March 29th 2018 -- Speedster spotted returning stolen property.
At roughly 2:36 pm, George Weston, a photography student from England’s Lincoln University and tourist’s bag was stolen. The thief quickly pedalled away from the scene, though their escape was short lived: a mere three blocks down 5th avenue. According to witnesses, in a matter of seconds a young woman seemingly appeared from thin air, accosting the thief. However, people in Times Square at the time of the robbery also reported her presence. It is unclear to officials as to how she could exist in both simultaneously.
Weston has come forward stating, “If it weren't for her, all my coursework this year would've been gone. I really can’t thank her enough.” The young woman is described as 5’9 with an athletic build, and green or blue hair. She was last seen in a black hoodie and running shorts.
Anyone with information concerning this mysterious benefactor is encouraged to come forward, so that she can receive her due accolades.
March 22nd, 2017 -- A string of what was originally seen as oddities began taking place earlier this month as a number of American citizens began falling out of the sky--literally. The victims of these bizarre attacks were reported to have been either in their homes or workplaces when without warning, a bright flash of light filled the room, then vanished. They would then be seen falling from tremendous heights until meeting the ground, at which point they met their grizzly fate.
These incidents began in the New York area with the deaths of four men, only to spread out to wider parts of the country with alarming speed. Our sources even say there are reports of other victims in different continents altogether, such as South America and Asia.
The FBI has been brought in to investigate these strange events. Reportedly, several of the casualties were either presumed dead or wanted affiliates of the Halloween Incident of 2016. While the bureau has refused to comment on who--or what--they suspect of these murders, the experts seem to agree--this was likely the work of a metahuman.
If you or anyone you know has any information regarding these murders, please call Comet News or the NYPD’s tip line. Stay tuned for more information.
February 2nd, 2018 -- Richard Tran’s body was found in the old growth forest surrounding the Tran family estate at 6:10 a.m of this morning. A murder investigation is currently underway.
The report was made by Claudia Tran, his daughter and named successor to the Aerolith conglomerate. The sight of the girl and her psychiatric service dog Maximilian around New York’s streets early in the morning is nothing unusual: the two often waking up as early at 4:00 a.m in order to get in a brisk jog. However, on this particular jaunt into the woods, Tran made a harrowing 9-1-1 call. An excerpt from the transcript is below, with the full audio released here.
[TRAN]: (Background rustling, Maximillian’s baying.) Oh my God.
[OPERATOR]: 911, what's the address of the emergency?
[TRAN]: (Shakily.) Jesus Christ, Christ- he’s, he’s-
[TRAN]: (Redacted address.) In the- woods. The woods, about an hour in- off the path, near the wild, the wildlife safety sign, because my dog, Maxie, he needed to-
[TRAN]: (Hiccuping breath.) I don’t think he’s moving. I don’t think he’s- he’s not moving.
[OPERATOR]: (Redacted address.) You said you’re by the wildlife safety sign? East or West?
[TRAN]: (Crying in earnest.) E-east. East.
[OPERATOR]: Okay, well I’ve already got a call started- help is on the way. Can you tell me what you’re seeing?
[TRAN]: M-my dad. My dad, he’s on the ground- and there’s- there’s so much blood. It’s everywhere, and, and the tree- and the branches are all broken off, and oh my God- are those teeth-
[TRAN]: (Retching noises.)
[OPERATOR:] Stay on the line with me. The paramedics are on their way. What’s your name, honey?
[TRAN]: (Stammering.) M- Claudia. My name is Claudia. Claudia Tran- or, Bão-Bão, b-but no one calls me that, cause it’s hard to say, and. Oh my God, I don’t think there’s… Dad? Daddy?
[TRAN]: (Rustling noises, with Maximillian's low grumbling.)
[TRAN]: Daddy? Can you hear me?
[TRAN]: He’s not moving- he’s: do I do CPR, or something- I- I was only a wildlife walker person thingy in the summer, not walking the wild life I mean, for the kids- the, the summer program: I- should I- Dad? Dad?! (Inaudible.)
[TRAN]: Oh my God, his face is gone.
