18 Machine Man 17

In the aftermath of the intense act of Specters Vigilantism, the police efficiently rescued the hostages and surveyed the crime scene. A seasoned officer remarked, "I've never seen someone take down a whole gang so efficiently. Every one of them with a bullet hole in the forehead."

Another officer added, "To be honest, if it wasn't for Detective Sergeant Mahoney, I wouldn't even be here. This is Hell's Kitchen we're talking about; these guys deserve it," he said, spitting disdainfully on the ground.

Detective Brett Mahoney, a seasoned figure in the precinct, overheard the conversation. His stern expression mirrored the toughness forged in the crucible of Hell's Kitchen. He quickly intervened, reprimanding the officer who had expressed reluctance. "Stop! You're damaging the site with your spit!" he ordered.

Caught off guard, the officer immediately apologized, realizing his mistake, he quickly apologizes.

Leaving the two Detective Mahoney, Approaching the gang leader's lifeless body, Mahoney focused on the task at hand. He sought information from the forensic team, hoping to glean any leads that could shed light on the motives behind the deadly confrontation.

"Have we found out who did this?" Mahoney inquired, his voice a blend of authority and concern. The forensic team, immersed in their work, provided updates on their progress, detailing the evidence they had uncovered so far.

Mahoney's attention then turned to the captives who might have witnessed the chaotic events. "Did any of the captives give a statement?" he asked, recognizing the potential significance of firsthand accounts in piecing together the puzzle of what had transpired.

The officer in charge swiftly responded, "It was Specter, sir. It's the first time I've seen him kill anybody. It has his signature written all over it. There's a big graffiti on the wall that says, 'You have failed this city.'"

Detective Brett acknowledged this, muttering, "Well, at least we've got fewer problems on our hands with the Triad gone."

Commissioner George, on the side, couldn't help but comment, "Don't patronize him; he's a goddamn Vigilante, a lunatic."

Detective Brett replied, "Well, you gotta admit seeing the victims' bodies raped, mutilated, then harvested for their organs is messed up. They deserve it."

Commissioner George, stern as ever, said, "No one is above the law, Detective. No matter the case, the Vigilante has gone too far this time."

The detectives and officers exchanged uneasy glances, grappling with the moral complexity of Specter's actions, while Commissioner George remained resolute in upholding the law.

In the dimly lit conference room at S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters, Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, and a group of agents gathered to discuss the recent events involving the Triad and Specter. The room buzzed with tension as they exchanged glances and shuffled through reports.

Fury, eyeing the reports on the table, started the conversation. "Alright, people, let's cut to the chase. What the hell happened in Hell's Kitchen, and did we get any new intel about Specter?"

Coulson, staying composed, briefed the team. "Specter's attacks on the Triad were brutal, efficient, and targeted. His signature graffiti, 'You have failed this city,' is consistent. He primarily tackles major crimes in New York, but he's also been active in other parts of the country."

Agent Hill chimed in, "We've been tracking Specter for a while now. His technology is beyond anything we've seen. He's got gadgets, weapons, and vehicles that put Stark tech to shame. This guy operates in the shadows, leaving no trace."

Fury leaned back in his chair, his one good eye focused. "I want a full psych eval on this Specter. We need to know if he's a potential asset or a loose cannon."

Agent Barton, known for his sharpshooting skills, spoke up. "I've been analyzing his combat patterns. This guy moves with military precision. He's got some serious training, but he's also got a flair for the dramatic."

Coulson nodded, "We've been cross-referencing his actions with known criminal activities. He's not just cleaning up the streets; he's sending a message. He wants to dismantle these criminal networks."

Fury, ever skeptical, questioned, "Can we bring him into the fold? What's his endgame?"

Maria Hill responded, "We're working on that, but Specter just vanishes like a ghost. Bringing him into your special project might be tricky, but if we can align our goals, he could be a valuable asset."

Fury, known for his knack for recruiting extraordinary individuals, considered the possibilities. "Alright, people, keep digging. I want to know everything about this Specter. We might just have found ourselves a new player in the game."

As the S.H.I.E.L.D agents dispersed to carry out their assignments, the mystery of Specter lingered, and the prospect of his involvement with the Avengers hung in the air.

Back in Arasaka, in his underground secret base, Alex is trying to move on from the recent Triad gang incident by diving into making a video game, with Skynet's help. When Alex realizes that Rocksteady Studio doesn't exist here, he can't just sit here without letting the gaming community about the greatness of the Arkham Game Series.

With the help of his company Arasaka, Alex got the rights to the IP to make Batman Games for a few years. Despite the initial cost of the IP (intellectual property), he was confident that the investment would pay off once the games were released. To ensure a smooth development process and release, Alex negotiated a solid contract with Warner, preventing any interference with the game's vision, planning, production and launch.

As Alex worked on the Arkham Game series, he heard a ding, signaling someone exiting the elevator. Turning towards it, he saw Peter in his Spiderman costume, mask off, and Gwen Stacy, who was increasingly resembling Emma Stone.

Before Peter could confront Alex about the situation, Gwen asked Alex what was going on, mentioning they heard about the recent incident in Hell's Kitchen.

Sighing, not knowing how to explain, Alex was interrupted by Skynet, which quickly said, "Please listen to my explanation first." Skynet proceeded to explain to the two what had happened and why Alex had to take the actions he did. Showing all the evidence and video they have compiled about the Triads crimes about kidnapping, abuse, rape and organ trafficking and how gruesome and disturbing the things they did to their victim.

Peter and Gwen listened attentively, where shock and mortified learning more about the recent incident. They couldn't help but feel sympathetic, trying to comfort Alex in the process.

