LONG LIVE THE FREE PRESS.

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LEX LUTHOR : Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a very special afternoon and thank you all for being here with us as we set a new global precedent. From this day forward, the World Security Council will operate under a new prime directive : accountability. — Now, before we move on to the questions for our esteemed New Avengers, I believe our lovely moderator has some housekeeping to do. Meghan ?

MEGHAN MCCAIN : Thank you, Secretary Luthor. And may I just say what an honour it is to be a part of this incredible event. For those of you watching at home, the questions I’ll be asking select members of the New Avengers, Secretary Luthor, and the representatives from S.H.I.E.L.D., were chosen from anonymous submissions from the general public, along with ones submitted by the free press. Those in the studio audience, please keep your reactions to simple applause as we have a lot to get through today.

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MCCAIN : This question is for Secretary Luthor, submitted by Lois Lane of the Daily Planet. Mr. Luthor, it's been over a year since the Met Gala attacks wherein an artifact was reported stolen despite, what I assume to be, your best security present. Is that the same level of care we should anticipate with this latest team of yours ?

LUTHOR : Ms. Lane, thank you. I’m discouraged that the best efforts of both the New York and Gotham Police Departments working in unison were apparently not to your high standards, but the truth of the matter is that mankind will always be fallible. We strive for a crime rate as close to zero percent as possible ; no nation has reached such a number, but that does not mean we stop trying our best.The Met Gala was attacked, an invaluable artifact was stolen. I mourn its loss even to this day, but I am confident the global law enforcement community will track the artifact down and bring its thieves to justice in due time.Moreover, the Avengers have never been, and will never be, tantamount to my own personal security force. They work for the people, as governed by the Accords. 

MCCAIN : Another here from the Daily Planet for you, Secretary Luthor. You're currently secretary of the World Security Council. What have you learned within this position that qualifies your opinion as the trusted one when putting together this team? What separates them from their previously disbanded namesake beyond knowing their identities ?

LUTHOR : I believe my track record as Secretary of the WSC speaks for itself. If you only knew how many insurgencies I, personally, stopped with these bare hands — [ crowd laughs ] Perhaps I should register myself after all. [ more laughter ] — Now, now, this is a valuable question. I’m a public servant, just as these brave men and women to my left, though I can’t say I’ve any super - human abilities. Where my experience is concerned, however, I can say with confidence that no one has launched a nuclear weapon at the City of Manhattan since I took on the role.Regarding the New Avengers, they are individuals filling a role. The public will get to know them as I have, and I can assure you : they are right for the job.

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MCCAIN : A question from Mary - Jane Watson of the Weekly Review, Secretary Luthor.  Will the Accords remain a contract between vigilantism and registration, or is the eventual goal to have an ever - editing registry of metahumans available to the public ?

LUTHOR : The Accords themselves serve as a contract. In order to legally practice vigilantism, we expect full disclosure. When it comes to the question of metahuman registration as a whole, I expect you’ll be hearing more about this as the Democratic Primaries roar into full swing. Such a hot - button topic, isn’t it ? 

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MCCAIN : Dr Strange, If a single member of the international community had a tool at its disposal that could deftly take out a target and potentially end a conflict but posed significant risk to the civilian population, when should it be deployed, and who should deploy it ?  

STEPHEN STRANGE : What do you mean ❛ if ❜ ? [ the crowd laughs. Stephen Strange does not appear to be joking ] — risk and reward are inexorably tied to one another. Our goal is to work as precisely as possible, but — I’m sorry, was that question meant for me, or the Supreme Leader of North Korea ? Tony Stark is right here, you may have us confused. [ more laughter ]

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MCCAIN : An anonymous question for any one of the New Avengers. Is this not simply these governing bodies, historically without military power, enacting military force in the form of these individuals ? 

TONY STARK :  [ static as the podium’s mic is pulled toward himself ] — Yeah, I’ll take this : first, can I just say it’s so nice to see the public really digging in, here ?  That’s what we’re all here for, right, we’re all just trying to make our world safe by any means necessary — well, not any, we’ve been there, haven’t we ? [ chuckling ] — listen, peace in our time has been my life’s work for years.  The United Nations has always had some kind of historical peacekeeping force, those good old blue helmets have been overseeing ceasefires since what, ‘48 ? [ inaudible, as mic is covered, Mister Stark receives a nod from an aide sitting just offstage ]  Yeah, 1948, hey, they’ve even got a collective Nobel Peace Prize, so really, between me — us — and the WSC you’ve already cornered the market on people who’ve made world peace their full - time jobs, people who are damned good at it, force or no.  So to answer your question, yes, it is, if you consider active - duty peacekeeping by knowledgable, intelligent, experienced, and empowered individuals that has saved before and will continue to save countless civilian lives, including some of those blue - helmeted ones, [ he gestures in air quotes ] military force.  And does that really sound like a bad thing to you ?

