The workshop hummed with the sounds of machinery sparks flying, servos whining, and the steadyclankof metal being adjusted under precise, mechanical hands. In the center of the room, standing on a rotating platform, was a man clad in power armor. It was big, blue, and bulky, its thick, reinforced plating giving it an imposing presence. Oversized shoulder pauldrons added to its massive silhouette, while a helmet with a large, glowing orange visor concealed the wearer''s face. Heavy-duty gauntlets flexed slightly, and oversized boots planted firmly on the ground completed the suit''s design.


    The armored figure remained motionless as mechanical appendages made their final adjustments. A small device was inserted into a back compartment, sealing shut with a hiss and a whir. As the machinery pulled away, signaling the completion of the upgrades, the figure slowly rotated their arm, testing flexibility and movement.


    "Well, that should do it,"a synthetic voice echoed through the workshop.


    A nearby screen flickered to life, displaying a pair of animated cartoon eyes, narrowed in amusement.


    "You know, when I gave you that strength enhancing armor and told you to protect that kid, I wasn''t expecting you to go full juggernaut on your enemies."


    The armored figure turned slightly, glancing at the screen.


    "Of course, I should''ve expected it,"the voice continued, the cartoon eyes rolling dramatically."I told you it''d enhance your strength, give you stability, and make you durable enough to face-tank a rocket. What I didn''t expect was for you to assume that meant physics no longer applied to you."


    No reaction.


    "Seriously? Trying to lift a car with one hand, only to rip off half of it and end up holding useless scrap? Trying to lift a Cargo freighter, only to sink into the ground and punch a hole through the hull? At least you were smart enough to just use your entire bulk to shield the client from that collapsing building instead of doing something even stupider, like trying to lift the already collapsing building."


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    The figure gave the screen the finger.


    "Oh, don''t give me that,"the voice said flatly.


    The screen''s expression shifted, then brightened.


    "Anyway! Enjoy your new upgrades! That Practalizer should do the heavy lifting for all that superhero nonsense you keep trying to pull."


    A door slid open, revealing the exit. The armored figure turned toward it, then looked back at the screen, tilting his head slightly.


    The cartoon eyes rolled again."Yes, you can go."


    As the figure stepped toward the exit, the voice spoke again.


    "Oh, one last thing."


    The figure paused, turning slightly.


    The screen''s eyes stared for a long moment before giving him a cheeky look.


    "I can''t have you leaving him unprotected while you go charging into enemies like an idiot."


    The figure remained silent.


    "So I''m sending you help. Someone else can be the reckless one wreaking havoc while you focus on what you were actually meant to do, protect."


    Another long stare. Then, without a word, the armored figure left the room.


    …


    The voice chuckled to itself as the screen flickered off.


    "That should keep his dive tendencies in check. I know that group lacks immediate offensive capability, but his priority should be protection. Oh well… I guess I''ll just have to wait and see."