As the Lexcorp convoy wound through National City's streets, Haruka maintained a careful distance on his Auto Vajin motorcycle while Kara flew high above, tracking their movements. She descended closer to Haruka, her superhuman hearing allowing her to communicate without using a communication device.
"What kind of person do you think would steal radioactive material?" Kara asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Haruka's grip tightened on the motorcycle's handlebars. "Somebody without good intentions," he replied succinctly. "Especially if they're willing to go to such great lengths to steal from Lexcorp."
Kara nodded, her blue eyes scanning the convoy ahead. The vehicles moved with precision, their dark windows reflecting the afternoon sunlight. Each SUV seemed identical, making it difficult to determine which might contain the critical information about the stolen material.
"Lexcorp isn't exactly known for storing harmless research," Kara mused, keeping pace with Haruka. "Stealing from them could mean something serious is about to happen."
Haruka simply nodded, his focus remaining on following the convoy without drawing attention to their pursuit.
The Lexcorp convoy slowed as it approached the undeveloped residential area on the outskirts of National City. Half-constructed houses dotted the landscape, their skeletal frames rising against the late afternoon sky. Some lots remained empty, marked only by temporary fencing and scattered construction materials.
Haruka guided the Auto Vajin carefully, maintaining a discreet distance. Kara hovered high above, her keen Kryptonian vision tracking the convoy's movements. The vehicles moved with calculated precision, turning onto a partially completed street lined with houses in various stages of construction.
Most of the houses stood dark and empty, their windows like vacant eyes staring across the unfinished neighborhood. But one house—nestled near the end of the street—showed a distinct glow from its windows. The warm light stood in stark contrast to the surrounding darkness of the unfinished development.
The convoy came to a stop, with several SUVs positioning themselves around this particular house. Haruka killed the Auto Vajin's engine, coasting to a stop behind a half-built retaining wall. Kara descended lower, her form blending with the shadows of the unfinished structures.
The house with the lights on became their sole point of focus.
The Lexcorp convoy's doors opened simultaneously. Armed men in tactical gear emerged, their weapons held at the ready. Each moved with practiced precision, forming a perimeter around the unassuming house. The lead agent, a tall man with a scarred face, approached the front door.
He knocked firmly. The sound echoed in the quiet, half-constructed neighborhood.
Moments passed. The agents remained tense, muscles coiled like springs. Their eyes constantly scanned the surrounding empty lots and skeletal house frames, watching for any potential threat.
The door opened. A middle-aged man in a plain white shirt and khaki pants stood in the doorway. He looked calm, almost disinterested. His gaze met the lead agent's without a hint of concern.
"Hello, how may I help you?"
The lead agent's voice was direct. "Are you the only one living here?"
The man paused for a moment, then replied simply, "Yes."
The lead agent's tone hardened. "There's been a radiation leak detected in this area. We need you to evacuate immediately so we can conduct a thorough inspection of the property."
The middle-aged man stood his ground, blocking the doorway. "I'm not aware of any radiation leak, and without a proper warrant, you cannot enter my home."
The agent's hand moved subtly closer to his weapon. "Sir, this is a matter of public safety. We have reason to believe there's a significant environmental hazard."
"Show me the permit," the man demanded, his voice calm but firm. "I know my rights. No official can enter my property without proper documentation."
The lead agent exchanged a quick glance with his team. In an instant, he pushed past the middle-aged man, forcing his way into the house. The man protested loudly, grabbing the agent's arm. "You can't do this! This is illegal!"
The tactical team followed the lead agent, spreading out through the house's interior. They began systematically searching rooms, opening cabinets, moving furniture, and checking every possible hiding space. The middle-aged man followed, his protests growing more desperate with each intrusion.
"Stop! You're violating my rights!" he shouted, trying to block the agents from entering different rooms. "I demand to see a warrant! This is my private property!"
The lead agent ignored him, continuing the search with methodical precision. Drawers were yanked open, closets were examined, and every surface was scrutinized for any sign of the stolen radioactive material.
The middle-aged man's protests continued, his voice a mixture of anger and desperation as the agents moved through his home without restraint.
As the agent continues the search. He spots the container with the Lexcorp logo, but it was empty. The lead agent's hand closed around the empty container, his brow furrowing in confusion. He turned slowly toward the middle-aged man, who now stood unnaturally still.
"Where is it?" the agent demanded.
The man's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "What a shame," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "You should have just left."
In an instant, the human form dissolved. Where the middle-aged man had stood moments before, a grotesque, metallic creature now emerged. Its segmented body gleamed with an unnatural sheen, compound eyes reflecting the tactical team's shocked expressions.
The creature moved with lightning speed, its pincers slicing through the lead agent's body. A horrific screech erupted from its form as it burst through the wall, sending debris flying in all directions.
Outside, the surrounding agents raised their weapons, forming a tight perimeter. The creature paused, surrounded on all sides, its alien form a stark contrast to the half-constructed suburban landscape. Tactical lights locked onto the target, weapons trained and ready to fire.
The lead tactical agent raised his hand, signaling the team to hold their positions. "Surrender now!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the tense silence of the half-constructed neighborhood.
The metallic creature made no move to comply. Instead, it raised its razor-sharp claws, which began to pulse with an unnatural energy. In a split second, brilliant energy beams erupted from its appendages, slicing through the tactical team with terrifying precision. Agents fell, their bodies torn apart by the intense, focused energy.
High above, Kara spotted the carnage unfolding. "Rider," she called into her communicator, "we've got a situation!"
Haruka was already revving the Auto Vajin, his Kamen Rider instincts kicking in. "I see it," he responded, gunning the motorcycle's engine.
Kara dove from the sky, her superhuman speed carrying her directly toward the metallic creature. Simultaneously, Haruka transformed, activating his Faiz Driver and becoming Kamen Rider Faiz. They converged on the scene from two different angles, intent on stopping the creature's rampage and saving any surviving agents.
The creature turned, sensing their approach, its compound eyes tracking their movement with inhuman precision.
Kara struck first, her fist connecting with the creature's metallic body. Haruka followed immediately, delivering a powerful kick that sent the creature sliding across the unfinished street.
The metallic creature rose, its segmented body gleaming under the afternoon light. Haruka and Kara stood ready, their stances defensive. The creature's compound eyes focused on them, a hint of recognition flickering across its alien features.
"Who are you?" Haruka demanded, his Faiz Driver humming with energy.
The creature straightened, its form shifting slightly. "I am Calton," it announced, its voice a mechanical resonance that seemed to vibrate through the air. "From the planet Baltan."
Kara tensed at the mention of Fort Rozz, her muscles coiling with anticipation. Calton's gaze locked onto her, a deep hatred burning in his multifaceted eyes.
"I've been waiting a long time to find you," Baltan said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Your mother, Alura, imprisoned me. And now, I can't wait to crush you for what she did."
"Another Fort Rozz escapee."
The creature's body seemed to pulse with an ancient rage, a vendetta that had been brewing during long years of captivity. Supergirl and Kamen Rider exchanged a quick glance, preparing for whatever Baltan might unleash next.
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