“In recent months, the agricultural heartland of the United States has faced an unprecedented challenge. The once bountiful fields that stretch along the Mississippi River have seen a dramatic decline in crop yields, a situation that has sent ripples of concern through farming communities and beyond. The culprit? A surge in toxicity levels in the Mississippi River has had a devastating impact on the soil and water quality essential for farming. Even as heroes have worked to push back and cull the Sea Serpents, the water and land are still unable to grow plants.
“The Mississippi River, often referred to as the lifeblood of American agriculture, has been grappling with increasing levels of pollutants. Industrial runoff, agricultural chemicals, and untreated waste have all contributed to a toxic cocktail that is now wreaking havoc on the environment. Farmers along the river have reported stunted crop growth, poor soil health, and a significant drop in yields.
“The economic ramifications of this crisis are far-reaching. With local farms unable to produce at their usual capacity, the United States has been forced to import more food from abroad. This shift has not been without its challenges. Imported food is not only more expensive but also subject to delays, exacerbating the strain on supply chains already stretched thin by global events.
“The sudden need to rely on imported food has caught many communities off guard. Prices at grocery stores have surged, and the availability of certain staples has become unpredictable. For many families, this has meant adjusting their budgets and meal plans to accommodate the higher costs and limited options.
“Despite the severity of the situation, it is crucial for the public to remain calm. Experts and government agencies are actively working to address the root causes of the toxicity in the Mississippi River. Environmental protection agencies have ramped up efforts to monitor and mitigate pollution sources, while agricultural scientists are exploring ways to rehabilitate the affected farmland. Superhumans are also on the scene using their powers to help adjust the land to return it to normalcy.
“While the current circumstances are undoubtedly challenging, there is hope on the horizon. The measures being implemented are expected to gradually restore the health of the river and, by extension, the farmlands that depend on it. Farmers are receiving support to adapt their practices and mitigate the immediate impacts on their livelihoods.
“As we navigate this crisis, it is important to remember that the resilience of our agricultural sector has been tested before and has always emerged stronger. The collaboration between government agencies, scientists, and farmers will be key to overcoming this hurdle. We are continuing to monitor the situation and hope that it can be resolved soon. As a reminder, the river is currently unsafe to swim or drink from. If you enter the river, you are liable to be attacked by the creatures that have made their home there.”
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The Earth didn’t care as it broke open in the dead of night. The mountain shook, and its creatures stirred Splits in the earth’s crust widened, revealing the ominous red glow of the mantle beneath. The molten rock, usually hidden deep within the planet, now shone through the cracks, casting an eerie, hellish light on the surrounding landscape. The air grew thick with the scent of sulfur and burning earth. Campers, nestled in their tents and RVs, were jolted awake by the violent tremors. Groggy and disoriented, they stumbled out into the night, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what was unfolding. Out here in the remote forests, there was no cell phone reception to provide immediate information or warnings.
Magma turned to lava and brought light to the night lit by a clear starry sky. People ran for their cars and belongings, their faces etched with fear and confusion. The realization that the Yellowstone volcano was erupting struck them with a paralyzing dread. Despite the lack of immediate communication, faint cellular connections managed to relay the first signs of the disaster to the outside world. News spread rapidly, and soon, weather services confirmed the eruption. The world watched in horror as one of nature’s most powerful forces unleashed its fury.
The trees, once towering and majestic, were now engulfed in flames. Smoke billowed into the sky, forming dark, menacing clouds that blotted out the stars. The air was thick with ash, making it difficult to breathe. As the volcano continued its relentless eruption, more ash was spewed into the atmosphere, creating a blanket of darkness over the land.
With no warning and no time to prepare, people ran for their lives. The smoke filled the dark sky, turning night into an apocalyptic scene. Vehicles clogged the narrow forest roads as everyone tried to escape the encroaching lava and falling ash. The once peaceful campsite was now a scene of utter chaos and desperation.
