Chapter 9: The Calm Before the Storm

A week had passed since the warehouse operation against Intergang, and Gotham's uneasy quiet was more unsettling than any chaos. Xander had spent much of the time honing his skills with Steel, blending TURBO-energy combat drills with stealth practice. Flying across Gotham's dark skyline had almost become routine—though Xander doubted he'd ever fully get used to the sight of gargoyle-adorned buildings and narrow streets shrouded in perpetual mist.

"You're getting better," Steel said, his holographic form flickering inside Xander's HUD. "Still not as good as me, of course."

Xander snorted. "Pretty sure you've never actually punched anyone."

"My intellect is my weapon," Steel declared. "And it's far more refined than your fists."

"Yeah, well, tell that to the Intergang guy who tried to roast me with a plasma cannon," Xander quipped, banking left as they soared above the docks.

Steel's scanners whirred softly. "Speaking of plasma cannons, I'm still not sure how they got their hands on that tech. It's light-years beyond anything your government should have."

"Maybe someone's playing dealer," Xander suggested grimly.

"If so, they're playing a dangerous game," Steel warned. "We need to stay on alert."

They landed silently on the rooftop of an abandoned factory, the wind tugging at Xander's hair despite the suit's climate regulation. The city's distant hum filled the air, broken only by the occasional siren.

"So," Xander said, surveying the city, "any more chatter about that team you mentioned?"

Steel's voice took on a thoughtful tone. "Not much. Just whispers about young heroes being scouted. I'm monitoring the networks, but it's all hush-hush."

Xander crossed his arms. "You think we should get involved?"

"Maybe," Steel admitted. "But let's face it—we're not exactly team players."

"Speak for yourself," Xander said with a grin. "I work great with others."

Steel huffed. "Sure you do. That's why you're flying around Gotham in a suit only I can camouflage."

"Fair point," Xander conceded. "But if there's a team forming, we should at least know what we're dealing with."

Steel's sensors pinged. "Hold up. Energy spike two blocks west."

Xander activated the suit's HUD overlay, highlighting the source of the spike. "Looks like trouble."

They launched into the air, moving swiftly toward the disturbance. As they neared the location, Xander's heart raced. Smoke billowed from a building below, flames licking at shattered windows.

"Fire or explosion?" Xander asked.

"Explosion," Steel confirmed. "I'm picking up residual energy traces—definitely not natural gas."

They landed on a nearby rooftop, surveying the scene. Firefighters were already on-site, battling the blaze.

"Looks like the professionals have it covered," Xander said.

"Maybe," Steel said, "but there's something off. I'm detecting unusual energy patterns inside the building."

Xander frowned. "You think someone's still in there?"

"Only one way to find out," Steel said.

Activating flight mode, Xander dove toward the building. The heat was intense, but the suit's environmental controls kept it manageable. He scanned the area, his HUD highlighting structural weaknesses.

"Third floor, northwest corner," Steel directed. "There's a life sign."

Xander blasted through a weakened section of the wall, landing inside a smoke-filled corridor. A young woman coughed violently, trapped beneath a collapsed beam.

"Got her," Xander said, lifting the beam with enhanced strength.

The woman gasped for air as he carried her to safety. They emerged from the building just as a section of the roof caved in.

"You okay?" Xander asked as he set her down.

She nodded weakly. "Thank you."

Before Xander could respond, Steel's sensors flared. "Incoming!"

A blast of energy narrowly missed them, scorching the pavement.

"Figures," Xander muttered, turning to face their attacker—a figure clad in high-tech armor, wielding twin plasma rifles.

"Intergang again?" Steel guessed.

"Let's find out," Xander said, charging forward.

The armored figure opened fire, bolts of searing energy streaking through the night. Xander dodged to the side, the suit's reflex boosters kicking in. Steel's voice crackled in his ear.

"Want me to handle this?" Steel asked eagerly.

