The day starts with an uneasy silence hanging over the Hero base. The team is still reeling from the recent battles, trying to regroup and refocus. But one thing feels off. Timothy Slinger, the squad leader known as Vilex, is absent from Ultra City. This leaves Raymond Miller (Frost) in charge—a role he's not entirely comfortable with, but one he takes on without complaint.
As the day goes on, the team grows more curious. Why had their captain left without informing anyone about his whereabouts? The question hangs in the air, unanswered, until Layla Bremm's voice echoes through the command room via hologram.
"Vilex is on a side duty in Starc City," she announces, her tone businesslike, but there's an undercurrent of something more.
Tyler Smith (Thunderstorm) raises an eyebrow. "That aounds sketchy to me. Why did he leave without telling anyone? And why does only you know about it?"
Layla meets his gaze through the projection, her expression unreadable. "A month together, and you still have doubts?" she says, her voice firm but tinged with something like amusement. "Trust me, Timothy isn't someone who hides things. He was sent there by the higher-ups. You don't have to worry."
Maximus Alle (Super Bolt) interrupts the tension with a grin. "Ma'am, is that all you're here for? Or is there more to it?"
Layla's eyes narrow as she shifts her stance slightly. "I'm here for Jakson and Rudy."
Both Blaze and Dark Flame exchange surprised glances, their minds immediately jumping to conclusions.
"Ah, so you're into two men?" Jakson teases, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
Rudy, always the one to follow along, joins in. "Really? You're into two at once? That's bold."
Layla only sighs, unfazed. "You both are just kids." With that, she gestures for them to meet her. "Come meet me. We have business to discuss."
Unbeknownst to the two, this "business" is a lot more serious than a casual chat.
Interrogation of Rudy Atracius (Dark Flame)
The door closes behind Rudy as he steps into a stark, dimly lit room. A table stands in the center, with a single chair facing him. Layla Bremm sits across from him, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"Why are you here?" she asks, her voice cold.
Rudy leans back in his chair, a playful grin on his face. "I'm actually here to look for a bride," he replies nonchalantly, as if it's the most normal thing in the world.
Layla raises an eyebrow, clearly unamused. "Stop kidding around. Why exactly are you here?"
Rudy's grin fades slightly, though there's still mischief in his eyes. "To be sincere, I just… felt drawn here. I don't really have an answer beyond that."
Layla's mind races, her fingers tapping against the table. This one's kind of a dummy, she thinks, but she doesn't show it. She leans forward slightly, her tone darkening. "I don't buy it Rudy. Tell me the truth. Why did you come to Earth?"
Rudy's expression shifts to something more serious. "I don't have time for games, Commander. Don't push me."
Layla doesn't flinch. "You're in no position to talk down to me. If you don't want to cooperate, I'll make you."
The tension in the room thickens as Layla's hand hovers near the gun at her waist. Rudy watches her carefully, then smirks, his demeanor completely unfazed.
"Go ahead. Shoot me if it'll make you feel better," Rudy says with a menacing smile.
Layla's hand hovers, then drops, realizing that he's not intimidated. She sits back in her chair, exhaling. "You're temporarily off the hook. But don't think I'm done with you."
Interrogation of Jakson Alexandar (Blaze)
Jakson steps into the interrogation room next, his posture confident, as if he's not the least bit concerned about what's to come. Layla stares him down, her cold gaze piercing.
"Why are you here? Are you here to cause trouble?" she demands, her voice sharp.
Jakson leans against the wall, crossing his arms. "The higher-ups never asked for this interrogation. But if you must know, I can see the rage in your eyes. You're scared of us, aren't you?"
Layla remains silent, but the tension is palpable.
Jakson continues, his voice growing more calm and assured. "But you have nothing to worry about. We're not here for trouble. We just want to be heroes, just like your leaders suggested."
Layla glares at him, then stands up. "Talk. Or I'll shoot."
Jakson raises an eyebrow, completely unfazed by the threat. He meets her gaze with a menacing smile. "Do it commander, if you're brave enough."
For a moment, Layla holds the gun steady, then lowers it, realizing she's not getting the reaction she expected. Jakson relaxes back into his chair, crossing his legs.
"Just like I thought," he mutters. "You can't do it."
Layla narrows her eyes. "You're temporarily off the hook. But if I find out you're lying…"
Before she can finish, Jonathan Flicker's voice interrupts. "Blaze and Dark Flame, you're needed on the field. Prepare to leave now."
Jakson grins and stands up, walking toward the door. "I'm on my way. Give me a minute," he says. He then turns to Layla. "I'll see you around, Commander."
Back to the Field
Back in the desert colony, the team is still trying to figure out how to deal with Project Vein. Frost is filled with hesitation, still unsure about what to do.
"I don't want to hurt it," he says, his voice filled with compassion. "This thing isn't evil. It's been made to be."
Larry (Hi-Tech) scans the creature, his eyes widening as he processes the data. "Its neural patterns show fear. It's not hostile. It's terrified."
Max (Superbolt) shakes his head. "We don't have time for this. It's a threat. We need to act now."
As they prepare to fight, Project Vein speaks, its voice strained. "Please… stop them. The ones who created me… I was never meant to be this."
Jakson (Blaze), Rudy(Dark flame) arrived at the scene. "Are we to kill it or what." Jakson asks.
Derick (Mega Panther) watches with a solemn expression. "It's a test subject, not a monster."
Rudy turns to Derick."As you can see Derick it's causing trouble, let's put it out of its misery."
Sage (Sage) steps forward, his voice calm as he begins to chant. He uses a memory spell to reveal the creature's painful past.
The team splits. Some want to save the creature, while others, like Superbolt,Blaze and Dark flame want to follow orders and eliminate the threat.
Frost makes the call. "I don't want to kill it. We have to find another way."
Sage opens a portal with a flick of his wrist, sending the creature somewhere far away where it can be safe.
Mega Panther looks concerned. "Where did you send it?"
Sage looks at him. "To a place where it will find its people, far away from here."
The heroes, now conflicted but resolute, leave the desert and head back to base.
They ask Blaze and Dark Flame why they were called to the Hero association.
"We were just answering some questions. Nothing serious," Blaze says, his voice casual.
"What kind of questions." Tyler asked
"Like Jakson said nothing serious." Rudy said with his voice sounding relaxed.
Meanwhile, in Starc City, Timothy is having a private conversation with a group of influential people. Their conversation ends with a comment from one of them.
"Hope we meet your new comrades soon Timmy," they say.
Timothy grins, but the smile quickly fades into a more serious expression. "I've told you before, don't call me Timmy."
He returns to Ultra City, where everything is relayed to him about the day's events.
Elsewhere. Allen Avenue—Ultra City
A Mysterious Plan Unfolds
In another location, a middle-aged man wearing golden-brown traditional Arabian attire speaks with a subordinate. The man's voice is low and filled with anticipation.
"It's just a matter of weeks, my friend, you will quench your thirst. I've got everything worked out. We just have to wait for the right moment, and then we strike."
The subordinate, clad in heavy black armor, looks concerned. "Are you sure he's ready? Those new heroes aren't a joke."
The Arabian man smirks, his eyes glinting with confidence. "My friend will perform. Just wait and see."