[Local News Break — 5 o’clock News]

[Camera view of the Belport Bulletin newsroom. Bethany Wonder sits at the desk, her expression serious. She wears a navy blue blazer, her dark blond hair falling loosely around her shoulders. Papers are spread before her as she takes a breath and begins.]

“Good evening, Belport. Tonight, we lead with a breaking story involving a violent confrontation at the Gnosis Pharmaceutical building—one that has left a Summit hero dead and three rogue capes now wanted for murder.

“Earlier today, a group of unregistered vigilantes broke into the heavily guarded Gnosis facility, attempting to steal classified materials. Summit capes responded quickly to the alarm, as did mechanized forces from the Binary Brotherhood, resulting in a chaotic and deadly skirmish at the compound’s gates. Tragically, during this encounter, one Summit hero lost their life while trying to apprehend the suspects.”

[The screen cuts to shaky footage from the scene, showing the chaos as Summit capes clash with the suspects. Flashing energy bursts and gunfire from Brotherhood mechanized forces can be seen in the background.]

“The three rogue supers responsible for this brazen attack have been identified as former capes Mod and Arsenal, and the vigilante Athena. Just earlier this year, the three were on the front lines, protecting the East Coast from the Deep Ones. But sources within the Summit say that this isn’t the downfall that it seems—the former capes had a disdain for authority and a rocky relationship with their teammates. Another source said that their deeds during the war were overblown in an attempt to make artificers look better in the wake of the Summit and Brotherhood’s partnership.

[The screen cuts back to Bethany Wonder in the Bulletin newsroom.]

“Whatever the reason, it appears that Belport has a new trio of villains in their city. The group is wanted for armed robbery and corporate espionage, but also for the murder of a registered hero. This attack marks a severe escalation in the ongoing tension between unregistered superhumans and the government.”

[Bethany glances off screen briefly before turning back to the camera. Her expression seems forced.]

“As per the new registration laws passed by the Division of Superhuman Affairs, the real identities of two of these suspects have been revealed. The former capes Mod and Arsenal have been identified as Emmett Laraway and Clara Venture. Athena’s identity is unknown. The whereabouts of all three subjects are currently unknown, and they are considered extremely dangerous.”

[The broadcast cuts to images of Emmett Laraway and Clara Venture, their faces now public knowledge. Laraway has a medium build, dark skin and hair, and a stern expression. Clara Venture, with her short brown hair and intense gaze, is shown next to him.

“Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Laraway, Venture, or their accomplice Athena, you are asked to contact local law enforcement or the Summit immediately. These individuals are not only skilled but highly unpredictable, and further conflict may be imminent.

“In the wake of this tragedy, Speaker Rivera issued a statement reaffirming the importance of the registration laws, calling this attack 'a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated vigilantes.' He expressed deep sorrow for the loss of the fallen Summit hero, vowing that justice will be swift and absolute.”

[The screen cuts to Speaker Rivera at a podium, his expression somber as he addresses a crowd of reporters.]

“The Summit will not tolerate lawlessness, nor will we stand by while those who once served the public turn their powers against us. This loss is a painful one for all of us, but it only strengthens our resolve to bring these criminals to justice.”

[The camera returns to Bethany Wonder.]

“As the investigation continues and tensions rise, questions remain about the motives behind today’s attack. What secrets were worth risking so much? What drove these former heroes to cross the line into villainy?”

[The broadcast cuts to images of the damaged Eastside and the wreckage of the Brotherhood’s mechs. Emergency lights flash in the background.]

Stolen story; please report.

“We’ll have more updates as this story unfolds. Later tonight—additional arrests as the DSA cracks down on unregistered vigilantes and villains. We’ll hear from Speaker Rivera’s team about their partnership with the Binary Brotherhood, and we’ll learn more about how the league of artificers are using digital forensics in the fight against crime.

“For now, stay tuned, Belport.”

[The broadcast fades to black.]

~ ~

Emmett, Clara, and Athena watched the news broadcast from Athena’s apartment. Thanks to mask and scrubbing protocols, they’d been able to avoid the Summit and Brotherhood forces easily.

The mood was somber. Despite freeing Lock and making it back to the apartment safely, it didn’t feel like a victory. Seeing the news only confirmed their suspicions.

They were villains now.

It didn’t matter that the Menagerie was mind-controlling everyone on the block and that Emmett’s group didn’t have any other choice. Even though they could hide out safely in Belport, public opinion would be against them. The Brotherhood, the Summit, and the DSA would control the narrative. No amount of artificial intelligence or processing power could beat out that kind of disinformation.

Now everyone knew who they were.

Mom and Dad would see the news calling him a murderer.

Emmett and Clara were sitting on the couch. None of them had changed out of their outfits, just in case they were tracked somehow and had to bug out, but Clara had thrown an oversized hoodie on overtop of it.

As the broadcast ended, Clara leaned forward, head buried in her hands. “I really—really—hate this.”

Emmett didn’t say anything. TINA had sent a report to him, and he was reading it in his HUD. Athena leaned heavy on the kitchen counter. A bag of chips was open on the counter beside her. She ate absentmindedly while staring out the window.

The sun was going down, and the skyline was filled with drones.

Clara patted his leg. “Hey, Earth to Emmett…”

Emmett minimized the report. “Tell them, TINA.”

Clara raised an eyebrow. “Please tell me its good news.”

“I’m detecting traces of search algorithms online. The signature matches the leftover version of myself in the lab. Passive monitoring of all communications in the Allied States was expected by the end of Summer—it appears that the Brotherhood is ahead of schedule.”

“Ugh—not helping.” Clara pulled her hood down over her head.

“Game over,” Athena muttered. “No more masks.”

Emmett stood and started pacing the living room. “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything. We’re still gonna do our thing. We’ve got the protocols…”

Athena said quietly, “Maybe it’s time to think about leaving Belport.”

Neither Emmett nor Clara replied.

Lock called from the bathroom. “Athena’s right.”

Emmett had almost forgotten Lock was in there. He had squeezed himself into the tub and was soaking in a nanite-and-water bath. Nanites were trimming away excess organic matter and flushing it away—hopefully slow enough that the drain pipe wouldn’t clog.

Lock was right. Athena was right. They needed to get out of Belport.

The Brotherhood was using rebuilding efforts along the East Coast as a front to install additional cameras and wireless monitoring those cities. The East Coast of the Allied States was their test run for implementing similar surveillance around the world.

One day, Emmett fully intended to retake the lab and free Dr. Venture…

…One day.

Until then, they needed to go inland, where it was easier to hide. Maybe they could find additional space and resources for a new lab.

Emmett nodded slowly. “Maybe it’s time we check out that other lab.”

There was a small backup lab outside of Belport. There was no guarantee that it was still safe, but if it was, it would jumpstart their progress.

Clara peeked out from under her hood. Tears welled up behind her eyes. Leaving Belport meant moving even further away from her dad—even further from their ultimate goal of freeing him.

Emmett couldn’t help himself from trying to reassure her. He stammered, “It won’t be forever. We’ll make more servers, new suits, anything we need—”

“Emmett,” Lock called from the bathroom. “You’re forgetting the most important reason.”

Emmett paused. “What’s that?”

“Your tub’s too small.”

The group snorted a laugh. It was short-lived, but sorely needed.

Clara nodded reluctantly. “Maybe it’s time we leave.”

She leaned a head on Emmett’s shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her and held her tight. A quiet acceptance settled over the room, like snow. Emmett liked to think a quiet resilience came with it.

Things would change, but things always changed.

This wasn’t the end. And it wasn’t defeat.

Not even close.

~ ~ ~