The viscous wash gel was both strange and exhilarating. It felt like a thousand tiny, delicate hands were massaging and scrubbing my skin, removing every speck of dirt and grime. The micromachines in the gel were so small that they were barely visible to the naked eye, yet they worked tirelessly to cleanse my skin.

As the gel moved over my skin, I noticed that it had a bio-mechanical quality to it. It was as if it were alive, adapting to the unique contours of my body and repairing any damage it encountered along the way. I felt a cool, tingling sensation on my skin as the gel worked its magic, and I knew that it was not only cleaning me but also revitalizing my skin.

When it had finished its cleansing route, the now cloudy gel moved to my hand. I placed the scrubbing body gel back into its silver bowl. As the scrubbing body gel settled back into the silver bowl, tiny micro machines within the gel began to work. They quickly went to work breaking down and absorbing any impurities that had been lifted from my skin during the cleansing process. The impurities were diffused and broken down on a molecular level. The gel started to emit a soft glow as the micro machines worked tirelessly to cleanse it of any impurities. As the process continued, the gel slowly became more and more transparent, indicating that it was now pure and free of any toxins or contaminants.

With a hum of excitement, I walked into my spacious, somewhat luxurious bedroom with a large wooden framed bed as the room's centerpiece. On top of the made bed was a long white sheet of cloth placed by one of the many robot avatars of the city’s A.I. I picked up and wound it around my body like a toga.

An image of my body appeared about two feet in front of me with a conservative style of dress. I said, “I'm thinking of trying something new. I usually go for more conservative styles, but today I want something that really shows off my figure and highlights my beauty. Something that's chic and sophisticated yet still playful. Let's say a shorter skirt with … the latest style in tops. Oh, all in soft colors.”

The last part of the statement was for me to be set out from the bright and vibrant super costumes required for all supers to wear. With the softer pastel color scheme, I would be recognizable as a citizen.

I thought, I certainly do not want to be mistaken for a super again.

The flowing material changed time and again for several minutes until I was happy with my outfit. When I looked at the image in front of me, I realized something that made me smile with satisfaction. While I was not as toned as the supers, I had my own softer beauty, especially with a smile on my face.

With my communication device on the back of my hand and my clothing molded to my body, I was ready to head out for exploration with no brotherly constraints.

I said to the air, “In your opinion, is there no mistaking me for a super?”

“Not one bit,” confirmed the voice of the A.I. “Though to make sure I will several small bots around you … warning everyone around.”

I thought in my head, dammit, you had to ask. Now the overprotective A.I. is taking advantage of the situation.

Then I considered that I was going to places where supers were rumored to be a little more relaxed in their behavior and reviewed my options about needing warning bots.

I simply said, “Fine then.”

The pause from the A.I. might actually have been shock this time or a perfect impression of shock, as it certainly fooled me.

After a final application of a gel that would keep my light makeup fresh, I soon walked toward the edge of the plate through the Italian-style Renaissance district. The supers around me will somewhat us to this strange citizen coming and going were looking at me with renewed interest. I hoped for some time that it was my new, somewhat more appealing look. However, my surer bet was that it was the three flashing balls circulating around me, warning them of my approach.

When I stood on a square transport platform at the edge of the commercial and residential district, this time, a seat emerged from the floor. I slipped into the comfortable seat as the edges of the platform curved around me. This time – as the destination was somewhat further – the silver material of the platform formed a cocoon around me.

The egg-shaped cocoon seemed to come to life as it lifted smoothly off the ground and soared into the air. As it gained altitude, the cityscape stretched out before me like a sprawling tapestry woven from the finest threads of steel, glass, and concrete. The cocoon moved with a grace and agility that belied its size, effortlessly weaving its way through the floating structures that made up the city's habitations. Many of the buildings were tall and slender, rising up like silver needles, while others were broader and more expansive, with sprawling gardens and terraces that spilled out onto the streets below.

