Author's Note: All properties are the rights of their respective owners, Marvel, Respawn Entertainment, etc.

Jesus Tapdancing Christ, what is going on out there? For those reading this long after posting, this chapter is coming out amidst a global pandemic, and the ensuing panic that is somehow more concerning than said pandemic. However, there have been some lighter happenings too, for example, home improvement stores (Home Depot and Lowes) are making a killing. Apparently everyone has decided to spend their time at home working on projects and doing useful stuff.

Even though I am making light of the situation, I do sincerely hope everyone is in good health and keeping a cool head. Don't let any alarmist rhetoric affect your good judgement, unless they have to dig up central park and use it as a mass grave or something, then we can panic.

Blaze1992: Thanks for discussing some of these things with me over PM, but for those with these questions, here are the answers.

1. BTs power is something I have had trouble with and there is a reason that 'Who would win in a fight between...' is such a common lead in out there for many matchups. Ultimately, BT has the firepower and durabilty to go up against almost anyone or anything, but it comes down to all of the other factors to determine who exactly would win. Each character BT would have to fight would have a way to take him down, but anything can happen on any given day.

3. The plan is for this fic to continue after the end of the DLCs but if the game gets a sequel then that will be a seperate story.

As for the title, this is a classic tune, even if Top Gear relentlessly shit on it back when they did their search for 'Best Ever Driving Song.' Despite that, this massive, nearly 10 minute long song is still quite good. Performed by Meat Loaf, no seriously, I will always like it because it is a blend of music and storytelling that you rarely get these days. About wailing sirens, awesome vehicles, the ultimate woman, and a massive crash, it was the song that ultimatley won out the race to be the title of one of the highlight missions in the game: the APC chase.


Power Without Question – Chapter 39: Bat Out of Hell

I'm gonna hit the highway like a battering ram

On a silver-black phantom bike

When the metal is hot, and the engine is hungry

And we're all about to see the light

Nothing ever grows in this rotting old hole,

And everything is stunted and lost

And nothing really rocks, and nothing really rolls,

And nothing's ever worth the cost


Cooper looked down the Advanced Optical Gunsight mounted atop the R-201 Carbine, scanning the bustling streets below for any sign of suspicious activity. With a full load of ammo and the belt fed MGL on his back, the magnetic grenades should be able to deal with vehicles while minimizing collateral damage. It was clear to the SRS Commando that there was something going on here with the heavier than average Sable presence, and they weren't exactly being subtle about it.

All of that was not at the forefront of his mind, that honor went to the Police Captain in his headset. "It's my ass on the line Marauder. I have Sablinova herself showing up to my precinct telling you to back off," she revealed tersely, "with you doing your solo act I end up being the one to catch all the blowback."

Matthew let out a sigh, he sympathized with her, he really did. "Captain, if Li gets his hands on Devil's Breath then everyone's asses are on the line" he responded coolly. "Passing the buck isn't an option anymore, someone has to step up and make a play. If Sable's people can do it then that's fine…"

"But…" interjected Yuri dryly.

"But" parroted Cooper, "I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. There's too much at stake, even if I did trust them, to think I can sit this one out. You can try and convince Spidey but he's of the same mind I am."

"Hope for the best but prepare for the worst?" asked Yuri dryly. The veteran lawwoman had always held a similar mindset and the understanding in the words caused Cooper to crack a small, knowing grin.

A flicker of movement down street as a figure settled down onto a rooftop and waved caught his attention as he waved back and checked the time. On time, huh, miracles do happen he thought. "It's kept me alive this far. And who knows, maybe the best will happen, Sable's people will send Li packing and I get to sit back and enjoy the show" he drawled with a mirthful chuckle, fat chance of that.

Yuri offered a small laugh of her own, "First time for everything" she replied dryly, "but if you get yourself shot by Sable, you better live long enough to explain yourself. Cause if I have to do it the explanation will be that you were a fucking idiot" deadpanned the Captain.

Cooper burst out laughing, "That's incentive" he drawled before cutting the line and getting back to his watch, looking down at the face of his tacpad on the inside of his left wrist as he aimed his rifle. The time read 11:57, "Showtime."


Dr. Morgan Michaels, an African American man in his late fifties who was soft spoken and mild mannered, thought of himself as a good man with a good job and a good family. Two daughters in college that were the pride of his life, that he would do anything for. He was also a curious man, and so when he was assigned to a project by Norman Osborn himself to work on an experimental compound that could revolutionize medicine, he took the opportunity without a second thought…until now.

He had effectively been under house arrest for almost two weeks in this Bowery safehouse, unable to contact his family, unable to go outside, and burdened with protecting his creation. Looking down inside the lined and padded briefcase and the OSCORP branded container of red liquid inside, he wished he had never accepted the offer to work on the project and the Pandora's Box it had opened. "We're ready for you, Dr. Michaels. Is that the Devil's Breath?"

The filtered voice of his 'guard', meaning 'warden,' snapped the wizened scientist from his internal conundrums. Sighing, the Doctor turned to the two armored soldiers, "It's called GR-27" he corrected tiredly, "not…" he began before realizing the futility of it and sighing once more. "Just be careful, in the wrong hands this could…" he tried to remind them.

But the pair were dismissive, "Don't worry, we're the best in the world" assured one of the soldiers confidently. Yeah, but that may not matter if the threat isn't from this world thought Michaels. From the beginning of the project, Osborn had made it clear that, of all people, the Marauder could be an issue.

Michaels had never learned why Osborn thought this, or why that crime fighter in particular, when the dubious morals of what they were doing could attract much more attention, but in a project full of secrets that one was a mere footnote. Closing the case and snapping the attached cuff to his wrist, Michaels was ready to get this over with, "I feel better already."


"Black sedans…really racking up the originality points there" hummed Spider-Man to himself as he watched Michaels get hustled out of the building Cooper said he would be in and into the back of one of three cars. He was sure that the Marauder could tell him exactly what kind of sedans Sable was using, but what was important was that it seemed that Sable was taking the subtle approach to moving the Doctor. While there were armored vehicles and troops aplenty around, it seemed like they were going to try and slip Michaels out right under the noses of the Demons. It was a bold strategy, and Peter had to give them credit, it wasn't nearly as dumb as he was expecting.

And for a brief, glorious moment, it seemed like it might actually work. There was a rumbling that Peter felt as his Spidey sense began to hum at the base of his skull, something was up. "Heads up, possible contact on the west side. Stand by" called Cooper over the comm link in Spidey's mask as the wallcrawler tensed, eye lenses narrowing. It seemed that the Sable troopers noticed too as they rushed to defensive positions behind their vehicles, readying weapons. The rumbling slowly morphed into a deeper, foreboding sound as everyone tensed in anticipation.

