Technomancer Attack Plunges New York City into Darkness

In an unprecedented attack, a man calling himself the Technomaster has successfully shut down power and disabled nearly all electronics in New York City. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, left the city in a state of chaos and darkness.

The Technomancer used advanced hacking techniques and malware to infiltrate the city's power grid and electronic systems. Traffic lights, subway systems, cell phone networks, and internet connectivity have all been affected. Hospitals are struggling to maintain life-saving equipment with limited backup power. Businesses remain closed, and ATMs and credit card systems are non-functional, forcing people to rely on cash transactions.

The attack on New York City, a global financial hub, has sent shockwaves through the international economy. Stock markets worldwide have plummeted, and the U.S. dollar has weakened significantly. Experts warn that the prolonged disruption to the city's infrastructure could lead to a recession as businesses struggle to recover and investor confidence wanes. The ripple effects of the attack are expected to be felt across various industries, from finance and technology to tourism and manufacturing.

Experts are still assessing the extent of the damage, but initial reports suggest that the city's infrastructure has been severely compromised. Power lines and substations have been physically sabotaged, and it is unclear how long it will take to repair the damage. Some officials fear that new power lines and power plants may need to be built from scratch, a process that could take months or even years.

With transportation systems crippled and refrigeration units failing, food shortages are expected to worsen in the coming days. The city is working with federal agencies to establish daily food shipments, but rising costs and limited supplies are likely to put a strain on residents, particularly those in low-income communities.

As the crisis deepens, the city descends into a dystopian nightmare. Looting and violence have been reported in some areas as desperate citizens attempt to secure food and supplies. Law enforcement is stretched thin, and the National Guard has been called in to maintain order. The streets are eerily quiet at night, with only the occasional flicker of candlelight or the sound of generators breaking the silence.

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I returned to Mars, trying to find the calming peace within me. The heating and cooling in the bunker weren’t quite set up yet, so I wore a large coat to keep myself warm. At the same time, I had an oxygen mask on while I waited for the recirculation machines to bump up into full gear. I had filled out the bunker with some furniture and a few personalized items to make it feel less like a war-safe room and more like a home.

It was coming together just in time. The government in the US was barely limping along. Each region was protecting and fighting for itself. Some of the channels I used to have while a hero was shut down and gone. There was no longer any veneer of protecting everyone around the remaining heroes that were public. Everyone had new masters, and many at the top were superhumans who could enforce their will.

The fallout of the technomancer’s attack hadn’t hit me. It seemed he was insane. There was no leak of information, and nothing to worry about for now. Of course, a million people weren’t with working electronics or power anymore. Whatever he did to control technology disconnected it from regular use. Everything would be shut down until new power stations could be constructed. When that would happen was unclear.

As I settled into my new life on Mars, I found myself reflecting on the journey that had brought me here. The decision to leave Earth wasn't made lightly. It was a culmination of over a year spent in the chaos of a world unraveling, where heroes were only heroes in a bygone era. There was less of us and fewer interested in destruction for destruction’s sake.

On Mars, I hoped to find clarity and perhaps a new purpose. The bunker slowly transformed into a sanctuary. I spent my days adjusting the systems, ensuring everything ran smoothly. The recirculation machines finally hummed to life, providing a steady supply of breathable air. It was a simple thing, but one that brought immense relief.

In the evenings, I would sit by the small window that offered a view of the Martian landscape. The crimson dust storms swirling in the distance were both mesmerizing and intimidating. They reminded me of the tumultuous times back on Earth—the constant battles and shifting alliances.

I often thought about my fellow heroes. Many had chosen different paths, some aligning with the new power structures, others disappearing into obscurity. By now, I wasn’t even sure if the Superhuman Affairs department had any sway in the world anymore. It, too, had likely been swept away with the rest of formal governmental bodies.

One morning, as I was tinkering with an old radio transmitter, hoping to catch any signals from Earth, an unexpected alert flashed on my console. Someone was requesting me for a travel job. I scanned the information and considered my reply. As much as I wanted to stay on Mars, I knew I needed cash for the inevitable supply runs. My base wasn’t quite self-sustaining.

It wasn’t my usual kind of job. The usual job was simple and quick, though sometimes dangerous if I needed to get it into one of the many active warzones in the world. My jobs had things to escort. This job involved a person. One, I recognized Pyre.

The young hero needed out of a kidnapping situation, and the agency was outsourcing the work to me. I would have found it more ironic and declined if I didn’t need the money. The agency had also already done half the work in identifying the location of Pyre. I guessed that they would have done it themselves, but they were stretched thin, and word leaking that one of their world-class agents being kidnapped would be a bad look on their work.

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I forwarded my acceptance and awaited further details.

I received the coordinates for the location where Pyre was being held. It was an old warehouse on the outskirts of a city that had seen better days. The once-thriving industrial area was now a shadow of its former self, with crumbling buildings and overgrown vegetation. I studied the warehouse's layout, looking for any potential entry points and exit strategies.

Before teleporting into the warehouse, I decided to do some reconnaissance. There was no need to walk into a trap intentionally. After a few jumps, I materialized outside the building, keeping a safe distance to avoid detection. The warehouse looked abandoned, with broken windows and a rusted metal door.

