Tag: Channel 5
Kelly Thompson Reporting Live
By Swordsman | February 3, 2019 | Comments 3 comments
April 8th, 2024 – Monday: Just after Noon
BATTENBURG HEIGHTS SUB-DISTRICT
The day had been chillier than most thanks to a cold front moving in off the Gulf of Mexico. Kelly had just got done trying to get a hold Sasha again but he wasn't picking up. It was at that point the call came over her scanner about a second group from S.A.V.I.O.R. in the Battenburg Heights sub-district of Society Hill. Her colleague, Miranda, had gone after the first group but they were over in Brisby Flats and the wrong side of Midtown.
The fact that since they appeared on the scene earlier in the year, and climbed to the heights of becoming the replacements for the Centurions was nothing short of meteoric in scope. Since Gryphon or Garrick Faulkner wasn't among the team in the bad side of town on this day of the eclipse. Then this could be her chance to make up for getting lost in Sasha's charms and try getting Gryphon to give her an interview! As she was headed over to the location She refreshed her memory on when he came out with his identity, being challenged by Cyan and Indigo after he helped them stop a bank robbery. Indigo was defeated in a K.O. by Gryphon in one hit! When Cyan tried to smear his name by hiding as a corporate sellout he revealed his identity!
Kelly yanked her driver and cameraman out of their chairs so hard they nearly fell over as she passed them! Listening to the reports coming in that Gryphon and S.A.V.I.O.R. were on scene in the 'Heights' at a B&E. She was also scanning social media and found tweets of Gryphon's showing Hank the Horseman riding a Chinese-looking serpentine dragon!
Other tweets found showing the Gryphon mentoring a younger female hero: Hanging with Gryphon, super caz. All my @QuaziNauts know what's up!
#HeroLife #Blessed
A retweet by @NorwoodKnights adding: See, helping heroes and the populace! #HangingWithTheGryphon
Was she about to break a new team member joining S.A.V.I.O.R.? They were in fact the first news crew on site! When they arrived, the C.S.P.D. confirmed no one matching Sasha's description had been seen. The cameraman had the driver take his phone and try and zoom in on the open doors and windows with a clip on telescopic lens for smart phones. Meanwhile they did catch that their were at least two body bags and several injured. Using the boom mic as Kelly got ready fixing her jacket they overheard Gryphon telling an officer, "Well, the ninjas really wrecked the whole house. But they were super stupid stabbing a dragon that ended up falling over on them! Quazi is over 15 feet long and weighs at least the weight of a truck. Physics are unforgiving if you catch my drift."
The driver came back over and showed them the shots he could get. The house had clearly been tossed in classic breaking and entering fashion. It was the jade statue of a serpentine-like creature that was the real prize shot! The driver had put it on burst so their were plenty of images with a few being very crisp and clear. It seems S.A.V.I.O.R. actually stopped this robbery and captured the bad guys. It would appear the only deaths were from two ninjas attacking a – dragon!?! Kelly was beside herself on how cool the story was!
She went past the police line and was 10 feet from Gryphon when a couple of officers caught up with her, "Gryphon, Garrick, Mr. Faulkner! Can I get a quote? Kelly Thompson with Channel 5 News."
Kelly could see she struck a chord saying his actual name caused him to stiffen and turn, "Ms. Thompson was it?" Kelly nodded and he continued, "I remember you from the bank, you're dating Sasha now if I understand how that ended?"
She was immediately caught off guard, "D-Dating? Who said we're dating? Has he been saying that? I mean, I wouldn't mind seeing him again, of course. We could be dating if he wanted to. Wait, that wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about!"
Gryphon chuckled at her fluster. He cocked his slightly and smiled as he watched her gulp ever so slightly, and he knew he nailed the way his father had spoken with people to get them on his side. "Ms. Thompson, I will be sure to pass on your well wishes to Sasha when I see him next. Now, if you'd be so kind to take your crew and yourself back behind the police-line, I promise you an interview before I leave. To sweeten your co-operation I will also not speak with any other media crew that shows up to this crime scene today."