The source burst onto the scene with a massive crash, plowing through the corner of a building and throwing debris up into the air before the colossal black armored truck fully revealed itself. Massive tires crushed cars parked on the sides of the street as it charged forwards with a near suicidal single mindedness.

The unknown vehicle towered over even the Sable MRAPs and bore down on the soldiers of fortune as a masked man leaned out of the passenger window and shouldered a rocket launcher, prompting an immediate response from all parties. Sable troops opened fire with their high-tech weapons, a barrage of red energy blasts peppering the front of the truck to no affect as it charged headlong through the perimeter. The Demon APC smashed the defenses, either shoving MRAPs aside or crushing smaller vehicles under its immense weight while shrugging off the gunfire like gnats.

For their part, the Sable troops reacted quickly, encircling the massive intruding vehicle as it screeched to a halt, keeping up the fire as they took cover, the distinct report of their weapons echoing up the street. Peter watched as the back doors of the Demon APC swung open, immediately drawing a hail of red energy fire as rounds poured into the opening, causing the first two demons in line to get torn to shreds, their bodies convulsing with each impact before falling onto the street in bloody heaps. And for a moment, it looked like Sable International would contain the breach and win the day.

But the Demons weren't mindless drones, and it showed, two suited men holding shields put themselves between the fire and their comrades, absorbing hits and providing cover for the rifle armed Demons to return fire. The two sides slugged it out, but momentum was beginning to swing in the Demons favor as side doors opened and grenades and rockets soon came out, forcing Sable Troopers into the open for the shielded riflemen. Soon the Sable troopers were funneled towards the rear quarter of the truck as the Demon shield wielders parted to let a Brute pass through. Energy weapon fire shifted to this new target, but the sustained fire had depleted their batteries and harmed their accuracy and only a few shots found their mark, unable to stop the monster of a man as he jumped down from the APC and slammed his fists into the ground and unleashed a shockwave of negative phasic energy so powerful that it threw the car with Michaels up and flipped it, throwing the last remaining Troopers away like ragdolls.

The remaining Demons filed out of the truck, firing at any exposed Sable soldiers as the brute ripped the door off the black sedan and dragged Michaels out by his feet. "God damnit" muttered the Marauder as the suited men got back up into the massive APC. The Brute moved up to the cab at the front and the passenger door opened to reveal Martin Li himself sitting in the APC. Michaels was unceremoniously tossed up and into the cab before the Li disappeared back inside and the door shut. "Sorry Yuri, but I've seen enough. Spider-Man…" began the Renegade Commando as Peter heard the distinct sound of him chambering a round, "let's rock."

"You rock" replied the webslinger as he dropped down from the perch he was on, tucked his shoulder, and rolled across the roof before springing off the roof, "I'll roll" quipped Peter. Unsurprisingly, the Marauder didn't respond, meaning he probably muted his mic. Firing a webline, he swung through the smoke and saw the Demon APC pull away from the wrecked Sable position.

Dropping down on the street, Spidey scooped up one of the white armored Troopers and helped him to his feet as the Mercenaries tried to regroup. "Get off me, we got this!" snarled the trooper as he clutched his bleeding side.

Peter stifled a chuckle, "Yeah, sure looks like it buddy" replied Spider-Man as he slammed his foot down on a manhole cover, causing it to pop up before it was snatched out of the air and slung like a frisbee into a fire hydrant with such force the hydrant cracked open and sprayed water onto the raging fires.

A green armored figure slid into the fray, tossing a cannister onto a burning car as the smoke snuffed out the flames before streaking out as fast as he came in, firing his grapple and sling shooting around a building to follow the Demons. Spidey followed suit with his webs as the Marauder activated his STIM while running along the sides of buildings while Spidey swung from his webs. As the Marauder bounced between buildings, the webhead opened the comm line to his best bud in the NYPD. "Yuri, Marauder and I are in pursuit of Martin Li. I think he's got Dr. Michaels and the Devil's Breath" reported Spider-Man.

Whatever emotions Watanabe was experiencing at that news, she was professional enough to not let them show, immediately focusing on her job and getting it done. The Captain may have been too harsh sometimes, but in situations like this he was thankful that she was on his side. "Copy that. More units coming your way."

"Be advised" interjected Cooper, "Li took Michaels alive." The APC continued to barrel down the streets, but its width meant it was constantly running over parked vehicles, slowing the monster machine down enough for the two vigilantes to close the gap. "And wherever Li's going he's in one hell of a hurry."

Though the NYPD Captain was focused on the practical reasons for Li's actions than Peter's first thought of being thankful the man was still alive. "Probably going to force him to make more Devil's Breath" suggested Yuri. That was a thought that Peter didn't want to have as he pushed himself to ensure that didn't happen. Below, Sable cars were racing off in pursuit, though they couldn't contribute much.

"That's not going to happen" stated Cooper firmly as he shot past, "we're stopping that thing. Spidey, on me" he barked. Just as he did the back doors swung open to reveal two men holding rocket launchers as they fired at the leading Sable car, both rockets slamming into it and turning the front into a twisted mangled wreck as it veered off to the side. Both vigilantes were spurred into action as Cooper activated his STIM, exo glowing in a blue hue as he shot forwards while the wallcrawler launched himself off a streetlight. Flipping over, Peter caught sight of the SRS Pilot launch himself off the wall before coming to a hovering stop behind the truck and unleashing a long burst from his rifle that sent the two Demons down before he fired his grapple to get his momentum back up.

The webslinger may not have approved of the Private Security Force, but he had to give them points for persistence as another vehicle took the fallen one's place and gave the hero an idea. Firing a webline, he pulled himself to the white vehicle and stuck firmly to the roof just as more Demons emerged from the truck tank thing. Only this time their fire was focused skyward as a hail of bullets left the distinct contrails on their way towards the Marauder. The assault took the commando by surprise as Peter saw at least one bullet hit him in the chest before he activated his phase shift and disappeared.

Picking out the gunmen on top of the vehicle, Spider-Man gave them both webshooters, emptying the cartridges to wrap them up in the synthetic silk when there was a distinct crack behind him. "Spidey, can I get a boost?" as the Marauder over the comm as Peter turned and saw him coming in hot. Jumping up, Peter reached out and grabbed the Pilot's outstretched hand with both arms before pirouetting in midair and launching the heavier Gunfighter towards the truck.

