Author's Note: I posted this story a couple of days ago, but then I decided to retool the format a little bit. The reason being that I wanted to make sure this little venture did not become a headache, and remained as much fun as it currently is. So, from this point on the chapters will be about the same length as this first chapter.
As always, I encourage each and everyone of you guys to review or comment on each chapter. That way I know I'm doing a good job, and that you guys are still interested in the story. Thanks Again, and Happy Reading!
Every seat in Oscorp's main conference room was occupied this day. In the air there lingered a feeling of anticipation, and for good reason. Today marked a momentous occasion in the company's long history.
A man in a dark blue suit stood at the head of the long conference table. There is not a lot known about this particular man, who everyone calls Mr. Starr. Everyone at Oscorp knew only two things for certain about the mysterious man: 1.) That he was Norman Osborne's right-hand, and 2.) That it was most unwise to cross Mr. Starr.
But none of that really mattered. Not today anyway. This particular meeting of Oscorps' Division heads was to be centered on someone even more impressive than he.
Everyone in attendance sat listening as Mr. Starr went through the usual opening graces and pleasantries associated with a meeting of this type. It's basically the same boring nonsense they've all heard a thousand times at these gatherings, but no one would dare to speak out against it or Mr. Starr.
"And now…" Mr. Starr said at long last. "On behalf of Mr. Osborn himself, I would like to introduce Oscorp's newest partner." Everyone sitting at the table sat up straighter than before in anticipation of finally meeting their guest of honor.
"Dr. Otto Octavius."
The doors at the head of the room opened wide. A tall lean-looking man stepped through them. He was clean-cut in appearance. He wore a light colored suit and dark shades over his eyes. His hair was brown and neatly cropped to fit the shape of his head. His mere presence gave off an air of power and intelligence.
Everyone clapped excitedly as the man shook hands with Mr. Starr, who then proceeded to take a place near the back of the room. Octavius then approached the head of the table.
He smiled, and then gave a slight bow before his peers. Then he removed his sunglasses, and stowed them in his coat pocket. "Thank you all, and thank you Mr. Starr." He says humbly. Mr. Starr only nodded, his face rather expressionless, and then motioned for Octavius to continue.
"I'd like to start by saying how excited I am at having the opportunity to work with all of you. It is truly an honor to be here. You are some of the world's brightest minds." Octavius began. A slight glimmer was visible in his eyes as he spoke. "I see great things in store for this company. Great things indeed." He continued.
Every person who sat at the long table seemed to hang on Octavius' every word. Octavius spoke with such gusto and conviction that it was hard not to believe every word that crossed his lips.
"I see a company with the potential to ultimately change the world…for the better. I see a future where our research benefits all mankind for millennia to come."
Several people leaned forward in their seats, eagerly absorbing every word of Octavius' speech. "Some would have you believe that such visions of utopia are nothing more than mere fantasy, but I say together…We can make that fantasy into a reality."
Everyone in the room stood and clapped for the tall man who stood at the head of the table. His words alone have renewed their vigor, and filled them with a passion that many of them have not known for some time.
At the back of the room Mr. Starr stood staring intently at the clean-cut man just recently hired to Oscorp by his boss—Norman Osborne. He held just the tiniest trace of a sneer on his face. If only the rest of them knew the things that this man knew.
Six Years Later…
Peter Parker glanced down at his cell phone. 9:20 am. He was late, again, and he was sure that he'd be shot for it this time.
He quickly dashed for the edge of the rooftop he stood on, and upon reaching the edge raised his arm into the air. He clenched a fist and a line of web burst forth from his wrist-mounted web shooters.
He expertly pulled himself around a narrow corner, and landed against the side of an apartment building just a block away from Midtown High. He could clearly see the huge brick building looming just out of his reach.
Gwen's gonna kill me for sure this time.
He pulled himself through the air once more using web line after web line until he finally landed, with a thud, atop the Midtown High school building moments later. "Finally, just-"
The bell signaling the start of second period rang out across the schoolyard, and at once Peter let out a defeated groan. He let his shoulders slump forward a bit, and gave a slight shake of his head. "-Made it…so close." He says aloud with a groan.
I'm toast.