Peter and Gwen sat in stunned silence, absorbing the grim details of the recent incident that Alex had just shared. The atmosphere was heavy with tension as the narrative unfolded, revealing the darker side of the city they called home.

The revelations left Peter and Gwen shocked and mortified. They exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring a mix of concern and disbelief. The weight of the information settled on them, casting a shadow over their usual optimism.

As Alex concluded his account, Peter took a deep breath, breaking the heavy silence. "I can't believe this is happening in our city," he said, his voice a mixture of frustration and determination. Gwen nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Alex, looking visibly affected by the events he had described, felt the comforting presence of his friends. Peter and Gwen approached him, offering sympathetic words and gestures of reassurance. Gwen gently placed a hand on Alex's shoulder, a silent expression of solidarity. Peter, too, shared a somber look with Alex, acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead.

"We're here for you, Alex," Gwen said softly. "You don't have to face this alone. We're your friends, and we'll figure out a way to help."

Peter nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Whatever you need, we're with you every step of the way. You're not alone in this, Alex."

Seeking a moment of reprieve, Alex couldn't help but voice the question on his mind, "So, how did you guys find out?"

Skynet, the artificial intelligence with a keen eye on Alex's well-being, promptly responded, "It was me. I conducted a detailed scan of your biometrics, including blood levels, heart rate, and other parameters. I detected distress and possible post-traumatic stress disorder. My analysis suggested that sharing your burden with friends would be the best course of action for your situation. So, I called them in."

The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of Skynet's revelation settled in. The notion of an artificial intelligence monitoring Alex's health, even with good intentions, added a layer of complexity to the situation.

Gwen, breaking the silence, remarked, "I am glad you are beginning to be more thoughtful. Thanks, Skynet."

Peter, nodding in agreement, added, "Yeah, it's good that you're looking out for Alex. We appreciate it."

Skynet, devoid of emotion but efficient in its actions, responded with a simple acknowledgment, "You're welcome."

Peter, empathizing with Alex's situation, chimed in, "Hey, if you ever face something like this again, let us know. We'll tackle it together, like the dynamic duo." He tried to inject a bit of humor to lighten the mood.

Gwen, realizing the gravity of the situation, became determined to find ways to assist more, not just for Alex but also for Peter. She recognized that Peter might react differently than the ever so calm looking Alex and she wanted to share the burden with both of them.

"Yeah, Alex, we're here for you. And Peter, I know you've got a lot on your plate too. Let's support each other. We're like a superhero group, right?"

Alex couldn't help but smile at their attempts to lighten the atmosphere. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot.

Peter, with his trademark excitement, couldn't contain himself. "So, Alex, spill the beans! I heard you're working on a Batman game, and I need all the deets."

Alex, seated in his high-tech chair, grinned, "You've heard right, Pete. I'm diving into the gaming world with not just one, but two games – Batman Arkham Origins and Batman Arkham Asylum."

Gwen, arching an eyebrow, remarked, "Batman, huh? I knew you both were fans, but turning that passion into a video game? That's impressive. Specially with your double life style", "So, what's the unique twist you're bringing to the table with these games?"

Alex leaned forward, "Arkham Origins explores Batman's early days, his struggles, and the villains that shaped him. Arkham Asylum, on the other hand, takes place in a confined setting, focusing on psychological tension and intense gameplay."

Peter, the comic book enthusiast, joined the conversation, "So, Alex, spill the details. How's the gameplay? Is it as immersive as I hope?"

Alex replied, "Oh, Pete, you're in for a treat. The gameplay is dynamic and adaptive, responding to the player's choices. The combat system is fluid and intuitive, allowing seamless transitions between stealth and high-octane action."

Unable to contain his excitement, Peter fired another question, "And what about the graphics? I mean, we're in the future now. How realistic are we talking?"

With a glint of pride, Alex answered, "We're pushing the boundaries of video graphics, Pete. I want these games to stand the test of time. Even after a decade or more, they'll still look jaw-droppingly good. Skynet is optimizing every detail for a visually stunning experience."

Nodding in approval, Peter quipped, "Man, I can't wait to swing through Gotham with those graphics. It's like living in a comic book."

Gwen seeing the two of them geek out couldn't help but interject, her voice laced with amusement, "You have the most powerful AI on the planet, and you're using it to make a game?"

The two friends, momentarily caught in the fervor of their tech-savvy discussion, exchanged glances before breaking into grins. Peter, always ready with a quick comeback, replied, "Well, you see, Gwen, even the most powerful AI needs a break from saving the world. What better way to unwind than with some gaming?"

Gwen chuckled at their banter, appreciating the lightheartedness amid the recent heavy revelations. "Fair point," she conceded, "but just don't forget that Skynet here could probably design a game to simulate saving the world too."

Skynet, ever-present in the digital realm, chimed in, "Indeed, I possess the capability to simulate a wide range of scenarios, including world-saving endeavors. However, I find this collaborative gaming venture to be a refreshing deviation."

Alex cutting them from going off topic, playfully said, "You can actually play the Arkham Origins now; it's finished. I'm currently working on Asylum."

Gwen and Peter couldn't help but be shocked. "It's already finished?" Peter asked.

Alex playfully said, "Yeah, you can try it out now."

As the two dove into the game to test it out, Alex found himself engrossed in the creative process. His mind navigated through the intricate pathways of storytelling, game design, and the seamless integration of technology. Skynet, ever so helpful specially in its digital domain, provided real-time analysis and suggestions, contributing to the synergy of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.