Your News at 11 Episode 21: Rock Hammer Breaks the Badge 04NOV25

[david665]

[P.N.N. — YOUR NEWS AT 11, SHARKHEAD ISLE]

 

TRISH TAKANAWA (reporting live from the storm-swept docks, cranes silhouetted against the sulfur glow of the factories):
“Good evening. I’m Trish Takanawa with the Paragon News Network, reporting from the industrial docks of Sharkhead Isle — where chaos erupted earlier today as the meta-powered enforcer Rock Hammer clashed with Officer Benatar,  and his heavily armed mercenary unit, the Benatar Guards.

Once a decorated Paragon Police Department robotic officer, Benatar turned rogue after being implicated in an arms smuggling ring. In recent months, he’s been working under the banner of the Sky Raiders — providing muscle and tactical oversight for their operations across the Isles. That all came to a violent end this afternoon.”

 

[Cut to dockside security footage: explosions lighting up the night as Rock Hammer, towering and armored in debris, smashes through crates and weaponized drones.]

 

TRISH (voiceover):
“Eyewitnesses report Rock Hammer arrived during a shipment handoff between the Sky Raiders and suspected Family intermediaries. What began as a negotiation devolved into all-out war when Benatar attempted to detain Hammer — an act that proved ill-advised.”

 

[Cut to dockworker witness, face blurred by request.]
‘Benatar had the high ground — turrets, men, the whole setup. Rock just waded right through it. He took a energy beam to the chest and kept going. By the time the dust cleared, Benatar was down, sparking and buzzing, and his guards scattered. Never seen anything like it.’

 

TRISH (back on scene, wind whipping through her hair):
“Arachnos has since confirmed the Sky Raiders’ illegal presence on Sharkhead and has cordoned off the docks pending investigation. Captain Verax issued a brief statement earlier this evening.”

 

[Cut to Verax at an Arachnos command post.]
‘Rock Hammer’s actions may have eliminated a threat to stability, but unapproved vigilante operations remain a violation of Arachnos jurisdiction. We’ll be reviewing his activities — and determining whether his interests align with ours… or against them.’

 

[Back to Trish, standing beside a smoking, half-sunken Sky Raider transport craft.]
“Benatar’s condition is unknown, though sources within the Rogue Isles Medical Authority confirm he was airlifted out by Sky Raider forces shortly after the fight.

As for Rock Hammer — his motives, as ever, remain a mystery. Was this justice? Revenge? Or simply another power play in the endless struggle for dominance across the Isles?

One thing’s for certain — when Rock Hammer brings down the hammer… the ground shakes.

For Paragon News Network, I’m Trish Takanawa — and this has been Your News at 11.”

 

Your News at 11 — Follow-Up Segment: “On the Line with Rock Hammer”

Broadcast Date: 04Nov25

[P.N.N. STUDIO — TELEPHONE INTERVIEW SEGMENT]

 

TRISH TAKANAWA (in-studio, headset on, voice measured but warm):
“Welcome back to Your News at 11. I’m Trish Takanawa, and joining us live via secure comms is the man at the center of today’s explosive events on Sharkhead Isle — Rock Hammer, the meta-powered juggernaut whose name has become synonymous with chaos and justice in equal measure.

Rock Hammer — thank you for taking the time to speak with us tonight.”

ROCK HAMMER (voice low, steady, faint rumble of machinery in the background):
“Just call me Rock, Trish. You know that.”

TRISH (smiling faintly):
“Fair enough, Rock. You’ve been linked to today’s battle at the docks — a violent confrontation with the rogue officer Benatar and his Sky Raider-backed mercenaries. Arachnos has labeled your intervention as ‘unauthorized.’ What drove you to get involved?”

ROCK (pause, then a gravelly exhale):
“Benatar’s been dirty for years. Selling weapons, smuggling tech, hiding behind that badge like it still meant something. I didn’t do this for Arachnos, and I didn’t do it for glory. I did it because creeps like that rot the foundation from underneath. I gave him a chance to walk. He didn’t take it.”

TRISH:
“Some witnesses described the encounter as… one-sided. You overwhelmed an entire fortified position. Are you trying to send a message?”

ROCK:
“Message? Yeah. That the old codes still matter — somewhere, to someone. You don’t get to wrap yourself in authority and prey on people. I don’t care if you wear a badge, a cape, or a mask.”

TRISH (softly):
“There’s talk that you’ve been working with — or against — Arachnos operatives in the past few weeks. Are you aligned with anyone right now?”

ROCK (short laugh):
“I don’t do alignments, Trish. I break things that need breaking. Someone needs punched, I punch 'em.  If Arachnos wants order, fine — but I’m not taking orders from them. Not now, not ever.”

TRISH:
“And Benatar? Reports say he was airlifted out by Sky Raider forces. Do you expect retaliation?”

ROCK:
“Let ’em come. Maybe they’ll think twice before siding with traitors. Maybe not. Either way, I’ll be here.”

TRISH (leaning forward, tone softening):
“You’ve made more than your share of enemies, Rock. Men like The Squizzler and the Black Flea. Some say you’re on a path toward self-destruction — that this crusade of yours can only end one way.”

ROCK (low chuckle):
“Maybe. But until it does, people are gonna think twice before pulling the trigger on the innocent. That’s enough for me. And if they don't, they can do their thinking in the hospital”

TRISH (nodding slightly):
“Always direct, always uncompromising. That’s Rock Hammer — or as he insists I say… Rock.

For the Paragon News Network, I’m Trish Takanawa. Stay tuned — when we come back, we’ll hear from Captain Verax on the Arachnos response to today’s dockside destruction. This is Your News at 11.”