Machine Man 98 : A Black Cat crossing the road.

Alex, now in his Specter guise, gripped the controls of his sleek, armored vehicle. A machine reminiscent of the Batmobile from Arkham Knight, yet reimagined with his signature Cyberpunk Nomad and Predator-inspired technology. Its matte black finish seemed to devour light, while streaks of cobalt-red accents glowed like veins of energy coursing through its body.

The car roared through the streets of Hell's Kitchen, weaving effortlessly between traffic as it pursued criminals fleeing a jewelry store heist. Specter's mere presence sent shivers down the spines of bystanders watching from the sidewalks. The Specter Mobile was instantly recognizable, a symbol of dread in America's underworld. Its engine growled with a menacing, predatory tone, a low rumble that resonated like the warning growl of a beast on the hunt.

As he swerved through traffic, Alex's voice was calm, yet commanding. "Skynet, report."

Skynet's voice, cool and precise, chimed in through the car's interface. "Three vehicles detected. All fleeing southbound. Shall I prepare weapons, father?"

"Already on it," Alex muttered, a slight smirk on his lips as his fingers danced over the controls. With a press of a button, a compartment at the front of the vehicle slid open, and a small but deadly weapon extended. A rapid burst of energy shot forward, striking each of the fleeing vehicles. Small cylindrical canisters attached themselves to the targets like leeches, humming with energy.

"Activating EMP charges...now," Skynet announced.

The canisters glowed and discharged red lightning volts, sending electrical pulses that short-circuited the cars' electronics. Two of the vehicles screeched to a halt, their engines dead, tires smoking. The third, however, kept going.

Alex's eyes narrowed beneath his cobalt helmet. "One always slips away, seems to be an old class vehicle not much electronics on it."

Another press on his console and the roof of his vehicle slid open, and Alex launched himself into the air. His sleek, armored suit shimmered in the dim streetlight as he flew upward, propelled by thrusters on his boots. In mid-air, his hands moved to his sides, pulling out his dual smart pistols.

"Skippy 1, Skippy 2," Alex said, a tone of focus in his voice. "Time to work."

As the final vehicle sped away, he aimed both pistols. Skippy 1's AI chimed with enthusiasm. "And lo! From the heavens above, judgment descends upon the guilty!"

"Shut up, Skippy," Skippy 2's AI retorted. "No one likes your melodrama."

"Enough," Specter growled, eyes locked on the vehicle. He squeezed the triggers. The bullets spiraled through the air, curving impossibly before finding their mark in the tires of the fleeing car. The tires exploded, sending the vehicle into a spin before it crashed into a nearby lamppost, the crooks inside shaken but mostly unharmed except some unlucky with few broken bones.

As the dust settled, the doors of the wrecked car flew open. The criminals scrambled out, guns in hand, but Alex was already on the move. His Sandevistan cyberware kicked in sending red lightning volt across his body, time slowing as his body accelerated to superhuman speed. In a blur of red and black, he darted forward, disarming each thug with swift, precise movements. His pistols, now set to stun, fired off short bursts of energy, knocking them out cold. Their guns clattered uselessly to the pavement.

In mere seconds, it was over. Alex stood over the unconscious criminals, his breath steady, his body relaxed as he holstered both pistols with a smooth, practiced motion.

"All clear," Specter said, his voice low but firm as he tapped a button on his forearm. A sleek, holographic interface appeared, casting a blue glow on his armored suit. With a few deft taps, he accessed the direct line to a trusted cop in Hell's Kitchen, one of the few who actually understood what Specter was trying to do, despite the city's politicians disdain for vigilantes.

The line connected, and a gruff but familiar voice answered. "Officer Jefferson speaking, who is this?"

"This is Specter," Alex replied, his tone unwavering. There was a brief silence on the other end as Jefferson took a moment to register the voice.

"Specter," Jefferson muttered, a mix of surprise and mild annoyance in his voice. "You always find yourself in the thick of it, don't you? Are they still alive?"

Specter glanced at the unconscious criminals sprawled out on the street, all alive but incapacitated. "I've got three perps down at 45th and 9th. Jewelry store heist. They're all alive, restrained, and the stolen goods are untouched. You'll want to get here before anyone else does."

Another pause. Jefferson sighed on the other end, though there was a hint of appreciation in his voice. "You know, we don't like how you operate," but before he could finish talking. Specter ended the call and reached into his belt, pulling out a handful of small pellets. With a casual toss, they exploded mid-air, expanding into black, web-like tendrils that ensnared the vehicles, the criminals, and the stolen jewels in an immovable cocoon. "That should hold them," he muttered to himself, ensuring no one could steal the loot again unless they possessed superhuman strength.

Just as he finished, the Specter Mobile roared to life on command, rushing toward him at full speed. At the last moment, Alex leaped gracefully into the air, the vehicle's roof sliding open just in time for him to land in the driver's seat. The top closed behind him with a soft hiss, and with a step on the gas, the car sped off into the night.

