Outbreak Plague Rampant for Four Years

PARAGON CITY, Rhode Island, September 20th  -- Today marks the third anniversary of the Outbreak pandemic that has swept the city and devastated hotspots around the globe. Memorial services are being held throughout Paragon and around the country today. It was four years ago that the Outbreak virus was identified by scientists at the Rivera Medical Center – to date, the plague has claimed nearly 1 million lives worldwide.

Here in Paragon City, a candlelight vigil is being held in Atlas Park to remember the fallen. While many of the infected are not technically dead, the city’s casualties number in the tens of thousands who have been lost to the Outbreak plague. Statesman and Sister Psyche will say a few words in remembrance. Another speaker will be Tammy Miller, widow of Doctor Greg Miller, one of the first heroes lost

to the plague and the scientist who identified the virus. The first victims of the Outbreak virus were members of a chapter of the Skulls looking for an alternative to Superadine. They hijacked a Crey Biotech shipment and stole an experimental drug. They tested the drug out looking for a quick fix and an easy high – essentially looking to corner a new product to peddle on the streets. They got their quick fix, but there was nothing easy about “Outbreak,” as the street nicknamed the drug. Use of the new drug spread throughout their neighborhood as speedily as its name implied, wiping out many street gangs and homeless, but also severely crippling first responders like members of the PPD, the FDPC, and EMTs.

Users of Outbreak experience a feeling of invincibility and a boost in physical strength, but there is also a corresponding increase in violent tendencies and aggression. A single dose causes physical addiction and will cause a rapid and unstoppable mental degradation resulting in clinical insanity. Doctors have been unable to reverse the loss of memory and personality associated with Outbreak madness.

BRICKSTOWN, Paragon City – The still night of Brickstown was shattered at about 3:30 a.m. when a group of terrorists attempted to penetrate the Zigursky Maximum Security Penitentiary, or the Ziggurat. The terrorists planned to help a number of prisoners break out, but were foiled by the Zigursky security officers who were supported by a contingent from Longbow. Numerous casualties were reported to both guards and prisoners, but tough vigilance ensured no prisoners escaped.

Responsibility for the break out attempt has been laid at the feet of Lord Recluse and Arachnos soldiers from the Rogue Isles. The plot was uncovered by Longbow, Ms. Liberty’s anti-terrorist division of Freedom Corps. A captured Arachnos agent named Jenkins gave up the details of the mission, and when Ms. Liberty brought this information to Captain Nakayama, head of Ziggurat security, Longbow was invited to bolster the Ziggurat’s forces with open arms. An elite Ballista agent was stationed in the Ziggurat along with her compliment of Riflemen, Eagle

Units, and a squad of Nullifiers, while another Ballista remained on patrol outside, braced by Minigun and Flamethrower wielding agents

Located in the heart of the Brickstown zone, the Zigursky Penitentiary, called the Zig on the street, is known as the preeminent super-powered holding facility in the United States. For nearly 5 decades the Ziggurat has been the answer to the super-powered villain crisis that bedevils Paragon City. Although the Zig takes in several levels of prisoners, it is most commonly known as a “super-max” facility, and is Paragon City’s highest security prison, used to incarcerate the city’s most deadly and dangerous criminals.