INTERROGATION FILE: EL MARTILLO
Location: AMCU Secure Containment Level-3 • 02:20 AM
Participants:
Commander Sentinel (Interrogator)
Solstrike (Observer)
El Martillo (Detainee)
Surveillance Recording — Audio/Visual Log
A reinforced steel chamber. The lights flicker. El Martillo sits cuffed, bandaged but smirking. Sentinel enters with a data tablet. Solstrike stands behind the glass, arms crossed.
Sentinel:
"You were caught facilitating crimes across two borders. You participated in the murder of police officers. Cooperation reduces your sentence."
El Martillo (laughs slowly):
"You think I care about sentences? Your prisons crack easier than bones."
He leans forward, chains clanking.
Sentinel:
"What's your connection to the checkpoint massacre?"
El Martillo:
"You're asking the wrong question, rust-boy. Ask who paid for it."
Sentinel glances up.
Sentinel:
"Fine. Who paid for it?"
El Martillo smiles—no humor, only delight at what comes next.
El Martillo:
"We don't pay. We get paid. Someone wanted a message sent. One with fire, screams, and public funerals."
Solstrike steps in.
Solstrike:
"Who sent that message?"
El Martillo turns slowly, eyes meeting hers.
He whispers.
"Someone who moves between shadows. Someone powerful enough to buy death and sell fear."
"We call him… El Llamador." (The Caller.)
Solstrike frowns.
Solstrike:
"Where is he?"
He chuckles darkly.
"Everywhere and nowhere. He's old power. And now he has new tools... like us."
Sentinel steps forward.
Sentinel:
"How many metas does he control?"
El Martillo raises his hands—palms up—chains rattling.
"Enough to keep you busy. And three more like me. Stronger."
Silence.
Suddenly he stops smiling.
His voice hardened—almost respectful.
"But you should fear those two ghosts more than us."
Sentinel:
"Which ghosts?"
He stares dead into the camera.
"Yellow sun… and blue eclipse."
"When they pick a side—your war begins."
His laugh echoes as guards sedate him.
End of log.
🚨 SHORT TIME LATER — LOCAL STREET RESCUES
Location: Downtown Ridgefield — Saturday, 5:40 PM
The city is still uneasy after supernatural events. Roads damaged, buildings unstable. A small café roof collapses during high winds.
Civilians panic. Fire trucks en-route—too slow.
A golden streak lands near the rubble.
Aiden, in modified bright yellow suit.
He raises both hands.
"Everyone stay calm! I've got you!"
THWUMP! — He uses controlled light energy to reinforce the buckling walls, illuminating the dark interior so trapped survivors can be seen clearly.
Two children tremble under debris.
His voice softens.
"Deep breaths. Look at me. You're safe."
He lifts the support beam effortlessly.
TAP! TAP! Footsteps land atop the wreckage.
Kael, hood up, looking disinterested—but watching Aiden's back.
"Need a hand?"
"Only the physical one," Aiden replies.
Kael smirks.
Together, they help the children out.
Night falls. A sudden weather anomaly (suspected meta-related) sends a truck skidding. A car teeters over a cliff edge.
A young woman runs toward it—too close.
Kael moves.
WHOOSH!
He rips the guard rail with ease, slamming it flat to form a platform. The cliff crumbles but holds.
The woman stares, stunned.
Aiden arrives, projecting a warm energy shield to stabilize the car long enough for Kael to pull the driver out.
As emergency responders rush in, Aiden checks on the civilians. One, a woman in her late 20s, soot-covered, yet composed, is applying first aid to another victim.
Aiden approaches.
"You're doing great—are you injured?"
She finishes tying a bandage before looking at him.
Lara Diaz.
Black hair tied back. Grey eyes sharp. Calm under pressure.
"I'm fine. Former field medic. I'll live."
Kael watches from behind, intrigued.
Aiden nods.
"Thank you. You helped save lives tonight."
She glances at his suit.
"You do that too. You two… aren't like the ones on the news."
Aiden smiles gently.
Kael mutters under his breath.
"Sure about that?"
Lara walks toward Kael.
"You're strong."
(She nods at the twisted guard rail.)
"But careful. That's rare."
Kael freezes briefly—surprised.
She walks away without waiting for thanks.
Aiden whispers.
"You okay?"
Kael shrugs.
"I've been called dangerous. Not… careful."
Aiden looks after her.
"I think she sees more than most."
☁️
As rescue trucks depart, Kael sits on a ledge, watching city lights flicker.
"If the world sees us as ghosts…"
Aiden joins him.
"…maybe we're the kind that guide people home."
Kael watches his antimatter arm pulse faintly.
"As long as I don't burn the house down on the way."