MCCAIN : Another anonymous question, this time specifically for Mr. Stark. What makes you think any of this is going to work when it clearly didn’t work before ?

STARK : [ it should be noted that Mister Stark has loosened his tie since his last answered question ] The Avengers have worked and worked well since they were founded, not to toot my own horn — really, I’m trying to cut back, that’s what I get for doing that Mean Tweets segment, thanks Jimmy [ smattering of laughter ] — without an iteration of this team we wouldn’t have an island to host this press conference on, so let’s walk it back : it’s Occam’s razor, simple.  Why fix what isn’t broken when you can just adjust what needs adjusting, clarify what needs clarifying, moderate what needs moderating … you get it, right ?  We learn, we try our best, we pretend like we don’t have Steve Jobs quotes pinned up on our fridges and we fail — I’ve got Mark 83 valeted outside, you think all 82 of them before that were perfect from jump ?  I— [ microphone static as Doctor Stephen Strange leans forward ]

STRANGE : —Yes, we’ve all seen your bright red flying Lamborghini. Are you planning on actually answering the question ? [ smattering of laughter from the crowd ] I think what my colleague is trying to articulate is that the Avengers will keep right on getting better and better and better. Indefinitely. Next question.

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MCCAIN : A question for S.H.I.E.L.D. from the public: What steps are being taken to further regulate these enhanced individuals ? Like any weapon, how can the public be assured that background checks are being conducted on these so-called superheroes ? 

DIRECTOR SHARON CARTER : [ momentarily inaudible, due to the adjustment of her chair ] — S.H.I.E.L.D. employees are held to the highest extragovernmental hiring standard, and these assets are no exception.  Any Agent under my purview undergoes rigorous testing and investigation in order to quality for their elevated security clearance because global safety and security is our number one goal, and such a position requires the implicit trust of the public.  As part of our continued enforcement of the Sokovia Accords, details and records of each Avengers Initiative asset will be made public as a means of accountability, something they have each submitted to voluntarily as a condition of their registration and enlistment.

MCCAIN : And a follow - up question, Director Carter. What policies will be put in place to protect the individuals who are in compliance with the Accords? Will their families and loved ones be granted some kind of protective detail? What sort of compensation might they face for such a line of work ? 

CARTER : Each member of the reformed Avengers Team is being compensated as an active - duty Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. ; while I’m afraid that the details of our internal benefits and pay calibrations are classified, which I’m sure you can understand, I can assure you that they’re being fairly and adequately paid in direct correlation to the danger and visibility of their new positions.  While these people have bravely made the choice to register themselves, they have not and wouldn’t be asked to make the same choice for their loved ones, who will of course be treated with the same dignity, respect, and care that all families of active - duty Agents receive, including increased personal security upon request, yes.

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MCCAIN : Director Carter, who decides when or where the Avengers are allowed to intervene ? Will there be a public-facing representative ? Will their name be made public ? Without this enacted, how do we know the Avengers wouldn’t be treated like a super elite killing squad ? 

CARTER : [ with visible annoyance ] The rapid spread of misinformation regarding the purpose of this team has been challenging, and I can assure you that no assemblage of superheroes stands here today prepared to act as … just as the United Nations’ Security Council has retained the ability to create and enforce sanctions of all types, including military action, for decades, so will the World Security Council oversee the deployment and management of this iteration of the Avengers, and both Secretary Luthor and myself will continue to act as liaisons.

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MCCAIN : From the Daily Planet, and this is for Mister Raymond, why did you agree to try and reclaim the moniker of Captain America instead of making a path of your own ? What improvements or changes are we expected to see ? 