Richard Tran’s body is currently undergoing an autopsy, with preliminary findings from the report detailing a brutal attack. While the precise ruling has yet to be made, blunt force trauma to the front of the head is cited as the likeliest cause of death. The old growth forest in its entirety has been cordoned off.
Claudia Tran’s temporary legal guardianship, established in the wake of her recent kidnapping has been transferred to Theodore Tran, J.D with their father’s passing.
February 1st, 2017 -- Claudia Tran has been found, returned to her familial fold in the early hours of this morning. Emerging from the boundaries of the old growth forest bordering the Tran family estate, hands clutched around a collapsible shovel with a pickaxe head attachment, the heiress surprised reporters by vaulting over the stone wall of the garden and landing smack dab in the middle of the congregation.
Trembling, wild eyed, and flinching visibly at the media presence outside of the family estate, she was quickly gathered up into her paternal uncle Michael Tran’s arms and ushered indoors. Her psychiatric service dog bowled over a number of reporters in Maximillian’s haste to be by her side.
An impromptu media blackout of sorts was thusly established through the means of Michael Tran returning to the front porch with a woodcutting axe and colorful language. No further information is available at this point in time.
January 29th, 2018 -- Two dead bodies have surfaced at Sam’s Point Preserve, settled on the highest point of Shawangunk Ridge. The bodies were found face down near the Ellenville Fault Ice Caves- a geographical feature unique to the area. The deep fissures hold ice throughout the summer, creating a cool microenvironment that is responsible for both marginally preserving the bodies and the northern plant species found in the surrounding brush: rowan and hemlock.
The two men have yet to be identified, but the area has been placed under restricted access on coronial orders due to their possible involvement in the disappearance of local heiress Claudia Tran. A cracked adderstone necklace similar to one frequently seen on the heiress was around one of their necks, cutting deeply into bloated flesh. While the official cause of death is not known, injuries noted at the scene were consistent with falling from considerable heights and trauma to the back of the head.
The Long Path hiking trail crisscrosses the area, and supposedly is where Michael Lakewood found the neon pink paracord shoelace that matches the description of Claudia Tran’s bootlaces on the night of her disappearance. Several of the solar power lights that dot the branch that leads to Sam’s point have been disturbed, broken or uprooted in what appears to be a struggle. A fire appears to have been set approximately 10 meters off of the trail, mirroring historical undergrowth burning used to stimulate huckleberry growth. Among the ashes were a small artist’s modelling poppet, the cherrywood badly charred. It has been identified by Richard Tran as belonging to his daughter, “Claudia carried it around everywhere in her backpack- she loved dolls.” The poppet was a gift from her maternal uncle, Kyle Tran.
While the ridge is primarily made up of Shawangunk Conglomerate- (silica cemented white quartz and sandstone) and Martinsburg Shale (dark grey shale and greywacke sandstone) the Conglomerate is noted to be highly resistant to erosion and weathering in comparison to the soft shale. Unusual buckling of the stone around the area has been noted- more deformed than is typical with the sandwiching layers of conglomerate and shale. This has been very tentatively attributed to the recent deep freeze and thawing temperatures. Claw marks consistent with veterinary measurements for Maximilian, the missing girl’s psychiatric dog have been found in the shale ridge above the dead men. Beside them, a short phrase was nicked into the stone, though a fissure running through has obliterated some of the letters: “FDPR.” The other matching boot to the hiking boot found in the rhododendrons of Central Park was lying at the bottom of a sharp drop near the impressions, closer to the entrance of the ice caves.
Gage Frasier, when prompted for a statement on the disappearance of his missing fiancée said, “I’m sure that I speak for all of her friends and family when I say that we love Claudia dearly, and would do anything for her safe return.” Blinking back tears, the heir swallowed visibly before continuing, “To the moon and the stars and back again, I love her that much.” The phrase is apparently one the couple used frequently, as seen in previously unreleased footage from the winter holidays seen here, where Frasier and Tran are sitting on the front porch of the family estate in the background of a video taken of fireworks being set off of the railing.
The million dollar reward for information concerning the girl’s disappearance has been doubled again by Richard Tran, sitting at $2,000,000.
January 26th, 2018 -- A number of reports have flooded in after Richard Tran’s press conference on the sudden disappearance of his daughter, Claudia Tran.
