The ropes

The ropes (rough draft v3)

The city was alive with activity as Commander Steel and Ariea stepped onto the bustling streets. The urban landscape was a complex web of human interactions, a dynamic environment where a hero had to be ever vigilant and ready to respond.

"Patrol is not just about fighting crime," Commander Steel explained, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "It's about knowing the community, understanding the rhythms and nuances of the city. Pay attention to details, read the signs, and trust your instincts."

Ariea listened intently, Her presence was commanding yet not overbearing, and her connection with the people around her was evident.

"There are three types of patrol. Foot, traffic, air. Today we will be doing foot as I didn't see in your file a Hero ID Road or Air vehicle nor a locomotion power that could handle that, which is fine for now but at the very least you should have something by your next rank up in-case of fast response emergencies, its not part of the official rank guide but its sort of unwritten."

As they walked, Ariea's HUD displayed real-time information provided by AISYS, offering insights into the city's layout, crime statistics, and potential hotspots. It was an extraordinary tool, it and the Commander's words reminded him of the conversation with AISYS earlier. "Ma'am that's something I planned on doing already but I'll make it a priority."

They were not long into their patrol when a call came through the dispatch. A theft in progress at a nearby convenience store. Commander Steel's response was immediate and decisive.

"Time to see how you handle a real situation," she said, her tone firm. "Follow my lead."

Ariea's heart pounded in her chest as they approached the scene, but her training, and modifications, kicked in. They arrived just in time to catch the perpetrator, a young man attempting to flee with stolen goods.

AISYS informed him that according to her, this would normally be handled by the cops but the crime in the area this close to HQ was completely policed by the Agency, the agreement for that was done to allow for trainees to have a safe-ish real world experience before going out further. The city of 9 million and supervillains existing out side the perimeter being the only reason any crime still existed inside it.

Commander Steel moved with practiced efficiency, restraining the suspect and having Ariea cuff him and read him his rights.

Once the situation was under control, Commander Steel contacted the pick-up crew and coordinated with the local police precinct. She remarked "If you don't have a great memory you should write down, in short hand, what happened as we will have to file paperwork for every criminal and police interaction we have." Ariea didn't sweat it, being a detail oriented office worker before hand and AISYS informing him she can play back the whole patrol if needed.

The rest of the patrol went smoothly.

As the day wore on, another call came through dispatch, this one more urgent. Another hero was in trouble, facing a villain they couldn't handle alone. Commander Steel's expression hardened, and her pace quickened.

"We've been called to assist," she said, her voice tense. "This is serious. I'll engage the villain. Your job is crowd control. Follow the protocol, and keep the civilians safe."

At a thought Ariea's HUD displayed Commander Steel's rank and annotation, provided by AISYS: Commander Steel, Rank Guardian P2/E3, Power Classification: Metallic Manipulation. Ariea's mind raced as they approached the scene, but she knew her role.

They arrived at the chaotic scene, the sounds of battle filling the air and the fear in the eyes of the onlookers palpable. The villain, known as Ferrum, had manipulated a complex array of metallic structures, turning the area into a hazardous maze of sharp edges and constricting tendrils. A hero covered in blood was slumped against one structures, 'alive but fading' AISYS helpfully supplied, before you could worry about that further another hero wearing the same colors of an ambulance seemed to blink into existence, touch the fallen hero and them both disappear. 'Rescue specialist hero, recovery records are in 90% range, likely to survive now, low rank but high utility, probably was waiting for you two to arrive so the villain was distracted enough to pull off the rescue.'

Commander Steel's eyes narrowed, her focus shifting to the conflict ahead. She turned to Ariea, her voice resolute. "Remember your role, Ariea. Keep the crowd safe. I'll handle Ferrum."

Without another word, she charged into the fray, her body becoming a conduit for her metallic manipulation abilities. Her hands reached out, and the very metal that Ferrum controlled began to respond to her, bending to her will instead of the villain's.

'This must be why they called her.'

Ariea's attention was momentarily drawn to the duel between the two powerful combatants, but she quickly remembered her duty. The crowd was growing restless, fear turning into panic as the battle escalated.

