Later
that night.
Evelyn
stood outside Allen’s door, the case in her hands. She knocked
softly. “Allen?”
No
answer.
She
tried the handle. Unlocked, she pushed it open.
Allen
sat at his reading table, on his laptop. The screen’s glow painted
his face pale-blue. He didn’t turn.
“Can
I come in?”
A
short pause. Then: “Yeah”
She
crossed the room. Came to his table.
“Are
those your dad’s? Where did you get …those photos?” she stole a
glance.
“I
found an SD card in one of his folders in the attic.”
“I've
been going through it for the past hour. Most of the files are
encrypted. Only the photos are accessible.”
“Maybe
they're people he worked with. Or was tracking.” Evelyn leaned in.
Allen’s
eyes flickered to the case in her hands.
“What’s
that?”
“Oh!
Your father left it for you,” her voice steadier than she felt.
“Three years ago. The day he died.”
Allen
turned sharply. “What?”
She
ran her fingers over the case’s cold surface.
“He
said to give it to you when you’re ready,” she said to him. “I
didn’t think that day would come so soon.”
Allen
stared at the case. His jaw worked. “What’s in it?”
“I
don’t know. It’s locked. Only opens for you.”
She
held it out.
Allen
hesitated, then took it.
The
moment his fingers touched the surface, the lock clicked. A soft blue
light traced the edges. The case opened.
Inside:
a watch. Sleek black metal, minimalist design. But the interface
glowed faintly - not like any normal watch. Like something alive.
Allen
lifted it out slowly. Turned it over in his hands. A small
holographic display flickered to life above the watch face.
Trent’s
face appeared.
Allen’s
hand started shaking.
“If
you're seeing this, it means I'm gone. And it means your mom gave you
this watch because you need it. Because your powers manifested.”
Allen’s
throat tightened. He couldn’t look away.
“I'm
sorry I couldn't be there to help you through this. I'm sorry I had
to keep so many secrets. I thought I had more time. I thought I could
protect you long enough that maybe… maybe you'd never have to deal
with this”
Trent’s
voice cracked slightly.
“But
if you’re watching this, I was wrong.”
He
leaned closer to the camera.
“Allen.
Listen to me. You're not a monster. You're not broken. You're just...
different. Special. And some people will try to use that.
Control you. Make you into a weapon.”
His
expression hardened.
“Don’t
let them.”
“This
watch — it's more than it looks. It'll help you. Protect you. Guide
you when I can't. But more than that, it's my promise. That even
though I'm gone, I'm still with you. I'm still trying to keep you
safe.”
He
smiled.
“I
love you, kid. I’m sorry. And I’m so, so proud of who you’re
going to become.”
The
hologram flickered out.
The
room was silent.
Allen
sat frozen, the watch clutched in both hands. His face was blank.
Then
his shoulders started shaking. Evelyn moved to his side. Wrapped her
arms around him.
He
broke.
Sobs
tore out of him - raw, ugly, three years of grief he’d never fully
let out. He buried his face in her shoulder and cried. Like the
little boy he’d been when they’d told him his dad wasn’t coming
home.
Evelyn
held him tight. Her own tears fell into his hair.
“I’m
here,” she whispered. “I’m here. It’s okay.”
Evelyn
held him until the sobs quieted. Until his breathing steadied. She
kissed the top of his head.
“Get
some rest,” she whispered. “We’ll figure this out tomorrow.”
She
left, closing the door behind her.
Allen
sat in the silence. His face raw, eyes burning. The watch sat on the
table in front of him. His dad’s final gift.
He
picked it up. Turned it over in his hands.
Then,
he fastened it around his wrist.
The
moment the clasp clicked, the interface lit up. Not just a glow this
time. Active. Alive.
Text
scrolled across the small holographic display:
BIOMETRIC
LOCK: CONFIRMED
USER: ALLEN COLD
GENETIC MATCH:
100%
INITIALIZING…
A
voice - calm, neutral, artificial - spoke from the watch:
“Hello,
Allen. I am ARIA. Adaptive Responsive Intelligence Assistant. Your
father programmed me to assist you.”
Allen’s
breath caught.
“What…
what are you?”
