NBC10 Evening News Report Transcript - January 20, 2024
[Opening Music and Visuals of Philadelphia Skyline]
Leslie Morgan: "Good evening, Philadelphia. I'm Leslie Morgan, and this is NBC10 Evening News. We interrupt our regular programming to bring you a special report on a developing story that's gripped the city. In the early hours of this morning, the National Superhuman Response Agency's office in Hatboro-Horsham was the site of a violent incident, leaving four security guards dead and the community in shock."
[Cut to Footage of NSRA Office, Police Tape, and Emergency Services]
Leslie Morgan: "The aftermath paints a grim picture. Reports indicate extensive damage inside the NSRA facility, with signs of a struggle evident throughout the premises. The casualties, all security personnel, appear to have suffered injuries consistent with an encounter with a superhuman - a term that's become all too frightening in our city."
[Return to Leslie in the Studio]
Leslie Morgan: "Authorities have yet to release an official statement, but sources close to the investigation have pointed to a prime suspect - Joshua Pleasants, known to many as the superhero Miasma. Pleasants, a long-standing figure in the superhero community, has been operating out of Boston for the better part of a decade. His presence in Philadelphia was initially linked to the recent tragic death of Liberty Belle, where he spoke at her funeral as an honored guest."
[Cut to Footage of Joshua Pleasants at Liberty Belle's Funeral]
Leslie Morgan: "But tonight, the hero who stood solemnly in mourning is at the center of a violent mystery. The nature of the attack has raised questions about his motives and methods. This raid, far from the heroic acts Pleasants is known for, suggests a darker turn for the celebrated hero."
[Cut to Interview Clips with Shocked NSRA Officials and Witnesses]
Witness: "I never thought something like this could happen here. It’s like a scene from a movie, but it’s real."
NSRA Official: "This is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with the families of the guards who lost their lives. As for the perpetrator, justice will be served."
Leslie Morgan: "The incident has sent ripples through the community, with many struggling to reconcile the heroic image of Miasma with the brutality of this morning's events. As we await more details from the authorities, one question looms large - what led a respected hero to this point?"
[Cut to Scene of Police Press Conference, Mid-Sentence]
Police Spokesperson: "…while we cannot divulge specifics at this time, our investigation is pursuing all leads. We urge the public to remain calm and report any information that might assist us in this matter."
Leslie Morgan: "The Philadelphia Police Department, along with federal agencies, are now conducting a citywide manhunt for Joshua Pleasants. His whereabouts remain unknown, and residents are advised to exercise caution."
[Cut back to Leslie in the Studio after the Police Spokesperson’s Statement]
Leslie Morgan: "A critical piece of evidence in this unfolding investigation is the security footage obtained from inside the NSRA office. While the full extent of the footage has not been released to the public, our sources indicate that it shows a figure, unmistakably identified as Miasma, moving through the halls of the NSRA facility."
[Cut to Blurred and Edited Security Footage Showing a Figure Resembling Miasma]
Leslie Morgan (Voiceover): "In the grainy images, we see a figure clad in Miasma's signature costume - the cloak and hazmat - seen here examining files and navigating the corridors of the office. Notably, the footage does not show any direct acts of violence. However, the timing of these recordings coincides with the estimated time of the attacks."
[Return to Leslie in the Studio]
Leslie Morgan: "This footage has become a linchpin in the case against Joshua Pleasants. While it does not depict the attacks, his presence in the building during the hours of the incident, coupled with the absence of other individuals on the footage, has led investigators to draw a direct connection. The question facing law enforcement and the public alike: How did a seemingly solitary infiltration escalate to such tragic consequences?"
[Cut to Expert Analysis Clip - Security Expert or Criminologist]
Security Expert: "The absence of footage showing the actual attacks leaves a gap in the narrative. It’s unusual in a facility with this level of security. However, the presence of Miasma on-site is highly incriminating, especially given the lack of other suspects in the footage."