As we flew towards the center of the city, the island structures around us grew more dense and compact. We soared through narrow gaps between towering skyscrapers, darting and weaving through a labyrinth of steel and glass. The cocoon moved with incredible speed and agility, its sleek form gliding effortlessly through the intricate network.

I smiled excitedly as dodging in and out of the denser structures never got boring. Sometimes the cocoon would narrowly fit through a gap in one of the rotating structures with impeccable timing.

The cocoon I was in was not the only transport vehicle moving as they weaved in and out of the labyrinth. I could see the large vehicles with their passengers talking to each other as they were taken to their destinations. Among the weaving vehicles were, of course, the flocks of supers. They were all in bright, vibrant super suits with ever-present capes.

I said to the ever-present A.I., “Being unable to fly is one thing that I regret about my lot in life.”

The voice told me, “You must remember that typically humans are not able to fly. Your regret is only due to the fact that you are in the only city in the federation with flocks of supers flying around as if it is the most normal thing in the world.”

“Yeah, I guess that your right. But still wouldn’t be wonderful to fly by yourself … weaving in and out of the buildings’ islands feeling full of strength.”

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The computer suggested, “I could change this vehicle to a harness for you … if you want.”

“Oh, it wouldn’t be the same as I would not be in control.”

However, as I looked around the elegant flying bodies of the superhumans, I thought, why not try something new for once.

So I said out loud, “Let's try ….”

The A.I. didn’t respond at first, but then the cocoon around me contracted as it formed to fit snuggly around my body. I looked around my limps and saw a silver suit like I was made out of pure metal. Then with the silver encasing me, I looked around as my body dodged in and out of the structures.

It was fine for a while until I looked down toward the lower part of the city. Then I realized instinctually that there was nothing between me and the city's depths.

The A.I. voice shouted in my ear, “Jane, your heart rate is going through the roof … and I think that you are going to start hyperventilating.”

Through my gritted teeth, I said, “I’m fine. It will take a moment for me to get used to the ….”

“No, I don’t think so … I’m going to change you back.”

By then, there was no response from me as I had fainted and was just a limp weight being carried.

--

My mind returned to awareness as I still felt the flow of air on my face from moving at speed through the void of the city. I was acutely aware that I was not back in a cocoon as I was exposed to the air of the void of the city. From what I could tell, I was laying in somebodies arms. Slowly opening my eyes, I looked up to see a handsome face of a man who was holding me in his arms.

Then I thought he was supporting me in more than two places. I felt that two arms supported my back and legs while two others supported my head and feet.

As a soft-toned voice said, “I would keep your eyes closed if I were you. The city’s controlling A.I. told me that you are afraid of heights.”

Squinting my eyes closed so I could only see his face, I muttered, “Why are you carrying me?”

The softly-spoken man said in a quiet voice only slightly above the sound of the wind, “You were about to fall into the depths of the city!”

“Don’t be silly, “ was my first comment as I kept my eyes firmly fixed on his face. “The city’s A.I. would never let that happen.”

I could see the look of confusion on his face as he processed what I had said. He replied with an expression of incongruity, “The A.I. was practically screaming at me to save you. As you fell through the city, I had to fly for some time to catch up with you.”

I groaned as I wondered what game the massive supper computer was playing. If I had been falling, there was no way that it was not involved with controlling my descent. There must be something more at play than just getting a super to save me.

I felt we were coming to land on some platform as the man slowed down. I asked, “Hero or villain?”

He replied simply, “Villain.” He said with a questioning tone of voice, “Why do you ask? It’s been a long time since villains were the bad people. Now the super hero’s and villains are only two sides of a coin.”

With his feet hitting the solid surface of a platform, I replied, “I know all of the usual stereotypes of supers were outdated long ago. I ask because somebody I know has an unconscious bias toward the supervillains.”

A voice from the air sounded as the A.I. spoke to the both of us, “It's not an unconscious bias at all. I am fully conscious of what I like and dislike. All backed up by detailed analysis of typical behavioral types from the heroes and villains.”