Satisfied I had gathered enough information, I focused my energy and teleported into the warehouse. I appeared in the rafters above the place. The steel beams held my weight and would obscure me from view even if someone coincidentally looked up.

As I looked around, I spotted Pyre, tied up and gagged, with several captors standing guard. They were armed and looked like they meant business. He was struggling against his restraints, his eyes blazing with determination. His hands glowed while encased partially in concrete. The fire he put off delayed the solidification of the concrete. The chains wrapped around Pyre would slow me down. So would the chair. I wouldn’t be able to quickly grab him and teleport out, not before getting shot at.

I listened for a bit longer. They were grilling him about different pieces of information. To identify more heroes or do something dangerous to the agency I didn’t know yet. Whatever it was, the agency didn’t want these terrorists to find out.

As I observed the kidnappers, I noticed the way they moved with a sense of confidence, their guns at the ready. But it was the voice of one of them that sent a chill down my spine. A familiar tone that I hadn't heard in a long time but one that I knew all too well. It was Cord, my old neighbor. I hadn't been to that apartment often, but I knew his voice, the way he spoke with a slight drawl. My mind racing, I assessed the situation. I had to act quickly before they could react.

I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the assault. I jumped down from the rafters, my mask and pistol at the ready. The kidnappers were caught off guard, and I took advantage of the surprise. The first one was a short woman who was at least trying to cover her face with a bandana. She was the first to fall, taken down by a swift kick to the stomach and a bullet in the shoulder. The second one was more challenging, a burly man with a thick beard. He swung at me with a meaty fist, but I dodged it easily and countered with a well-placed punch. I was around him instantly with my powers and made sure he was down, but not dead with my gun.

Cord, however, was a different story. He was more alert, and I knew I had to act fast. My heart was racing, and I felt a surge of adrenaline as I charged towards him. Pistol raised, I pinned him to the ground with my knee. For a moment, I saw the fear and desperation in his.

The other kidnappers were starting to stir, but I didn't allow them to get back up and stop me. Pyre, still tied to the chair, looked at me with a mixture of relief and gratitude.

I approached him, carefully examining the restraints. The chains and concrete would make it difficult to teleport him out quickly. I needed to act fast before the kidnappers' reinforcements arrived. I could feel the tension building, the air thick with anticipation. With a grunt, I lifted Pyre, chair and all, and focused my energy. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as I teleported away, leaving the warehouse and the kidnappers behind. The silence that followed was deafening, a stark contrast to the chaos we had just escaped.

I released my hold with a huff, and the chair tipped over, landing in the field of grass. The buckets of concrete taped to his hands started to spill out. I pulled out the gag in his mouth.

“Thank you,” he quietly responded

“I’ll be back,” I said as my only response before teleporting away.

When I returned, it was with bolt cutters. I pulled the chair back into an upright position. The chains started to come away when I paused.

“What happened to you? Why were you grabbed?” I asked Pyre.

He had calmed down a bit from when I first got to him. “I’m not sure how they found me, but they knew I was a hero. They wanted the names and information of other heroes. They hate us. Really do. Blame us for everything.”

“What information did they get from you?” I asked.

“Just information on old heroes. Retired, and those who have the power to level buildings. And.”

“And?”

Pyre sighed, “And my trainers, like you.”

“Shit. Why? What did you tell them about me?”

“I didn’t know that they were sending you. It was nothing personal,” Pyre started to panic. Pyre's eyes widened as he continued his explanation, his voice laced with a mix of fear and regret. "I told them about where you used to live and about your powers.

I felt a chill run down my spine as I processed the information. The fact that Pyre had revealed details about my past and abilities to these kidnappers was unsettling, to say the least. But it got worse.

"They've killed some smaller heroes," Pyre added, his voice barely above a whisper. "They'll keep doing it. They hate us, and they won't stop until we're all gone."

I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm and focused. "What else did you tell them?" I asked my tone firm but controlled.

Pyre hesitated, his eyes darting around the field before settling back on me. "I told them about your teleportation abilities and how you used to work with the Superhuman Affairs department. I didn't mean to, but they were going to hurt me if I didn't cooperate."

I nodded, my mind racing with the implications of Pyre's words. The fact that these kidnappers now had information about my past and abilities made me a target, and I knew I had to be extra cautious from now on. I would have to destroy what I could from my old apartment and move locations on Earth. Maybe never set foot in that area again, but if they could spread their information elsewhere, then I could be found eventually. That left limiting my visits to Earth in the future. I wouldn’t be caught by those psychos.

After a few moments of silence, I spoke up. "You're free to go, Pyre. But be careful. They'll be looking for you, and they won't hesitate to hurt you again."

Pyre nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "I owe you one."

“Just don’t fuck up again. Ok?”

With that, I handed Pyre the bolt cutters, and he quickly freed himself from the remaining chains. He stood up, stretching his arms and legs, before looking at me with a determined expression.

"I'll be careful," he said. "And I'll make sure to watch my back. Thanks again for saving me."

“Just follow the tree line north, and you’ll be back in town. You won’t stand out much as long as no one sees you stepping out from these fields.

With a final glance at Pyre, I teleported away, leaving him to make his way back to safety.