“I
am an AI designed by Trent Cold to guide you in understanding and
controlling your abilities. I contain encrypted files, mission logs,
and tactical data related to your father’s work with C.I.N.T.R.A.
and beyond.”
Allen’s
pulse quickened. “You know about C.I.N.T.R.A.?”
“Yes.
And I know the people who killed your father.”
The
room seemed to tilt.
“What?”
“Your
father was murdered, Allen. C.I.N.T.R.A. was involved. I have
evidence. But accessing it requires higher clearance… clearance you
will earn through completing objectives your father left for you.”
Allen
stared at the watch. His hands were shaking again. Not grief this
time. From rage.
“What
kind of objectives?”
****
At
home.
Allen
woke to a grey morning. He got up.
Stood before the mirror. The watch was still on his wrist. He looked
at his reflection - dark circles under his eyes, jaw tight.
Allen
ran his hands through his hair down to his face. Sighed.
“Good
morning, Allen. I'm ready to assist.”
“Ah!”
he screamed as he threw his hands off his face.
He
turned to his watch. “Oh! It’s you.”
“Yes,
it’s me. ARIA.”
“I
recommend running a baseline scan of your current physiological
state. This will help me track your power development. May I
proceed?”
Allen
hesitated. “Will it hurt?”
“No.
You won’t feel anything.”
“...Okay.
Do it.”
“Scanning
now.”
“Scanning
complete!!!”
“You
said you were going to assist me. I need a heads-up before going to
C.I.N.T.R.A.”
Text
scrolled across the watch-screen.
AM204:
POSITVE.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
CONCENTRATION: 3.7%
BLOOD TYPE: GOLDEN VEIN
Allen
stared. “What’s AM204?”
“AM204
is a synthetic compound introduced into the human population
approximately 50 years ago. It alters genetic expression, granting
what are commonly called All inhumans carry it in
their bloodstream.”
Allen’s
stomach dropped. “Synthetic? You mean… someone made this?”
“Correct.
AM204 was engineered. By whom, and for what purpose, remains
classified—even in my database.”
Allen
looked at his hands. Someone had created the Inhumans. On purpose.
“Have
any idea what my abilities are?”
Text
hovered over the screen.
POWERS:
DATA NOT FOUND!
“I
have no data on your abilities yet. I can only pull insights from
recorded data.”
“What
does that mean?”
“It
means your abilities have to be in use before I can pull insights.”
He
sat on his bed. Laid his back on it. Faced the ceiling. He turned to
his reading table.
He
jumped out of bed. Went to the table. He removed the SD card from the
card reader. He looked around the watch. He found no place to insert
the card.
“Do
you read SD cards?”
“Yes,
I do. Insert the card here, and I’ll start reading.”
A
slot appeared.
Allen
removed the watch andplacede it with the screen up on the table.
Inserted the SD.
SCANNING
SD CARD…
SCANNING COMPLETE - 100%
“What’s
on it?”
“Encrypted
mission files. Surveillance logs. Communication records between your
father and unknown contacts. Full decryption will take approximately
6 - 8 hours.”
Allen’s
pulse quickened. “Unknown contacts?”
“Yes.
Your father was in communication with individuals outside
C.I.N.T.R.A.'s official network. Their identities are redacted.”
“Okay.
Begin decryption. Let me hit the shower.”
Text
hovered over the screen.
DECRYPTION
PROGRESS - 0.01%
Minutes
later. He got out of the bathroom. He dried his hair. Put on his
dress and head downstairs.
He
came to the dining table. Took his seat. They’re having breakfast.
Bread Toast with butter and egg sauce.
“Someone’s
happy this morning. Mind sharing the good news?” Evelyn used the
butter knife to scoop some butter.
Allen
forced a smile “Just… ready to move forward, I guess.”
Evelyn
smiled.
“Eugene
called your phone. He just wants to send his regards.” Nia sliced a
piece of her egg.
“Oh!
That reminds me. Your principal called.”
Nia
and Allen faced the mother. “The principal”
“Yeah!”
she rubbed the butter against her toast.
“He
told me that he wanted to see about your case - but C.I.N.T.R.A.
already took care of it.” Evelyn took a bite of her toast.
Allen’s
fork stopped halfway to his mouth. “They went to my school?”
