"This is WKZ, and I'm John Lawrence. We have some exclusive breaking news concerning CTos and Blume. In an apparent leak from, the Vigilante, information has shown that CTos has been spying on average citizens. The system would make biomorphic and biometric profiles for every citizen. It tracked our every move and invaded our privacy. The system had purported to ask all citizens for access to our information. Even those who opted out were spied on. The police chief issued a statement that said in part, 'citizens of our city ought to be able to trust the police. Though, we have used this as a crime fighting tool, we were not aware that the company was invading everyone's privacy.' We will bring you more as we continue to sort through this information"
"This is WKZ, and I'm John Lawrence. We have some more news about CTos. Your social security number, banking number, medical records and even your personal pictures had been made more easily accessible to hackers by the CTos. The information WKZ also shows that hacker group DEDSEC had been robbing people in Parker Square and in the Loop. DEDSEC has been silent for many hours now." There was the distinct sound rustling paper and the murmur of a news producer heard in the background of the radio broadcast. It sounded like John Lawrence scooted back up to the microphone.
"My apologies, but… I've just received a bulletin from City Hall. CTos operations have been suspended indefinitely. The suspension is effective in twenty minutes, as the entire computer system in the municipal government is signed off. There is a going to be a brief power outage at 14:15. That's 2:15. So, in, ten fif-… uh, seventeen minutes a brief power outage will take place to take the electrical grid off of the CTos. Trading on the Chicago stock market has ended for the day and will resume tomorrow. On the NYSE, Blume's stock has been suspended.
It wasn't often that Aiden watched the evening news, or television for that matter. But, this was not an ordinary day. Aiden was seated in his chair, still fully clothed, with a still-steaming bag of Chinese food on the floor beside him. The cashier of the restaurant had recognized him instantly. "Don't worry about the money," the kid, a boy of about seventeen, who had obviously, by his accent, or lack thereof, been born in America, said to him with a smile. Just as Aiden was walking out of the door to the China Dragon, "Thank you," he heard from a female, who had a Mandarin accent say. The fox turned and saw a woman, in a apron of about fifty-five in front of the teen. The teen had his hands rested on her shoulders. Aiden only nodded as he departed. Aiden was awoken from his reverie by the voice of a woman on the monitors before him. He reached down to grab the food with his eyes glued to the screen.
"Good Evening, I'm Wendy McDougal and here's the news at ten. Blume is no more. The company that pioneered CTos is no longer in operation. Blume's investors all lost a substantial amount of money today as the federal government shut down its operations and arrested Charlotte Gardner, the vice president of Public Relations, and Dale Witt the CEO. They are both charged with espionage and aiding and abetting the enemy. According to a federal investigation that started in 2011, social security numbers of dead Chicagoans were being sold on a black market. Also confidential information from the Pentagon was being sold to Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The Attorney General says that more arrests and charges are to come based on the information gathered and released by Aiden Pearce earlier. The President has also weighed in."
The image cut from the studio to one of the President in the oval office. There the leader of the free world said in his usual, cool style, "When we see businesses exploit Americans, those who are the proprietors will face justice. It's imperative that we show the world that we don't stand for injustice in this nation or in any other."
The screen went back to the anchor, "The President also said that these are quote thing we can't allow as a free people unquote. WKZ has just gotten word that the governor will be speaking in two minutes. We will be showing that live. Before he begins we will have a short commercial break.
The governor, a stout, stern man wearing a gray suit with a black shirt and silver tie walked to the podium with papers in hand. He looked squarely into the lens of the camera, nodded; both for self assurance and that he would show he was ready to be broadcast to the cameraman. He, the cameraman, off screen, nodded back and started to zoom in on the top half of the podium making sure that that Great Seal of the State of Illinois was maintained in shot, in focus. Aiden sat attentive as he scooped up some of the yellow rice with the spoon provided.
"Good evening my fellow Illinoisans, I would like to speak briefly about the events of this sad day. Today, we have discovered the bleakness of dishonesty. We have been shown what happens when we allow convenience and security to override our personal liberties. CTos took over what we held dear, and made us, you, the taxpayer take the brunt of the cost. For several months, the state police had been investigating in tandem with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Our combined investigation had yielded inconclusive results. We could not proceed with criminal of civil charges against Blume, or any of its employees. Today, that changed. Several thousands of pages of documents were leaked to Chicago station WKZ.
"WKZ, immediately, via email and physical delivery of printed pages, made sure that the team down here in Springfield received the evidence that gave us enough to arrest Ms. Gardner, Mr. Witt, along with several high-ranking employees. When WKZ was pressed as to whom gave the information, the station manager said it was Aiden Pearce. Although he is unknown to many in this state, and in the country, he is well known and highly regarded in Chicago.
"This evening, I have come to announce that I am canceling all of the warrants for arrest against Aiden Pearce in this state," Aiden's jaw hit the concrete ground of the cellar. He was not surprised to hear his name said earlier. All his warrants were cleared if only, Nicky could see this.
"I am granting him immunity, also from, any prosecution he may face in this state for prior crimes. This does not mean, Mr. Pearce, that you will be pardoned for any future crimes. Make no mistake, Mr. Pearce you are not above the law. In closing, I would like to read from Psalm 30 verse 5. 'Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.' Although, the thought that many people have been shown that their trust has been violated, joy comes when we know our liberties have been restored."
The governor walked off as the cameraman zoomed out again. Aiden went up the stairs, "I have some things to pack."