A break to prepare.
Several hours had passed since Peter and Nova's first mission together. Right now they had a small break until more leads showed up that could allow them to track down the rest of the rogue spectres. Nova was walking around, looking for her partner... who she still couldn't believe she was going to work with from now on. It's not that she hated him, she openly acknowledged that he was a capable Ghost. She just had a feeling that his sense of humor was going to drive her insane one day. And of course since he was her partner now, she could not have her memories of him wiped. Then again as long as he keeps his jokes to himself, she could live with that.
Nova sighed as she approached the room Peter was staying at and knocked on the door "Hey Parker. You in there?".
"The door is open" Peter answered from inside.
Nova entered to find Peter, without his mask on, sitting in front of an computer. His mask was hooked up to it and he seemed to be studying something "What are you doing?".
"Going over the footage of my fight with that Spectre commander. My mask has a built in recorder in case I need easy access to some info. The commander used a power I have not seen before. Look" Peter said as he pointed at the screen.
Nova looked at saw the man Peter had faced charge up some energy in his gloves and unleash it "What does this mean?".
"I have a theory but I can't say for sure. We need to bring this footage to a good friend of mine, he knows tech like the back of his hand. If anyone can figure out what that guy did, it's him" Peter answered.
"And who is this man?" Nova asked.
Peter stood up and put his mask back on "I think it's better if you met him in person. If you're interested".
Nova shrugs "Got nothing better to do and if he is as smart as you say, it should be worth paying him a visit".
Peter nods and they head for a lab. When they got inside Nova looked around and was practically amazed by all the stuff. This guy must be a big deal if their superiors are willing to fund all this.
Soon a man who seemed to be in his early sixties walked up "Ah, Peter. Good to see you again".
"You too doc" Peter said before turning to Nova "Nova, meet Dr Otto Octavius. His the head tech designer around here and the one who helped me developed my special suit. Cost a lot of money, but it was so worth it".
"Pleasure to meet you Dr Octavius. But I am afraid we are not here for a friendly chat, we got some footage from our last mission that Peter claims you can help us with" Nova said, cutting straight to the business.
"Straight to the point, I see. Upload the footage on to my computer here and I will have a look" Otto instructed. Peter did as told and Otto looked over the footage several times, studying it down to the smallest detail "Interesting...".
"What is it doc?" Peter asked.
"Well I can safely say that blast he fired of was pure psionic energy... but his suit. If my analogizes is correct, his suit allows him to harness and control his psonic energy perfectly, and focus it in to concentrated blast and allowing him full access to his powers without having to worry about them going out of control. Removing the needs for the dampeners most Ghosts uses to control their psionic power" Otto explained.
"I had a feeling it was something like that. But to make a suit like that would take some real tech and not to mention it would be very expensive" Peter said.
Nova thought for a moment "Come to think of it. A whole lot of credits was stolen these last few weeks. A different team was sent to investigate it so i don't know the details".
"I think it's safe to say the tech and money robberies are connected. They are using both to make their own weapons" Otto proclaimed "But that provides another question: Who could even be able to design such complex weapons and suits?".
"That is a good question. I think that man Peter faced might know the answer. But we need to find him" Nova said.
"And to do that, we need leads" Peter added "I think the best way to track him is to look for a pattern of the robberies and look through the data base for anyone that matches his description".
Nova looked at him for a moment "Wow... you are not nearly as stupid as I thought you were".
"I'll take that as a compliment" Peter said proudly.
Otto smiled at the exchange "I can see why you two were made partners. You work really well together. Well I will keep studying the suit and send you any information that could help you stop him".
"Thanks Doc, I rather not be in for anymore surprises with this guy" Peter said.
"Agreed. Come Parker, we got work to do" Nova ordered.
Peter playfully saluted "Yes ma'am".
Nova sighs "And please drop your humor".
Peter only chuckled as he and Nova left the lab to start their own investigation. Otto was still smiling, knowing those two would be perfect partners, even though they might not realize it yet. He hoped they would in time, given that the galaxy was growing more dangerous by the day, and it could need some heroes to help them through the hard times.
Finding their mystery man proved to be an interesting challenge. They did manage find a small pattern. Banks had only been robbed after at least 3 heists of the research facilities. Meaning they only robbed banks when they were running low on cash. This was a good step forward, but not nearly enough to track him down. It was beginning to look like the only way to find him was to wait for him to make the first move.