Moments later Peter slinked quietly into Mr. Kraczinski's Biology class, books in hand, hoping to go unnoticed by the usually grumpy teacher.
He was nearly there, and could see the beautiful face of his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, twisted up into a scowl of sorts. Then the sudden sound of a throat clearing froze him in his tracks.
"Mr. Parker." The familiar, raspy voice sounded across the room. "Late again are we?"
Peter turned around slowly, and gave the teacher a sheepish look. "Sorry, Mr. Kraczinski. Won't happen again, I promise." Peter tried.
"Hmph." The teacher scoffed lightly, with an arched brow. "I've heard that one before." He grumbled. "Very well then. Please, take your seat Mr. Parker, so we can begin."
"Yes sir." Peter said with a nod. He turned around, and made a quick beeline for the desk directly behind Gwen's near the center of the room.
"You're late." Gwen whispered out of the corner of her mouth as he took his seat behind her.
"Sorry." He whispered apologetically. "Long story. I'll explain later."
"Let me guess," Gwen said, shifting her weight to one side. "A job for Spider-Man no doubt."
"Well, Superman was running a little late." Peter replied, with a smirk. Gwen rolled her eyes at her boyfriend.
"Whatever." She retorted, and then turned her attention back to the lesson that their teacher had just started into.
Peter started to open his textbook to the page indicated by the scribblings on the blackboard, but then something popped him in the side of the head.
He looked up in the direction of the barely audible snickering that followed, and unsurprisingly found Flash Thompson staring back at him with a ridiculously goofy expression painted across his face.
"What!" Flash threw back with a grin. His smile never faded from his lips. "You got a problem Parker!"
Peter started to answer Flash's taunt, but Gwen intervened before he could get too far into it. "Just ignore him." Gwen whispered back to Peter.
"Easier said than done." Peter replied quietly, as he turned his head back to the blackboard. This was just the beginning of another day in the life of Peter Parker.
Meanwhile, across town a secret meeting was taking place between the head of Oscorp himself, Norman Osborne, and his chief executive Mr. Starr.
The penthouse suite that occupied the top two floors of the Oscorp Tower, was a place rarely seen by anyone outside the Osborne family. Thus far, Mr. Starr was the only outsider allowed access.
Norman Osborne stood behind a dressing screen in the master bedroom portion of the suite. "Status report, Mr. Starr." Norman called from behind the screen.
Mr. Starr stood in the room with his back turned to the screen. "We're ahead of schedule, Sir." The man in the dark blue suit replied evenly. "Nearly everyone on the guest list has RSVP'd for the opening tomorrow evening."
"Nearly everyone?" Norman questions, his figure behind the screen seeming frozen in place momentarily.
"Yes sir."
"Someone has declined my invitation?" Norman questioned his assistant further.
"The Keller's have declined, and so has Dr. Monroe." Mr. Starr reported. "Mr. Keller did send his apologies, however. Claimed he had to attend his daughter's wedding in Maine."
"Wedding indeed." Norman scoffed, as he reached for a coat that hung from a knob on the wall behind the screen. "What about Monroe? What was his excuse?"
"He gave no excuse, Sir." Mr. Starr replied.
"I see," Norman replied under his breath. Norman Osborne finally stepped out from behind his dressing screen, and stood facing Mr. Starr directly.
Norman Osborne held himself well in the presence of others, but the tiniest creases in his features betrayed the underlying illness, which he made every effort to keep hidden.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Mr. Starr asked, and for once his voice seemed to soften just so.
Norman gave just the slightest of sighs. "Like I'm running out of time." He replied, with a shake of his head. "And this…Expo, is just a waste of what's left." He added. There was the slightest sag visible in Norman's shoulders as he stood before Mr. Starr.
"We are so close to a cure, Sir." Mr. Starr replied. "But the board of directors…they're threatening everything we've worked for."
"Yes, I know." Norman replied in agreement.
"The Oscorp Expo is a way of restoring their faith in us…in You. We need their funding if our research is to continue. The Expo will ensure their continued support." Mr. Starr explained.
"I hope you are right." Norman told Mr. Starr.
"When have I ever been wrong?" Mr. Starr replied with a slight smirk.
...TBC...