A/N: sorry about the delayed update but I thought the timelaps between updates would emphasize the gaps in time between chapters 9 and 10. I now have a definate end in mind for this story, it whould happen in the next few chapters. Don't worry though, I have ideas for our favorite thief after this story is finnished though. Any way, enjoy.

Red X: A Day in the Life

It had been almost three months since he'd given Gizmo the money and Red X suit. He missed the late nights and the adrenaline rush that came with his chosen lifestyle. Things were even going good with the waitress for a while there, until she turned out to be one of those 'desperate women' she proposed to him on their second date. Needless to say that wasn't going on anymore. As much as he missed the suit and persona of Red X, John had to admit that it was nice to spend some time refurbishing his small security company. He now had a passive income of almost a million dollars a year, and legal access to the schematics and security details of almost a dozen wealthy corporations.

The time off and a full eight hours sleep every night had done wonders for him physically; he'd improved his game exponentially since his last tangle with the titans. He looked forward to doing it again.

As soon as Gizmo finishes on that power source. Until then I have the very important task of swimming laps while that crazy hot lifeguard pretends not to check out the goods.

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When Gizmo called he'd been ecstatic, he had been inactive as a 'villain' for over four months, and it felt great to slip into a simple ski mask and dark clothes.

The Red X suit this aint, but it's still nice to be out again.

He leapt out his window and made his way across town to the Hive Five hideout in the industrial district, it only took him half an hour. He wasn't even breathing hard. True to his word, Gizmo's device was small and light. One thing he hadn't mentioned was that the device created its own power. X was impressed, after dawning the suit and power pack he couldn't even feel it. It didn't hamper his mobility at all and you couldn't even see it beneath his tattered cape. Being part of the suit, you couldn't even see how or if it was secured to his back.

Bruce and Dick are going to hate this. I can't wait to show 'em.

"Thanks Giz." He touched his belt and nothing happened, he touched the belt again and the suit didn't respond.

"Gizmo, what the fuck? The whole idea behind making the power pack was so I could use the suit's tech." He paused, shaking his head "and there's something wrong with the eyepieces."

Gizmo sighed and hung his head for a moment before responding.

"Look puke face. The eye pieces are fine. That's you HUD."

"My hud?" he asked incredulously.

"Yeah. Heads up display. It'll display all sorts of important data. Range, distance, height, wind speed and so forth. And if you'd quit being so damn impatient I could show you how to configure the special features."

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Five and a half consecutive hours was more time than any human should be forced to spend with Gizmo. That being said, he was a genius. Red X loved the suits modifications. Thanks to some of the cutting edge tech Gizmo had installed the suits operation was completely hands free, relying instead on looking at icons on the HUD or monitoring brain activity to activate the suits various features. And the power pack was amazing; light weight, undetectable, untraceable, and able to convert almost any type of energy into power for the suit. He inserted the last of his Xynthonium into the power belt and strapped it to his waist.

Time to play.