Kelly nodded and did as requested. About 30-40 minutes later Gryphon walked over as the CSPD crime scene unit and coroner were finishing up some of their work due to deaths on scene. In his blue with gold decoration and accents, 17th to 18th century, nobleman's long coat. White pants, black leather riding boots. With a single forearm guard of golden plate etched with an angelic looking gryphon crest. Garrick "The Gryphon" Faulkner walked over to Kelly and her crew, "Ms. Thompson, as promised I am here to answer your questions."
Kelly told her crew to get ready for a live broadcast, and when her camera person and their technician signaled she turned to face the camera, "Hello, this is Kelly Thompson, reporting live in Battenburg Heights. We're at the scene of a breaking and entering by a band of thieves who appear to have chosen to costume themselves as ninjas made famous in movies! But they clearly did not anticipate being stopped by S.A.V.I.O.R. today! With me," as the camera shot changes from a close up to a wide angle, "is the S.A.V.I.O.R. team captain, Gryphon! Whom we all know went public with their identity of Garrick Faulkner. Which name would you prefer we use?"
"Thank you, Ms. Thompson, but either is fine since my chosen moniker was simply an alternate spelling of my middle name."
"Fascinating, so what can you tell us about this break in? From the call on the scanner to our arrival, your team had shown up and resolved everything in minutes!"
"Upon our arrival we found four individuals on the roof of the manor and I was able to use an ability to see more inside on the third floor. Our team began to move in to apprehend the individuals and were met with powered individuals capable of super human speed. Each wielding weapons with the intent to provide armed resistance to their apprehension. I stayed in contact with CSPD trying to provide as much real time updates as possible and ascertain the abilities of our team's newest member, Quazi the Serpent, and I am impressed."
"So you have a serpent dragon according to the social media pictures from earlier?"
"Yes, and I think she is going to do well."
"Do you know what was the item or items the thieves were after?"
"Yes, however, this is an active investigation and I would rather let the detectives that will be assigned to the case release their statement when all the facts have been gathered so they can avoid any confusion by knee jerk statements. The thieves did a thorough job of ransacking the whole house looking for their assigned objectives."
"I see that some of the intruders died. Was that due to fighting with your team?"
"Yes, when multiple assailants stabbed the serpentine dragon, Quazi, causing her to briefly loose her footing. She fell and the physics of force, mass, and gravity led to quick backlash of karma. Many more have been taken into custody and will have their wounds treated. Those that faced me are alive but chose to attack a member of the C.S.P.D. when took up arms against my team and I."
"What else can you tell us about the incident?"
"Hank and Miss Amazing did wonderful jobs in engaging multiple targets and controlling the flow of action allowing for so many to be taken into custody. It was Hank's actions that led to the recovery of the stolen item or items as you mentioned earlier. Black Phantom helped to flush anyone on the roof back inside so the rest of us could deal with them. Quazi did very well despite injury in trying to find and quell the situation without violence as a first resort. The intruders chose a different path leading them into conflict with our team."
"Would you mind answering a few other questions?"
"Sure Ms. Thompson I have a small amount of time before the CSI wrap up. If another call comes in I would have to leave sooner."
"Gryphon, now that SAVIOR has moved into Century Plaza, does this mean Norwood has lost its hero?"
"Absolutely not, they gave me a home when I had been released from Gramercy. I finished my probation there and got my career back on track in Norwood. I still donate my time to charitable efforts there as well."
"Can you provide a statement regarding one of S.A.V.I.O.R.'s own members, Caedechron, being arrested by C.S.P.D. yesterday?"
"This is an active investigation and I can only say that no one is above the law. Caedechron is still my friend and I will help him in anyway possible that doesn't violate the law."
"Where is Sasha, your other new member?"