THOMAS RAYMOND ( CAPTAIN AMERICA ) :  [ faintly ]  Well, ma’am, I … [ inaudible as he’s addressed by Mister Stark, static as his mic is pulled closer ]  Sorry, what I said was — [ a ring of feedback, during which he can be seen visibly wincing ]  Anyways [ sic ] the world needs Captain America, ma’am, and when they call you askin’ [ sic ] you to put on that suit, I reckon you got to be crazy sayin’ [ sic ] no.  [ prolonged silence as he sits back again ]

MCCAIN : Again, for Mister Raymond. Do you have any loved ones ? Anyone who isn’t a registered metahuman or capable of protecting themselves outside of your immediate intervention from retaliatory measures ? The FBI and various police enforcement agencies, at their minimum, scrub public record of location, vehicles, and family members for these very same reasons. Is that what’s being provided for you and those on your team as well ? 

RAYMOND ( CAPTAIN AMERICA ) : [ magnified rustling as he seems to test the microphone with his palm ]  I think … sorry, ma’am, but I think if I told you all that, it might defeat the purpose of them doin’ [ sic ] it, don’t you think ?  [ a laugh from the crowd ]  But I can tell you yes, and yes.  [ he nods, then nods again ]  Yes.     

MCCAIN : Last one for Mister Raymond. Did you join this team of your own volition, or under threat of arrest ?

FEBRUARY 25 2020 - NEW YORK, NY

     World Security Council Chair and Presidential hopeful Alexander Luthor is set to hold a press conference tomorrow evening which, according to leaked internal documents, will reveal to the world a new lineup of legislated superheroes under the Sokovia Accords.   

In the years following the now - infamous incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany which saw the superhero group known as The Avengers disband before the world’s very eyes, there has been no shortage of speculation regarding what the media has come to call The Avengers 2.0.     

❝     The era of secret identities is over,     ❞     Luthor said at a campaign rally in Austin, TX last week.     ❝     We must all be prepared to stand proud against adversity and evil, with our names serving as the backbone for our actions.     ❞     

The Justice League, meanwhile, continues to operate outside of the Accords. It is rumoured there could be as many as fifty masked vigilantes in North America, whether associated with the League or acting on their own, each with a unique skillset and abilities.

Public opinion remains divided, but a new Gallup poll released yesterday suggests up to 68% of Americans agree with some sort of legislative oversight governing the actions of superheroes. The number is up 5% from this time last spring.

BREAKING : Spider-Man is presumed to be dead following a major confrontation with the Green Goblin.

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CLARK KENT ( DAILY PLANET ) :     You were recently accused of withholding a historically valuable artifact from researchers for public flair. If you are elected, how can you guarantee to the people of America that you will be keeping their interests above that of your own    ?

LEX LUTHOR :     I’m happy to set the record straight concerning these accusations : yes, I absolutely withheld an historically valuable artifact from researchers, but not for     ------     what was it?     ❝     Public flair     ❞     ?     I admit, I have been known to be dramatic but in this case, it was because the artifact in question was suspected to have been radioactive. I’ve an incredible team of dedicated scientists who bravely volunteered to keep the artifact in - house in order to continue their research for fear of anyone else being exposed to the radiation. So ... I suppose the second part of your question has been answered by my [sic] clarifying the first.

LOIS LANE ( DAILY PLANET ) :     Secretary Luthor, how would you respond to the many civilian activists who have begun raising questions about the efficacy of the Sokovia Accords    ?     Would you agree that in their current state, they may actually be contributing to violence by forcing unregistered metahumans and vigilantes to operate outside the law, even as they act in the best interest of the public     ? 

LEX LUTHOR :     The Sokovia Accords were ratified by the United Nations, the very same organization that helps monitor crimes against humanity and the world’s health. I can assure the public that the Accords were written, introduced, and passed with only their best interests at heart, but I also understand that a rich man stood at this podium preaching at you all about the greater good is a tired cliché. I’m running for president, after all, can you blame me     ?     [ smattering of laughter ] Indulge me for a moment     ------     We understand that gravity exists, yes     ?     If I were to drop this pen, we collectively agree that it will fall. So why do we continue to call Einstein’s treatise the Theory of Relativity when it is anything but     ?     Because science accepts that at any moment, new evidence may reveal itself that may undo the fabric of all that we once knew. I am a scientist, Miss Lane. Before I was a politician, before I was a rich man, I was     ------     and always will be     ------     a scientist. But I’m sure none of you stumbled in here by accident on your way to Physics 101. Except perhaps the young man from Buzzfeed News. [ more laughter ] Now, now, all in good fun. [ inaudible ; LUTHOR has covered the mic to address Buzzfeed News’ representative ] 

