POV: Time Variance Authority

Inside the old, beat-up van, Claw fumed:

"Fast! That woman actually dared to lie to me!"

He turned his gaze to the figure in the Ultraman mask—Elias—sitting beside him:

"Pal, you know about my father and my daughter, about those three useless underlings of mine… I figured you weren't ordinary. I trust you. But you said you can lead me to tons of gold bars—like, literally tons! Is that for real?! I mean, it's not that I don't believe you, I'm just curious where in this city you'd find so many gold bars."

Moments earlier in the plaza, Elias had persuaded Claw to come inside the van for a "chat," easily leveraging his wide knowledge to gain the gangster's confidence.

The next challenge? Convincing Claw to bury past grudges and join him in a new scheme.

Elias answered calmly:

"I've already told you plenty of secrets. Why would I lie now? I've lived in this city a long time. I know where the money is stashed—and trust me, some of the wealthiest folks can't keep their money in a bank. If you want safe targets, you rob them—they won't even dare call the cops if you lift it under their nose."

He glanced at his watch, shaking his head:

"Anyway, we can't do it tonight. I'll show you tomorrow."

"Ha!" Claw slapped Elias's shoulder, roaring with laughter.

"What's one more day? Tomorrow it is! So what do we do tonight?"

Elias opened the door and hopped out.

"Sit tight. I'm off to fetch the real 'hacker.' Don't forget our deal: tomorrow, I'll lead you to the money, and you'll let go of any beef with her. For tonight, you both follow my orders."

***

Stepping away from the van, Elias adjusted the Ultraman mask over his face and headed toward the plaza's opposite side. Soon, he spotted Cipher—still shrouded in the same black windbreaker, thick hair pinned high, wearing an Ultraman mask as her call sign.

He approached straight on, voice low and focused:

"Cipher, let's keep it short. You and I have a common goal: opening that bank vault, specifically the safe labeled [Elias Crane]. But it's never been simple. Your computer can crack the vault's electronic lock, but for that old mechanical safe inside? Digital hacking won't help. There's no time to pick it before the main power flips back on."

Elias gave her a sharp look.

"Trust me, I've spent more nights in that vault than you might guess. I know how to open that safe—and I've already handled Claw. If you want to see the contents of that deposit box, join us. Tonight, we work together."

Cipher's uncertain gaze peered through the mask. But she listened quietly. Finally, she stepped back, arms folded.

"You say you know the safe's code?"

Elias shrugged. "I do not know the combination. But we don't need it. My plan is to snag an oxyacetylene cutting torch from the local hardware or industrial market, lug it inside, and slice that safe open. It's reliable and far more efficient than a guess-and-check approach."

He checked his watch.

"Without you, we can still blow the electronic door with C4, but that's messy. We don't have much time. I'll give you thirty seconds to decide."

Cipher took a measured breath, then said:

"Just one question:

You seem well-informed, and your target is also that deposit box labeled 'Elias Crane.' So tell me—what do you know about this Elias Crane?"

Elias smirked faintly.

"Too many people in the world named Elias Crane. I'm not sure if the box belongs to the one I know or some random stranger. I'm just curious. More than I can say for you, who's been hiding your motives. Unless you want to swap intel? I'll tell you everything about my Elias Crane if you tell me why you want that safe open."

"…"

Expectedly, Cipher went silent. Elias wasn't surprised; she was perpetually tight-lipped about her reasons and that intangible link between them. He'd quit trying to pry.

He flicked another glance at his watch:

"Five seconds left."

"I'm in," Cipher said evenly, arms still folded. "But only if you've truly neutralized Claw. He's no pushover."

Elias lowered his arm and nodded:

"Deal. We're heading to meet our teammate right now."

***

The plan unfolded smoothly with Elias's broad knowledge. He led Cipher over, slid open the battered van door, motioning her to get in first, then hopped inside himself. With a thud, he pulled the door shut.

For a beat, nobody spoke.

Inside the cramped vehicle, three of the unlikeliest people in the dream-world sat together in silence.

Claw, behind the wheel, huge hands gripping the seat, glancing nervously in the rearview. Elias, wearing his Ultraman mask, calmly leaning back. Cipher, similarly masked, tall, slender, arms folded, radiating a cold, watchful aura.

The tension was almost comic.

"Ahem!" Claw coughed, turning around. Through the cat-mask eye holes, he stared at the twin Ultramen in back.

"So… who's explaining what? Ms. Ultraman—er, you—look, I guess we bury the grudges, yeah? Our buddy here says tomorrow he'll help me get the cash. For tonight, he calls the shots."

"And you—my 'man.'" Claw whirled toward Elias. "Got a plan for tonight's job, right?"

Elias inhaled quietly, folding his hands:

"Let's keep it simple. First, drive over to the Eastern hardware market. If we can't find an oxyacetylene torch there, we'll circle around to the Southern billboard shops. We need that gear to slice the vault deposit box."

With a rumble, the van's engine roared, pulling away onto the dark street.

No one spoke further. Elias sat calmly, arms crossed over his stomach, gazing at the passing streetlights, each one vanishing into the night behind them.

What secret lay inside that deposit box emblazoned with his name?