Chapter 4: Playing Detective & A First Test – Unexpected Utility
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: SKILL PROFICIENCY: ENHANCED STRENGTH (12% PROFICIENCY). UTILIZATION LOG: MINOR MUSCLE ENHANCEMENT, SUBTLE INCREASE IN LIFTING CAPACITY. RECOMMENDED ACTION: GRADUAL INTEGRATION INTO DAILY ACTIVITIES. AVOID OVERT DISPLAYS OF POWER. OBJECTIVE: USE FUTURE INSIGHT TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEROIC INTERVENTION. REMINDER: MAINTAIN PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY. WE DON'T WANT TO BLOW YOUR COVER ON A PRANK.]
The days that followed their first date were a blur of deepening connection and subtle experimentation for Adam. His relationship with Kara blossomed with surprising speed. They spent evenings together, exploring the quieter corners of National City, sharing intimate conversations over late-night coffees, and simply enjoying each other's company. Adam continued his careful dance of dropping Future Insight crumbs, guiding Kara towards minor professional successes at CatCo, suggesting alternative routes to avoid traffic accidents, or even advising her on which local sports team would surprisingly win their next game. These small "predictions" endeared him to her further, making her see him as uncannily insightful, a charming enigma.
In the privacy of his opulent penthouse gym, Adam dedicated hours to understanding his newly acquired Enhanced Strength. At 10% proficiency, and growing subtly with each positive interaction with Kara, it was already remarkable. He could effortlessly lift weights that would make a seasoned strongman blanch, shatter thick concrete blocks with a single punch (inside a reinforced training area, of course), and leap considerable distances with minimal effort. It wasn't full Super-strength, but it was enough to make him a formidable force, far beyond any ordinary human. The feeling of latent power coiling beneath his muscles was exhilarating, a constant reminder of the alien abilities he now possessed. He began subtly incorporating it into his daily routine, opening stubbornly jammed doors with ease, or carrying heavy shopping bags as if they were feathers. The key was to be discreet.
One sunny afternoon, a call from Kara shattered the serene rhythm of his new life. Her voice, usually bright and cheerful, was tight with concern, tinged with a professional urgency. "Adam, are you busy? There's been a… situation at CatCo. A minor explosion in the server room. No one was seriously hurt, thankfully, but all our digital data is corrupted, and it looks suspiciously like sabotage. The police are here, and the DEO is sending agents."
Adam's mind immediately whirred into action, accessing his Future Insight. A server room explosion at CatCo. Not a major, world-ending event, but a known minor incident. This was his cue, his opportunity to transition from charming date to indispensable ally, to prove his unique value beyond just his wit and wealth. He knew this particular incident was a smokescreen for a larger, unrelated corporate espionage plot. He also recalled a crucial, often-overlooked detail from canon that the standard police and even the DEO might miss initially.
"Sabotage, you say?" Adam's voice took on a serious, professional tone, a stark contrast to his usual playful demeanor. "As a matter of fact, I happen to have a rather… niche background in digital security and corporate risk assessment. My 'investments' often involve a bit of forensic investigation into such matters. Can I come over? Might be able to lend an extra pair of eyes, or at least offer some moral support. After all, you spend half your life there; I feel obligated to ensure its structural integrity."
Kara sounded audibly relieved. "Really? Adam, that would be amazing! Thank you! It's absolute chaos here."
He arrived at CatCo a short while later, impeccably dressed in a sharp blazer and slacks, looking every bit the discerning, highly capable businessman. The scene was, as Kara had described, chaotic. Firefighters were packing up their gear, the acrid smell of burnt wiring lingered in the air, and police officers moved with grim efficiency through the damaged areas. He spotted James Olsen talking animatedly with a detective, and briefly glimpsed Cat Grant, looking remarkably unfazed, barking orders into her phone. Most importantly, he saw Alex Danvers, looking formidable in her DEO uniform, already assessing the damage with a focused intensity.
Adam approached Kara, who was deep in conversation with a grizzled detective, pointing towards a section of the heavily damaged server room. He waited patiently for the detective to move on before stepping forward. "Any leads, Sherlock?" he asked, his voice low, a hint of his usual sarcasm peeking through, but with genuine concern in his eyes.
Kara sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Not really. It looks professional, but there's no obvious point of entry, no clear motive. They're baffled. Alex just got here too." She gestured towards her sister, who was already deep in conversation with a forensic tech.
"Hmm," Adam mused, his gaze sweeping over the wreckage. His Future Insight clicked into high gear, highlighting the crucial detail he needed. "Mind if I take a quick look around? Sometimes, an outside perspective, unburdened by standard protocol, can see things others might overlook. I've always had a knack for finding misplaced… keys." He gave her a reassuring smile.
Before Kara could fully respond, he stepped past the hastily erected caution tape, ignoring a bewildered glance from a nearby police officer. His Enhanced Strength gave him an almost unnoticeable confidence in his movements; he navigated the debris with a subtle agility. He scanned the charred remnants of the server racks, his eyes quickly darting towards a specific, slightly dislodged ventilation grate near the ceiling, almost hidden by smoke stains and debris – a detail he remembered vividly from his canon knowledge. It was positioned too high for an average person to reach easily, and certainly not without a ladder or obvious leverage.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" he murmured, raising an arm. With an effortless push, he slid the heavy metal grate aside. It scraped against the wall with a loud screech, revealing a dark cavity. Even for someone of Kara's strength, it would have required a conscious effort. For Adam, it was trivial. "Looks like someone had a rather… elevated approach to their data wiping."
Inside the vent, nestled in a layer of dust and grime, was a tiny, specialized data chip, no bigger than a fingernail. It was designed not to explode servers, but to precisely wipe specific data while creating a diversionary explosion. The fire was merely a theatrical flourish, a misdirection. He plucked it out with two fingers, careful not to smudge the delicate circuitry, his movements precise and controlled.
"Bingo," he said, turning, the chip held between his thumb and forefinger. Kara and Alex, drawn by the screech of the grate and Adam's sudden focused action, had walked over, their expressions a mixture of surprise and growing intrigue. "Looks like our saboteur left a little calling card. And a rather sophisticated one at that."
Alex's eyes narrowed, her professional instincts kicking in. She was clearly impressed, despite her usual DEO skepticism. "How did you…?" Her gaze flickered from the tiny chip to Adam, then back to the now-open vent, clearly too high for a casual reach.
Adam offered a casual shrug, a smirk playing on his lips. "Just a hunch, Detective Danvers. I told you, sometimes my 'intuition' is frighteningly accurate. And sometimes, you just have to look up." He handed the chip to Alex, who immediately placed it in an evidence bag. "This isn't about destroying CatCo's data; it's about stealing specific information. The explosion was just a distraction."
Kara looked at him, her eyes wide with admiration and something more profound. It was a flicker of deep trust, a recognition of his uncanny capabilities and his unwavering support. The Copy System hummed with a quiet satisfaction, registering the deepening emotional bond. This moment wasn't just about finding a chip; it was about solidifying his place in her world, demonstrating his unique value beyond just being her charming boyfriend. It was the kind of crucial intervention that would strengthen their emotional connection, paving the way for more significant Skill Acquisitions and, perhaps, even the elusive 100% Love/Trust Achievement from Kara. His first tangible step into heroism, subtly executed.