Leslie Morgan: "The lack of conclusive evidence in the footage adds layers of complexity to an already tangled situation. Without direct visual confirmation of the attacks, the investigation hinges on piecing together a timeline that places Miasma at the heart of this tragedy."
[Cut to Photos of the Ransacked NSRA Office Interior]
Leslie Morgan: "As investigators sift through the aftermath, the ransacked state of the office further complicates the picture. Documents strewn about, furniture overturned - the scene speaks of a desperate search for something, but what Joshua Pleasants was seeking remains a mystery."
[Return to Leslie in the Studio]
Leslie Morgan: "This incident marks yet another chapter in the complex relationship between our city and its superhero inhabitants. While many have brought hope and security, events like today's remind us of the fine line these individuals walk between heroism and vigilantism."
[Cut to Footage of Previous Superhero Incidents in Philadelphia]
Leslie Morgan: "Philadelphia has seen its share of superhuman activities, both heroic and otherwise. The debate around superhero accountability and oversight has been a topic of public discourse, intensified by incidents like today's. The death of Philadelphia's own Liberty Belle, a figure symbolic of the superhero ideal, has only added to the urgency of this conversation."
[Cut to Man-on-the-Street Interviews about Superhero Accountability]
Citizen 1: "It's scary, you know? One day they're saving lives, the next they could be taking them."
Citizen 2: "We need to know who these people are and what they're capable of. There's too much at stake."
Leslie Morgan: "And as we delve into this story, it’s important to remember the lives tragically lost today. Men and women who served our community, now mourned by a city in shock."
[Cut to Headshots of the Deceased Security Guards with Somber Music]
Leslie Morgan: "Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who perished in this senseless act of violence. In the coming days, we will be sharing their stories, honoring their memory and service."
[Return to Leslie in the Studio]
Leslie Morgan: "We will continue to follow this story closely, bringing you updates as more information comes to light. After the break, we'll delve into the past of Joshua Pleasants, exploring his career as Miasma and the controversies that have shadowed his heroic persona. Stay with NBC10 as we uncover more on this developing story."
[Cut to Commercial Break]
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This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
The music hall, usually a place of energy and life, now holds the dense, chewy air of a tomb. As Leslie Morgan's voice drones on from the old TV, it's as if we're enveloped in a thick fog of disbelief and despair. Jordan, sitting cross-legged, stares at the screen with a distant gaze, their eyes reflecting a storm of emotions, a turbulent mix of confusion and fear. The news report plays on, relentless, its words like hammer blows: Miasma, the NSRA office, the dead security guards. Each syllable seems to echo in the hollow space, amplifying the sense of unreality that grips us.
Spindle, huddled next to Jordan, is a picture of nausea, his face pale, eyes wide with horror. It's like he's on the verge of being sick, the gravity of the news hitting him like a physical blow. I watch him from my perch on the couch, my own hands clenched in my lap, nails digging into the flesh but not drawing blood. I know the precise pressure needed to break the skin, but I don't. Now's not the time. Now's not the time for more blood.
Leslie Morgan's voice is just background noise as my mind races. Miasma's not a killer. This isn't him. It can't be. But the evidence… the security footage… It's damning. And it's all over the news. Philadelphia is in shock. Superheroes are supposed to be the good guys. But now…
The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop, except for the anchor's voice filling the space, talking about Miasma, the NSRA office, and the dead security guards. I can't believe it. This isn't what Miasma was supposed to do. Miasma's mission was supposed to be simple: infiltrate, gather evidence, and get out. No violence. No casualties. That's what he promised. That's what he promised us. It feels almost crushing. Like a betrayal, even though I know better. I know better by now. He couldn't have.
He couldn't have.
The room is charged with tension as we watch the news report, our faces lit by the glow of the TV screen. Jordan's shaking their head, a bitter laugh escaping. "NSRA," they mutter. "It's too perfect. They set him up."
Spindle paces, his fists clenched. "This is bad. If they pin this on Miasma, it reflects on all superheroes. The public's gonna think we're all killers."
I'm pacing too, trying to think. "We can't just sit back. Miasma was trying to help. We have to clear his name."
