Episode 3: New Plans
New Characters:
Ayako - Reporter | 35 years old
Eiko - Witness | 24 years old
Maelstrom - 5-Star Air Ranger | 33 years old | Taiwan's Superhero
December 6, 2024 | 10:45 PM | Taipei 101 | Xinyi District | Taipei City, Taiwan
Summary:
What stands before Kepler is a tall building perhaps the tallest building in all of Taipei. Ren already darts above while Kepler examines the building. Kepler has never seen a building this tall before especially coming from a small island. Ren is already halfway to the building when he decides to fly above. Kepler rockets above at supersonic speed exceeding Ren in just a second as he makes his way to the very top of the structure. He looks around the view as the entire city is beneath him.
"This place is beautiful...", Kepler utters.
As he stares in awe, Ren finally reaches the top.
"And of course, you beat me," Ren smiles.
"What kind of place is this, there's many lights, people, and buildings," Kepler says while still staring at the view.
"You've never been to a city before?", Ren asks.
"I've heard of it, but I've never been to one, like ever," Kepler switches his attention to Ren.
"What kind of place where you from?", Ren wonders.
"I came from a small island, I've lived there my entire life. Man, I've missed out on a lot of things, I mean look at this and look at me.", Kepler says as his voice starts to die down.
"A ranger who can fly at hypersonic speed spent his entire life stuck on an island? What were you doing there? You could've traveled the world, you should be traveling the world." Ren exclaims.
"I was held captive by the government, I didn't know anything about the outside world," Kepler answers.
"Do you have a home?", Ren asks.
"No, I'm still looking for it," Kepler replies.
"Then I invite you to Ren's Den!" Ren suggests.
"Ren's Den?", Kepler stares at him.
"Follow me," Ren floats away and Kepler follows him.
December 6, 2024 | 11:11 PM | Ren's Den | Xinyi District | Taipei City, Taiwan
Ren stops at a building and enters the window of an apartment on the 25th floor. He opens the light and gives Kepler a pair of slippers and the two sit on the couch of the living room.
"Welcome to Ren's Den aka my apartment," Ren says with open arms.
"So people live in these buildings," Kepler realizes.
"That's what these buildings are usually are, for housing, my primitive friend," Ren walks around the living room.
Ren grabs the remote control and turns the television on. Kepler sits uncomfortably on the couch as he watches his friend use a device.
"It's not dangerous right?" Kepler worriedly asks.
"No, not at," Ren says as he quickly switches channels.
"There we go!", Ren exclaims as he finds the news channel.
The two watch the television as a field reporter named Ayako is narrating the events of the aftermath of the mecha incident
Character Introduction: Ayako | 35 years old | Field Reporter
"Good evening everyone, we are here at the Xinyi District to investigate the aftermath of the Mecha incident.", Ayako stares into the camera.
She explains that the mecha who is labeled as Prototype-B16 malfunctions at 9:30 PM from the nearest testing facility of Super-11 in Wanhua District. The mecha escaped the facility and flew around until it reached the Xinyi District where it started behaving erratically. She says that the mecha was not seen as a threat since it was just bumping into places at first but eventually, it started attacking people. She also states that the mecha is rumored to be destroyed by the falling star person who lit up the sky earlier.
"A falling star person?", Kepler raises an eyebrow.
"Based on the report, the falling star person who is now seen as a hero illegally crossed the border from the southern part of Taiwan and reached Taipei in just minutes, which is faster than any aircraft in the world," Ayako says.
"Illegally?", Ren looks at Kepler.
"Another one on the list," Kepler utters
As she narrates the events, a team of robotic technicians is cleaning up the remains of the mecha behind her. She also adds that the CEO of Super-11 also released a public apology about the incident in which they said that the mecha is a collaboration between Super-11 and Hyper-6, which is a Japanese company. Ayako finds a witness and interviews her about the incident.
Character Introduction: Eiko | 24 Years Old | Witness
"What happened during the rampaging mecha and who is the falling star person?", Ayako asks.
Before Eiko can reply a huge tornado suddenly appears behind them. The tornado slowly dies down and reveals a man inside.
Character Introduction: Maelstrom | 33 Years Old | 5-Star Air Ranger
The sole superhero of Taiwan appears behind them and runs a little tipsy to the camera. He apologizes for being late and explains that he was at a KTV bar earlier. As he talks to the camera, Director-General Zheng enters the scene.
"You are drunk again! No more KTV on Fridays.", DG Zheng scolds him.
"But what about the Asian stereotype?", Maelstrom drunkenly replies.
Back in Ren's Den Kepler is amazed at how fast the damage is being fixed. Back in the country he came from that would've taken them months or even years to fix.
"So he is Maelstrom? Taiwan's superhero?", Kepler asks but Ren's glistening eyes are focused on his idol.
"He is so cool...", Ren mutters.
"He is a 5-Star ranger which is rare in the world, a little bit irresponsible but his charisma makes up for it.", Ren says.
"A 5-Star ranger?". Kepler asks.
"Yes, the most powerful rangers in the world are ranked by stars. With 1 being the lowest and 5 being the strongest.", Ren explains.
"Interesting...", Kepler reacts.
"However there are instances where someone is so strong they go beyond the limits and they are called 6-Star rangers," Ren adds.
"A good example is Val U from Canada, she is currently the only 6-Star ranger that is out in the public. But there are rumors that the USA, Russia, and China are hiding one or a few.", Ren informs.
"You seem to know a lot about these," Kepler says
"Of course! I'm a superhero nerd," Ren proudly says.
"Tell me more about superheroes," Kepler states.
"The USA has the most number of superheroes in the world, with each state having its superhero system. They also have the most number of 5-Star rangers with 12.", Ren lectures.
"Do you want to meet them?", Kepler asks.
"Of course, I want to meet them! But I haven't even met Maelstrom in person and I'm too young to have an Air Ranger Passport," Ren says.
Concept Introduction: Air Ranger Passport | A passport exclusively for Air Rangers who want to travel outside their country. The passport requires an individual to be at least 18 years old.
"I have an idea," Kepler smirks.