The morning sun illuminated the bustling distribution plazas of the First Citadel, where thousands of smiling citizens gathered to receive fresh bread and warm tea.
Across the continent, however, fifty million television screens flickered with terrifying crimson emergency banners broadcast by the Crowncast media network.
Inside a luxury studio decorated to resemble a crumbling concrete bunker, media mogul Dorian Cross adjusted his tactical vest and spoke with theatrical terror into the primary camera lens.
"Catastrophe unfolds in the eastern territories," the media mogul proclaimed, clutching the edges of his steel podium as artificial smoke drifted across the studio floor.
"Reports from our confidential sources confirm that the First Player's distributed grain was tainted with necrotic industrial waste," Cross announced in a trembling voice.