“Apparently.
The principal said everything’s been handled.”
Allen’s
jaw tightened.
Allen
looked down at his meal.
His
mom noticed. “You’re Okay?”
He
snapped back. “Oh! Yeah!”
Everyone
continued eating - he didn’t. He dropped his spoon. Rubbed his
palms together
“Mom!”
She
looked up.
"I've
made my decision. I'm accepting C.I.N.T.R.A.'s offer."
The
silence stretched. Nia stopped eating.
"I
need to learn control," he continued. "And... maybe I can
find out more about what Dad was working on."
She
held his hand. Her grip was warm.
“You
have my support”
Evelyn's
smile didn't reach her eyes.
“I
do?” Allen froze.
Allen
looked relieved. He didn't see the way her hand trembled as she
reached for her coffee.
“Don’t
forget to visit while off assignments!” Nia interrupts the moment.
“I
won’t forget,” he chuckled and continued with his food.
Later,
after breakfast.
His
mom and Nia were ready to leave. Nia to school. His mom to work. Nia
went to the car. His mom stopped at the door. She turned to Allen.
“If
you ever need anything else or someone to talk to...” she waved her
phone. “I’m just one phone call away.”
“Thanks, mom!”
As
she headed to her car, Allen looked at his wrist. The watch wasn’t
there. But it was in his room.
I can’t tell her about ARIA.
... I leave
them out of it.
She
waved him bye and entered her car. Drove off with Nia waving at him.
He waved back as they left.
easier
He
went back in and returned to his room. He went to the table. Turned the
watch over his wrist.
“Aria!”
Text
floated above the screen.
SCANNING
COMPLETE!
SD CARD READING COMPLETE!
EXTRACTING - 49.45%
He
scoffed. A car horn shouted from downstairs. He looked out his
window. They’re here. C.I.N.T.R.A. He finished packing his travel
bag. He ran down the stairs.
He
came out of the house and locked the door behind him. He crossed the
street to the black car waiting for him.
The
driver opened the door. Allen entered. He met Takamasa in the back
seat with him.
“You
didn’t even wait for my call.”
Takamasa
locked the doors. “You made the right choice, Allen. That’s all
that matters.”
"How
did you know I decided?" Allen asked.
Takamasa
smiled. "We've been monitoring the house since yesterday. For
your family's protection, of course."
Allen's
blood turned cold.
He
glanced at his watch.
"Don't
worry," Takamasa said, reading his expression. "We're not
invasive. Just... cautious."
It
made Allen's skin crawl.
The
car started moving.
****
In
the Car.
Allen
forced himself to relax.
“Protection,”
he repeated. “From what?”
“From
people who might want to exploit you. Golden veins are... valuable."
Takamasa's eyes lingered on Allen for a moment.
"There
are organisations that would pay heavily for access to someone like
you. Or worse—try to dissect you to understand how you work."
Allen's
jaw tightened. "And C.I.N.T.R.A. is different?"
Takamasa
smiled. "We protect our assets, Allen. You're one of us now."
Assets.
Allen thought.
The
window between the driver and the back passenger section opened.
Another Agent in the front seat handed a file to Takamasa. He took
the file and opened it.
Allen’s
eyes flickered to it. Takamasa’s eyes clashed with his.
“Your
school data showed that you’re a very active student, especially
when it comes to sports.”
“You
went through my school records?”
Takamasa
smiled back. “Standard background check. We needed to know what
we’re working with.”
Allen’s
jaw clenched.
“And
it was established at Shin Wei’s dojo that you are at level 4.”
“Shi
Wei’s Dojo? How did you know?” Allen’s breath caught.
Takamasa's
smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“I
told you were watching.”
Allen
scoffed.
He
closed the file and returned it to the agent. “That’s all the data we
need.”
He
brought a small tablet. A Holographic document appeared above it.
“What’s
this?”
“It’s
our agreement - Work for us, and we’ll secure your future. Invest
your powers into the institution. And lastly, everything within
C.I.N.T.R.A., stays in C.I.N.T.R.A.”
Allen
stared at the holographic text. Binding arbitration.
He
hesitated, then signed.