While Peter pulled himself back to the car, he could see the hurt that his friend was laying down on the Demons as he slammed into one with his full weight before jumping up with his kit and slamming his knee into the chin of the mask. "A hand getting over there?" asked Peter as he fired a webline at a streetlight and pulled himself from the car to start running along the side of the building. The Marauder heard his request as the armored vigilante surged forwards and grabbed the fallen man by the ankles before heaving him upwards as Spider-Man used the masked man to pull himself closer before whipping the Demon around over the top and slamming him down onto the roof of the truck just in front of the wallcrawler. "Hope you saved some for me" quipped Peter as his eye lenses widened and the Marauder looked over his shoulder.

Six more Demons were clambering up onto the top of the vehicle. "You just had to jinx it, didn't you?" asked Cooper as he pulled out an arc grenade. "Pull" he called out as he tossed the grenade up and the wallcrawler snatched it out of the air with a web before bringing it down right onto the top of one trio of baddies. With his other hand, the webhead fired a webline to pull him to the other group and got to work.

Space atop the truck was a precious commodity and neither fighter would be able to truly stretch their legs, efficiency and clean takedowns were the name of the game. With that in mind, the Webslinger swept the legs out from one Demon before impact webbing him to the roof and seamlessly dodging a punch, coming up ready for his friend to deliver a knockout blindside blow that sent the Demon wobbling off course.

Peter returned the favor as he fired a burst of electric web at another masked criminal on the Pilot's six before leaping up and vaulting over Cooper's shoulders to kick the stunned man in the chest. While Spider-Man continued to duel with this Demon, he felt the need to make small talk. "This is kinda fun isn't it? You and me, two pals enjoying the city, the weather, the…"

"The target rich environment" deadpanned the Texan as he grunted with effort, sliding behind a Demon before putting him into a headlock and jumping up before slamming the criminal into the metal roof.

"I was going to say the company" replied Peter sarcastically as he ducked a clumsy punch before casually throwing the Demon over his shoulder and webbing him down. There were still two more Demons, but that wasn't Peter's main concern at the moment.

That was the newly arrived helicopter that was staring menacingly down at them. Crisp white coloring and winglets packed with wicked looking weapon pods betraying its allegiance and purpose as it swooped in like a bird of prey.

"This is Sable International" called the leader of that organization as the chopper easily matched the armored trucks speed and settled in above and behind the truck. "We have authorization for deadly force. There will be no further warning."

Spidey looked towards the other Vigilante to gauge his reaction. "Well" began the Texan dryly as he pressed his hand to the side of his helmet, "now it's a party."


Machines aren't alive…but they can have souls. That soul can manifest as traits, quirks, and an attitude. And for one machine, its soul had gone dormant long ago, never truly able to live as it would have wanted to if given the choice. But ahead of it was the prospect that it could what it had would have always wanted, if it could want. To earn the reputation that its name had garnered, her name, Widowmaker.

She was currently at idle, running lights showing the smallest glimpse of the dark, damp environment she was currently in. While this was ordinary, little else was. She was tense, with carbon fiber bones and hydraulic tendons as stiff as they could be. Her purpose was simple in premise, but if it truly were so simple then she would not have been called upon to carry it out.

The soul was not truly her own, but an amalgamation of the hundreds who had worked tirelessly, spending countless hours designing, building, and testing her. Added in with those who had seen her and fallen for her around the world. The man who was her master, laboring over her to make sure she was always at her best. Lastly the woman who was in the driver's seat, fingers tapping the steering wheel as they waited together for the moment when they were called upon.

"Now it's a party."

The doors in front opened to reveal the crisp fall day as Widowmaker's heart beat faster, giving a war cry as it charged forwards.

Machines may not be able to think, but if this one could…it would have known it wouldn't let anyone down.


Felicia, in full Black Cat gear, almost buried the car in a building as she turned out of the garage. Slamming the throttle down, she had forgotten what Matthew had told her about how easily the 950 horsepower hyper car could get away from you. And for a split second as the tail swung out wide and the building was getting closer, she wished she had taken her Jag instead.

Until, suddenly, almost as if the machine had a mind of its own, the big rear tires found grip and latched, launching the car forwards as Hardy worked the wheel to straighten it out. The city became a blur outside the McLaren's windows as the Black Cat pushed the car as fast as she dared before slamming on the breaks, the carbon ceramic discs and tires screeching in protest as Hardy was thrown forwards into her seatbelt.

Just off to her right was a screen showing her where she needed to go and how to get there as she wove the car through traffic, quickly getting a feel for the Widowmaker. As the tires heated up, getting even stickier, Felicia grew bolder, taking turns faster as the wing designed to keep the car pressed into the road would pop up to be an air brake. The exhaust, howling so loud it drowned out any thoughts other than faster, worked with the rear diffuser to create a low-pressure zone that would suck the back of the car down, keeping it more firmly planted the faster she went.

The gap closed within two minutes as Felicia took sight of the situation ahead of her. There were several white Sable cars in pursuit of a massive black armored truck, two familiar forms on top. Above the precession was a helicopter, raining laser fire down on the truck, though it seemed to do little other than char the paint. With a confident smirk, the woman upshifted with a click of the silver paddle and mashed her boot to the floor, the car responding instantly.

In seconds, she was through the entire group and alongside the truck and in its blindspot. "Hey boys" she called out over the radio as she grinned in the driver's seat. "Someone say something about a party?"

"What the hell is she doing here?" asked a bewildered Spider-Man over the comm as Felicia slammed on the brakes so the massive armored vehicle didn't crush her lover's prized car. "We've already caught up, now we need to stop this thing" reminded an exasperated Spider-Man. Hardy just smirked as she looked at the Archer Rocket Launcher in the passenger seat with one of its famed 'Titan Hammer' rockets loaded.

While she had scoffed at the thought of Li doing something this brash, she was reminded that most of the villains in New York didn't do subtlety. Which was why she had come up with this plan to deliver the Marauder his most powerful anti-vehicular weapon. "Which is why we don't care about the car; we care about what's in it" revealed the Marauder as he beat down the last Demon. "Hold her steady babe, I'm coming" he called as she pulled in trail and watched him jump off the back of the truck as she lowered the passenger window.

For a brief moment, Felicia watched in horror as it looked like he would miss wide to her right before his gloved hands grabbed the window frame and he dug his boots into the ground, being dragged by the car until he pulled himself inside the cramped cabin. "Ride 'em Cowboy" she teased as he twisted until he was more or less the right way up. "I'm going to get us out in front, get ready to take your shot" she called over the roar of the motor and gun battle while waiting for an opening.

When the Demon truck swerved, Sable shifted her guns to pull lead and Felicia seized the opportunity, downshifting to push the car near redline and rocket out in front down a long straight road before slamming on the brakes and turned sideways as Cooper stood half out the window, rocket launcher on his shoulder.