Something that Nova was not to happy about. Peter offered that they go get a drink to help level down until they get some solid info. Nova was not to interested in the idea, but once again she had nothing better to do so she agreed. Now they were sitting in the base's bar where they ordered some light drinks. As they were drinking some music was playing in the back round and several other ghosts and some terran marines where chatting. It was a rather normal day at the bar, outside a handful of bar fights, nothing really big happened.
Nova sighs "All that work and we still don't have any leads".
"I'm sure something will show up in time. They can't hide forever" Peter tried to assure his partner.
Nova was silent for a moment, until she remembered something she's been wondering about "So what's your story?".
"Huh?" Peter asked confused.
"How did you get involved in the Ghost Program? And how did you get your unique abilities?" Nova asked.
Peter tapped his glass with his finger, his silence was out of character for him "It's... a long story".
"Does it look like we're in a rush?" Nova pointed out.
"Good point... well where do I begin?" Peter asked himself more than anything.
"How about from the beginning?" Nova suggested.
Peter sighed "Very well. I was born on a small time planet outside the core worlds. My home was nothing fancy, but I still had a decent life there, along with my aunt and uncle".
"You lived with your aunt and uncle? What about your parents?" Nova asked.
Peter was silent for a moment "I never knew my parents".
"Oh. Sorry for asking" Nova apologized, though she knew all to well how it felt to lose her parents.
"It's ok. Anyway, when I was 15 I wandered of to find a good place to read. I was kind of a nerd back then" Peter said.
"You are kind of a nerd now" Nova said bluntly.
Peter gave her a small look before continuing "Anyway I found a place but as I was about to start to read, I noticed a cloud... it was Tarazine" Peter noticed Nova's surprised look "You know what Tarazine can do?" Nova nods and Peter continues "Well I was not exposed to it directly, however as I looked at it, some kind of spider like creature, who I assume has been living inside that cloud for a while, bit me in the hand. I did not notice the effects until I got home where I passed out in my bedroom. When I woke up, I somehow could do anything a spider can".
Nova gave him a look "So you're telling me that a simple bite from a bug allowed you to do all you can do now? No work or training at all?".
"Hey, not everyone have a super cool origin. But I did train to better understand my powers and use them effectively" Peter explained.
"Is that how you ended up in the Ghost Program? Because your unique abilities were discovered?" Nova asked.
"Kind of... but the reason I was discovered at all was because my home world was attacked by Zergs. My aunt and uncle where both killed before help could arrive. When it did I was scanned and when my abilities where discovered, they wanted to experiment on me. Luckily someone stepped in and I was offered a choice: Spend the rest of my life under a microscope, or become a Ghost... not much of a choice really" Peter finished explaining.
Nova let his words sink in before looking at her glass, so Peter was another victim of the zergs brutal attacks "I'm... sorry to hear that, Peter".
"Well would you look at that. You actually sounded human there" Peter quipped despite of his tragic past.
Nova glared at him "Don't get used to it punk. I was only taking pity on you, not that I care".
"Whatever you say Nova" Peter said with a small smile since he was sure that both knew that what Nova said was not entirely true.
There was silent for a moment until Nova got an idea "Spar with me".
Peter blinked and looked at her "Excuse me?".
"If we are going to function like a team, we need to be familiar with each other's strengths and weaknesses. Besides I want to see for myself what you can do. Knowing how the other fight can be crucial in the success of the mission" Nova explained.
"You sure about this? I don't want to hurt you" Peter said.
Nova looked offended "Are you saying I am weak?".
"No! Of course not!" Peter said with his hands up.
"Looks like you need to see what I can do too. Meet me in the training room in 15 minutes. Don't be late" Nova ordered as she left the bar.
"Geez, she is one scary lady" Peter said to himself. But he knew he was not getting out of this one so might as well get ready. He had heard how deadly Nova can be, and underestimating her would be a fatal mistake. So he better be ready for anything.
Later Peter arrived at the training room to see Nova was already there. She was dressed in a white tank top, black shorts that kind of hugged her back side and black combat gloves. She was already doing warm ups and Peter found himself admiring her a little. She was beautiful, despite her cold nature and she had some real muscles on her, despite her rather slink appearance. Not surprising given that Ghost's need to be in peek condition in order to handle their training and future missions. Peter watched Nova until she noticed him and stopped what she was doing.
"Good you're here. Let's get started" She said.
"And what exactly are we doing?" Peter asked.