As the eruption reached its peak, the landscape was forever changed. The once lush forest was now a charred wasteland, and the air was filled with the acrid smell of burning wood and sulfur. It erupted with no warning, and people ran as smoke filled the dark sky.
As the early reports came in, the Agency was alerted. Soon after, I was dispatched as part of the Disaster Response Division. The morning I had spent in physical fitness training. It was still mandatory for another week. Or ‘heavily suggested’. The afternoon was spent gathering supplies and doing some traveling for future projects. I always liked to refresh my memories of locations. Despite my powers, I hadn’t seen all the world. Some places were just too out of the way or difficult to travel to. If I hadn’t been there before and had it in my mind with enough focus, then I needed to manually travel there by foot or consecutive teleportation.
Yellowstone was not one of my recent jump points. I had visited Denver to see the Rockies and ski, so I started there. Bringing Pyre wasn’t too much harder than going alone. It just required more focus. Something he wasn’t always great at giving me. I jumped north by sight and started a zig-zag trail toward Yellowstone National Park.
Information was sparse on what was happening. Speedsters faster than me would have arrived already and started preparing for the worst before letting the Agency set out a plan. My mask helpfully noted my distance to the forward operating base. Soon, the place would be swarming with available heroes who could help quell the literal mountain, though the question of how much could be done was still up in the air. As we got closer, the objectives became clear. Pyre was to join the firefighting team and stop the forest fires, while I would join the Human Safety team. Or, more plainly, find and rescue those too close to the erupting volcano.
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We entered the parking lot of the large museum and events building. Cars were being hurriedly escorted out. Inside was more chaotic as people were being treated for burns and smoke inhalation. I noted the area and sent Pyre on his way to help with the firefighting. Next, I went to the roof. It was the area that would change the least and, as such, would be best for teleporting in and out of when dropping off people. The roof was unremarkable, so I had to note its shape and the parking lot and forest around it. I could see the reddening sky in the distance.
Once I felt the location secure in my mind, I went back to the main floor. The place was sectioned off into different areas based on need. Superheroes and civilians alike were checking in at what used to be the front desk. I went there first. One of the agency's agents was working the desk.
“I’m here to check in. I also dropped off Pyre a minute ago.”
“Blink. Yes, I will mark you down. While we start containing the area, you will be part of the shuttling service. Return to the Agency New York office and then the Agency main Europe office. They will know to expect you, and you will be picking up other heroes to bring here.”
“Got it. Is there anything else?”
“Nope. Just check back in when you are done or if someone at the office asks. It all depends on how the situation changes.”
I teleported back to where I started as a courier and shuttle service. Plantress was needed to strengthen the trees against the coming fire. Heroes who could wield wind as she did for plants would be needed as ash continued to spread through the air.
The teleportation process was always draining, but tonight, it felt especially taxing. The constant back and forth between New York, Europe, and Yellowstone was wearing me down. Each jump required immense concentration, and the physical toll was starting to show. My muscles ached, and my vision blurred slightly with each successive teleport.
As I arrived back at the New York office, I was greeted by a flurry of activity. Heroes were gearing up, receiving last-minute briefings, and preparing for deployment. I quickly located the next group I was to transport: a team of medics and a few more firefighters. They looked at me with a mix of determination and exhaustion, mirroring my feelings.
“Ready?” I asked, trying to muster as much energy as I could.
They nodded, and I focused on the image of the Yellowstone base in my mind. The familiar pull of teleportation enveloped us, and in an instant, we were back in the chaos of the disaster zone. They exited the rooftop and got to work. The medics immediately sprang into action, heading towards the makeshift triage area while the firefighters joined Pyre and the others battling the inferno.
I took a moment to catch my breath, leaning against a wall. The night was far from over, and there were still many more trips to make. The weight of the responsibility pressed heavily on my shoulders. Lives depended on my ability to keep going, to keep teleporting despite the exhaustion. I hadn’t checked in with the front desk in a while. No agent from HQ had updated me on anything else. I was just to teleport wherever needed. I looked up at the sky. It had gotten darker, and the smoke and ash covered more and more of it.