The streets of Hell's Kitchen blurred into streaks of light as Alex sped through the city, his mind still buzzing from the recent chase. He thought about how this might be the last time he would go out as Specter, planning to leave the streets to the new Terminator bot he was creating, well basically upgrading his old T850. He would miss these moments, dashing through the city like the Dark Knight, but he knew it was time to move his plan forward. Staying a street-level hero wouldn't do him any good anymore, especially now that the impending invasion is coming along a chance for him to take one of the stones in advance.

The low hum of the Specter Mobile filled the night air as the machine glided smoothly down the road, its dark exterior reflecting the dim glow of the streetlights. Then something on the rooftops caught his eye. A figure, quick and agile, moving with purpose as it leapt from building to building.

He narrowed his eyes, adjusting his kiroshi cybernetic eyes to zoom in, catching a closer glimpse of the figure. At first, it was a shadow, but as she landed on a nearby rooftop, her silhouette became unmistakable. That fluid movement, the white hair catching the moonlight, the lithe body draped in black leather. A familiar smirk formed beneath his cobalt helmet as the realization hit him. "Is that Felicia?"

He watched her leap gracefully from building to building, her white hair trailing like a streak of light in the night. The black leather suit she wore clung to her body, accentuating her every movement. The silver claws on her gloves glinted as she effortlessly scaled walls, moving with feline precision. It was a sight that confused him, leaving his mind tangled between the Felicia Hardy he knew Chief Operating Officer of his company and this figure, a jewel thief in a tight costume.

Alex's fingers tightened on the controls of the Specter Mobile as he pushed the vehicle forward, closing the distance. "What the hell is she doing?"

In no time, he pulled up alongside the rooftop where she was heading. With a press of a button, the top of the Specter Mobile slid open. Alex launched out of the seat, landing on the adjacent rooftop without a sound.

"Who do we have here… a cat burglar," he called out, his voice modulated and mechanical, his surprise evident even beneath the distortion.

She turned, startled for just a moment, her sharp green eyes widening as she met his gaze. "Specter," she purred with a flirtatious smirk, her voice dripping with mischief, masking the initial shock of being caught off-guard. "I didn't think you'd be chasing after little ol' me."

Her teasing tone only deepened Alex's confusion. He stepped closer, his figure imposing in the shadows. "If I have 2 cents for every jewel thief I have captured tonight, I will have two. Which isn't a lot but it's weird it happen twice?" he remarked, eyeing the small bag of stolen goods she clutched in her hand.

Felicia twirled the bag of jewels in her hand, then tossed it behind her casually, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, jewel thief, where? I don't see any…" she said, taking a step forward, "Oh you mean lil ol' me?" as she sways her hips as she walked. "Besides, isn't it more fun when you encounter someone like me compared to those smelly man?"

Without warning, she lunged at him with her claws, fast and precise. But Specter dodge it with ease. He sidestepped effortlessly, dodging every swipe as if he were playing a game. Her strikes were skilled, but Alex made sure she wouldn't get hurt, blocking with minimal effort. The chase was exhilarating, yet one-sided.

In a smooth motion, Specter reached out and snatched the bag of jewels from her, spinning her around in the process, like a dance motion. Felicia stumbled back, surprised at how easily he stole back her jewels. She recovered quickly, flashing a playful grin. "Come on, big guy. You're ruining all my fun."

Specter shook his head, amused by her antics, but he knew it had to end. "Enough," he said, his voice low and calm.

He raised his arm, and with a thought, his armor shifted. From his forearm, a small cannon emerged, the smooth metal sliding into place with mechanical precision. Seeing this, Felicia's smirk faltered. She took a cautious step back, eyes widening slightly.

"Whoa there, sugar," she said, her voice still laced with charm but now tinged with concern. "Are you sure about doing that? You wouldn't want little ol' me to go up in smoke now, would you?"

Alex smirked beneath his cobalt mask. "Oh, I'm sure," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of teasing. "Don't worry. It won't hurt a bit."

With a subtle command, the cannon fired, not a blast, but a small circular device that flew toward her with alarming speed. Felicia tried to dodge, but the device latched onto her arms and legs, binding her in a steel construct like snare. She struggled for a moment, but the snare held tight, rendering her immobile.

She sighed, exasperated but not defeated. "You really know how to spoil a girl's night," she said, her tone still playful despite her predicament.

Specter didn't respond immediately. His helmeted gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, cold and unreadable. Then, the familiar crackle of his comm system broke the silence.

"Specter, it's Donatello. We've got a situation."

He touched the side of his helmet. "What's going on?"

"Tremors. Big ones. We're tracking them near the city center, but something's off. The readings don't match any known patterns. We're still investigating."

