The female hero known as Spellstorm appeared at a City Hall public meeting yesterday to voice her disapproval of the proposed Costume Decency Act, a set of clothing regulations proposed by the city and conservative lobbyists in response to the recent trend of heroes with physically revealing costumes.

A heated debate took place between Spellstorm and the numerous supporters of the Costume Decency Act, led by the Paragon Citizens for Decency community group and included the Women's Traditional Values Coalition, the Seniors League of Moral Standards, Mothers Against Lewd Heroes and the Young Men's Conscientious Affiliation.

Spellstorm, a relatively new hero to Paragon City and member of the hero team The Order, has come under fire in the past from concerned citizens and local media for her revealing costume.

"Throughout history, the responsibilities of a hero has comprised many things," said Spellstorm. "To protect the innocent, to defend the weak, to bring justice to the wicked and the corrupt. But it has never been the responsibility of a hero to dress a certain way, or to adhere to some sort of heroic dress code. The very thought of that is ridiculous."

But there were many others who disagreed with her.

"Heroes are supposed to be examples to the community," said George Caldwell, a member of the Seniors League of Moral Standards. "In my day, heroes didn't fly around in their underpants like lechers and floosies. Those were real heroes that you could respect."

"We have to do something to halt the ethical degradation going on in this city," said Lucy Scott of the Women's Traditional Values Coalition. "It has to start with the City's heroes. They should be the moral compasses by which people live their lives."

The arguments remained civil until an activist from Mothers Against Lewd Heroes approached Spellstorm and, disapproving of her costume, asked her to wear a yellow gingham dress and bloomers which she had brought to the meeting.

When the heroine refused, the activist attempted to forcefully clothe her with the outfit and a brief scuffle took place. Spellstorm refrained from using her heroic abilities and police escorted the activist out of City Hall.

The head physic-engineer of Kalil Research Co., Kreig Matterson, revealed to public last night that Kalil have discovered a new type of engine based only on kinetic force. This invention is another attempt to break the Laws of Physics as art of the Newton’s Breakout Project that Kalil is funding.

"We see superheroes breaking the Laws of Physics in Paragon City everyday. Nothing is more natural than finding a way to the break them by ourselves," says Dr Matterson. "And with the Knetkon we are going to break some major laws here."

In the words of the scientist, the Knetkon is a ratter 'simple' device. "It will create kinetic energy from minimal electrical input and can also absorb the kinetic energy of anything in it’s range. So say goodbye to mass-transport pollution and transport-related accidents."

When asked about the matter, the famous superhero Dr Science would only say that he would have to "actually see the engine before making any comment" but hoped that the claims were true. So do we, Dr. Science. So do we.

Though most view Crey Industries (and their subsidiary CreyBiotech) as a blessing for all mankind, most of Paragon's crime-fighters see this conglomerate as a menace, akin to the Fifth Column, or gangs such as the Hellions. While most citizens see this as simple paranoia, perhaps our heroes are not so far off.

Recent activities of internet hackers have turned up a startling discovery. An online database with the address creyindustries.com has files on hundreds of heroes, including their powers, history, and even photographs of these heroes in action.

When brought to the attention of Crey Industries' central offices, Countess Crey herself was quick to rebut the claims that this was an unofficial site of the international corporation. Official statements claimed the site was obviously done by an independent designer (perhaps hired by a competitor to discredit Crey), and that most files did not even match a consistent format. Though assuring the website was in no way connected to her company, Countess Crey stated a full investigation would be underway to discover who was behind setting up these extensive dossiers on the city's protectors.

Faced with escalating crime rates and a shortage of officers, the Paragon Police Department has started a recruitment drive aimed at attracting a new wave of people into their ranks. Launched at City Hall, the "Wanted: You!" campaign seeks to attract those members of the public who are young, fit and have lived throught the Rikti invasion.

Police spokeswoman Kaye Falliki says that many ordinary citizens really proved themselves during the conflict with the Rikti. "Although the attention has really been on the loss and sacrifice of heroes during the conflict, it shouldn't be forgotten the contributions made by ordinary people to the resistance," she says. "Many citizens risked their lives to see the Rikti defeated. It is these people, the citizens who found in themselves a core of iron and a sense of duty to others, that we would like to see sign up."

Paragon Police are among the best paid police in the country, receiving not only a high base salary but also large risk bonuses. Donations from Crey Industries have seen the department recently purchase some of the latest in crime-fighting technology and many technological heroes have also contributed gadgets that make the job of an ordinary officer easier.

Spokeswoman Falliki wished to remind citizens that heroes aren't the only thing they should depend upon. "Sure, it's nice when one jumps from a rooftop and tackles the 8-foot drug-enhanced gangbanger to the ground, but Paragon City needs more than just another unconscious villain lying in the streets. Police are still needed to see the bad guys go to jail and to make sure that things are kept in control long after the hero has received his fame and gone home," she says.

Police numbers fell dramatically during the Rikti invasion, with police buildings targeted for destruction during Rikti raids on the City. It is hoped that the "Wanted: You!" campaign, together with current high unemployment rates, will see police numbers increased quickly.