The X-Project

A major crisis was averted in Austin today by the timely intervention of what some sources believe may be a glimpse of the government's first publically acknowledged mutant paramilitary task force. Others have suggested that this force is related to an unconfirmed mutant vigilante group from the north that are referred to as the 'X-Men'. A police source states that an unidentified team of mutant intervention experts were sent to Texas on President McKenna's orders when mutant supremacist terrorists took hostages at a small Christian radio station in Austin's busy media district. It is unclear whether or not the terrorists were aware that Julianne Donaldson, daughter of Andrew Donaldson, Secretary of Defense is an intern working at Radio KRST.

The Austin police and terrorist task force were alerted to the situation at 8:20am CST, peak listening time for most of Austin's stations. Miscommunication in the first hour of the crisis led to four early fatalities - two hostages and two police officers - and left one officer critically wounded. Observers report that by 11:00am CST, at least half a dozen black-clad mutants were on the scene. The situation was resolved before noon with no further fatalities or injuries to hostages and the leaders of the terrorist group were taken into custody alive. Sources indicate several possible fatalities among the terrorists but were unable to confirm this at the present time.

A media lockdown on the event after the fatalities has seriously restricted the information available about the event and the mutants themselves. Statements from authorities have been extremely scarce. LeVon Barlow, Austin's Chief of Police, would not comment on the event beyond a statement indicating that his men had the situation under control but that he is grateful for the President's personal interest in the matter and the wisdom of, in his own words, "sending thieves to catch thieves".

Irene Merryweather, Daily Bugle/AP