What I’m getting at here, and I’m sure my publicist will read me the riot act for this, but I do believe the American people deserve to hear the truth : the Accords are imperfect, but of course they are     !     They are a living thing, and with every subsequent amendment they will be better than before. No first draft is ever a masterpiece. But what I want to encourage us all to do as a nation, as a people, is collectively come together and ask ourselves : if a car door is left unlocked overnight, is it the owner’s fault when they find it stolen the next morning     ?      Was the burglar compelled in some way, or did he act of his own volition     ?     I take umbrage with the idea that the Accords are forcing anyone to break the law, but I respect those who believe it so. And if we can work together, like I said, I’m positive this country, and indeed the world, will arrive at a place where we all can feel comfortable leaving our car doors unlocked. Call it, The Theory of the Accords. A work - in - progress toward world peace.

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CLARK KENT ( DAILY PLANET ) :     You are still currently under investigation for ties to CADMUS' illegal weapons development and genetic experimentation. Do you believe these allegations affect your fitness for the presidency     ?     Can you assure the voting public that you will surrender your business assets into blind trust if you're elected     ?

LEX LUTHOR :     I have, and continue to, express [sic] my deepest regrets when it comes to this CADMUS situation. The folly of being only one man is exactly that : we must trust those we work with and who work for us. I’m continually grateful for good investigative journalism as it’s been the cause of so much change in this world     ------     for the better. I’m sure you understand that from a legal standpoint I can’t go much deeper, but CAMUS and LexCorp will comply with authorities and accept the outcome of this investigation, whatever it may be. I, personally, take responsibility for the actions of my employees. I only wish I could have known this was happening sooner. 

As far as blind trusts are concerned, yes. A resounding yes. Money has never been a motivating factor for me, it has simply been a happy byproduct of all the good work LexCorp has accomplished. But to serve the American people ... for that honour I would give up every cent I have ever earned.

VICKI VALE ( GOTHAM GAZETTE ) :     Is it true that the World Security Council’s rumoured overhaul of the Avengers team might include a new line - up?  Anything you can share     ?

AUGUST 21 2019 - NEW YORK, NY

     Shocking new footage has reignited debates concerning the actions of vigilantes in a post - Accords world. The short video, leaked to the press last night by an unnamed source, appears to show Steve Rogers     ------     also known as Captain America     ------     beating a man to death with an unknown accomplice. The man, who succumbed to his wounds at the scene, was identified by authorities as Brock Rumlow, one of two fugitives suspected to have been responsible for the explosion that injured several attendees at the Met Gala last spring.

     The exact source of the video is currently unknown, but it seems to have been captured from a security camera in the undisclosed location. The World Security Council is currently in the process of verifying whether the footage has been altered in any way, while the global manhunt for Steve Rogers has been escalated by S.H.I.E.L.D. in cooperation with the CIA, the FBI, MI-6, and Mossad, activating agents across four continents to find the elusive so - called hero and his associates, and bring them in for questioning.

June 24 2019 – NEW YORK CITY

“I KILLED HER.” On the anniversary of a young college student’s death, we look into Spider-man’s bloody history. Who are we entrusting the streets of New York to?

BREAKING : Hawkeye, the former Avenger currently wanted in connection to the mass breakout of the Raft prison last spring, appears to have found a second life as a vigilante. Numerous accounts of incidents in Hell's Kitchen place the purple - suited archer at the scene of more than one brutal, gang - related murder.

BREAKING : CADMUS, the LexCorp scientific subsidiary that earlier this month was revealed to have built an unauthorized black site outside Abu Dhabi, has been linked to the theft that occurred during the Met Gala earlier this year.

BREAKING : Following the Abu Dhabi incident, on - site eyewitnesses have identified Superman's accomplice as the new breakout Metropolis hero ‘Superboy’.  While the origins of the young hero are still being speculated, anonymous sources have confirmed that the new bearer of the 'S' shield is, in fact, not fully Kryptonian.

BREAKING : Following Wonder Woman’s recent confrontation with Giganta in Midtown, a reward is being offered to all those with information regarding Wonder Woman's masked accomplice.

BREAKING : A push to have Spider-Man investigated in the brutal murder of Norman Osborn.  Sources say the vigilante's long, at times bloody, history could be brought into question.