"But how, Sam?" Jordan snaps. "March into the NSRA and demand they tell the truth?"
I stop, frustrated. "I don't know, but we have to do something. Miasma would do the same for us."
"Would he?" Jordan asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
The silence that follows is heavy. Spindle finally speaks up, "We need a real plan, something solid to clear Miasma and find out what the NSRA is up to."
I nod, feeling the burden of leadership. "Right. We stick to our mission. Find the truth and expose whoever's behind this."
Jordan's not convinced, their eyes dark with doubt. "If the NSRA's behind this, it's a false flag to derail our investigation. They're scared of what we might find."
I counter Jordan's suggestion. "It could be the Kingdom. They've been listening in. They knew Miasma's plan and saw a chance to strike, make us look bad."
Jordan scoffs. "I hate them too, don't get me wrong, but I think we're looking at something worse than simple criminal shit."
I bounce against Jordan's skepticism. "Think about it, Jordan. The Kingdom's been snooping around us for a while. They knew exactly when to hit to make Miasma—and by extension, all of us—look like the bad guys. If that bug was theirs…"
Jordan shakes their head, unconvinced. "Sam, you're giving them too much credit. They're gangsters, not masterminds. This smells like NSRA, classic false flag. They'd sacrifice a few of their own to keep their secrets."
I frown, considering their point. "But killing their own security guards? That's a bit extreme, even for them."
Jordan's expression hardens. "Extreme? Maybe. But if the stakes are high enough? People do crazy things. And we don't know how deep this goes. The NSRA could be in deeper than we thought."
Spindle chimes in, his voice edged with worry. "But what if Jordan's right? If the NSRA is behind this, then we're up against more than we bargained for."
I sigh, feeling the weight of the situation. "We need to be sure before we make any moves. If we're wrong, and it's the Kingdom, we could be walking into a trap."
Jordan nods, agreeing reluctantly. "Fine, but we need to act fast. Every minute we waste arguing, Miasma's reputation—and ours—takes another hit."
We fall into a tense silence.
Spindle breaks it with another deep sigh. "This sucks, man. I just got done getting my powers tested and everything. And they made me a costume. I don't want to go back to being a street criminal, dude."
Jordan thumps him on the back and then reaches up to tousle his hair. "Man, nobody's gonna bother you about this, string bean. It's not like they're going to release a news report saying 'this just in, Miasma has three teenage accomplices and they're all evil'."
"Jordan, please do not tempt fate," I warn, leaning back into the couch with my arms crossed over my chest.
"Don't you think that would make this all more exciting?" Jordan asks, flashing me an impish grin.
"NO!" Spindle and I both shout simultaneously. We glance at each other, share a nervous smile, and watch as Jordan breaks down into quiet guffaws.
"Jokes aside," Jordan starts, getting up and popping their back. They grab their laptop, and start walking towards the Faraday cage room. "Let's figure out what we can actually do about it first before we start panicking, yeah?"
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[Return from Commercial Break with NBC10 Logo]
Leslie Morgan: "Welcome back to NBC10 Evening News. I’m Leslie Morgan. Tonight's top story continues as we delve deeper into the life and character of Joshua Pleasants, the man known as Miasma, now at the center of a tragedy that has left our city reeling. Who is Joshua Pleasants, and what led him down the path that has seemingly culminated in the events at the NSRA office? Let's explore the journey of this enigmatic figure."
[Cut to Photos of Joshua Pleasants from Early Life and College Days]
Leslie Morgan (Voiceover): "Joshua Pleasants, 38, born in Baltimore, 1985, was not always the controversial figure we know today. His early life was that of an average American. He attended Towson University, where he studied economics, a field far removed from the superhero world he would later inhabit."
[Cut to Footage of Towson University Campus]
Leslie Morgan: "It was at Towson where the paths of Joshua Pleasants and Diane Williams, later known as Liberty Belle, would first cross. A friendship formed, one that would shape both of their destinies."
