Chapter 6: The Doctor Will See You Now

Solid Spider turned his attention to someone he actually could help. He knocked gently on the locker door. "Is it… over?" Came the apprehensive voice within. "So you plan on staying in there all day? I did after all just save your life." The door slowly slid open. "You're not one of them?" "No. I prefer to work alone." The door was fully opened giving Spider a better look at the former hostage. At almost his height Miguel Emmerich seemed fit enough. Judging by his complexion Spider wondered if he had any Hispanic heritage. He began to walk out of the locker favoring his left leg with each step. "Are you hurt?" "Oh. Not really. Just twisted my ankle trying to get away." Emmerich then sat down. "So you're the Metal Gear chief engineer, Miguel Emmerich, right?" His fist landed hard on the desk nearby. Judging by his shock at the impact Spider figured Emmerich had not planned on hitting the console that hard. "You must've spoke with Mr. Osborn. He never did know any of us who worked under him personally. He only read the file names. Emmerich is my father's last name. I prefer to go by mother's last name O'Hara!" "I'd also heard about you from M.J." His face became a little flushed and he seemed happier. "Oh! You're here to rescue me!" "Sorry but no. Not yet anyway. First I need some information about Sentinel Gear." "Okay. What can I help you with?" Spider leaned against the nearby console his arms folded across his chest and began. "What is Sentinel designed for?" O'Hara seemed confused. "It's… a mobile TMD or theater missile defense. It's for shooting down nuclear missiles. It's purely a defensive weapon." Spider was on O'Hara instantly and holding him up by his jacket. "Liar! I already know Sentinel Gear is nothing more than a nuclear-equipped, abnormal human killing, walking engine of death!" "N-nuclear? What are you talking about?" "The terrorists are planning to use Sentinel Gear to launch a nuke. You saying you weren't aware of it?" "They plan on putting a dismantled warhead on X?" Spider's fury flared as he gripped the jacket tighter. "Wrong! From the very beginning this entire exercise was to test Sentinel Gear's nuclear launch capability using a dummy warhead! The Sinister Six are merely continuing the work you started!"

"No! You're wrong!" In response Spider dropped him back into the chair. "I heard it directly from your boss, Mr. Harry Osborn himself." O'Hara looked as if he had been punched. "No… a nuclear missile aboard X?" Spider's gambit had produced a result. He wanted to know where exactly Emmerich, or he should say O'Hara stood when it came to the new Sentinel Gear. The look of bewilderment said it all. "So… you really didn't know." "No. All the armament was built by separate departments. President Osborn supervised the final assembly of the main unit." O'Hara had his hands holding his head as if the weight of the world was upon his head. After a moment he said "I was never actually told what they armed X with, I know its equipped with lasers in its eyes, a Vulcan cannon and a rail gun." "A rail gun?" "It uses magnets to fire bullets at high velocities. Though the systems was developed for the SDI system it was inevitably scrapped. We were successful in miniaturizing it in a joint venture between Oscorp and Orcale National Labs. The rail gun deploys from X's right forearm." "Sentinels Gear's primary function is the extermination of any life not completely human…. even if it means firing a nuclear missile to do it. You sure you're not forgetting something?" O'Hara rubbed the stubble on his chin in thought. "It's true X has missile pods on its back and shoulders that can carry up to eight missiles each but according to you're telling me its original function was to fire nuclear missiles?"

This time it was Spider's turn to pause. "Yeah but that's not all I think. If Sentinel Gear only fired conventional warheads then they'd have all the data they needed. " "Oh Shock! I'd heard Oracle had been developing a new type of warhead inside of a virtual testing environment." Spider nodded now understanding. " But you can't use virtual data on a real battlefield." He finished O'Hara's thought. "You'd need actual launch data. That's what this exercise was all about." O'Hara began to punch the console swearing with each blow. Spider began to notice Dr. O'Hara was using words that he didn't recognize. "Damn!" :wam: "Shock!" :wam: "Grife!" :wam: "Slag!" :wam: His hand was beginning to get bruised.

"Calm down will you!"
"Don't you see? It's all my fault!"

O'Hara wiped some tears away from his face. "I used to think I could use science to help mankind! In the end I wind up getting used! Using science to help mankind is the sort of thing you only see in movies!" Spider grabbed O'Hara by the shoulders. "That's enough crying! Pull yourself together! Where is Sentinel Gear? Where on this base are they keeping it?" "X is in the underground maintenance base to the North of the communications tower which if I'm honest is a long way." "The emergency override is there too?" "Of course. It's in the maintenance base control room. Though I'd hurry if I were you. If a launch was their original plan from the onset their ballistic program is probably finished. Since I haven't been called for in a few hours I guess they must not need me. It's possible they could be ready to launch!" "MJ's got the detonation override keys. We'll meet up with her." O'Hara looked into the web masked face of Spider as if coming to a realization. "If we can't override that code we may have to destroy X. Come on. I'll show you the way."

"You'll only slow me down." Spider scoffed.
"You're going to need me if you're going to destroy X!"
"I don't need you, just your brain."
"Since I created X it's my right… my duty to destroy him."

