In New York, gangs were nothing unusual.
In Hell’s Kitchen, they were practically part of the scenery.
Shootings, robberies, disappearances…
Residents had learned to live with them.
Even patrol officers avoided walking some streets alone after dark.
So when Kathy mentioned a group called the Green Snake Gang, Richard’s first reaction was mild disappointment.
The name sounded painfully generic.
Like the sort of street gang that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Hardly front-page material.
Then again…
The biggest stories weren’t the only ones worth telling.
If every newsroom chased superheroes and billionaires, who was left to cover the people quietly suffering in the city’s forgotten neighborhoods?
Journalism wasn’t just about reporting history.
Sometimes it was about forcing people to notice what they’d grown accustomed to ignoring.
Richard knew exactly why Kathy was so excited.
She wanted the story that would launch her career.
Every young reporter dreamed of uncovering something no one else had seen.
He certainly had.
Granted, thanks to his reincarnation, he wasn’t actually much older than she was.
Experience, however, counted for more than birthdays.
He nodded.
“All right.” “Tell me about the Green Snake Gang.” “My source says they helped unload an unregistered cargo ship last Wednesday.” Kathy spoke quickly, barely stopping to breathe.
“He knows someone fairly high up in the gang.” “They let a few details slip.” She straightened proudly.
“I’m…
eighty percent sure.” She frowned.
“No…” “Ninety.” She immediately shook her head.
“Actually, I’m completely certain.” “That ship was transporting girls who’d been trafficked from different parts of the country.” Richard stared at her.
Please pick a confidence level and stay there.
Still…
The allegation itself wasn’t difficult to believe.
Human trafficking was hardly rare in Hell’s Kitchen.
The tragedy wasn’t that it happened.
The tragedy was that most people had stopped paying attention.
If the Daily Planet could expose a real trafficking operation and tell the victims’ stories properly…
It would matter.
Richard had always despised people who treated human beings like merchandise.
Someone needed to shine a light into places everyone else preferred not to look.
“So,” he said, “who’s your source?” “Can he testify?” Kathy’s enthusiasm dimmed.
“No.” “He only talked because I promised I’d never reveal his identity.” “If anyone found out…” She didn’t finish the sentence.
Richard understood.
“All right.” “Do you know where the ship is?” “I do.” She sighed.
“I checked yesterday.” “It had already been emptied.” Richard’s expression became more cautious.
“Then you know where the victims were taken?” Kathy shook her head vigorously.
“No.” Richard rubbed his forehead.
“So…” “No witness.” “No ship.” “No victims.” She smiled awkwardly.
“…Not yet.” Richard couldn’t fault her determination.
He could, however, fault her evidence.
“If I publish this today,” he said, “what exactly am I printing?” “‘According to an anonymous source, a gang in Hell’s Kitchen may be trafficking women.'” He spread his hands.
“That’s not journalism.” “That’s speculation.” Kathy refused to give up.
“I just need time.” “Please.” “Give me until this weekend.” “I’ll find proof.” “I know I will.” She hesitated.
“If I do…” “…could we save space for the story in Monday’s paper?” Richard considered it for a moment.
“Page Eight.” Her eyes widened.
“Page Eight?” “This is organized human trafficking!” Richard shrugged.
“And the city was nearly flattened by a giant monster yesterday.” “News doesn’t happen one story at a time.” He leaned forward.
“Bring me evidence.” “If you’ve got it, we’ll talk about the front page.” “If you don’t…” He smiled.
“There won’t even be a page eighty waiting for you.” Kathy blinked.
“…Our paper doesn’t have eighty pages.” Richard closed his eyes.
“It was a figure of speech.” “Oh.” She laughed sheepishly.
“Right.” “Sorry.” Then her confidence returned.
“I won’t let you down, Mr.
Carter.” With that, she hurried out of the office.
Silence settled over the room once again.
Richard leaned back in his chair and looked out the window, coffee growing cold in his hand.
He hadn’t told Kathy everything.
Personally…
He wanted that story published.
Very badly.
In his previous life, he’d never married, but he had a younger sister.
She’d only been fifteen or sixteen when he’d disappeared from that world.
The thought lingered.
If someone had ever kidnapped her…
He didn’t know what he could have done.
Back then, he had been an ordinary reporter.
No influence.
No extraordinary abilities.
No powerful friends.
Just another face in the crowd.
Now things were different.
There were stories other newspapers wouldn’t touch.
He could.
There were uncomfortable truths powerful people wanted buried.
He didn’t have to bury them.
Almost unconsciously, Richard opened his hand.
A soft white glow gathered above his palm.
The Evoltruster materialized from the light.
Unlike the television series, he didn’t need to carry it everywhere.
It existed somewhere beyond ordinary space, answering his call whenever he reached for it.
He turned the device over thoughtfully.
He still didn’t know why the Light had chosen him.
From everything he remembered, Nexus’s hosts were extraordinary people.
People willing to sacrifice everything.
People who possessed uncommon courage.
Richard had never considered himself one of them.
He wasn’t driven by dreams of becoming humanity’s guardian.
He didn’t crave fame.
He certainly didn’t dream of conquering the world.
If there was a reason he’d become Ultraman…
He couldn’t see it.
Maybe it had simply been luck.
Absurd, impossible luck.
But whether he deserved the power wasn’t the important question anymore.
He had it.
That alone created responsibility.
Even if all he did was tell the truth…
Even if all he did was stand against the tide…
Sometimes…
That was enough.