Hardy watched as the rocket streaked from the weapon and shot forwards, straight and true, slamming head on into the oncoming vehicle, throwing up a massive wall of smoke and dust from the shockwave. A massive wall of smoke and dust the truck promptly tore through as if nothing had happened, despite the appearance of the mangled front end.

On instinct, Hardy shifted the car into reverse and slammed the throttle, backing it into an alley as the whole ensemble shot by. Cooper cursing loudly as he hurled the empty weapon. "Hey man, hope you got some bigger guns in there" said Spider optimistically.

Next to her, the Texan shook his head. "I don't" he admitted, "but I know someone who does. Just buy some time."


"You say that like it's an easy thing" muttered Peter to himself as he tried to figure out how to stop this stupid truck. While doing that he had to constantly be on alert as more laser and the occasional missile came down at him from the circling helicopter. And now his phone was ringing in his ear on a three-way call, and he wasn't looking forward to another earful from the second most problematic silver haired woman he knew. "Rethink your plan yet?" he asked in greeting.

Sablinova ignored him completely. "Spider-Man, Marauder, get clear" snapped the Symkarian, the words an order in all but name, only it was one neither had any intention of complying with. "You are interfering in this operation."

"Bullshit" snarled Cooper over the line before Peter could think of a witty remark. "Sable, you are interfering in our operation" retorted the SRS Commando in a low growl. The pair were getting dangerously close to becoming openly hostile towards one another and Parker didn't have a clue as to what had the Texan so wound up. "Two words: Fuck. Off."

"Yeah, and I'm not exactly on board with operation 'Missiles in Manhattan' either" added the Webslinger cheekily before there was a sigh on the line and a burst of static indicated the Private Security Leader had disconnected. "So it sounds like you have a plan, care to enlighten me?"

"You slow Li down, buy time" repeated the Marauder calmly, "the cavalry's comin'" he assured before there was another burst of static and the Webhead was left alone with his thoughts once again. The one thought that was at the forefront of his mind was who the 'cavalry' was. He couldn't possibly mean…

A loud crash caused the Wallcrawler to snap his head up to see the Sable cars in pursuit get smashed off the road by two big black SUVs, Demon's hanging out the windows and standing out of the sunroofs. "Need to clear out the guys in the trucks before I go after Li" realized the hero aloud as he prepared to do just that when he heard the distinct howl of a McLaren.

The Widowmaker came skidding around a corner with the green armored form of the SRS Pilot hanging out the window, grenade launcher pressed into his shoulder. The weapon fired four baseball sized grenades that attached to the rear quarter of the Demon vehicle and detonated as the rear suspension collapsed and the back half of the car slammed into the asphalt. A shower of sparks was thrown up into the air before the driver lost control and the car spun out, crashing into a storefront as Felicia deftly avoided the vehicle. The second one saw the new threat as the muzzles of the rifles swung around and fired, rounds striking the asphalt as the green McLaren veered off and shot through the side entrance of the Sable checkpoint the Demon truck had smashed through.

When the car emerged, Felicia had the car sideways in a perfect drift, tires squealing and throwing up smoke as Cooper leapt out the widow and fired his grapple to slingshot him forwards as the car shot off out of the fight. On his way down he unloaded the rest of the explosive grenades as the rounds stuck down the entire passenger side of the vehicle and exploded. Both tires on that side were wrecked as the car rolled onto its side and skidded to a stop.

Peter's Spider-sense rang loudly as he turned to see an oncoming wall of scaffolding, the massive vehicle not slowing down in the slightest. Jumping up, the superpowered vigilante fired a pair of weblines forwards and pulled himself as hard as he could before pinning his arms to his sides as he shot through the gap like a bullet travels down a barrel. Coming out cleanly on the other side, his momentum propelled him forward until he landed on the wrecked hood and straddled the exposed engine as he came face to face mask with Martin Li. "Li! Hand it over!" he barked.

The glowing philanthropist reached down and produced a pistol as Spider-Man instinctively dodged, able to feel the distortion in the air as the bullets missed him by scant millimeters. Rolling off the side, he slammed a hand to the metal and stuck fast, dangling perilously before finding his footing and moving to the door. Li glared at him through the bulletproof glass as the webhead threw a punch, putting more strength than he usually did as the 4-inch-thick window spiderwebbed before the second punch shattered it completely.

With a snarl on his face, Mr. Negative unlocked the door and gave it a kick, the energy blast the impact generated buckling the steel and flinging it out as Peter held on to the window frame, ignoring the pain from his cut and bleeding fingers. But the kick had done too much damage as the hinges bent and bent and bent until they could hold the weight no longer and snapped. The Webslinger held on as he felt his teeth shake from the impact of the armored door on the road and ignored the shower of sparks raining down on him as the door skidded under the truck. Desperate to not get pulled into one of the massive tires, Peter reached out for any sort of handhold, managing to find a big rubber hose as he grabbed it with one adhesive hand, the other stuck fast to the door.

His reprieve was short lived as the hose was ripped out from its socket under the added force on it, covering the wallcrawler in its contents as the thick fluid splattered on his eye lenses and seeped through his mask into his mouth. "I hope that's not important" he muttered between spitting the stuff out, his now free hand already letting loose a webline at the rear subframe as he shot out the back. Looking up he could see inside the compartment at the back, where the Marauder was pinning a Demon to the wall as he relentlessly punched the man in the face mask, cracking it as blood could be seen dripping from the bottom edge.

Another Demon jumped on his back and tried to bear hug him, but the SRS Commando fired his kit and launched himself back, slamming the criminal into the wall and breaking his grip. As soon as he was free, the Pilot spun around, bringing his rifle to his hip to fire a burst point blank into the Demon. The first one he was beating on got up to get the stock of the rifle thrust backwards into his gut before the Marauder raised the weapon and slammed the masked criminal in the back of the head with the gun.

The brutal beatdown took Peter by surprise, but a ringing in his ear diverted his attention. "What's your status? Have you apprehended Li?" asked Yuri bluntly. Only then did the x shaped visor snap up to look at Spider-Man as Pete gave a quick wave before he fired another webline and pulled himself back under the truck.

"Working on it" he replied in flustered tones as he got his bearings and ended the call. It was clear that Cooper was on the warpath and if he didn't get to Li before the Pilot did then there was a chance the philanthropist would end up in a morgue and not the RAFT. Switching back to the comm channel with the Texan, he was relieved to hear the slight distortion of the Pilot's comm suite. "I'm heading back to the cab, I'll handle Li" said Peter.

"You crazy bastard" grunted Cooper in reply as the sounds of more hand to hand combat raged in the background. "We need to get the fuck off this thing before that backup arrives" insisted the Marauder, but Spider-Man wasn't having it. The two of them could do this, what had changed to cause the Pilot to do something as drastic as what Peter thought was coming.

