NARRATION:
"It was a fine, sunny morning in February. The Super Bowl was on. Movie studios were flexing their trailers. Everything felt normal. And then..."
A sonic boom splits the sky. A fiery object crashes into the stadium. Smoke and fire engulf the field. When the dust clears, an armored figure rises from the crater — not human.
Police helicopters swarm in. The crowd panics. The figure speaks in an alien tongue, then slashes the helicopters from the sky with impossible speed.
Jets arrive, dropping missiles. No effect.
NARRATION:
"With the military powerless..."
The alien hurls a black hole at the jets, erasing them instantly.
NARRATION:
"We had to go nuclear."
An ICBM obliterates the city. The alien dies. So does Las Vegas. A million lives gone.
NARRATION:
"We thought it was over. But a month later..."
Tokyo. Beijing. Moscow. New Delhi. Same outcome.
NARRATION:
"That's when the United Nations created PlanetWatch. A global task force to research and combat the invaders."
PlanetWatch's logo flashes on-screen: PlanetWatch. Protecting human lives from extraterrestrial threats.
NARRATION:
"Top scientists, military strategists, and anyone with half a clue about aliens got drafted. We called them Sabers. Ancient knights in futuristic armor. We never learned much — their bodies disintegrated after death, like they were hiding their secrets. All we know is: their armor only breaks under antimatter. Which means bullets so expensive they cost more than a Bugatti each."
Cut to soldiers training in advanced gear. A commander shouts:
"Alright boys, move! Move!"
NARRATION:
"You thought that soldier was me. No, no, no. My job is way less exciting."
Zoom out to an office. A young woman at her desk, badge reading: Dr. Mira Bakshi.
NARRATION:
"Yeah, that's me. Three hours at this desk and counting."
The guy at the next station leans over. Tyler.
"So? Three hours staring at screens — anything?"
Mira: "Nothing. Just asteroids bouncing around. AI says the next attack is this week, but so far, nada."
NARRATION:
"My parents moved from Mumbai to San Francisco when I was two. Did my PhD at MIT, joined PlanetWatch six months ago. Now? I sit here watching blips on a screen, praying they're just space junk. Look at Amelia..."
Camera pans to another analyst. Amelia.
NARRATION:
"Her hairline's receded two inches. She's supposed to get married this year. Stress is real."
Mira: "Wedding plans coming along?"
Amelia: "If the world's still here by then..."
Mira: "...yeah."
NARRATION:
"They call us the 'Dynamic Trio of Desk Jobs.' Not exactly superhero material. I grew up on Power Rangers, so part of me hoped I'd get to be the one saving people. But let's be real — I can't even jog a mile."
Mira's phone rings — the Power Rangers theme.
Tyler: "You're still using that ringtone?"
Mira: "Yeah. Not changing it."
She picks up.
Mira: "Hi Ma."
Ma: "Beta, where did you put the oil bottle?"
Mira: "Bottom left shelf."
Ma: "It belongs on the right shelf."
Mira: "You keep everything on the right. One day that shelf will explode."
Ma: "You don't know housekeeping. That's why I worry what'll happen after you marry."
Mira: "And I'm not marrying. Dinner's on the stove. Don't wait for me— Ma? ...she hung up."
Amelia: "Does she know why you're not marrying?"
Mira: "No. Don't wanna break her heart."
Tyler: "Might help if you just told her you're aro—"
Alarms blare. A monitor flashes: MOVEMENT DETECTED.
Mira: "Wait—what? Trajectory?"
Tyler: "Sacramento."
Amelia: "That's way too close."
PlanetWatch erupts into chaos. Sirens wail. Soldiers mobilize. The city begins evacuation.
A fiery object streaks across the sky, splitting in two.
Mira: "Oakland. That city isn't evacuated! And we've never had two bogies at once!"
One crashes into the Oakland Coliseum. Stillness.
Operator: "Thermals show life signs... but no movement."
Mira: "Cameras, now."
On-screen: another alien. Different armor.
Tyler: "Another Saber?"
Mira: "No... something else."
Amelia: "Doesn't matter. Let special forces handle it."
Mira: "What if this one isn't hostile? If it's fighting against them, we need it alive."
Amelia: "This isn't an episode of Ultraman. It could kill you."
Mira: "One way to find out."
She snatches Tyler's keys and bolts.
Tyler: "Goddammit, Mira!"
Mira runs to the parking lot and get's into Tyler's car.
Mira: "I hope this guy is actually like Ultraman and not like Bemular."
---
Mira speeds to Oakland. Fighter jets unload antimatter missiles — destroyed in seconds.
