NationStates Jolt Archive

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Horizon's End Medical Center, Dominion of Godular

Grand Poobah Cassius Longarm was reported in critical condition, and two other respected academics pronounced Dead on Arrival after an explosive mishap at the H.E. Technical Institute, reported Dr. Loren Saele.

The explosion, which took place in a small subsection of the institute's Quantum Physics division, occurred at approximately 10pm yesterday. Loren credited Cassius' survival to quick reaction and assistance from several other researchers who witnessed the explosion.

"We had just finished up our work for the day and were heading home when POW! The lab we were walking past went up! We ran right in as soon as we decided it was safe. Found Cassius slumped against the wall behind a lab table, and the other two... there aren't words..." said one of Cassius' rescuers, who declined identification.

"They were everywhere. Whatever it was... it just... tore them apart," continued one of his companions. "The explosion itself was strange. It just... just..."

"Rippled! It was like something sorta... fluxed about the lab before the explosion! It was like looking at a certain spot through a magnifying glass... without a magnifying glass! It was trippy." continued yet another companion.

Mysterious though the circumstances may be, the truth will only be known when, or if, Cassius recovers. The lab itself has been cordoned off by Governate Security Forces and Godulan Intelligence so that the scene of the accident can be investigate without further disruption.

Godulan Intermedia expresses the greatest sympathies to Cassius Longarm's family, and hopes for a swift recovery from these unfortunate circumstances.

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Godulan Grand Poobah Cassius Longarm awoke from his unconscious state yesterday, fully coherent and energetic. The development ended a long period of tension amongst the other members of the Governate and put to rest the issue of whether a new G.P. needed to be designated. Although he suffered several broken bones and a concussion, he is expected to recover fully.

His recovery raised other questions, however, as Cassius immediately called an emergency meeting of the Governate and ordered the recovery of all items and information located at the scene of the explosion that sent him to the medical center in his critical state. No reporters were allowed into the meeting, though a press conference was held shortly thereafter.

"Greetings and... oof... Salutations, ladies and gentlemen! I must apologize for my rather non-photogenic nature at the moment, but scientific progress requires sometimes... unexpected sacrifices.

"I feel it necessary to state that I was called over to witness an important finding by Professors Gressen and Hirlaun (the individuals who unfortunately did not survive the explosion), and that the explosion was not so much of a mishap as it was an unexpected power surge. What Gressen and Hirlaun showed me was of a most unstable nature, and I'm sad that such a minor occurrence cost their lives and very nearly mine.

"However, with these sacrifices came a development that could very well change the future of our... >cough<... scientific progress even now. As we speak, funding and secondary resources are being re-allocated to the Quantum Physics division of H.E. Technical Institute and a massive research effort is being initiated.

"We're not quite sure what all of this research and examination will bring us, but Gressen and Hirlaun have provided us with the first step in what could be a revolution... both for us, and for all of humanity."

Sources say that the Citadel of the Twelfth one seems to have become abuzz with activity since the recovery of Cassius, and that most of the funding going into the new research program is coming from the defense directorate. Godulan Intermedia was unable to get any comment from Governate Officials.

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