Instead of responding, the Webslinger pressed on, crawling up onto the side just next to the ripped off door and reached into the cab. "I'll take this" he quipped as he reached in to grab the briefcase before Li's glowing hand lashed and grabbed hold of Spidey's wrist. The burning sensation was horrifically painful as Peter screamed in pain and agony before he blacked out.

But it wasn't like any other blackout he had ever experienced as he snapped back to consciousness to be greeted by a twisted and warped black and white version of City Hall. "What the hell? What did he do to me?" asked Peter aloud as he recognized the scene. The aftermath of the bombing.

"Give you a new perspective" answered the distorted and disembodied voice of Martin Li as Peter looked wearily at his surroundings. "I must be honest, I was hoping to bring you here" admitted Mr. Negative as the man appeared before Peter, hands behind his back and completely calm as he eyed the superhero. "My abilities lend me a certain…persuasiveness."

With that final, haunting word, Li vanished as Peter stalked forwards slowly only for a flicker to send him to high alert, Li had reappeared on a catwalk, looking down on the Webhead. "I've been watching you. I was waiting for you at City Hall" revealed the philanthropist. The mention of that tragedy caused pangs of regret and anger to spike up in Peter's chest. "You never came…where were you?" asked Li as Spider-Man grit his teeth and didn't answer.

"Is this real?" he wondered. No, it couldn't be, none of this was right, leaving only one possibility, "or in my mind?" He continued forwards, seeing shadowy figures surround another apparition of Li in the middle of the wrecked square . The vigilante's sixth sense hummed annoyingly in the back of his head, setting him on edge as he steeled himself and pressed on.

"It's such a shame so many had to die with no heroes to save them" taunted Li as Peter tried to block his voice out by shaking his head. But everywhere he looked another shadowy figure transformed to have a face, a face of a victim of the bombing. All staring at Spider-Man accusingly until one figure silhouetted himself on the ruined stage; Jefferson Davis. Li turned and looked up at the cop before cocking his head, as if trying to remember something. "That officer saved your life, didn't he? He was here because of you."

The white suited man then appeared beside Davis as the scene transformed into the Officer throwing himself at the Deputy Mayor as he revealed the suicide vest he had been wearing. "And Norman wanted to use him" hissed Li with vile hatred. Li regarded the Officer for a moment, "a futile gesture in the end" he observed coldly before the scene changed with a wave of his hand to show the aftermath of the bomb. None of the bodies could be recognized as human, blown apart, bloodied, charred, and shredded by shrapnel.

"And where was Norman during all of this?" he asked as he strolled along the stage with the Webslinger in tow. "Slinking away like a rat. He knew what was going to happen…and he fled" said Li, answering his own question with disdain dripping from his every syllable. The Philanthropist set his hand on Peter's shoulder and walked him down the steps back into the square. "Norman is a hidden cancer on this city" explained Li, "he must be excised with no trace of his corruption to return. Norman hides behind a mask of lies, I will break it apart and drag him into the light!" vowed Mr. Negative.

The pair reached the base of the steps and Peter had to concede that Norman Osborn wasn't squeaky clean. His was ambitious, his ethics and morals could be called dubious at the best of times, and his treatment of Harry never sat right with Peter. "Put on the mask; become one of us" offered Li as a glowing version of the Demon's ubiquitous masks appeared before them.

Slowly, Peter stepped forwards and took the mask in hand, getting a feel for its weight. In one certain motion, he turned and hurled the mask with all of his superhuman strength at the apparition's face. The impact staggered Li as he dropped to one knee. "Thanks, but no thanks" added Peter, as if his rejection wasn't clear enough.

But Li merely laughed ominously, a sword appearing in his hand as he stood back up. "One way or the other, you WILL join me!" he shouted as he raised his arms and the shadowy figures all turned to the wallcrawler, the faces replaced by masks before they rushed him. The webhead tossed out both web grenades to buy himself some breathing space as he dashed out of the middle to try and escape, but the edges of the square were consumed by towering walls of black and white fire. "All the souls you lost. The 'innocent victims' you couldn't save" sneered Mr. Negative tauntingly while Peter fought for his life against the masked horde.

Grabbing one, he spun to knock the others away before hurling the shadowy form into a group. "MARTIN!" he roared, "their blood is on YOUR hands" as the shadowy figures stood back up, bodies broken and mangled form the beating they had just received at the hands of Spider-Man.

The masks disappeared again to reveal human faces, beaten and bloodied as they surrounded the vigilante. Arms and legs twisted and bent, chests caved in, backs snapped as some hunched limply as Peter realized he hadn't been holding back. Li merely smiled as he looked down at the display. "You can stop Osborn. You have so much strength" hummed Li approvingly. "I can give you the will!"

Before Peter could respond, the masks reappeared on the figures as they shambled forwards at the vigilante. However, their injuries had slowed them down and as the webslinger tried to take them down gently and cleanly he found that his attacks had no effect on the figures. As two slammed into him he was forced to the ground as more piled on. "Their bodies filled the gutters and you did nothing!" reminded Li as Parker's simmering anger began to boil over into a rage.

"I can't save everyone!" he groaned out in reply as he tried to shove the bodies off of him and get to his feet, but his hands passed straight through the shadowy forms. He tried to use his feet but found they were similarly useless as his arms and legs were pinned to the ground and blows began to pound him from head to toe.

Li grinned viciously as he watched the beating the Wallcrawler was taking. "What's one life? A simple trade, one life for a city of souls…a good proposition, at least your friend seems to think so" drawled Li casually. Peter's eye lenses went wide at those words and he began to thrash angrily against his tormentors. He refused to let his friend fall victim to Li's conniving scheme as his muscles tensed with all of their enhanced strength. From the stage, Mr. Negative merely smiled.

With a roar befitting a bayonet charge, Spider-Man pulled his legs up with all his might, ignoring the feeling of breaking bones as those who tried to restrain him were overpowered with brutal results. His whole body twisted and contorted as he unleashed full powered kicks until he launched himself up and fired two weblines, slamming full force into a Demon so that he drove his feet clean through the specter's chest. "You defend Osborn while he sits in his Ivory Tower?" asked Li as Peter ignored him and ripped through the mob. Single punches snapping necks and kicks shattering rib cages with such force the bones were driven through hearts and lungs.

The moans of the mauled ghosts only grew louder as Spider-Man kept fighting, breaking limbs for a second or third time and crushing the heads of those that tried to crawl to him only for the now headless bodies to stand up and have to be put back down. "This isn't real" he reminded himself as he noticed the carnage he was inflicting.