She reaches the Coliseum, leaps into the field. The alien lies battered, armor red-and-white with black plating. Lenses flare like horns. A glowing core burns in its chest.
Mira: "Uh... Mr. Alien? Can you... hear me?"
The alien lifts its head.
Azomer: "Call me Azomer."
Mira: "You speak English?"
Azomer: "Every language."
Mira: "You're hurt. Bad."
Azomer: "I know. My time is almost up."
He raises a hand — a watch-like device glimmers. He removes it, armor vanishing to reveal a human-like form.
Azomer: "Take it."
Mira: "What? No, give it to a soldier. I'm not—"
Azomer: "You risked your life coming here. That is enough."
He clamps it on Mira's wrist. It fuses to her skin.
Mira: "Ow! What the hell—"
Azomer: "Bonded to your DNA. You now have the power to defend this planet."
Mira: "No, seriously, wrong person. I've never even punched anyone."
Azomer: "Think it, and the suit will obey. Power follows will."
Distant explosions rattle the stadium.
Azomer: "Time to test it. Remember... strength lies in the mind. I return now to the Prana. May the Emperor grant me another life in service."
Mira: "Prana? That's... Sanskrit? Wait, what did you—"
His body dissolves into glowing dust, scattering skyward.
His body dissolves into glowing dust, scattering skyward.
Mira stares, shaken, then whispers into her comms:
Mira: "Clear the room. Now."
Amelia: "What are you planning?"
Mira: "Don't know. Just... clear it."
Tyler yells:
Tyler: "Everyone out! That's an order!"
Mira glances at the device. Whispers:
Mira: "Please transform."
Light erupts. Wiring of energy wraps her body, building into sleek armor — blue where Azomer's was red, trench coat flowing. A logo on the chest resembles two neutron stars orbiting each other.
Amelia: "Holy—she just transformed."
Tyler: "Into a goddamn superhero."
Mira gawks at her armor, sword, and sidearm. The helmet's HUD flickers alive.
Voice: "Welcome, new user."
Mira: "Who—who's talking?"
Voice: "Call me Juno. I'm the suit's AI. Be nice, I have feelings."
Mira: "Great. My armor's an asshole. Fine — what do I do?"
Juno: "First, apologize for yelling."
Mira: "...sorry."
Juno: "Good. Now — ever flown before?"
Mira: "Once. When I was two."
Juno: "Time to upgrade. Jump."
Mira: "What?!"
Juno: "Jump!"
She leaps. The suit propels her skyward, streaking like a missile.
Mira: "HOLY SHIT!"
---
Sacramento. Soldiers regroup. The Saber snarls, "Retreat, weaklings!"
Then — a blue blur slams it down, shockwaves rocking the ground.
Soldier: "What the hell was that?"
Commander: "Stand ready."
Smoke clears. Mira stands, glowing eyes, sword drawn.
Mira: "Don't shoot! I'm not your enemy."
Commander: "Then who the hell are you?"
Mira: "...I'm... the Masked Rider. Defender of Earth. Yeah. That'll do."
The Saber rises.
Saber-10: "Another clown? I killed Azomer. I'll kill you too."
Mira braces.
Mira: "Listen, I don't want to fight. Just leave—"
The Saber smashes her. She staggers, then steadies.
Mira: "Alright. My turn."
She punches back, hurling it into a building.
Mira: "What was that?!"
Juno: "Anti-proton enhanced strike. Converts targets into energy."
Mira: "...okay, that's badass."
The Saber roars, unleashes a black hole. Mira raises her arms— a force field absorbs it.
Juno: "Weapon time. Pull your gun."
She draws, HUD flashing options.
Mira: "Black hole rounds. Sure, why not."
She fires, denting the Saber's armor.
Saber-10: "Impossible!"
Mira charges with her sword.
Mira: "Plasma Slash!"
One strike. The Saber splits apart, exploding into fragments of metal.
Mira stares.
Mira: "...They're not organic."
Juno: "Also, did you seriously just name your move?"
Mira: "It sounded cool, okay?"
Back at HQ:
Tyler: "Did she just name her move?"
Amelia: "Yep. I'm just glad she didn't yell "It's Morphin' time!" mid-fight."
Mira lands, nervously salutes the stunned soldiers, then bolts.
Back at PlanetWatch, dirt-streaked and shaken, she storms in.
Mira: "Did you delete the footage?!"
Tyler: "What the hell just happened out there?"
Mira: "Water. Then we never talk about this again."
Amelia: "An alien weapon bonded to you."
Juno (from the watch): "Damn right."
Tyler & Amelia: "The watch just talked!"
NARRATION:
"Yeah. My life would never be the same again."