"Stay calm, everyone!" Ariea shouted, her voice initially lost in the chaos. The crowd's panic seemed unstoppable, their fear a living thing.

"Ariea," AISYS's voice came through, calm and composed, "Will yourself to be SEEN AND HEARD."

A moment of understanding flashed in Ariea's mind, and she concentrated, focusing on the very essence of her suit. The 'fabric' of the suit began to respond, unfolding into a cloud of living lace, each strand as dark as the void, each word amplified through it, turning the substance of AISYS into a giant speaker made out of hauntingly beautiful pulsing lace. It probably would have looked terrifying if not for the reassuring words coming out of it.

"We need to keep this area clear," her voice boomed, now carrying over the noise, resonant and echoing. The image striking, now standing in the center of a cloud of writhing lace, clad in only the barest of cover and AISYS exaggerated feminine features reduced to their Civilian levels. "Please, follow my directions, and we'll get you to safety. Everything will be OK but you need to stay clear!"

Her words, now magnified by AISYS and the enchanting lace, began to have an effect. People turned their heads, eyes widening at the sight, their movements becoming more orderly.

"Now, will the lace to guide them back," AISYS instructed, her voice a reassuring whisper in Ariea's mind.

Ariea focused, her will shaping the lace into guiding tendrils that moved among the crowd, her voice emanating from them, calm and soothing. "This way, everyone. Just follow and you'll be safe."

The cloud of living lace danced gracefully, leading the civilians back, forming a secure perimeter, each strand speaking to them, reassuring them.

All the while, Ariea kept an eye on the battle. Commander Steel was a **** to be reckoned with, her mastery over metal a beautiful and terrifying dance. She shaped and reshaped the environment, countering Ferrum's attacks and pressing the advantage.

Ferrum was cunning and relentless where Commander Steel was graceful and powerful like a tsunami wave of metal crashing into them, but according to AISYS's HUD the Commander was already flagging, sweat covering them as they brought the full brunt of their power to bear with each move. It seemed that unless they could finish this quickly it wouldn't mater that they were stronger all Ferrum had to do was survive long enough and the tide would turn.

Ariea felt a surge of adrenaline as she watched, the intensity of the battle a reminder of the stakes, the responsibility that came with being a hero. The crowd's safety was in her hands, and she would not let them down. "AISYS, options for if The Commander can't handle this? Could we do anything here?"

"Best bet would be to call it in, tell the Civilians to run as they should have already instead of staying to watch, distract the villain long enough to get her out via rescue teleport capable Hero, then retreat fast, keeping straggling Civilians safe while doing so. If we could get you close enough I believe you could take Ferrum out but even just getting close is way beyond your current ability." Sensing a possible argument brewing inside you. "The Commander is several ranks above you and struggling to get close enough to land a blow, despite having more than enough power to completely wreck him but he keeps slipping through the net."

As the minutes wore on, Commander Steel began to gain the upper hand, her experience and discipline proving decisive. Ferrum's defenses crumbled, and he was finally subdued, his reign of terror brought to an end.

With the danger averted, Ariea joined Commander Steel, a sense of relief and accomplishment filling her. The Commander was safe, She had played her part, and so had he.

"You did good, Ariea," Commander Steel said, her voice warm with approval while sweat was dripping down her face and chest. "Your focus, your control, your understanding of the situation – it was all spot-on. This effect of your power was quite effective, I have however seen more fabric on a swimsuit than whats left on you, you might want to revert the effect before the paparazzi get a picture, not that you have anything to be ashamed of."

Ariea felt a flush of pride at the praise and the implication of the last part. True to her words as you are pulling the threads of AISYS's very being back into yourself a flash goes off.

"Nothing for it now, lets hope it not too bad whatever they print, It will be embarrassing but every pretty much knows it not worth believing."

Finally, the situation was resolved, the villain subdued, and the danger averted. As they headed back to HQ, the thrill of the day still fresh in her mind. Confidence flowing at the success.

"Now comes the hard part, Paperwork."