But all at once, the attacks stopped as Li grinned from his position. "Show me your true strength" he ordered as the masks were removed to show the human faces behind them. The no longer faceless figures charged again despite their numerous lethal injuries. At first, Peter hesitated, but when his Spider-sense went off in warning he reacted as he dodged and counterpunched, driving his hand clean through the ghost as he picked the man up off the ground still impaled on his fist. Without thinking he used the body as a battering ram to bulldoze the others to the ground before he looked up and saw the face of Jefferson Davis staring back down at him, eyes rolled back, dead. As soon as he saw that, Peter recoiled back in horror as the mob disappeared and Peter fell to his knees in shock.

The next time his sixth sense buzzed he looked up at Martin, grinning evilly as he reached out. "Kneel before me! I will pull your mask off and expose you!" announced Mr. Negative as he reached a hand out to a broken Peter only for a red clad up to shoot up and block it as Spider-Man pushed back, getting to his feet.

"No" he said calmly as he crouched down, "you're not." Li merely summoned his sword and shot skywards, the scene swirling around the square as the sky became tumultuous, the clouds and lightning being drawn to the raised blade.

"The shadows are sworn to me, and I will give them strength!" Peter could only watch in amazement as the shape of a Demon Mask formed and fireballs rained down from the sky.

"I have to destroy the mask" realized the webslinger as he shot out a web and redirected a fireball into the massive demonic visage, cracking it. "I won't abandon you in the darkness Martin!"

"Then I will break you and leave you brain-dead!" vowed Mr. Negative as the Webhead flung another piece of burning debris into the damaged mask. "You can't!" shouted Li as the mask began to crumble, pieces falling down to the street and shattering on impact.

Peter dodged as lighting snapped down at him like the tongue of a viper, leaving a burning crater where he had just been standing. "I can bring you back to the light!" argued the Queens Native as he fished another fireball out of mid-air and launched it at the mask, "and I will" he vowed to himself in a whisper as the projectile found its mark.

"NO!" howled Mr. Negative as the mask was blown to bits and the illusion quickly collapsed around them. Peter found himself face to face with the real Martin Li, his right arm still on fire from the man's energized grip before Spider-Man ripped it away and threw a carefully controlled punch that staggered the Criminal.

A thud on the hood of the car caused both men to snap to look at the armored form of the Marauder crouched on the damaged panel. His R-201 in hand and pointed at Li, the magazine sticking out the bottom of the gun covered in bright red tape. "NO!" cried Peter as he fired a webline, the impact of which knocked off his point of aim as the rounds went high and missed before Spidey ripped the gun away completely.

Looking back at Li, Peter saw the evil sneer on his face as his free hand glowed with his negative energy before unleashing it all in a powerful blast that slammed into the Marauder. The Pilot was caught off guard, unable to brace or evade as he was thrown backwards, body armor singed as he was flung off the truck and sent flying.

But he never hit the ground, a massive mechanical hand burst through a wall and plucked him out of the air.


Silver Sablinova couldn't believe what was happening before her, as events had quickly escalated from the ridiculous to the obscene. The operation to move Michaels and Devil's Breath had quickly fallen apart and at this point was almost unrecognizable. Two vigilantes had hijacked the situation and had flat out refused to let her do her job. Even worse, Li was making a mockery of Sable's efforts to stop him, his vehicle shrugging off everything the PMC was throwing at it. Already this fiasco had cost her several good men and a lot of equipment.

She wasn't focused on any of that, her attention lay solely with the massive arm that had just broke down a wall and grabbed the Marauder before what it was attached to revealed itself. Slowly, the wall crumbled as this new force fully emerged. The hulking black machine stood two stories tall as the front opened up and the vigilante was stuffed and sealed inside. "Chto za khren'" she cursed under her breath as the bi-pedal robot launched itself at the hostile vehicle. There was the screech of metal against metal as the massive unknown threw its whole weight at the equally massive truck.

Sable watched in shock and awe as the steel beast's massive hands lifted the truck up off half of its wheels and pushed it off course, causing it to clip a building before the Demon at the controls fought back, turning away to rip the machine off its feet. One metal hand held fast onto the roof of the truck, the armor buckling and crumpling under its powerful grip while it was dragged along the street. The Truck veered back over, causing the unknown robot to be pulled through the cars parked alongside the street as it contorted, rolling over to reveal the massive thrusters and box like weapon on its back. "Ma'am…rules of engagement on the unknown?" asked the pilot of the helicopter.

Still entranced by the spectacle blow the helicopter, Silver numbly keyed the mic on her headset. "All Sable units; continue to engage all hostile targets. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT fire on any unknowns until fired upon" she ordered professionally as the battle continued below. Boxes extended up from small arms on the machine's back that revealed themselves to be rocket launchers as plumes of smoke shot out the back and the weapons slammed into the forward tire, blowing it apart, causing the entire truck to keel over. "All Sable units; target the front left side!" she barked quickly the machine raised its free arm and buried it in the street, shredding concrete as it used the hand as an anchor.

The pilot suddenly jerked the helo up to avoid the weblines that shot up as well, Spider-Man's unique weapons attaching themselves to the side of a building as more rockets came pouring in from the circling helicopters. The guided munitions found their mark, shredding the other front tire as the rim ran along the ground, throwing up more sparks as Spider-Man and the Machine strained against the runaway truck's momentum. Civilians fled in a panic as the vehicle careened off the road and plowed straight into a building.

A massive dust cloud was thrown up as Sable helicopters circled, weapons trained on the point of impact. "Movement" called out one of the pilots as Sablinova narrowed her eyes and saw something moving inside the dust as it began to clear to reveal the massive form of the unknown machine standing over the wrecked truck. "Confirm, unknown is active."

"Hold fire" ordered Silver curtly as the machine loomed over the truck and ripped the top of the trop compartment clean off and discarded it before lifting its leg and slamming its oddly shaped foot down and pressed until the spine of the vehicle snapped. Reaching down, she toggled the controls of the PA system and spoke calmly, "Attention unknown element. You are interfering in a Sable International security operation. Step back from the vehicle" she commanded.

The machine stopped what it was doing as it stood back to its full height and turned so that the singular blue light at the center was looking up at her. After a tense moment it raised one hand before extending its middle finger up at her. "I uh…" began the pilot as he tried to suppress his laughter, "I think that's a 'no' ma'am." Sable narrowed her eyes and glared at the defiant machine, pondering her next course of action. "Ma'am, do we have permission to engage?"

"Negative" she shot back instantly, an unknown with unknown capabilities, and after they had accomplished their objective? There was no reason to take the risk and drag this out any further."All units, I say again, hold your fire. DO NOT ENGAGE" she ordered in such a way that brokered no argument, she didn't need someone getting trigger happy as she moved to toggle the PA system back on. A streak of light caught her attention as she looked up to see a salvo of rocket fire come down from a Sable helo, directed straight at the unknown. "I ordered weapons safe! All units hold your fire!" she barked quickly.

