Chapter 8: A Disturbance in Gotham

A month had passed since Xander and Steel first teamed up with Robin, and Gotham had only grown more unpredictable. Xander had gotten used to the hum of the TURBO-suit, which he now wore permanently thanks to Steel's inability to fully reverse their bonding process. The camouflage system Steel developed had proven invaluable, allowing Xander to blend in with everyday society despite the advanced alien tech encasing his body.

"I'm just saying," Xander muttered as he walked down a busy street, "that maybe wearing an indestructible suit twenty-four-seven isn't the life upgrade I was hoping for."

Steel's voice crackled through Xander's internal comm. "Would you rather risk sudden disintegration from TURBO-energy buildup?"

"Obviously not," Xander sighed. "But next time, how about a user-friendly suit with an off switch?"

Steel's holographic form materialized briefly on Xander's HUD. "Hey, I'm working with what I've got. Besides, you look good in blue."

"Flattery isn't going to make this better," Xander grumbled.

As they crossed into Gotham's warehouse district, Steel's tone shifted to serious. "I'm picking up elevated energy signatures three blocks east. Something's brewing."

Xander frowned. "Alien tech?"

"Possibly. Let's check it out."

Activating the suit's camouflage mode, Xander faded from view, moving swiftly across rooftops toward the source of the disturbance. Steel maintained a hovering position beside him, his scanners whirring softly.

They landed silently atop a rusted metal roof, peering down at a scene of chaos below. Several thugs in black combat gear were unloading crates from a truck, while a figure in a sleek silver suit directed them.

"That's definitely not your average street gang," Xander noted.

Steel's eyes gleamed. "Bingo. Those crates are emitting high levels of exotic energy. We've got ourselves an Intergang operation."

Xander's grip tightened. "Looks like they upgraded their gear."

Steel hummed thoughtfully. "Should we call Robin for backup?"

"Not yet," Xander said. "Let's gather intel first."

They watched as the thugs moved the crates into the warehouse. The silver-suited leader tapped a control panel on his wrist, sealing the doors behind them.

"Steel, can you hack that panel?" Xander asked.

"Please," Steel scoffed. "Do you even have to ask?"

A beam of light extended from Steel's core, interfacing with the panel. Within moments, the door slid open with a soft hiss.

"After you," Steel said with a flourish.

Xander activated the suit's stealth mode and slipped inside. The warehouse was dimly lit, with rows of stacked crates creating a labyrinthine layout. Steel scanned the environment, highlighting several security cameras.

"Got 'em," Steel reported. "Disabling it now."

Xander moved swiftly through the maze of crates, his sensors picking up faint energy signatures. As they rounded a corner, they spotted the silver-suited leader speaking into a communicator.

"The shipment's secure," the leader said. "We'll be ready for the next phase soon."

Xander's jaw tightened. "Next phase? That doesn't sound good."

Before they could gather more intel, a guard spotted them. "Intruder!"

"So much for stealth," Xander muttered.

Steel's voice crackled with excitement. "Time for some TURBO-action!"

Xander surged forward, unleashing a blast of energy that sent the guard flying. The commotion drew more thugs, who opened fire with high-tech weapons.

"Those are definitely alien blasters," Steel confirmed. "Duck!"

Xander dodged a barrage of energy bolts, retaliating with precision strikes. The suit's enhanced reflexes made him a blur of motion as he took down the attackers one by one.

The silver-suited leader activated a pair of energy gauntlets, charging at Xander with surprising speed.

"Looks like he wants to dance," Steel quipped.

"Let's not disappoint him," Xander said, meeting the charge head-on.

Their clash sent shockwaves through the warehouse. Xander's TURBO-energy flared as he blocked a powerful strike and countered with a devastating punch that shattered one of the gauntlets.

The leader stumbled back, his visor cracked. "You'll regret this," he growled before activating a teleportation device and vanishing.

Xander scowled. "Coward."

Steel hovered beside him. "On the bright side, we just ruined their operation."

Xander surveyed the wreckage. "Yeah, but they'll be back."

"Then we'll be ready," Steel said confidently.

As they exited the warehouse, the distant wail of police sirens echoed through the night.

"Time to vanish," Xander said, activating flight mode.

They soared into the sky, the city sprawling beneath them.

"You know," Steel mused, "you're getting pretty good at this hero thing."

"Thanks," Xander said. "But we've still got a long way to go."

Steel chuckled. "Good thing we're just getting started."

As they disappeared into the night, Xander couldn't shake the feeling that bigger challenges were on the horizon. The whispers of escalating criminal activities and sightings of metahuman events hinted at a storm brewing just beyond the horizon. Gotham was just the beginning.

Steel's voice cut through his thoughts. "I've been monitoring chatter on secure networks. There's talk of a team forming—young, talented heroes. Maybe we should keep an eye on that."

"Yeah," Xander agreed thoughtfully. "Sounds like something big is about to go down."

As the city lights sparkled below, Xander steeled himself for the days ahead. Whatever was coming, he and Steel would be ready.