Breaking News!

Posted on Sat Oct 31st, 2026 @ 5:10pm by Morgan Ellis

754 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Mission 6 - Candy Leads to Cavities
Location: Federation News Office
Timeline: MD01 -1200

Morgan took a long clearing breath. She was nervous. In a few moments she was going to go on the air as the lead reporter for the Federation News Service. This was everything that she wanted, yet this was not how she wanted it.

More often than not, she noted that one could say what they would about Candy, but she was one hell of an investigative journalist. Morgan envied that. Perhaps that was why she stayed around so long and was so loyal to Candy, despite the fact that Candy had a penchant for leaping unapologetically to conclusions based on information she had currently in her position. In fairness, she was right more often than wrong, but Morgan felt that was irresponsible. Should not a reporter just report facts? Perhaps that is why she had never been able to make a name for herself or be anything more than Candy's admiring mentee.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the producer. "Morgan!"

She did not answer immediately as she looked blankly at the producer.

"Morgan!" he cried out more urgently. "Get your head out of the clouds! You're on in 30 seconds!"

"Thirty seconds? Right," she replied as absent-mindedly as dreamily.

"Make a mess of this and you know that Candy will have your ass!" he emphasized.

That was enough to snap Morgan to attention, as he started counting down, "On in 5...4...3...2...1...."

The lights all focused on Morgan and she squinted for a split second while she composed herself. "Good day," she finally started uncetaintly while the producer started to silently pray.

Morgan straightened up slightly taller and said, "My name is Morgan Ellis, Federation News Reporter coming to you with a Special Report."

The Producer held his breath as Morgan started to calm down and act like a proper reporter. Behind his back, he crossed his fingers, hoping that she could continue to roll through this first report.

Continuing, Morgan's face remained impassive, "According to official reports, at 0300 this morning, Candy Templeton was arrested by Chief Secuity Officer Lieutenant Kora Sidero. She is currently being held within the Faltan Station brig while an investigation is ongoing. It is expected that she will be arraigned within the next 24 hours. Charges at this time are unknown. Until Candy Templeton is released, I will be substituting for her in the Federation News and on the Sweet Truth. We will give you more updates as news becomes available. However, I promise you that our responsibility at the Federation News Service remains the same: to ask questions, examine the evidence, and bring you the truth—even when the story involves one of our own. This has been Morgan Ellis reporting."

The lights went dim and the producer called, "And we're out!"

Morgan's head fell forward and hit the desk as the pressure finally released. "I did it!" could be heard in muffled words from her lips near the table. "I really did it!"

"Yes, you did," the producer told her as he approached. "And you will be doing it until Candy extricates herself from this latest mess. I still think you should have said she's expected to be charged with treason."

Morgan's head shot up as she became defensive. "First, she has not been charged yet, so that would be irresponsible reporting. Second, there is no way that Candy committed any sort of treason. She exposes lies. What would she ever gain by going against the very business that she enjoys exposing? She has no love for the Falteans or the rebellion. These things are nothing to her. I'm not going to ruin her career!"

The producer put his hands up defensive, "Alright! Alright!" He backed off a step at Moragn's defense of Candy. "I get it. I'm just thinking of the show and the ratings."

"Yes, you and Candy do that all the time. Like her, though, I'm concerned about the truth. I want to make sure it is reported responsibly and don't you think we should be extra cautious right now since it involves our show?"

"Perhaps," the producer replied, equivocating. "But what's done is done now." He stopped and told Morgan, "Not a bad job there. Keep it up and who knows, maybe you will get your own show or take over if this all goes to shit with Candy."

Morgan looked like a dear in the headlights. She knew the possibities but refused to consider them as true now. All she could say in response was, "Thanks, Boss. Let's find the truth and get Candy out."

 

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