Several of her fellow outdoor enthusiasts have reported seeing the missing heiress around the affectionately dubbed ‘Gunks,’ (Shawangunk mountain). Michael Lakewood, one of Tran’s old coworkers from a local summer tree planting initiative who regularly participated in outdoor sports with her commented, “Swear on my ma’s grave, it was her.” Lakewood surrendered a neon pink striped paracord shoelace matching the ones seen on CTV footage of Tran on the night of her disappearance that he found in the scrubby underbrush to the NYPD.
Additionally, an engraved handgun registered in Richard Tran’s name has been found in the Witches Hole State Forest, near Shawangunk Ridge. Plated in silver, with an excerpt from a popular prayer to Archangel Michael: ‘Be our defense against the wickedness,’ engraved in curling script, the handgun was a 17th birthday present to Claudia Tran from her father. Tran was a known avid sharpshooter, to friends in gun enthusiast circles and family, as Richard recalls: “going to the range together on her birthday was a yearly tradition just for the two of us.”
A variety of smeared fingerprints are present on the gun’s grip and barrel, and it has been seized as evidence in the ongoing investigation into Tran’s sudden disappearance. Hair caught in the ribbing of the gun’s grip belongs to the missing girl. The gun’s internal mechanisms appear jammed, and the barrel has rivulets of as of yet unidentified dried blood in the curliques of the script.
Theodore Tran, notable juris doctor who participated in the Damon Rogers trial led a sweeping search through the old growth forest bordering the perimeter of the Tran family estate. The private property cuts through swathes of otherwise undisturbed land, and serves as a bridging point between the isolated manor and the outskirts of New York City. At the bottom of a gorge labelled as Breakneck Point on a handmade map belonging to Claudia Tran, a spray of blood and clumps of orange fur have been found smeared against the rockface.
Forensic analysis has positively matched the blood to Claudia Tran, and the fur to Maximillian, her psychiatric service dog. Alongside the general debris of the scene, a small, dented pocket watch was found. The watch is described as gold plated, with a floral pattern on the front face. The inside reads: "12.25.17; May we always make the time." It has been seized as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Michael Lakewood has taken on a pivotal role in conducting searches in the more remote terrain Tran frequented, donating both his outdoorsmanship expertise and equipment. He has been joined by Michael Marriott, a co-founder and coder on the CryptidCorner forum that Tran established at 13; who additionally has participated heavily in national outreach for the search.
Terrence Dubois, the ex Navy SEAL family friend and godfather to the missing girl, cryptically commented that “people will see what they want to see.” He refused to elaborate further on this statement, but reminded citizens that any tangential information surrounding the girl’s disappearance should immediately be brought to either the NYPD, or the NYPD Crime Stopper’s hotline.
The $1,000,000 reward for information regarding her disappearance remains in place.
AEROLITH CEO HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE ON MISSING HEIRESS CLAUDIA TRAN
January 25th, 2018 -- Richard Tran, CEO of the Aerolith conglomerate was seen today at a noon press conference on the topic of his missing daughter and named heiress, Claudia Tran. Gage Frasier, the missing girl’s fiancé was also in attendance. Tran has been reported missing as of 8:50 p.m of Tuesday Jan. 23, 2018, under what authorities have officially declared circumstances involving foul play.
Dredging efforts of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir have brought a waterlogged, cream peacoat with a large, spattered bloodstain on the right shoulder to light. It has been identified as Tran’s, having been positively matched to the description of her clothing the night of her disappearance in part owing to a tiny embroidered teddy bear on the inside of the right cuff.
While typically a stoic, reserved man: Richard Tran was near tears during the latter portion of the conference. He pleaded for the safe return of his daughter, and entreated anyone with information to come forwards to the NYPD. “I just want my little girl home safe,” he concluded, before stepping off of the stage to compose himself. Gage Frasier took over the proceedings to announce that search parties have been arranged, with coordination efforts led by ex Navy SEAL Terrence Dubois, a Tran family friend. Dubois, the girl’s godfather, was unavailable for comment.
The reward for information regarding Tran’s disappearance has been doubled by Richard Tran, with a total of $1,000,000 being put forward.
