Many Worlds #1 - Desperate Times...

 ... call for desperate measures.  

After the violent attack on City Councilman Lester Carter, the mayor was forced to take a more active and aggressive stance on policing, and a major reduction in services and attitudes "coddling" wrongdoers - much to the relief of the law enforcement rank and file.

Because of materiel used in Carter's and other recent victims' attacks and the sheer brutality of the crimes, Pentatech Corp (actually a front corporation for The Castle) was engaged to develop armor to protect the police force. 

Of course, the Four-One volunteered to test out the AEGIS suits, which borrowed heavily from the designs of HALO... Chuy Calderon was selected for the initial testing.

* * *

"I can't believe how light this feels!" Chuy Calderon (formerly Charlie Hawke - before his permanent Darkening) felt the armor laid out on the table.

"Well, the material is built that way, and you get a lot of bang for the buck!" Carter Woodsman grinned. The Pentatech technician picked up portions of the armor as the Latino police officer stripped down to just an electric blue thong and UnderArmour compression tee. The two technicians proceeded to attach the armor onto the promethean police officer, explaining items along the way. 

"The suit has built-in environmental controls which you can control by voice commands or the command unit on your left forearm. The suit also provides a boost of about 500% of your strength and speed and can stop depleted uranium bullets at 20 feet."

"Dayummm... you guys aren't messin' around..."

Sam Koslowski - the other technician - grinned. "Nope. Nothing too good for you guys." He continued with the codpiece area and hip armor and moved to attach the backplate. "All with maximum flexibility and maximum protection."

"There's going to be a training period as you get used to the enhancements in the suit and to your reaction times as well. We'll get you up and running at peak efficiency in a few hours."

The techs stopped for a moment; there was only the armor for the upper arms and the helmet remaining. 

"Everything good, Officer Calderon?"

Chuy twisted from side to side, flexed his arms, bent his knees and did a few dance steps. He stared down at his hands in amazement.

"It feels great! It's almos' like I'm not even wearin' it!"

"That's the way it should be!" Sam handed Chuy a Smith&Wesson Model 29 Revolver. The police officer tried putting armored fingers through the grip and made a face. 

"I'm gonna need a different gun, fellas - I don' think my service Glock is gonna be any better..."

"We know - that also part of the training and assimilation. This isn't for shooting. What I want you to do is hold it in one hand and grasp the barrel in the other."

Sam tapped a few buttons on the forearm pad. "Now, twist and bend the barrel."

With a skeptical look, the Latino did as he was told and was amazed at the result. The gun twisted and collapsed in his armored hands like Play-Doh.

"¡Chingame! That's amazin' !!!" He handed the twisted metal back to the technician.

Both techs chuckled. "Just wait until you put on the helmet and all the systems are interlocked!"

Calderon stared down at himself and grinned. 

"C'mon officer - let's get you finished up and you can show off to the rest of the Four-One!"