In addition to the mental damage, Outbreak also causes physical mutations, such as the signature glowing green eyes. Such victims are known as the Contaminated. The Paragon Police Department has created several quarantine areas, or Isolation Zones, in neighborhoods of Skyway City and Steel Canyon, and the entirety of Talos Island.

Heroes without technological shielding, such as hazard suits or fully-enclosed environmental suits, or without some other magical or super-powered resistance to infection, are cautioned to stay away.

“While many of the Contaminated don’t seem to be a very dangerous threat,” Blue Steel, representative for the PPD, said, “it’s all too easy to become infected. And once you’ve caught Outbreak, you’re lost.”

Although it is nearly impossible to track all members of the Contaminated, it is believed that a surprisingly large number have vanished from the Isolation Zones. Some suspect they are drifting to join the rag-tag armies of the Lost, huddled in the sewers beneath the city streets. Others worry they may somehow be making their way to Sharkhead Isle, a section of the Rogue Isles known to be riddled with plague-carriers. “If the Contaminated are getting through our net,” Blue Steel said, “this could be disastrous. All we need is for one victim to escape to Mercy Island or Grandville, or reach a major metropolis like Chicago or Empire City, and we’ll have the next true catastrophe on our hands.”

Coyote, long-time assistant to the Rivera Medical Center said again that no answer is in sight, and it may be years before they crack the Outbreak plague to find an antidote. “We must continue to be vigilant,” Coyote said, “and do whatever is in our power to help our lost brothers and sisters. We must do everything we can to break this dreaded plague.” Coyote has said in the past that he regrets bringing new heroes into a plague-zone, and wishes he could recover all of those who have been lost.

Under the direction of Warden McGoohan, the prison constantly upgrades its security protocols. “We known that our inmates are a crafty bunch, always probing for a weakness in our system, for a way out. Well, it won’t happen on my watch. We hire the finest minds in security to counter any attack, and back it up with a heavy hand. No one has ever escaped from the Zig…and no one ever will!” McGoohan declared.

“This is the sort of stuff we train for,” said Ballista Agent Soulban. He described it, saying, “But to actually have it happen is a different story. It was hell down there. Pure hell.” One of the prisoners, Jimmy Dortz, witnessed, “…a big explosion tore a hole in the outer wall, and it seemed to signal a riot amongst the gen. pop.” Longbow and Zig security managed to round up all the cons who tried to escape from the Yard, although prisoners Hard Time and Angel Lopez were killed in the chaos.

Recluse’s Wolf Spider soldiers were airlifted in by daredevil Arachnos Pilots, but  Longbow was able to capture them all. Some claim Lord Recluse himself was there, but no confirmed reports have been made. Rumors abound regarding who Lord Recluse wanted

to free from the Zig. Was he searching for a single villain with a great destiny, or a whole host of villains to strengthen his armies? This reporter will continue to investigate the story, no matter where it takes him. In the meantime, the Zig continues to stand as a monument to justice and watchfulness.