"A pure hand to hand match. No weapons or whatever that stuff you fire out of your wrists are. Hand to hand is important since your fists could be your last line of defense when your weapons are useless" Nova explained.
"Understood, so how will we do it? Will we just go a few rounds?" Peter asked.
"No, the first one to get pinned losses" Nova said simply as she got in to her stance "Now show me what you can do Spider-Punk".
'Geez is she really that pissed?' Peter wondered before getting in to his own stance.
Both studied each other closely. Nova had a very solid stance, ready to react to whatever might come. Peter's stance was much more lose, which could allow him to adapt to whatever Nova might try to do. They stood like that for several moments before both finally made a move.
Nova's subsequent punches are then continuously blocked by Peter's forearms, until the two continue to exchange another major hit that sends them backwards.
Peter later dodges a barrage of punches while jumping in to the air, landing a downward axe kick that is blocked by Nova. She was stronger than she looked, even if he did hold back to no risk breaking a bone. He then leaps into the air to evade a low kick and the following high kick, before delivering a backwards somersault kick to his opponent.
After she lands on her feet, Nova immediately launches herself towards Peter and attempts to launch several strong punches at the Spider-Ghost, who continues to block with his arms, before the two exchange another kick. Peter then forces Nova back by striking the back of her knee, before forcing her away with another downward kick.
Nova managed to avoid the kick, but Peter uses the momentum to spin in the air, balance himself on one hand, and land two more kicks to Nova, who continues to block the attacks, though with a bit of effort on her part. A tornado kick with his right leg, followed by pivoting his leg for a second kick, forced Nova back.
"You are good" Nova commented.
Peter smirked "You haven't seen anything yet"
Peter's next series of punches forces Nova on the defensive, until he jumps upwards, and strikes her in the chest. He then recovers from his perfect split landing and rushes in, only to suffer three strong blows from Nova's fists; the first to repel his right leg, the second an uppercut to his chin, and the third aimed at his torso.
After he falls flat on the ground, he is forced to back-flip away from a stomp to his head. He slid behind her and noticed something and smirked "You know, I haven't noticed until now that you have a really nice ass".
"Wh-what!?" Nova said, her face turning red.
Peter took the chance to kick her legs out from under her and got on top of her, pinning her down with his enhanced strength. Nova glared at him, clearly feeling humiliated.
"What was that?" She demanded.
"Sometimes words can be the deadliest weapons. And you fell for my charm. Literally" Peter said in a joking tone.
Nova huffs "So what now? Is this the part where you have your way with me? Or do I need to beg you to take me?".
Now it was Peter's turn to blush "Wh-what? Well I, ummm... I-".
He was unable to finish his sentence as he did not notice he had loosened his grip just enough for Nova's knee to go in to his gut, allowing her to flip over until she was on top, pinning him by putting her forearm on his neck, while her other arm was pulled back with her hand balled in to a fist.
"Now that... was a dirty move" Peter said.
"There are no rules on the battlefield punk. I do whatever it takes to get the job done. If you are going to have any hope of surviving as my partner, you will remember that fact" Nova said, her tone cold and showing she meant every word.
"Alright alright I got it. Can I get up now? Or are you enjoying being on top?" Peter asked.
Nova sat up, but did not get of him "And what if I do? I am not the kind of woman who can be pushed down".
Peter gulps "Noted".
Nova leans in getting real close to Peter's face "Tell me Parker. Have you ever been with a woman like me before?... Or have you ever been with a woman at all?".
Peter got wide eyes "What!? Of course I have!... Well kind of. I mean I sat next to them in school and-".
"Stop talking, I don't want people to think I've been partnered with an idiot. Not good for my reputation" Nova said, though she was smirking "But I can tell you have no experience with women. I could teach you".
Peter was utterly speechless. Sure he did think Nova was beautiful, gorgeous even, but he never expected her to be the one to make a move like this. All Peter could do was to wait for her to do something.
Nova suddenly got of him, a victory smirk on her face "Gotcha! Now you know how it feels to be teased. Well it was a good match, we will need to have more in the future though. Make sure you don't lose your touch".
With that Nova walked away without a word. Peter stayed on the floor for several moments, thinking of what just happened. He often used jokes and quips in battle to distract his enemies and make them angry and sloppy. It was a very useful strategy that always bought him enough time to figure out a plan. He never expected to have his own strategy turned against him.
"She beat me at my own game... man that was embarrassing" He mumbled in defeat.
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Tell me what you think.