Takamasa
reclined. His fingers interlocked. Eyes on Allen.
"How
long is the training?"
Takamasa
smiled. "Depends on how fast you adapt. Some recruits wash out
in weeks. Others take months."
"And
if I don't make it?"
The
smile faded slightly. "Let's hope you do."
****
In
a forest. Towards the borders of Neo-York Dominion, Nova States. The
black car arrived at a plain field. A chopper was waiting in the
middle.
It
parked before the chopper. Takamasa and Allen came down from the car.
They walked to the chopper. C.I.N.T.R.A. agents are armed. Stood at the
sides. They saluted Takamasa as he passed.
He
wavered at them. “Keep up the good work.”
He
entered the chopper with Allen. A fellow agent in the chopper gave
them helmets with comms.
“Where
are we going?” Allen raised his voice over the roaring engines of
the chopper.
“You
wait and see”, Takamasa smiled.
The
chopper pushed itself off the ground. The Agents stepped away. Tall
grasses kept dancing. The engines' roar quieted down as the chopper
flew away.
The
chopper crossed the Atlantic.
Hours
later, they landed in Frankelheim, Gaian Forge—C.I.N.T.R.A.'s
European headquarters.
The
chopper landed in a private hangar. C.I.N.T.R.A. agents were mounted
at the hangar with their convoy of black vans. Waiting for Takamasa
and Allen.
Allen
hasn't checked his watch since the car ride. The SD card was at 67%
extraction.
Takamasa
and Allen came down from the chopper.
They
walked towards the agents. A man stepped forward. Tall, lean, with
sharp features and cold eyes. They exchanged handshakes.
“What
a pleasure meeting you, Mr Kentaro.”
“A
pleasure it is, Senn,” Takamasa smiled.
Senn
turned to Allen, “Who is this with you?”
“A
new recruit.”
“New
recruit? Well, nothing new.” He faced Takamasa.
“He’s
of golden vein.” Takamasa smiled - his eyes didn’t.
“Golden
vein!” He walked to Allen. “I’ll see for myself”
He
stretched his arm out. Allen thought it was a handshake. A thin
thread of blood crawled out of his finger.
Allen
saw it too late — a thin crimson thread whipping out from Senn's
finger.
Pain
sliced across his wrist.
“Aargh!”
Allen jerked back, clutching his arm. Blood welled up, hot and fast.
“What
the hell was that for?”
Allen
glared at him. Senn’s eyes flickered red. The blood thread to his
finger. He watched as Allen’s wound healed with a flicker of gold
pulse.
“Where
did you find him?” his head shifted to Takamasa. “I thought they
were only rumours.”
“Now,
you’ve seen one for yourself”. Takamasa walked to his car. His
driver opened the door.
“I’m
going to HQ,” he drew Senn closer. “Remember, he’s golden vein.
Not just any other inhuman. Don’t let your guard down.”
Senn
nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Takamasa
entered the car. His convoy drove off. Senn and Allen took the only
van left.
In
the van, Senn shot his hand forward.
“I’m
Senn.”
Allen
folded his arms. “I’m Allen.”
“Okay,
Allen. I believe that you might hold a certain view about this
institution that’s not correct.”
Allen
scanned him.
“Our
name doesn’t do well out there. But I can swear that all we do is
for the safety of the world.”
“By
deception?”
A
short pause.
Senn
leaned forward. "Let's say you're human. Completely normal. Then
you meet someone who can read your thoughts. Someone who doesn't feel
bullets. Someone who can crush you with gravity before you even
move."
He
leaned closer.
"And
those are the weak ones. The real threats? They manipulate time.
Create nuclear blasts. Rewrite reality itself."
Allen’s
eyes widened. His mouth opened - nothing came out.
"You're
strong, Allen. Golden veins are rare. But you're not invincible. And
in this world, there's always someone stronger."
Allen’s
pupil dilated. His chest went cold. Takamasa. The interrogation room.
He'd frozen Allen mid-lunge. Not telekinesis. Not super speed.
Time
manipulation.
Senn
felt the blood rush in Allen. Their van kept on going. Allen glanced
at his watch. A faint notification blinked on the screen:
SD
EXTRACTION: 89%
He
quickly covered it with his sleeve.
