ZCN 6/22/2420: Violent Racism and Bigotry Lead Aegis as Major Threat Looms

This is a Zaphira City News publication from 6/22/2420.
== Violent Racism and Bigotry Lead Aegis as Major Threat Looms ==
Aegis, meant to be the people's shield that has shifted its slogan from a self-proclaimed "hero" organization, to "mercenary" organization and even "adventurer" organization perhaps should change its slogan to Aegis: The Organization for Volatile Bigots. According to several eye-witness accounts, this organization has devolved itself from a symbol that has struggled to identify what it stands for over the years has finally settled upon the foundations of that which are no better than the gangs and common criminals that poison the Zaphira undercity on a daily basis.
We here at ZCN are only concerned with bringing light to information that the public deserves to know. In a city where those just trying to get by can be easily forgotten and left behind, we here at ZCN feel it is a citizen's right to know what those in power, those who are meant to protect us from both worldly and otherworldly foes are doing and how they intend on protecting all of us that are forced to entrust our lives to them on a daily basis. They trickle into our streets, proclaim themselves as one of us and yet they keep information from us about looming threats to our lives.
Information kept under wraps by the self-proclaimed "Guardians" that make up majority leadership in Aegis. Brought forth into the light by witnesses who wish to only remain anonymous for fear of repercussions from the organization after what they've experienced. Living in fear for their lives and limbs, these brave souls have brought this information and eye-witness account in the pursuit of justice for the common people.
You may be asking yourselves, do these "Guardians" have a plan? Who are they? What are they? Do they really care for those of us who cannot defend themselves against such an adversary? Will we all just be caught in the crossfire amidst another war between "heroes" and "villains"?
It pains me to report that no, in fact these "Guardians" have no plan at all. Collecting artifacts, listening to the voice of a once-dead "teacher" brought back to life in the eyes of many to deliver a message of our very oblivion. Our "saviours" are far too busy with internal struggles and bigoted hatred to be able set aside their differences for the sake of unifying against our doom. It seems that when those gifted with godlike power are also threatened they would rather act selfishly and in their own self-serving best interest than fulfill any duties they once proclaimed to uphold.
Aegis has proceeded to become only more disheveled and disorganized since it's last attempt to save face after it previously made headlines following the brutal attack on a Japanese police station at the beginning of the year by one of it's agents. It's leadership wrought with violent racists, trickling down into their agents and recruits.
Our eye-witness offers their first-hand account of the abhorrent events that transpired only days ago onboard the Cathedral, Aegis' own headquarters which is reportedly a massive three-pointed space station.:
"I don't even know truly where to begin. It all happened so fast and there was so much blood. Mr. Victor had come into the Cathedral to personally apologize for a mistake he had made, he approached peacefully, unarmed. He was granted permission to be there else he wouldn't have been there to begin with, yet he was stopped in his tracks before even making it into the main lobby by an Archmage and one of those "Guardians" named Silas. He stopped Mr. Victor physically and proclaimed that 'he himself was a head of Aegis' alongside Hybris and Ion. Hybris being one of those "Guardians" too! And 'that Aegis does things differently, that they "take care of their own"'. Silas then asked Mr. Victor to extend his hand to him before Silas pulled out his sword glowing with some sort of light and chopped Mr. Victor's hand clean off, blood spilling all over the floor! He did all of this while damning the entire race of vampires and other Aegis agents followed suit. Non-Aegis members, myself included were the only ones to provide medical aid to Mr. Victor at the time all the while Aegis members and Silas stood there watching him bleed everywhere and calling his entire race "worthless, hard-headed, disgusting ilk" amidst a slew of other prejudicial words. Mr. Victor not once retaliated or even spoke back, he just stood there and took it. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed."
Citizens, as if Aegis's actions wouldn't stop there. They continued from another eyewitnesses' account the following night outside of the local Purple Lotus casino and bar where it is reported that another of Aegis' leads, by the name Ion, was seen cornering Mr. Victor outside the casino and screaming in his face, again while Mr. Victor had to stand there and take it.
Things just go from bad to worse when it comes to Aegis and the ripples they cause. An organization more concerned with trying to maintain a false image for themselves instead of taking responsibility for what they and their agents do under their own roof and in their name.
This organization that reportedly keeps such a stranglehold on it's agents that everything an agent embarks on must be approved by Hybris herself but so quickly agents are disassociated from the agency to save face, as we saw with the JPD attack in January. But yet, how can you expect that which is an A.I. just recently gifted her own humanity as we've been told to be able to identify with the systemic racism and prejudices that befall so many minorities that make up the citizens of Zaphira and the very world we live in. You would hope that other leadership within Aegis may be the ones to assist with this, the ones that would step up to the plate and take accountability for the actions that happen under their roof.
But no, they see more fit to erase what occurs by intimidation. Never learning from their mistakes and leaving pain in their wake.
On behalf of ZCN and the common citizen, it's time to start holding those in power accountable. Accountable for their actions and inactions. Accountable for the hell they drop on our heads in the wake of the battles they fight above us and proclaim are "for" us.
We say "NO" to racists with power and those who seek to sweep their actions under the rug. We the people of Zaphira and the world SEE you Aegis and WE are watching.
Category:ZCN Publication