime. From the steps of City Hall, The Statesman proclaimed:
”… We will not rest until all of the criminal elements are eliminated from our City. We will fight not only those breaking the law, but those individuals and companies that believe themselves to be above the law… There are things happening that not even the criminal elements are aware of, and we will put an end to these elements that hide and fester in the darkness…”