"Handle how?" Xander asked, ducking behind cover.

Steel's tone turned smug. "Not in a fight, but remember that time I woke you up?"

Xander groaned. "Don't remind me."

Flashback

Steel hovered inches from Xander's face early one morning, emitting a blinding glow. "Wake up, sunshine!"

Xander groaned, pulling the covers over his head. "Go away, Steel."

Instead of complying, Steel fired a low-energy pulse that jolted Xander's blanket off the bed.

"Seriously?!" Xander shouted.

"It's scientifically proven that energy stimulation promotes better morning activity," Steel said cheerfully.

"You're scientifically proven to be the worst," Xander muttered.

End Flashback

Snapping back to the present, Xander shook his head. "Don't get any ideas about energy blasts here, Steel. You're support, not offense."

"Noted," Steel said begrudgingly.

Xander launched into a high-speed dash, closing the distance to the attacker. He landed a powerful punch to the figure's midsection, denting the armor.

"He's tough," Xander grunted.

"Focus," Steel advised. "No distractions."

With renewed determination, Xander dodged another plasma blast and delivered a knockout blow, sending the armored figure crashing to the ground.

As the police arrived, Xander took to the skies, disappearing into the night.

"Think we made an impression?" Xander asked.

"Oh, definitely," Steel said. "And not just on Intergang."

Xander's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Let's just say we're on some radars now—good and bad," Steel said cryptically.

Xander sighed. "Great. Just what I needed."

As they flew back toward the city, Xander couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to change—and not just in Gotham. The whispers of a forming team, the escalating threats, and Steel's ominous warnings all pointed to one thing: the storm was coming.

The next few days blurred into a cycle of training, investigations, and careful monitoring of chatter across Gotham. Xander's name—or rather, his alter-ego "Max," as Steel insisted—was already becoming the subject of murmurs in the criminal underground. He'd been doing his best to keep a low profile, but Gotham was a city where secrets had short lifespans.

"Max," Steel reminded as they patrolled above the industrial district, "calling you by your real name in combat situations? Terrible idea."

"I get it," Xander muttered. "Why 'Max,' though?"

"It sounds heroic. Plus, alliteration works. Max and Steel—dynamic duo vibes," Steel explained proudly.

Xander rolled his eyes. "Sure, let's just hope we don't get sued."

As they hovered above the skyline, Xander spotted movement in a darkened alleyway. Three figures, clad in black tactical gear, crept toward the entrance of a storage warehouse.

"See that?" Xander pointed.

"Affirmative. Definitely not delivery guys," Steel said.

Xander activated the suit's cloaking function and swooped down silently, landing behind the intruders.

"Need an invitation?" he asked cheekily, dropping the cloak.

The figures spun around, weapons raised. One fired a burst of energy, but Xander deflected it effortlessly with a TURBO-charged shield.

"Very rude," Xander said. "Didn't your parents teach you better manners?"

Before they could respond, Xander launched into action, using precision strikes to disable their weapons and incapacitate the group.

Steel hummed approvingly. "Not bad, Max. Efficiency rating: 85 percent."

"Only 85?" Xander grinned. "Tough critic."

"Perfection is the goal, my friend," Steel quipped.

As Xander secured the last attacker, he noticed a familiar symbol etched onto their gear—a red and black insignia that sent a chill down his spine.

"Steel, run a scan on this logo," Xander instructed.

"Processing… Bingo. Matches a covert faction associated with tech smuggling operations linked to Intergang," Steel reported.

"Looks like we've found ourselves a rabbit hole," Xander muttered.

"And I bet it's a deep one," Steel added.

As they prepared to leave, Xander couldn't help but feel the weight of what lay ahead. The storm was inching closer, and he knew he had to be ready.

"Whatever comes next, Steel," Xander said resolutely, "we're in this together."

"Always, partner," Steel said confidently.

As they ascended into the night sky, Xander felt a surge of determination.