Main Street, deserted.

Main Street lies silent, the government buildings all emptied of their charges.  The lights are off, and there’s nearly no one to be seen, except a few curious townspeople.

Where have all the government officials gone?

For nearly two weeks now, it seems that all of the major government officials of the Federation have simply disappeared from the land, without cause or explanation.  Where could they have gone, and why have they disappeared?

There seems to be no concrete explanation available from anyone, as even low-level employees have disappeared.  In seems as those they literally disappeared over night – one day they were in office, acting as normal, and the next they were gone.  What are they hiding?  Are they hiding anything?  We are left simply to muse as to what could have caused this shocking disturbance in normality, until they return.

“They must be covering something up,” cried many concerned citizens.  When asked what they were covering up, however, the answers got more varied.  “Aliens,” “war,” and “new technology” were the most prevalent answers given.

Aliens? Perhaps it’s not as outlandish as it seems.  The world was made aware of several strange goings on recently, including the abduction of several Chocobos and, according to several sources, a strange greenish light along the horizon.  The official explanation for the chocobos was an angry roving gang of teens, which is quite plausible.  However, the reasoning for the halo of light was slightly more unbelievable: it was light from the moon reflection off smoke from the factories in Vigrior.

Perhaps a covert war is the most plausible explanation for the sudden secretive actions.  There was, as you will recall, several murders within the last three months, mainly of high-ranking officials within the government and, inexplicably, ShinRa Electric Corporation.    What could the motive of these murders have been?  Being so specific it’s fairly unlikely that it was just random violence or gang activity.  Someone, surely, must have ordered these hits, but for what purpose?  It’s no secret that problems have been brewing between the Federation and other nations, most especially Wutai.  But why has the government failed to give any concrete answers, and why have they now gone into hiding?  Is there something we don’t know?

New technology is perhaps the least likely of all of the guesses.  The entire Federation is already aware of the new Motor-cycle, and the government surely would not go into hiding because of it.  Unless there is some new technology on the horizon that can possibly be dangerous or the key to the above-mentioned war, there seems to be no chance of this being the cause of their sudden aloofness.

So where have they gone?  Perhaps they’re holding Illuminati-esque meetings in an underground bomb shelter in the middle of nowhere.  Perhaps they’re still here, right under our noses, just waiting for us to act out.  Perhaps, more sinisterly, they’ve all gone to the great beyond in some government-wide suicide pact.

No one knows, so we’re only left with guesses.

The once proud site reduced to shambles

When NeoShinra first came, there was fanfare and light.  A new, respectable forum RPG for the video game giant, Final Fantasy VII.  Running on desperate fans’ desires to exact revenge on Sephiroth, the site grew to respectable size, but eventually extinguished itself for various reasons.

It would repeat this several times.

Alas, word on the street today is that the fan-based RPG giant is done for good.  What makes this time so different than the others?

One theory put forth is simply that the revamp came at a bad time.  The site was rebooted in September, just in time for college-bound students to return to their studies.  Another is that the main contributing body of the site – a total of six members – had all grown up past their juvenile days, and now had lives, jobs, and yes – even children.

However, the most reputable theory put forth is this: it was simply too little, too late.  Indeed, Final Fantasy VII debuted in 1997, over twelve years ago, and to some people, that was a whole lifetime ago.  Though the franchise remains popular through comics, movies, and offshoots of the game, one cannot deny that not only have twelve long years passed, but that the target audience of that game is now a full twelve years older.

The site has gone through several storylines and a multitude of memorable characters, both in-story and out.  Who could ever forget a pair of twins that, for reasons unknown, decided that they could sprout wings and fly?  And certainly no one will ever forget Armagedon, who decided that he could destroy the entire ShinRa building without anyone’s permission.   Then there were the better members, such as Krikkert, the world’s most ornery stick-wielding old man, and Rain, whose writing instantly immersed you into his posts.

Certainly no one will forget the drama that occurred within the walls of IRC.  Relationships forming and breaking up, members angry at one another for no reason, and simply strange conversations that have a history all their own.
Perhaps the most endearing bit about the website, however, were the friendships that were forged.  Though their characters might be in the midst of killing one another, the players would chat merrily in IRC, and form strong relationships with one another not in spite of the role-play, but because of it.  The types of friendships formed because of this site were the kind to persevere years later.