She watched as the ordinance bore down on the machine with lethal intent. Almost casually, the obscene gesture disappeared, and the hand turned around and opened as swirling blue light was projected from the palm and held up as a shield. Undeterred, the rockets hit the shield squarely but did not explode. Instead, Sable saw the weapons float in the light, flowing around as if they were caught in the swirling current of the projection. "Big mistake" growled an unmistakable mechanical voice that boomed from the machine as she realized that it was controlled by none other than the Marauder.

And her men had just fired at him.

The missiles were shot back towards the helicopter that had launched him, taking the pilot by surprise as he tried to evade only for all of the explosives to slam into his craft, turning into a fireball. "Who's wants some more?!" challenged the Pilot of the machine as the missile pods extended up and a massive four barreled weapon filled the mechanical hands.

"Unknown just destroyed 2-4! Confirmed hostile" called out another Sable pilot over the radio channel. "Kilo flight; engage and destroy unknown hostile" ordered that same pilot as the other three Sable International gunships dropped down to engage, energy guns firing relentlessly as the machine shimmered from the impacts.

"Belay that!" snapped Silver over the comms. "All Sable International units, this is Silver Bird. Break off and disengage immediately, that is a direct order" announced the Symkarian as she glared at the stunned pilot and he kept the lead craft she was in steady. The metal monster deployed a smoke screen as the rogue helicopters pressed the attack only for missiles to streak up out of the smoke to greet them.

Two pulled up and away while the third dove closer to the deck, just above the smoke cloud and fired again, unloading into the obscurant. Sable watched, not thinking it could be that easy, and she was correct. The black machine emerged, not from the sides, but upwards, hovering with the aid of those massive thrusters as it threw a hand forward and grabbed the helicopter before dropping back down and crushing it with ease, the screams of the men inside filling her headset. Like a toy, the helicopter was tossed aside as a mere smoldering wreck of twisted steel. In response, the other two gunships went on the attack to avenge the second fallen bird.

But with startling quickness, the massive machine dodged to the side to avoid the strafing run as it raised its weapon and unleashed a continuous stream of rocket fire that caused the two helicopters to break away again. While one broke into the cover of some tall buildings, the other was exposed. Instantly, those back mounted missile pods extended again as two missiles leapt from each and sought the Sable Helicopter with unrelenting vigor. A third helicopter was down inside of a minute.

Only now did that last surviving helicopter try and break off, but the unknown was relentless, hovering again, it unleashed a massive volley of rockets that saturated the sky around the fleeing helo. The Sable pilot tried to evade, but against that volume of fire there was no way he could dodge all the rockets as one eventually slammed into the white machine and incited a massive explosion. Its work done, the machine settled back down to earth amidst the destruction and turned back to the disabled truck. "Find the nearest landing zone and set us down. Then arrange transport for me to the crash site of the truck" she ordered flatly.

"Yes ma'am" replied the pilot crisply as the helicopter peeled away, Sable's silver eyes still locked on that machine.


Grabbing the CAR SMG from the rack inside the cockpit of BT, Cooper pulled the bolt back to chamber the first lethal round in the gun before the hatch opened and he dropped down onto the street. Shouldering the weapon, he advanced towards the wrecked Demon vehicle cautiously before hurling out a pulse blade to receive the worst possible news:

It was empty.

"Fuck!" snarled Cooper as he sprinted forwards and jumped up, clambering onto the side of the overturned machine and peering inside to see an empty briefcase and nothing else. "BT, anything on sensors?" he asked, hoping that the Titan could come back with a miracle.

"Negative Pilot, all hostile elements have withdrawn" reported the Vanguard as he kept vigilant watch on the skies and ground in case anybody else decided to randomly start shooting at them like Sable just had. Except, not exactly, BT had cracked their comms long ago and he had heard the woman call of the attack multiple times, and before that had ordered them to hold their fire. Either she really needed better control over her people, which he doubted, or there had been a rat, which he could believe. "Alert, Spider-Man and Dr. Michaels detected, relaying locations" notified BT as Cooper moved to the closest one.

He saw hints of the white spider logo through the rubble and quickly slung the gun over his shoulder as he began to dig his friend out. "Wha…what happened?" asked his friend blearily as sunlight hit his eye lenses and he began to dig his own way out. Soon, the Texan pulled the Wallcrawler to his feet and the Queen's native dusted himself off.

"Well, we stopped the truck" returned the Marauder dryly, "but some of Sable's people went rogue, shot at me. I shot back" he explained simply as he turned to head for Michaels. "Li escaped in the chaos with the Devil's Breath." Cooper knew he was being short with the webslinger, but he hadn't forgotten that Spidey was the one who knocked his aim off and caused him to take a blast of energy from Li.

"Rogue?" asked Spider-Man with concern, "what do you mean rogue?"

"I mean Sablinova herself was ordering them to not shoot…but they did anyway. Since they aren't lacking in discipline, I'd say that something smells seriously wrong" he answered lowly. "Somebody went behind Sable's back, weather it was one of her men or someone else, they definitely wanted me dead."

A coughing fit caused the issue to be dropped as both rushed to Michaels and helped the scientist gingerly to his feet. "You okay?" asked Spider-Man as he got his coughing under control, nodding as best he could.

"Did they take it?" he asked, nobody having to ask what 'it' was.

"Yeah" replied Cooper, "they did."

"How worried should we be?" asked the Webslinger. Though Cooper was already worrying, not only was there a WMD in the middle of Manhattan, but now it was in the hands of a terrorist.

Michaels let out a deep, depressed breath. "Very" he said lowly.

"Shit" cursed Cooper simply.

"Pilot, Sable International troops are on approach" alerted BT-7274. "Silver Sablinova is with them" he reported.

"Stand down" he ordered, "let them come through, but keep an eye on them." The Pilot unslung his CAR and held it casually at his hip, ready to bring up at the slightest provocation. Turning to Michaels, the Renegade Pilot said "looks like you're a popular guy" in a deadpan tone through the filter. The scientist merely snorted in derision at the comment.

The three men squared up to the small convoy as the white vehicles came to a halt and troopers began to file out and sweep the area while none other than Silver Sablinova herself made a beeline for them, ignoring the massive form of BT. Matthew and Peter both put themselves between the Symkarian and the scientist, but Silver was on a mission. "Where is the serum?" she asked without preamble as Spider held a hand up to stop her and the two soldiers raised their rifles, promoting the CAR to come up in return.

"Gone" reported Michaels simply.

