I got the call from Cecil not even ten minutes ago. Some kind of unidentified flying individual was hovering over Chicago, just… watching. No destruction, no attacks—yet. That’s usually how these things start, though. I figured it’d be some new cape trying to make a name for themselves, or maybe even some alien envoy on official business.

But then I got here.

And I saw her.

A Viltrumite. No doubt about it. The all white uniform, the boots, that scowl. All things my Father explained to me as a kid when I’d ask about what Viltrumites looked like.

My gut twists, but I keep my expression firm. The last time I fought a Viltrumite—my father—it nearly killed me. He nearly killed me. I can still feel the phantom pain in my ribs just thinking about it.

I take a breath, steady myself, and force the words out. My voice is strong. It has to be.

“What are you doing here?”

She doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. Just hovers there, watching me with those piercing eyes. And despite the tension in my chest, despite the memories clawing at my mind, I can’t ignore the fact that—

…She’s beautiful.

I shake the thought away. Focus. I don’t know why she’s here, but if this goes sideways, I need to be ready. No hesitation. No weakness.

Because if she’s anything like the last Viltrumite I faced… I might not walk away from this one.