Riri Williams harbors grand ambitions, yet her finances fall short of her soaring aspirations. Determined to acquire sufficient funds for her nascent AI venture, she must tap into her ingenuity. Her solution? To sell completed projects to students across every institution in her vicinity—a bold move that contravenes her university's regulations. After four years of minimal progress on her own project and engaging in such unauthorized dealings, the university revokes her grant and ejects her from their ranks.
Riri attempts to cast herself as a victim of institutional oppression, claiming innocence in her predicament. However, this assertion rings hollow, as she is acutely aware of her transgressions, not just to the university but to her own ethical standards. Despite this realization, it fails to dampen her resolve. Seizing the opportunity to gather her belongings before her departure, Riri stealthily assembles the iron suit she crafted with her grant and makes a daring escape to Chicago.
Elsewhere, a gang orchestrates a heist on a house, with all elements seemingly in place for a seamless operation. Yet, one member repeatedly fumbles with the alarm disarmament, ultimately derailing the entire scheme and forcing the gang to flee in haste.
Among them, John and his boss, the Hood, recognize the need for a hardware expert. As if by fate, they glimpse Riri soaring through the sky en route to her home. Unfortunately for her, her grand entrance is marred by a spectacular crash, leaving her to lug her suit around awkwardly.
Upon arriving home, Riri overhears her mother discussing her grief with friends. Years prior, Riri had lost her stepfather, Gary, and her best friend, Natalie, in a tragic event. Attempting to slip into her room unnoticed, she is confronted by her mother, who is already aware of her expulsion and is furious.
Fortunately, Xavier, Natalie's brother, steps in to spare Riri from further reprimand. He puzzles over her refusal to lead a normal life, but she remains steadfast in her conviction. For Riri, recognition is paramount. It is this desire that fuels her creation of the iron suit—a symbol of her quest for validation. By crafting the finest suit, she believes she can command the attention she craves and ensure that no one overlooks her again.
The following day, as they scavenged for components to assemble her armor, John lent a helping hand, financing the pieces with a casual generosity that acknowledged her plight. He extended an offer of employment, a means to attain her aspirations. Hastily, she made her way to the designated rendezvous, though her doubts lingered like a persistent mist. Unbeknownst to her, her initiation into the team had already commenced.
Upon stepping into the elevator within the edifice, it abruptly malfunctioned, while a sinister contraption dispensed a lethal gas within its confines. Her survival hinged on procuring a mask from this very machine; failure to do so meant certain death within moments. Despite her unpreparedness, Riri swiftly devised a scheme, her ingenuity igniting like a spark in the darkness. She managed to reactivate the elevator and dislodged its doors, astonishing all present. Yet, her actions stemmed solely from self-preservation, not allegiance to their cause.
Nevertheless, her financial need for her inventions remained unchanged, a fact not lost on Hood. Sensing an opportunity, he revealed her remuneration, persuading her to align with them despite her misgivings. Her sole stipulation was a pledge not to harm; still, she consented to aid in their clandestine endeavors.
Later, while reconstructing her armor, she immersed herself in a mixtape crafted by Xavier. Unbeknownst to her, he had subtly interspersed an audio message from her sister amidst the tracks, catching Riri completely off guard. The tender moment unleashed a flood of tears, transporting her back to the harrowing day her beloved friend perished.
Riri, her stepfather, and Natalie had been in his garage, their laughter echoing amidst the hum of car repairs. It was a mundane day, filled with dreams and aspirations for their future. But fate had other plans; gunshots shattered the peace, enveloping them in a crossfire.
This haunting memory refused to relinquish its grip on her as she programmed her AI, Natalie's image burning vividly in her mind. In her dreams, she awoke to her late friend's piercing gaze, as though the tragedy had never etched its scar upon their lives.