So I salute you, old friend.  We knew you would never last, but I’m glad you went on this long.

With the Republic still maintaining a Defence Level Epsilon security level, the news has been described as “a risky attempt at saving face” by other politicians.

The announcement was made outside Greybrick House in the city centre

Hauser’s position will be filled by the Deputy Prime Minister, Iago Mercer, 47, who will be making a statement tomorrow from Greybrick House.

Details are currently minimal, but initial reports have suggested that the Federation Cities Police Department have found undisputable evidence left at the site of Shinra’s murder linking the anonymous assassin to Myer. Currently, Detective Chief Inspector Ortega Vanguard has refused to comment on Myer’s arrest, stating that “military law is not covered by the FCPD”.

General Vasco Myer, Commander of the Jotunn Federation Military

It is currently unknown as to what charges Myer is being held on, and his position will be temporarily taken by Lieutenant General Ramsay Perth, who is believed to be returning from Modeo to oversee military at Fort Condor. Neither the government nor the military have officially announced Myer’s arrest, and it will be unknown if an official statement will be made on the matter soon. FNN will bring you more as the situation develops.

Witnesses have reported that Shinra evaded a bullet, but was then chased inside his own factory by what is being described as an assassin. Detective Chief Inspector Ortega Vanguard, who is leading the initial investigation, has already stated that “the incident was, without a doubt, pre-meditated”. Vanguard also mentioned that the FCPD is conducting a search of all nearby buildings to find any clues that could lead to the assassin’s identity.

Shinra Manufacturing Works, Vigrior

The FCPD has also released information on the death of Kim Kennedy, 27, a secretary at Shinra Manufacturing Works, who was also killed during the incident. The families of both victims have been informed.

FNN will bring you more news as the investigation progresses.

Early reports indicated that the units of Republic soldiers once stationed at the West Takama Mining Site left the area via airship in the early hours of the day, abandoning the mines that were closed down three weeks ago following an incident that killed numerous Wutain miners.

The West Takama Mining Site following the evacuation this morning.

Neither government has commented on the matter yet, but the Republic of Gongaga has scheduled a press conference from the capital tomorrow.

Cosmo's ravines are a popular area for hikers and campers

Vicks also commented that “the group were right to bring this to us, and we will follow the protocol on the matter”.

Federation Network News will have more as the matter develops.

Joan ANKERHOLTZ, 19, from Mideel, was found dead in the doorway of her room by fellow student and friend, Mariella ORBIN, 18, just before midnight. She had suffered several blows to the head by a blunt object.

The scene at Kalm House, on the Asbru University campus.

Despite Deans at the University issuing a statement asking everyone not to panic, the feeling around the campus is that the killer is likely to strike again. A curfew has been introduced, and students are being encouraged to stay together in groups after dark, and not to answer the door.

Joan, who was majoring in Pataphysical Sciences, was believed to be heading out on a date when the murderer struck. The Federation Police have started their investigation, and are currently not ruling out the victim’s friends as possible suspects.

Jacob Fenris, 39, has worked within the Republic government for two years.

Torres also mentioned that, due to the circumstances, “the police cannot rule out kidnapping or abduction at this point”, despite no demands having being made.

Fenris has worked for the Republic government for two years, and was responsible for starting the National Mining Association, a scheme designed to locate more fuel sources across the Republic. The Republic government has stated that they do not believe that his disappearance is linked to the recent events on Gongaga City and Wutai.

Fenris has no known family within the Republic, and anyone with any information or sightings of Fenris are urgently requiested to contact their local police station as soon as possible.

Imperial Advisor Yori Rokurou spoke today from the Imperial Pagoda

President Hauser has still yet to comment on the matter, and it is unknown if the Republic of Gongaga is still threatening military action against the Wutai Empire. Choosing not to comment on the matter, General Tobias Volkner of the Republic Armed Forces stated today that he is focusing resources on helping representatives from Shinra Manufacturing Works determine the causes of the disaster.