Intensifying, and the situation was becoming even more dire. I had to stay focused, no matter how tired I was. The lives of those trapped in the path of destruction depended on it. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and visualized the Europe office once more. The familiar sensation of teleportation washed over me, and I found myself standing in the bustling hub of the Agency’s European headquarters. More heroes were waiting, ready to be transported to the front lines.
“Blink, you look exhausted,” one of the coordinators said, concern evident in their voice.
“I’m fine,” I replied, though my voice betrayed my fatigue. “Just tell me who needs to go next.”
The coordinator handed me a list, and I quickly scanned it. More medics, a few engineers, and a couple of heroes with specialized abilities to help contain the eruption. I gathered them together, and with another deep breath, I teleported us back to Yellowstone.
The scene was even more chaotic than before. The sky was a deep, angry red, and the air was thick with ash and smoke. The ground trembled beneath our feet, and the roar of the volcano was deafening. I directed the new arrivals to their respective teams and took a moment to assess the situation.
More civilians needed my help. Surrounding cities were evacuating. Cars blocked the roads for miles while they tried to escape. People were still being evacuated, but the process was slow and dangerous. The narrow forest roads were clogged with vehicles, and the constant threat of falling ash and lava made every step treacherous.
My next step was to go to the nearby resort towns. People needed to be evacuated, and I could help them.
I focused on the image of the nearby resort towns in my mind, visualizing the layout of the streets and the buildings. With a deep breath, I teleported to the first town, and my senses were immediately overwhelmed by the chaos that greeted me. People were running wildly, screaming and crying as they tried to escape the encroaching lava and falling ash. I quickly assessed the situation, identifying those who needed my help the most.
I spotted a family trapped in their car, the vehicle stuck in the jammed traffic. I rushed to them, my mask helping me to navigate through the dense smoke. "I'm here to help," I shouted over the din of the eruption. "Hold on to me, and I'll get you out of here."
The family, terrified but desperate, clung to me as I teleported them one by one to a safer location further away from the volcano. We materialized in a clearing, the air cleaner and the ground stable. They thanked me profusely, tears of relief streaming down their faces.
I repeated this process several times, teleporting individuals and small groups to safety. Each time, I felt a surge of satisfaction, knowing that I was making a difference. But as the night wore on, I encountered a group that would test my patience and understanding.
A small cluster of people huddled together near the edge of town refused my help. "We're not leaving," one of them said, their voice firm but laced with fear. "This is our home. We'll ride it out." They had locked now their home and shuttered everything.
I tried to reason with them, explaining the danger that was closing in. But they were stubborn, unwilling to listen. Frustration began to build inside me. Why couldn't they see the reality of the situation? Why were they putting their lives at risk?
Just as I was about to try again, my mask's comms system crackled to life. "Blink, this is your coordinator. You’ve been in place for too long. What is the situation?”
I took a step back. “I’ve found a group that refuses to leave. They need to come with me.”
The coordinator sighed. “We can’t help people who don’t want to be helped. You need to move on to those who are willing to accept assistance."
“But they are going to die here or risk major health issues. I can just grab them and get out.”
“That’s a negative Blink. Other people will be far more willing and need help. Check back in on them later, but they are not your problem anymore.”
I hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. But the coordinator's words were a harsh reminder of the reality of disaster response. I couldn't force people to accept help if they didn't want it. With a heavy heart, I left the stubborn group behind, focusing on those who were desperate for my assistance. The night was far from over, and there were still many more lives to save.
I knew I had to keep going, to keep teleporting people to safety. But I knew it would take time. The destruction caused by the volcano would continue to spread for some time. I used my powers to move because my feet didn’t want to move anymore, and I sat down on the gravel top of the emergency response building. My eyelids grew heavy, and I fell asleep.