"Didiskoya" cursed Sable loudly as she worked her jaw and surveyed the carnage, the torn up street, the wreck of the truck, and the downed helicopters. "So called 'Super-heroes'" she hissed vehemently as she rounded back on the pair. "You think you save people, but you just make it worse" she growled lowly, "this is your fault, both of you."

Cooper wasn't having any of that, he was not her subordinate to push around, "You sure about that asshole?" he ground out. "Because…if you're people hadn't shot at me, I neutralize Li, secure Devil's Breath, and you're getting paid. Everyone's happy" he snarled as the woman's steel eyes turned to face the glowing visor. "Instead your people get trigger happy…and you wonder why I fucking hate mercs."

Though his CAR was till trained on the Sable troopers, when Silver reached for her pistols the SMG swung only to be kicked away as the Symkarian drew her sidearms. But the webhead sprung into action, "Do you really need two of those?" he quipped as he snapped off a pair of weblines to grab hold of the guns. But Sablinova yanked down, pulling Spider-Man closer and catching him off balance before performing the same viscous spin kick and sent him to the ground as Cooper drew his Smart Pistol.

Spidey lay flat on his back, one pistol pointed at his head while the other was trained on the center of the x shaped visor while the Smart Pistol was leveled at Silver's temple. To further escalate matters, BT had reacted as well, raising the Quad Rocket and extending the Acolyte pods while the other Sable Troopers surrounded them, safeties off and ready to fire at the slightest provocation. Already in the Pilots mind was he picturing his actions, pulling the trigger, putting a bullet in the woman's head before phase shifting over to BT and embarking. From there he would shoot his way out.

The square was so silent you could hear a pin drop, the Mexican standoff dragging on for what felt like an hour, even though it lasted no more than five seconds before it was Dr. Michaels who broke the stalemate. "Stop!" he barked as he shoved his way forwards and forced both the Marauder and Sable to lower their weapons, "We need to brief Mr. Osborn. Now" he added for emphasis as the webhead slowly got back to his feet. The Oscorp scientist turned back to the two vigilantes, "I'll go with her…" he said calmly as Cooper grit his teeth, he hadn't trusted Sablinova fully before, and that was when he thought she had control of her men. "Thank you, both of you. I'll remember this" he said sincerely, getting a pair of nods in return.

Cooper holstered his handgun and retrieved his SMG without a word before circling his hand. Without a word he felt the massive hand of BT encircle his torso as he was hoisted back into the cockpit before the hatch sealed and he began marching the machine down the street.

"…eyewitness claims indicate the machine then stopped the unknown vehicle with the aid of Spider-Man before it was unexpectedly engaged by Sable International forces. The machine then returned fire and in the resulting engagement, four Sable International helicopters were shot down. The Security Force has stated that there were no survivors of the downed craft."

"Rumors abound as to the exact nature of this machine. Sources close to the Mayor's office have reached out that this could very well be the 'Titan' that the Marauder claimed to pilot. Reports that the Marauder was seen entering and exiting the machine make more sense in this context, but questions remain as to the relationship between the SRS Commando and Sable International following the incident."

"Both the Marauder and the Mayor's Office have yet to respond to requests for comment…"

Pursing his lips into a frown, Osborn spoke, "Turn it off" he commanded curtly as the news report was muted instantly by his assistant. "I want all calls from today wiped from the mainframe, the backups too" he ordered as the woman simply did as she was told, turning and leaving the CEO to his own thoughts, her heels clicking on the floor. Norman's head drooped, chin almost against his tie and heaved out a sigh. "What a mess" he grumbled lowly.

At the very least, the Mercenaries he had reached out to had been killed. The provisional money he had transferred had been canceled and they couldn't rat him out. With the logs of the calls to them offering a considerable sum if they could kill the Marauder gone, there was nothing left to link him to the attempt on the SRS Pilot's life.

Despite successfully covering his tracks and avoiding any blowback, the day couldn't have been more of a disaster otherwise. Not only had the Marauder's claims about having his Titan with him been proven to not be a bluff, as Norman had suspected, but GR-27 had been taken by Martin Li. Osborn had to shake his head again at that name.

Martin Li…he had never expected to hear that name again. The last time he had, his company had barely survived.

He had to get the city back under his control, and fast.


Cooper's Logbook – 2015 McLaren P1: The Widowmaker

One of only 375 made, my P1 is chassis number 308 and was completed during the last of three years these cars were built. Not is it the most expensive car I own, it is also the most powerful. With modifications this thing puts 950 horsepower down through the rear wheels. The power is the defining feature of this car, it is not only vast, but also unrelenting. A dual clutch gearbox means it changes gear faster than you can blink, literally. Even during those short periods of downtime, the electric motor fills in, meaning the acceleration is constant. All of that power goes through two wheels at the back too and the tail will wiggle around and break loose even high up in the rev range. The moniker 'Widowmaker' is in reference to this, because you can very easily go out in your million dollar carbon fiber sports car and come back in a pine box.

But for those who don't get to expiereince the thrill, and terror, that comes with the speed, the styling is the standout element. Compared to the other two members of the 'Holy Trinity' of hybrid hypercars, the P1 lacks the showoff-yness of the LaFerrari or the sophistication (read: boring) of the Porsche 918, but to me the McLaren is downright sinister in appearance. That's why I'm amazed that the darker colors were only special order, and the deep British Racing Green Rawlins got his car in is the only thing I will give him credit for.

Still, there is no doubt that the Widowmaker is the Marauder's car. The Bandit had his '77 Trans Am, James Bond has his Aston Martin DB5, and Marty McFly has the DeLorean DMC-12, but I've got them all beat. The McLaren is one mean machine, terrifying, brilliant, and devastatingly fast all at once. And somehow, it feels alive in a way that's hard to describe. When you have your foot down and the whole car is talking back to you through the wheel and seat, the V8 howling in your ear, sounding like the starship Enterprise being sucked through a jet engine, and the numbers on the screen ahead of you climb, you hit the vanishing point. Simply put, the throttle is a hypserspace button, step on it and you are gone.

Felicia like to joke that this car is the only thing I like to be in more than her…and she isn't wrong.


Closing Notes: There we go, I kinda went all out on this one since this APC chase was my favorite setpiece in the entire game. And to be honest, did you really expect me to not use the Widowmaker to make this a full on car chase? I couldn't resist the temptation. If you couldn't tell, I had a blast writing this chapter and was really just trying to make something out of a Hollywood blockbuster, review and let me know how you think I did.

But don't expect me to let off the gas in the next chapter, since that will be the final battle with Mr. Negative and the Inner Demons.

And alone, across the highway of death, marches the Hero.

Stay Frosty and stay safe everyone, Misfit Delta out.