By now, I was gently placed down on the solid surface of the platform we had landed on. I stepped back and did a quick bush down of my clothing – which was a nervous habit as it was not needed as my clothing would sort itself out. Then I took a good long look at my supposed savior.

I first noticed that he was cute but not like other supers that were always saving me. He didn’t have that self-assured confidence that the world should bow and scrape because they were in his presence.

He was still talking to the city’s A.I. as he got the entire lecture on the known attributes of the different supers. The man's outfit was clean and well-fitted, but it lacked the flashy elements that many other supervillains incorporated into their attire. He wore a simple black bodysuit that hugged his lean frame, accentuating his athletic build. The suit was made of a high-tech material that looked like a matte black fabric but was actually composed of micro-fibers that provided superior strength and flexibility. In addition to the bodysuit, the man wore a pair of black gloves and boots that matched his outfit perfectly. The gloves were made of the same material as the bodysuit and had a subtle texture that provided an excellent grip. The boots were also made of the same material, but they had a glossy finish that added a bit of shine to his otherwise muted outfit.

Despite the lack of color, the man's outfit had an air of understated elegance and sophistication that was befitting of his status as a supervillain. It was clear that he had put a lot of thought into his outfit. Every element of it was carefully crafted to serve a specific purpose, still, without the loud, flashy statement saying ‘how wonderful I am’ like most supers.

A sophisticated flowing metal frame of dark gunmetal was formed around his body.

I blurted out as I interrupted the somewhat one-sided conversation between the A.I. and him, “That's why I felt the four arms.”

This comment seemed to delight him as he flexed his extra limbs. Instead of standing on two legs, he was standing on six legs like an erect millipede. I saw that he had complete control of the eccentric contraction with gravity emitters that were all around the frame.

With a tone of excitement, he told me, “Do you like it? I made it myself from scratch.”

I gave some happy noises that seemed fitting as he seemed to be so happy that somebody had commented about the exo-frame around his body. Encouraged by the noise that indicated my interest, the young man – probably about my age – continued to speak:

“What is most notable is that no computer is controlling this exo-frame. It’s all from my own mind ….”

“How could that even work?”

This question seemed to excite him even more as somebody was interested in something he was proud of. He said, “I’m working or more like one of the only few interested in a rare type of superpower. It works on interfacing the human mind with mundane devices. Which allows me to control technology like this frame directly.”

The A.I. uncharacteristically interrupted the conversation with a tone of interest in its usual dull voice, “That ever so fascinating. Jane’s hobby is working with complex control mathematics … in her spare time.”

I blushed with embarrassment as I liked to keep my hobby to myself. Even my brother was unaware of my close obsession with working with pure mathematics.

I said out loud, “It's not really a hobby, as it's more something I dabble in when I’m dreaming.”

He commented, “Not one for playing the games everybody else does?”

I looked embarrassed for a few seconds as I sometimes felt that I was too antisocial with my reluctance to mix in the dreamscape net.

I replied, “I prefer to try and use my sleep time in a somewhat useful manner. As most of my life will be working with a rather complex A.I., I’m hoping to gain an understanding of the working of the fundamental mathematics that is part of the computer system.”

Rather than being put off by my somewhat quirky response, the super seemed to be interested and not dismissive of me.

He blurted out, “It would be fun if you could talk with me through some of your work.”

His comment was returned by silence as I flushed red, matching his color. Then the somewhat too helpful A.I. observed, “I have cleared a spot in both of your schedules.”

I left this answer uncommented as I put my head down. Then lifting my head up, I looked around and saw where we were. This was a regular residential platform with paths through gardens leading to the entrances to the buildings around us.

The supervillain in front of me saw the look I gave the area around me. Pointing to the residential buildings, he said, “You fell a long distance before I caught you. I could fly you up to where you want to be. If you want?”

I nodded my head as he looked sincere about his offer. In a second, he attached his exo-suit to the silver structure that was still around me like an exoskeleton. Then without having to hold me, we flew up into the higher levels of one of the clustered central islands of the city.