The Tampered Score

Not clearly, but there was still a faint inertia echo trapped inside that strut, like a machine that had been shut down in panic but was still trying to force its way free. “There’s life in there,” he said. “You’re sure?” Vera asked. “No,” Aiden said, rising. “But I’m not waiting to find out after it’s dead.” He started dismantling the guardrail around the site. Some people laughed. ["Here he goes, rearranging scrap again."] ["Does this guy only know how to improvise with junk?"] ["Low-tier heroes always need a performance. "] Aiden ignored them. He planted the removed rail posts into the ground as crude supports, then used his sense of inertia to remember every point that might give way. His power was not suited to big showy moves.