Spider shook his head dismissively. "If you can get the chance get away. When the coast is clear I'll contact you by Codec." Dr. O'Hara frowned. "How exactly do you propose I escape from an island?" It was Spider's turn to frown. "Shit you got me there, Doctor." "Please my friends call me Miggy." "Miggy?" "Yes. I know it sounds silly but it's an old nickname from childhood that kind of stuck with me." "Alright then, Miggy I want you to stay out of sight and hide somewhere. I'll need you to keep me informed. I figure you have extensive knowledge about this place." "Naturally. Don't worry. I know of a good place to hide." "Okay. But I'd like MJ to look after you." Spider then made the Codec call.

"MJ… Dr. O'Hara is okay."
"O'Hara?" "Yeah. Oh sorry. You know him by Dr. Emmerich but her prefers O'Hara or Miggy."
"Miggy?"
"Long story MJ. I'd like you to look after him. Where are you now?"
"Very close… oh shit!" Spider then heard voices of the guards nearby and then the Codec went dead.

"Something's wrong." "I heard something. Sounded like some kind of music." Spider fished within one of his pouches and produced Harry Osborn's Codec. "I need to find her. Use this to keep in contact." Miggy nodded. "How will you find her?" "Not sure if I'm honest. She's disguised as a Next Gen soldier. Needle, meet hay stack!"
"Not really, Spidey! If you give it some thought there is only one place where you'll be able find her!" "What do you mean?"
Miggy looked at Spider as if he had something on his mask. "Seriously?"
Spider shrugged. "What?"
Miggy shook his head. "Here take my level four card."

As Spider accepted the card something occurred to him. "Miggy… you feeling alright?" "What?" "No pain suddenly welling up or anything?" "What? Why do you ask?" "Sorry. It's just everyone I save today for some reason suddenly dies of a heart attack." "Perhaps you're bad luck?" Taking the jibe in stride Spider shook it off. "Forget it Miggy! Anyway keep yourself out of trouble and hang on to that Codec!" "I will Spidey! See you later! Oh and thank you!" Spider nodded in reply but if his mask was off Miggy would see him smile. Meanwhile Miggy grabbed some materials from the bins near him and made his way out of the room. If what he had in mind worked he could be a lot bigger help to Solid Spider than just intel.

Nuclear Warhead Storage Building, First Floor Basement
13 Hours Until Deadline

Spider made his way back through the hallways to the elevator and rode it up one level. Once the doors parted and he was sure the coast was clear he crawled on the wall and onto the ceiling. He noticed the floors in this area were more polished and lavish than any other area he had visited thus far. For example rather than just metal plating the floor here was polished marble. Spider looked down and saw that on either side of the elevator were his and her bathrooms. Now he had an idea what Miggy had meant when he gave him that look. Seriously! Spider thought. Keeping his feet and knees attached to the ceiling Spider accessed his radar and saw there were at least four objects moving on patrol. As with any protocol they would have to adhere to a set amount of time before having to visit the rest room if they had to. Spider decided to continue to wait up on the ceiling where the shadow could conceal him.

After a few minutes some Next Gen soldiers began to go one at a time to the bathroom. After waiting for three obvious males to come and go one final soldier made her way to the ladies restroom. Spider made a point to stealthily follow her in. Try as he might to avoid it he could not help once again but notice how shapely a backside Mary Jane had. He was already aware of the fact he was attracted to the feisty red head but he had attempted to set it aside so as to complete the mission. He had successfully followed her into the Ladies room and snuck carefully through the door and burst the door open on the stall she was using. His spider sense issued a small warning prompting Solid Spider to aim both of his web shooters as Mary Jane Silverburgh produced a fifty caliber Desert Eagle pointed at his masked head. "Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not polite to sneak up on a lady while she's changing?" "Funny. I was raised by my Uncle Ben… so no. So you're MJ? There is no way you could pass for a man for long!" "What do you mean? Wait a second! Men aren't allowed in here!" "I had no idea you were so… feminine." They both chuckled. "This is hardly the time nor the place to hit on me, Webs! Besides if the psych eval is to be believed it's a waste of time. When I joined up they gave me psychotherapy to destroy my interest in men." Spider tilted his head. "If that's true I have to say that'd be a terrible disappointment to mankind!" Mary Jane did not offer a reply but she did have a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her lips. She lowered her pistol and returned it to its holster. Spider once more found his eyes inexplicably drawn to her body. He had managed to intrude on her just as she was changing so she was only wearing her tank top, sports bra covering her ample bosom, and her underwear. He could tell she was fit and liked to keep in shape. As she turned to face him she smiled at him with her hands on her very shapely hips. "Unless you intend to use those you can put them away. After all I did put mine away." Spider then noticed he had not put his arms down and still had his web shooters pointed at her. Feeling slightly embarrassed Spider stood and spun on his heels giving her some privacy.