January 25th, 2018 -- The New York Police Department and NYPD Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help in locating Claudia Tran, who was reported missing by her concerned fiancé Gage Frasier the night of Jan. 23, 2018.
Tran and her psychiatric service dog Maximilian were last seen in Central Park, at approximately 8:50 p.m. CTV footage from the area shows Tran on one of her oft frequented footpaths, near the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. A shorn length of a red leash, a shredded pink silk hair ribbon and a single hiking boot were found enmeshed in the surrounding disturbed rhododendrons. Deep gouges in the earth continue for approximately 5m, and are believed to be from Maximilian.
Tran was last seen wearing a cream peacoat, black jeans and brown hiking boots with neon pink striped paracord laces. She is described as 19 years old, 5’0 tall, 93 pounds, and has short, curly brown hair and brown eyes.
Frasier, heir to medical device manufacturer Frasier & Sons is providing $500,000 for information about her disappearance.
Claudia Tran pictured with older brother, Theodore Tran J.D.
January 3rd, 2018 — Reverent Church, a fundamentalist Baptist church in the heart of Manhattan, has been recently brought into the spotlight after disaster struck months ago. What began with your average Sunday service was thrown into disarray after a gunshot rang through the halls of the church, beginning a domino effect that has left law enforcement perplexed.
Witnesses report that in the blink of an eye the familiar church interior was replaced with a massive expanse, filled with impossible architecture and fantastical creatures. While all of these claims seem far-fetched, consistent testimonies suggest that there may be more truth to the accounts than law enforcement originally believed. However, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate the victims’ personal views from their claims, especially as it pertains to the possibility of metahuman involvement.
Of these victims, none are more outspoken than Thomas McNamara, the church’s primary pastor known for his animosity towards metahumans. While the NYPD hasn’t released an official statement, McNamara has been very vocal about his theories, especially those regarding a metahuman plot to destroy his church and take his life. In the wake of these sermons, the congregation has been galvanized in its attempts to weed out possible metahumans among its ranks, becoming something akin to a witch hunt.
This hunt has only been intensified after the recent disappearance of the pastor’s son Gabriel. A separate investigation into this has been launched by the NYPD, even though many believe the two events to be linked. Despite this, there has no been official confirmation, and any information circulating on his status at this point is conjecture.
BREAKING NEWS: FRESH KILLS GREEN ENERGY PLANT ACCIDENT
December 30th, 2017 - What was born in progress has developed in tragedy--a culmination of mechanical and chemical failures has resulted in internal wreckage, followed by the releasing of toxic fumes, within the ForwardThinking’s new waste management plant in Fresh Kills. The landfill, while once on its way to becoming a park, was reclaimed by the city in light of the Halloween Incident of 2016 for use to deposit debris. Since then, the fill has returned to its original use, as it was bought by rising star green energy researchers who sought to use the garbage to further anti-global warming efforts. A dome was constructed over the entire dump to maintain both leakage and gases.
Emergency vehicles surround the site currently and while police and firefighters are on the scene, they’re reportedly having difficulty breaching the structure to help the dozens of workers inside.
We’ll keep you update with further information regarding this disaster.
December 18th, 2017 - Citizens of New York were likely privy to a massive power outage that struck the city at approximately one am on Sunday morning. While power plant employees were puzzled by the incident, thus resulting in the following two days being spent without power, they luckily fixed the issue this afternoon.
According to our sources, the blackout’s source remains mysterious. At some point during the night, an armed assailant climbed the plant and shot one of the primary generators. Witnesses report having heard a loud, sharp noise that was seemingly unrelated, but faded after some time. NYPD continue to look for the suspect of this vandalism, as the outage caused millions of dollars in property damage and hundreds of injuries.
December 24th, 2017 - Early this afternoon as festivities were in full swing, the Thanksgiving Day Parade came to a screeching halt when a previously unknown villain appeared. The villain has been reported to have heat related powers, but it is unknown if he was involved in the incident in Brooklyn last week. Authorities are suggesting that citizens continue their festivities inside and stay wary, as the villain escaped capture in the chaos that ensued. If you see a glowing man or any other unusual activity, please report the sighting to your local law enforcement and take no further action.
