The following is a transcript. The original audio was aired live on February 5th, 2023. The reporter was investigative journalist Rajiiya Zaman. Please enjoy.
Zaman: Breaking news update today, as late last night the noise of a large explosion rocked the city of Mukarras. It seemed to come from a relatively underpopulated industrial area on the outskirts of town, from where plumes of smoke could be seen. I rushed to the scene to discover that some sort of explosive device had been detonated in the center of several abandoned warehouses. The explosion caused a minor panic, with some citizens worrying an invasion by Mirhaime was coming. However, the acting government under Kauda advisor Azniv Haviiz was quick to reassure civilians, although no explanation was provided for the explosion. Well, loyal viewers and listeners, early this morning the Mukarras Speaker received a memorandum from an anonymous whistleblower within the government, detailing what had happened. According to the whistleblower, the government had been testing new anti-tank technology capable of destroying even modern armored vehicles. During the testing, which took place at the abandoned oil warehouses that were the epicenter of the explosion, some oil drums that had gone unnoticed spilled and exacerbated the explosive testing, causing everything that happened last night. The acting government has neither confirmed nor denied this groundbreaking report, and has also not responded to the Timesā request for comment. However, their official report showed zero casualties, and those warehouses were scheduled for demolition anyways.
āāPerhaps more concerning, according to some local groups, is the implication of government weapons testing so close to the city. After all, it was only three months ago that the revolution succeeded in ousting Mirhaimeās puppet regime - and while we always knew that they were likely to return in force, the escalated time frame may be cause to worry, especially with the Mutadiit nowhere to be found. But it is the official belief of this journalist that our government has succeeded against impossible odds once, and we can do so again. Even if it seems desperate, acting in desperationā¦ well, thatās the worst thing you can do in the desert. Instead, we must have hope, and do our best to ensure that we all may maintain our freedom. Iāve been Rajiiya Zaman, and now, we go to the weather.