News and Other Affairs

The morning news along with newspapers and online news sites are abuzz with the event that happened the night before. Reports say that a group of armed mercenaries led by the infamous Max Kade attempted to rob the guests of the charity ball to help promote the Brisbane Clean-Up-Crime program, who were thwarted by the super vigilante Omega Magnus with relative ease. None of the guests at the ball were reportedly harmed, and all the guests evacuated safely whilst Omega Magnus was dealing with the mercenaries. The police's ability to continually deny the existence of Omega Magnus had become even more difficult, with certain guests actually managing to get some snapshots of Magnus fighting off the mercenaries. The biggest surprise came from the Lord Mayor.

"I've heard stories about the vigilante for a while." the Lord Mayor exclaims in a TV interview. "But I cannot deny that he has definitely done this city a service. He save my life, and the lives of the guests at the ball, including Ms. Queen. I know vigilantism is by no means lawful, but in the desperate state the city is in, I believe this vigilante has been a breath of fresh air that has really given us a glimmer of hope."

"Well at least the Mayor's on my side" Magnus happily exclaims,

"Yeah, but you still have the commissioner and the sergeant on your back." replies EJ.

Back in the Magnus Lair, both Magnus and EJ are lounged at the computer investigating on the Benefactor and recent events that had transpired.

"The strangest thing that happened was that the Commissioner Keith and Sergeant Carter disappeared before Kade showed up." Magnus says,

"Why didn't you have your eye on them?" Asks EJ,

"I was dancing with Ariel."

"Wow! You dancing with a girl? That's an achievement! Well done!"

"Stop busting my balls, EJ!"

"Did you talk to her today?"

"I rang her this morning. She's okay, she's just taking it easy. Wouldn't stop talking about Omega Magnus though."

After Magnus flew off the night before, he quickly changed back into his tuxedo and met up with Ariel outside the Convention Centre after saving her. She thanked Steven for bringing the police, but she couldn't stop talking about Omega Magnus.

"Do you think the sergeant may have been involved?" asks EJ,

"Yes, but if anything, I suspect that Commissioner may be the brains." replies Magnus, "The sergeant may be a hard-ass on all fronts, but he basically retreated back when the Commissioner stepped forward and started talking. If Carter really would've been the brains, then he would've come across as a power hungry ogre. But I didn't see that."

"I know this is a stretch." EJ goes on, "But do you think that Christine Keith might be the Benefactor?"

"She does have influence, access to state funds and a lot of bodies on her side, that's for sure." Magnus continues, "And she is a woman, which fits the only description we have."

"So what do you propose?"

"Try not to get too upset?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Search her office."

"What?! Fighting criminals, sure. But breaking and entering?"

"This is the first solid lead we've had. We can't just sit back and wait for another."

As much as EJ opposes the idea, she sighs with defeat with there being no other choice.

"So what's the plan?" asks EJ,

"Her office is on the twentieth floor with a balcony that has a view of the city." Magnus goes on. "I can get to the roof first from the train station across from it and rappel downwards from there onto the balcony. From there the rest is through improvising."

"You had me until you got to improvising."

"I just break in and search the place."

"But what if there's a trap waiting? Word got out that the Commissioner and Sergeant ran off. Social Media is off the rails with that story. And there are the reports of the team of tactical soldiers they've supposedly brought in, so they're bound to take precautions."

"I know. If it happens, I'm ready for a one-on-one exclusive."

It's a highly dangerous situation. Having to break into a police precinct is like having to venture into the lion's den. But given that this is the first solid lead on the actual possibility of revealing the true identity of the Benefactor, Magnus prepares to suit up.

Meanwhile, in Commissioner Keith's office, Keith and Sergeant Carter discuss their current situation whilst a team of SWAT soldiers stand in a straight line facing the Commissioner, all decked out in the latest in tactical gear and weaponry.

"I've had it up to here with that stupid vigilante!" shouts the Commissioner. "That robbery at the ball was supposed to liven things up in this city. We needed more criminal activity to get the public to turn to us more. But Omega Magnus ruined everything.

"We'll take him down. Though we should never have gone to Kade in the first place." ensures Sergeant Carter, "I've called in a favor from a few of my federal friends, and standing before you are the best the Federal Police's SWAT team has to offer."

"I'm surprised you don't want a piece of that vigilante yourself."

"I'm more of a planner and a manager. Each to their own strengths."

"Finally, this so called Omega Magnus will be brought to his knees."

"Let's toast to that."

The two grab glasses of champagne and make a toast.

The leader of the SWAT soldiers looks on and looks away, as if he's questioning himself on what he has to do.