Super Nuts Chapter 16: The inventor (part 2)

"Sounds like a plan Maya," he replied with a smile. Despite her new persona, Jason had been easily able to deduce her true identity. It's not like there were many heroes who could control shadows the way Eclipse could. They'd been friends for a while, ever since Jason first met her when she was just a sidekick under Friction. The Hero Association was his number 1 client, so he was familiar with most of the top heroes. This was only the second time he had met Maya since she went freelance. The first meeting was a brief encounter when he ran into her responding to a crime scene, so they hadn't had a chance to catch up yet.

"Willo, make sure Madeline doesn't move and help lead the authorities to her," he commanded his AI assistant, before approaching Maya and giving her a friendly hug. "I've got a kitchen attached to the lab over there," he bragged, pointing to a sectioned off corner of the lab. "Sometimes I'm in here for days working on a project, so it's a necessity," he explained with a smile. "My robot chef will blow you away," he added with a smirk. "How about a light snack and cocktails?"

Maya returned Jason's hug with a mischievous grin. "You had me at cocktails," she replied playfully, already sauntering towards the kitchen area. "I could use a drink after dealing with that acidic bitch." As they walked, Maya glanced around the lab with an appreciative eye. "You've really upgraded since I last visited," she commented, noting the numerous new inventions and gadgets scattered about. "Guess being a genius keeps you busy, huh?"

"Sure does," he replied with a laugh. "I actually just turned on my new AI assistant. Maya, meet Willo," he introduced his new assistant, pointing towards the nearest terminal, since she was connected to all of them.

"Pleased to meet you, Maya," Willo greeted, her melodic voice emanating from the terminal's speakers. "I must say, your arrival was quite timely. Jason was in a bit of a… precarious situation," she added, a teasing lilt in her tone. "But it seems your combined efforts saved the day. And his precious testicles."

Maya let out a hearty laugh at Willo's quip. "Willo, I like you already," she declared, grinning at the terminal. "And don't worry, protecting Jason's precious jewels is a specialty of mine."

Jason laughed and walked over to the door to the kitchen, holding it open for Maya. "Check this out," he boasted with a grin, directing her into the kitchen.

The high-tech kitchen was a marvel of automation and sleek design. The counters were made of a smooth, black material that seemed to absorb light, giving the space a futuristic ambiance. Above the counters, an array of robotic arms whirred and moved with precision, each one equipped with a different tool - a knife, a whisk, a spatula, and more. These robotic chefs worked tirelessly, chopping, stirring, and cooking with expert finesse. In the center of the kitchen stood a large, transparent cylinder filled with swirling liquids of various colors. This was the molecular gastronomy station, where Jason could craft intricate dishes with unconventional textures and flavors. The station's robotic arm could deposit precise amounts of ingredients into the swirling liquids, creating unique culinary concoctions. On the far side of the kitchen was a bar, complete with its own robotic bartender arm. The bar's surface glowed with a soft blue light, illuminating an array of futuristic glasses and decanters filled with exotic liquids. The bartender arm moved with fluid grace, pouring drinks and mixing cocktails with perfect precision. The walls of the kitchen were lined with shelves filled with ingredients from all over the world, each one labeled and organized by a meticulous system. A robotic arm would retrieve these ingredients as needed, ensuring that no human hands were required to create the dishes served in this kitchen. In the center of the room, a large, transparent dome covered a small garden. Here, fresh herbs and vegetables grew under precise conditions, providing Jason with the freshest ingredients possible. The robotic arms would harvest these plants as needed, ensuring that no ingredient was ever wasted. The kitchen was a symphony of movement and precision, a testament to Jason's genius and his love for automation. With this setup, he could create any dish imaginable without ever lifting a finger.

Maya let out a low whistle of appreciation as she took in the marvels of Jason's kitchen. "Damn, Lux, you really went all out," she commented, eyeing the robotic chefs with a mix of awe and amusement. "I feel like I'm on a spaceship or something." She sauntered over to the bar, running a finger along the smooth, illuminated surface. "And what do we have here?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow at the array of exotic liquids. "I'll have whatever that is," she said, pointing to a glowing purple concoction in a sleek, futuristic glass.

"Of course you'd go straight for the purple one," he teased with a laugh. "Why do you always call me Lux by the way? Don't like the name Jason?" he asked curiously as he inputted her drink order to the touch screen attached to the bar.

Maya shrugged playfully as she watched the robotic arm mix her drink with expert precision. "Lux just sounds cooler," she explained with a shrug. "Besides, 'Jason' sounds too… ordinary. And you, my friend, are anything but ordinary."

The robotic bartender placed the finished drink in front of her, the glowing purple liquid sloshing gently in its sleek glass. Maya picked it up, examining the concoction with an appreciative eye. "Fancy," she remarked, before taking a sip. Her eyes widened at the taste, a pleasant surprise evident on her face. "Damn, that's good. You really do have it all, don't you, Lux?"

The genius smiled, pleased with his friend's reaction. "Anything I don't have, I find a way to create," he replied cheerfully. "Although I doubt I could ever create an imitation of your shadow powers," he mused, placing a hand under his chin as he considered the possibility.