"Day off, every job has them and I am sure you can appreciate that."
"Will the city have to face any more of Sinistry's wrecking ball robots?"
"I can't say for certain, every time they've been used Sinistry has deployed them as diversions for another target in the city. If all the supers are trying to battle the robot wrecking balls then ideally no one would be around to oppose their real target."
"What were their real targets the last two times?"
"This is an active investigation and I can only say that it is still ongoing."
"Despite the general opinion polls openly in favor of S.A.V.I.O.R.'s hard-lined approach to crime-fighting, there are some pretty vocal opponents to your tactics, such as Xavier Financial, Triton Industries, and Korashi Technics. Are you concerned that their opposition will gain traction and sway the Mayor to replace your team?"
"Hmm, one of our group's earliest missions when the Hero of Century Station was still around. Had us save an armored car transporting hardware for Korashi Technics. Perhaps they were unaware it was our team that helped? Triton Industries has other concerns than just us. Xavier Financial used to be led by a ruthless, blood-thirsty, maggot. His daughter, Cassandra, is none of these things. She'll likely find all the evidence of her father's misdeeds and crush them. I suspect Xander Financial will in the future, with Cassandra at the helm, actually begin a better legacy in helping the city and its citizens."
"Are you on a first name basis with Cassandra Blodgett?"
"Perhaps not now, but she's bumped into me at a charity event where I attend regularly and left me a note about her interest in our team. When one of her friends we had in common was ill she came over to my house and helped take care of him. She also helped a former team member with selling their photography while she was still dating that friend in common we had. I think it would be fair to say I am familiar with her. It's also why I know her to be the good person she is." Gryphon looks over to his team and Black Phantom taps his wrist, "Sorry Kelly I have time for one more question."
"How do you respond in regards to the story and pictures printed in this morning's Everyman about Rubber-Band-Man's alcoholism?"
"Alcoholism is a serious issue and contributes to at least 5 of the top 10 reason for death in the United States. Well over 10 million still suffer from this in the United States as well. I have expressed my concerns about this to Rubber-Band-Man and he is addressing this. All I can do is be supportive and hope others see that it's not the poor or the less fortunate that suffer with problems or addictions because of stress factors in their lives. Those with abilities are often put in extreme situations and humans sometimes choose less than optimal ways to cope with them. Rather than vilifying that we can provide avenues for rehabilitation, support, and a guiding hand. Addiction is not something solved over night but it is something that can be overcome. Kelly, when my father died I lost myself in depression and trying to regain what loosing Daedalus did to us both. People cope in different ways, and my sister doesn't speak to me anymore because of it. But just like the Rubber-Band-Man is responsible for his actions I had to realize I had to be responsible for mine. He is my teammate and I for one will be their to help and support him through this and see a better tomorrow."
"So you are deciding to help him get through this?"
"My time donating to charitable organizations has taught me Hero-Work may start with C.S.P.D., C.S.F.D., S.A.V.I.O.R., other hero groups or individuals, however, it doesn't end there. Social Workers, therapists, school teachers, and parents or siblings/friends all play a part in helping someone overcome trauma of any kind. People need time to cope with stress and the world we live in doesn't always grant such reprieve. Its our friends and families that help ground and stabilize us. Our own communities should help us become soulfully enriched and grow. It's why I do what I do, to give back to Norwood, Century Station and the people that gave me a second chance. I intend to do that not just for Rubber-Band-Man but for everyone I can. They," Gryphon gestures with the arm bearing the golden armor upon it to everyone on the scene, "are my heroes and give me hope. I'm just doing my part to try and give that hope back."
Gryphon looks back to his team and nods, "Sorry, we have to go on to our next assignment, please have a wonderful day."
The teams leaves into the air as Kelly Thompson turns to the camera as other media crews are arriving, "Well, you heard it here first on Channel Five, everyone. Garrick "The Gryphon" Faulkner's first interview. Proving the adage that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Now back to the studio."