Specter's eyes flicked back to the woman tied before him, still seemingly relaxed in her binds. "Keep me posted. I'll be there soon."

He cut the comms and met her gaze. She raised an eyebrow, a flicker of concern crossing her green eyes. "Sounds serious. What's the plan? Leave me tied up here, or do I get a ride?"

He moved closer, crouching down to eye level with her. His imposing form contrasted against the playful defiance she radiated. "I'm getting you home," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Without waiting for her to respond, Specter stood, swiftly lifting her in his arms. She was light, surprisingly so for someone of her height. He could feel the tension in her muscles, yet she didn't resist, only flashing him a teasing smile.

"If you wanted to carry me, all you had to do was ask," she quipped.

Specter said nothing, his focus shifting to the task ahead as he made his way to the Specter Mobile parked nearby. The sleek black vehicle waited in the shadows of the alley, its low hum barely audible. The vehicle shifted and a passenger sit mechanical appeared. He lowered her into the extra seat, making sure she was secure before sealing the top. Her eyes followed his every move, now slightly more curious than amused.

He slipped into the driver's seat, activating the car with a silent command. As they pulled away from the alley, the city's lights began to blur past them, casting reflections on the car's reinforce windows. The hum of the engine was the only sound for a few moments as they weaved through the streets.

"Why do you do it?" Specter finally asked, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind his words.

She leaned her head against the seat, gazing out at the city. "Do what? Steal?" she said softly, her playful tone gone now, replaced by something more serious.

"All of it," he said, his eyes scanning the road but occasionally flicking toward her. "You have the skills, the resources. You don't need to live like this."

She sighed, turning her head to face him. The city lights illuminated her face, revealing a trace of vulnerability beneath her confident exterior. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me." Was Specters guanine and curious reply.

There was a pause, a long moment where the sound of the engine and the distant noises of the city filled the car. She bit her lip, her green eyes flicking downward, as if searching for the right words.

"I have everything," she finally said, her voice quiet. "Money, connections, power... but none of it matters. Not really. I thought it would, you know? That having all that would mean something. But it's just... empty."

Specter remained silent, listening intently. She shifted in her seat, pulling her knees up slightly, though the bindings still held her wrists firmly.

"There's also..." She hesitated, her voice dropping. "There's someone. A man. He... doesn't see me the way I thought he would. To him, I'm just a part of the machinery, an asset, a 'friend' if I'm lucky. I thought I could get close, but it's like no matter what I do, he keeps me at arm's length." She gave a small, bitter laugh. "I guess I wanted to feel seen for once."

Specter's grip tightened on the steering wheel. He didn't need her to say the name; he knew exactly who she was talking about. Felicia was most likely talking about him, the man who had built one of the biggest companies in the world, the one she worked for.

"You could get hurt, you know... stealing specially from a mob boss is very dangerous," Specter said quietly, his modulated voice softer now. "And don't you think it would be better to talk to that person directly, rather than running around in some very exposing tights..."

She glanced at him, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. For a brief moment, her playful mask slipped completely, leaving only a woman struggling with emotions she'd rather not show.

"Maybe," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the hum of the car. "But it's hard, you know? And besides, sometimes it feels like we're not getting anywhere."

They drove in silence for a while longer, the darkened streets of New York flashing by in a blur of motion and light. The city had a way of making everyone feel small, isolated in their own struggles, and Specter understood that all too well.

"You don't have to keep doing this," he said, finally breaking the silence. "There are other ways."

She smirked, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Says the man in the mask, hiding from the world."

He didn't respond to that, but she could tell her words had struck a chord. The tension between them shifted, no longer adversarial but something more... complicated.

"You know," she said, her tone lightening just a bit, "if you ever get tired of this whole vigilante thing, we could make quite the team. A little heist here, a little thrill there. You could loosen up."

Specter's lips twitched beneath his mask, almost forming a smile. "I'll pass."

She chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "Worth a shot."

As they neared the street on her apartment building, the tension between them had eased, replaced by a strange sense of closeness. The sleek, polished towers of New York rose before them, the city alive with energy even in the dead of night. He pulled the Specter Mobile to a stop, the dim glow of the streetlights casting long shadows.

Specter exited the car, circling around to help her out. He undid the restraints, her wrists and ankles finally free. She rubbed her wrists, but her gaze never left him.

"Thanks for the ride," she said, her voice carrying a hint of sincerity.

He gave her a small nod. "Stay out of trouble."

She smiled, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. "No promises."

As she turned to leave, she paused, looking back at him. "You're different, Specter. Not like the others. Maybe... we'll cross paths again."

He watched her disappear into the building, her form swallowed by the shadows of the city. Specter stood there for a moment longer, lost in thought. Something about her lingered, an echo of her words that tugged at his own sense of isolation.

With a final glance at the building, he climbed back into the vehicle, the city calling him once more.