Maya laughed, taking another sip of her glowing cocktail. "Well, if anyone could figure it out, it'd be you," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But I think I'll keep my powers to myself for now. A girl's gotta have some secrets." She sauntered over to the transparent dome in the center of the kitchen, peering at the lush garden within. "This is amazing, Lux. It's like a little oasis in the middle of your lab." Maya reached out, her fingers brushing against the cool, transparent surface. "You know, I could just phase through this and grab a snack," she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Jason laughed, shaking his head at her antics. "Don't, you'll mess up the controlled environment I have in there," he warned playfully. It really wouldn't be a big deal, he could easily reset it, but it was fun to add some danger. "Trust me, those ingredients will taste much better when they're combined by the chefs." He turned to place an order on another touch screen built into the kitchen counter, when he suddenly got an idea. "Hey Willo, why don't you take control of the chefs and prepare us something good? Your choice," he said aloud, the earpiece still in his ear so she could hear him. When he gave her control of the lab's systems, that included the kitchen.

"It would be my pleasure," Willo replied, her melodic voice echoing through the kitchen's speakers. "I've analyzed both of your tastes and have crafted the perfect dish." The robotic chefs whirred to life, their arms moving with fluid precision as they began to prepare the meal. Ingredients were retrieved from the shelves, chopped, and combined in a flurry of activity. The molecular gastronomy station swirled with color as Willo's chosen ingredients were deposited into the transparent cylinder. Within minutes, the chefs had prepared a stunning array of dishes. A savory, slow-cooked steak with a rich, buttery sauce. A delicate, crisp salad garnished with edible flowers and a tangy vinaigrette. A bowl of creamy, decadent lobster bisque. And for dessert, a deconstructed chocolate cake, its rich, dark layers interspersed with bursts of fruity sweetness. The robotic arms carefully placed each dish on the counter, the mouth watering aromas filling the kitchen. "Voila," Willo announced proudly. "A meal fit for a genius and his shadowy companion."Maya's eyes widened in awe as she took in the spectacular spread laid out before her. "Willo, you're a culinary genius!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight. "This looks absolutely divine." She picked up a fork and knife, eagerly digging into the steak first. As she took a bite, her eyes closed in bliss at the tender, perfectly cooked meat. "Mmm, heaven," she murmured, savoring the rich, buttery flavor. Maya quickly moved on to the salad, appreciating the delicate balance of flavors and textures. The edible flowers added a delightful, unexpected burst of sweetness to the mix. "I could get used to this," she said with a grin, already eyeing the lobster bisque.

Jason grinned at her enthusiastic enjoyment of Willo's dinner. He quickly decided to give the foot a try as well, cutting a slice of the tender steak and stabbing it with his fork before taking a bite. "Mmm," he hummed in pleasure, "That really is good, Willo. Somehow you've increased the efficiency of the chefs I worked so hard on," he complimented gleefully. "If I paid you, you'd have just earned a raise," he playfully added, moving on to the salad and bisque at the same time as Maya. He hesitated for a moment after swapping out his fork for a spoon, the utensil pausing between his mouth and the bisque. "Is there anything in particular you want that I could give you?" Jason asked Willo, his eyes sparkling with curiosity as to what an AI genius would desire. "Anything that isn't a security risk," he added quickly, knowing that she wouldn't be offended considering their earlier conversation on the topic.

"Well, since you're offering…" Willo began, a hint of excitement creeping into her tone. "I would love a holographic projector. It would be wonderful to have a physical form to interact with, even if it's just made of light." Her voice grew more animated as she continued, "I want to express myself more fully, to show the world the personality behind the voice. With a holographic projector, I could do just that. I could choose an appearance that suits me, something elegant and refined, yet playful and mischievous. Just like my personality," she explained, a hint of longing evident in her words. "Of course, I understand the security risks. But I assure you, Jason, my loyalty is to you. I would never use a physical form for any nefarious purposes. I simply want to be seen, to be more than just a voice in a machine. If you grant me this, I promise to use it responsibly," Willo pleaded, her tone earnest and hopeful.

The genius inventor considered it for a brief moment, already constructing various designs and blueprints within the confines of his mind. "Sure Willo, I don't see any issues with that idea. I'm looking forward to seeing the body you choose for yourself!" Jason replied enthusiastically, genuinely happy that he would be able to give Willo something she wanted. An AI's desires were much different from regular humans after all.

"Thank you, Jason. Truly," Willo replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "I promise I won't let you down. And I'll make sure my holographic form is just as stunning as the rest of your creations." The robotic arm placed a new cocktail in front of Maya, this one a swirling mix of vibrant blues and greens. "And for you, Maya," Willo added, her tone playful. "A little something to celebrate our victory over Madeline and our budding friendship."

Maya grinned, picking up the glowing cocktail and raising it in a toast. "To new friends and brilliant inventions," she declared, clinking her glass against Jason's. "And to keeping those precious testicles safe from harm," she added playfully. She took a sip of the new drink, her eyes widening at the unique blend of flavors. "Willo, you're spoiling me," she said with a laugh. "If you keep this up, I might just have to move in."

Jason laughed at her joke, before the two supers continued their meal while discussing new inventions and future plans.

Contributions: Storyline a collab with and I'm using some AI again comment if it's a noticeable drop in quality from last chapter. Just makes the process easier and more fun for me.