Several exhibits within the Bronx Zoo have been seemingly tampered with as multiple animals have escaped into New York without a trace. While police and zookeepers look for the lost creatures, please be wary while commuting through town: these animals are at large and can be extremely dangerous.
A sudden increase in activity hit the city within the proximity of the month of October. Comet News’ reporters have been ceaselessly hunting for the latest information regarding the repeated incidents within the city and have been following up with them thoroughly.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
NYU was taken over by swarms of cockroaches on this Saturday evening as police officers surrounded the science department building, hostages being kept by a masked figure from the inside. Though delayed by the insects that began to quite literally attack New York’s finest, they were eventually able to make their way inside. What they found was a variety of special effects evidence, eight horrified captives, and the culprit behind it all.
Brian Young, age 19, was a victim of heavy bullying during his brief time at NYU's science division. After his metahuman abilities manifested, namely his antennae, he was mocked for having "the worst of the superpowers." Determined to prove them wrong, he adopted anti-societal ideals, as well as a deep disdain for the new trend of superpowered vigilantes.
Brian, or as he refers to himself, the "Cockroach King," is currently on trial for reckless endangerment, destruction of private property and threatening law enforcement. More details on Young’s indictment when the trial concludes.
OCTOBER 14, 2017
This year’s annual Pickle Festival was going rather typically when, suddenly, three ruffians began to threaten a local ceramics salesman. Comet News reporters confronted the young man, who had this to say:
"I was getting strong armed for money by these goons after the festival and, man, I thought I was gonna die, but WHAM! This dude came outta nowhere and just kicked one in the face. Next thing you know it's mayhem! And, like, sure, they could've been more careful about not breaking my vases, but they really saved my neck!"
Several participants of the event defended the young man’s stall and successfully drove him off—however, they managed to steal a prized medallion in the process. These young heroes successfully retrieved the item and all was safe and sound.
OCTOBER 21, 2017
The MOMA received a bit of excitement recently, though not in the form of an exhibit. Both police and the museum’s curators remain quiet about what took place, but a source that would rather remain anonymous has told us that something seemingly supernatural took place. No one knows for sure what exactly occurred, however we do know that several ambulances were called to the scene and, upon conclusion of the event, nearly everyone on the premises was sent home.
Whatever took place has left a rather curious stain on the museum: Several of the priceless paintings have been seemingly vandalized. A Lichenstein piece’s depiction of a woman with a beach ball has been severely scorched, but by real fire, but within the painting itself, Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe now has a bleeding gunshot wound in her forehead, though she smiles through it, and a photograph of refugee now has a crudely drawn smiley face etched into the surface among others. The works of art have been removed from their respective galleries until further notice.
Comet News was not allowed access to surveillance footage of any kind nor did the police give comment.
NOVEMBER 5, 2017
Epidemic struck New York streets just a few short weeks ago as a sudden compulsion of violence gripped the attendees of a UFC match held in Madison Square Gardens. Dozens were killed and injured as audience members began to attack each other as the athletes continued to battle it out until three strangers in gas masks began to challenge them to a completely different brawl—one of life and death. The entire bloodbath was caught on screen in a grizzly display in which notable fighter Owens was taken down in what seemed to be a fray between metahumans.
The FBI have been reported to have teamed up with the police in order to crack the case of what exactly happened here, who these masked figures were (and if a particular one had anything to do with the New Year’s Ball bombing from several years ago), and how it connects with a runaway subway train that seemingly crashed and burned. Investigators are still carefully combing over both crime scenes as well questioning witnesses to find the answers to these questions.
Comet News urges anyone with answers to come forward and give their eye witness testimony to the NYPD.
July 23rd 2017 - Citizens in the NYU area and near Central Park walking their dogs, on their morning jogs, and commutes to work may be in shock this morning.
A series of posters have been spotted today, tacked onto various public properties. These posters, consisting of pictures of alleged metahumans, brief descriptions of their lives including their likes and dislikes, and summaries of their powers, seem to have sprung up overnight.
The posters are associating themselves with a new unheard organization referring to themselves as “POP”, an acronym that stands for “People Over Powers.” Their goal is stated to try to emphasize the humanness of metahumans over their less than human powers.
Whether or not POP’s endeavors will be successful remains to be seen.
