It's hard to believe it's been ten years already. On this day in 2004, one of the most legendary super groups ever assembled was founded at City Hall:
Paragon City Search and Rescue.
There was no one else like them, and there likely never will be. It was an era of smart aleck Blasters and swaggerin' Scrappers, and entire street corners were being destroyed daily. In the midst of all the well-intentioned mayhem, a quiet group of Defenders emerged.
Recognizing a unique opportunity to serve other heroes, these altruistic patrollers helped turn the tide in Perez Park. Heroes lost in the forest were found. The injured were healed. The fallen were raised. All were guarded selflessly by individuals more comfortable in the shadows than on the front page.
"I thought it was a misprint at first," stated the Super Group Registar. "There wasn't even a proper category on Form 27 B/6 for the registrant to check off. I handed a new copy back to the guy, but he assured me it was correct."
And how was it received?
"It was nearly denied by yours truly," he continued. "I had the 'REJECTED' stamp in my hand and was a little miffed, to be quite honest. There was a line out the door and I had dozens of process validation jobs already queued in the system. The hero calmly insisted that all the information was correct, so I consented. 'It's your money', I remember saying as I stamped it 'APPROVED'. He folded it neatly into his pocket, thanked me and walked away."
Much to the civil servant's surprise, PCSAR's numbers grew and their mission expanded to cover the entire city. In fact, their impact was so great, they were named the Infinity server's
favorite super group in the first annual Heroes Choice Awards. It was an ethos put into action, a higher calling that was heard from the mean streets of The Gish to the pristine beaches of Curry Cove.
House Call and Psy-Kid each took turns at the helm, guiding the group through increasingly dangerous challenges to Paragon City. Because of their leadership, PCSAR became an even greater beacon of good will and earned its place in the pantheon of Paragon's greatest heroes.
You will find no statues of their members, of course, or billboards emblazoned with their likenesses and now-famous slogan. Rather, they stepped away quietly and anonymously, back into the same humble shadow from which they'd emerged. With so much of Paragon City in disarray, would it be foolish to hope they'll return? Do your eyes peer upwards through the rubble occasionally, hoping to see that familiar orange streak in the sky?
At this point, hope is all we have left. Paragon City Search and Rescue embodied
that above all else, so it stands to reason they'll not only be back, they'll also be the very first to do so. No fanfare, no notice - they'll brave fire and flood, disregarding all personal danger and arrive just in the nick of time.
With that faith and confidence in mind, I am honored to announce that the rebuilt monorail will be renamed the Orange Line in honor of PCSAR. Furthermore, a plaque commemorating the group will be erected in Perez Park at a location befitting their quiet spirit of service.
We may be a beleaguered city, but we will never be a forgetful one. You have our eternal gratitude, Paragon City Search and Rescue, and your selfless contributions made our city what it was, is and some day will be again. You put the "Heroes" in the City of Heroes!
Sincerely,