[Cut to Interview Clip with a College Friend]
College Friend: "Josh was smart, really into his studies. He and Diane were close. You could tell they were both going places, just didn’t know where yet."
Leslie Morgan: "But it was in 2010, during his involvement in Diane’s vigilante work, that Joshua’s life would take a dramatic turn. In a confrontation with a rogue vigilante, Joshua suffered what should have been a fatal injury. Instead, it triggered what is known as a Post-Mortem Activation - a type of activation event that produces powers far stronger than that of your typical superhuman."
[Cut to Animated Graphic Explaining Post-Mortem Activation]
Leslie Morgan (Voiceover): "This rare phenomenon bestowed upon Joshua a remarkable power of regeneration, allowing him to survive and recover from injuries that would be lethal to any ordinary person."
[Cut to Footage of Miasma in Action, Blurred to Conceal Graphic Details]
Leslie Morgan: "But this gift came with a cost. Trapped in a state of perpetual decay, Pleasants’ life as Miasma has been anything but ordinary. His body, constantly regenerating, also constantly releases a byproduct of his power – toxic gases, necessitating the iconic bright yellow hazmat suit he wears."
[Cut to Interview Clip with a Biologist or Medical Expert]
Medical Expert: "Pleasants' condition is unique. His regenerative abilities are off the charts, but they come with a severe trade-off. His body is essentially a living… well, he's like a living corpse. His 'template', that's the term we use, is stuck at the moment of death in perpetuity."
Leslie Morgan: "This physical transformation was mirrored by a change in Pleasants' worldview. Known for his hyper-logical, utilitarian approach, he has been a vocal critic of government regulation in superhero affairs, advocating for a broader view of heroism that often places the greater good above individual actions."
[Cut to Clip of Miasma Speaking at a Public Event]
Joshua Pleasants (Miasma): "We can't be bound by conventional morality when lives are at stake. It’s about the bigger picture, the many over the few."
Leslie Morgan: "Pleasants' philosophy has shaped his approach as Miasma. His actions, while saving countless lives, have not been without controversy. There have been incidents where his forceful methods, especially involving civilians, have raised ethical questions. His aggressive approach to crime-fighting and his willingness to operate in the gray areas of morality have often put him at odds with the public and other superheroes. In 2018, a raid led by Pleasants in Lowell, Massachusetts, was heavily criticized for what some described as excessive force."
[Cut to footage from the 2018 Lowell raid aftermath]
Leslie Morgan (voice-over): "The Lowell incident raised questions about where to draw the line between heroism and vigilantism. Pleasants defended his actions as necessary, but the public opinion was divided."
[Cut to Montage of Miasma’s Various Interventions]
Leslie Morgan (Voiceover): "Yet, until today, there has never been an incident where Joshua Pleasants took an innocent life. The events at the NSRA office mark a disturbing departure from this record."
[Return to Leslie in the Studio]
Leslie Morgan: "The question that now hangs over Joshua Pleasants is a heavy one. How did a man who stood for the greater good, who endured so much in his fight for justice, find himself implicated in an act of such violence? As the city grapples with this tragedy, the legacy of Miasma – once a symbol of resilience and strength – is being reexamined under the harsh light of today's events."
[Cut to Reactions from the Superhero Community and Public Figures]
Peregrine: "Joshua's actions today are… they're incomprehensible. This isn't the man I fought alongside."
Jamal Davis: "We need to understand the why. Something must have driven him to this, something more than we see on the surface."
Leslie Morgan (Voiceover): "In the coming days, we will continue to follow this story, seeking answers to the many questions that remain. For now, Philadelphia mourns the loss of life and grapples with the complexities of heroism and humanity intertwined in the figure of Joshua Pleasants."
[Closing Shots of the City at Night, Reflective Mood]
Leslie Morgan: "Stay with NBC10 for the latest developments in this ongoing investigation. Up next, we have the weather forecast for the week ahead, and a look at local sports. Thank you for joining us this evening. I'm Leslie Morgan, and this is NBC10 Evening News."
[Fade to Weather Segment]