Within moments she was now dressed in a pair of Flecktarn camouflage pants, her tank top, and a small matching jacket. "Glad to see you're okay." Spider replied. "What do you expect? Was dressed like a Next Gen Soldier!" "True but why'd you change? You'd be better off dressed as one of them!" "I got tired of disguising myself!" She replied dismissively. After a few moments of silence Mary Jane seemed to let her confident demeanor drop as she made her way to the bathroom mirror and she replied. "Well to be honest the uniform smelled like blood." "Are you hurt? What's that on your arm?" Mary Jane frowned then looked to what he was referring to. "Oh this? It's a paint tattoo, not a real one. I was a fan of SHIELD from back in the day… when men like you and my uncle were in it. None of that gene therapy or soldier upgrading like there is today. You guys were real heroes." Spider leaned on the nearby stall. "There are no heroes in war. Only heroes I know are either dead or in prison." "But Webs you're a hero, aren't you?" Spider inhaled sharply. All he could recall were his past battles and what he had lost. "If I'm honest Mary Jane… I'm not much of a hero. I'm just a man who is good at what he does but not good enough when it mattered the most to me. I've failed to protect anyone I care about the most. It's part of the reason why I wear this mask. If no one knows who I am, they can't hurt who I care about the most. In the end the only winners in war are the people."

"That's right! And you fight for the people!" Spider did not know how to reply so instead he changed the topic. "Why didn't you contact me?" "My Codec got broken." She answered with a shrug. "Is that the only reason?" Somewhat put off by Spider's pressing question Mary Jane folded her arms across her chest. "Shouldn't you just be happy we met up like this? How did you recognize me anyway?" "Well… I never forget a lady." This caused Mary Jane's left eyebrow to be raised. "Oh really? So there's something you like about me, is there?" "Well yes. What's not to like?" Spider replied motioning to all of Mary Jane. She chuckled. "You sure know how to make a lady feel special there Webs. First my eyes, now this. Have to say I'm looking forward to whatever's next." Spider's demeanor turned stern. "Sadly on the battlefield we don't have room to think about what's next."

Mary Jane seemed shaken by this remark. She returned to look at the mirror. "I don't use makeup like other women do. I hardly ever look at myself in the mirror. When I was young everyone told me I was beautiful and I should be a model but I always dreamed of being a soldier. Seems I was wrong. It wasn't really my dream. My father… he was killed in action when I was a lot younger." Spider nodded in understanding. "You wanted to follow in your father's footsteps. I have an idea what that's like." But Mary Jane shook her head. "Not really. I just thought if I became a soldier… I may be able to understand him better." "Okay. You're a soldier now, what do you think." "Well I thought I was until today. Now I think I've realized the truth. I've been afraid of looking at myself…. afraid to make my own decisions in life. I refuse to lie to myself anymore. It's time to take a long hard look at myself… I want to know who I am and what I'm capable of. I want to know the reason why I've lived the way I've lived until now." Mary Jane leaned her head down and let the tears flow from her eyes into the sink. Spider placed his hand on her right shoulder. "You may not get another chance like this for a while. Take however much time you need but above all else remember: This isn't a training exercise. Our lives are riding on this. There are no heroes or heroines. Losing isn't really an option." Mary Jane nodded in reply and began to wash her face. A moment later she looked ready to take on anything.

This time it was Mary Jane's turn to change the subject. "So any news on how the negotiations are going?" Spider shook his head. "So it's just all up to you then? Seems heavy handed if you ask me." "Hey somebody has to stop them from launching a nuclear missile!" Something then clicked in Spider's memory. "Osborn mentioned you had the override card keys. Do you still have them." She nodded and removed a small disc. "Is this what you meant? I found it a little odd you said keys." "There are supposed to be three of them!" Mary Jane shrugged. "This is all I got from him." Spider placed the small disc into another free pouch. "Where could the other two be?" "No idea but they must be here somewhere. Either we find those keys or destroy Sentinel Gear." "Miggy said Sentinel Gear is in an underground maintenance base to the North of here." "Right. Let's get going!" "You can't be serious. You don't have enough battle experience." Mary Jane picked up a rifle she had leaned against the nearby wall and slung it over her shoulder. She then produced her Desert Eagle. "I'll be fine." "Where did you get that?" "Like it? I found these two in the armory. This is a PSG-1 and this is a fifty caliber action express." "You sure you can…" Spider began but was cut off. "Look I've used a gun like this since I was eight years old! I'm more comfortable with this than I am with a bra!" In several deft moves she ejected the clip as well as the bullet in the chamber. Just as quickly she replaced the bullet back into the magazine returned the clip back into the base of the weapon and pulled the receiver back loading the bullet into the chamber. It was almost too quick to process. Spider took the hint and did not reply. Instead he opted for calling her uncle.

"Colonel. Mary Jane is okay."
"Thank goodness."
"Thank ME!" Spider corrected. "Besides we can't exactly relax just yet."
"I know."
"Have to say your niece is quite a woman…"
"Don't even finish that thought you webbed menace!" Spider chuckled. "As your commander I can't officially ask you to watch out for her…"
"Duty first?"
"Maybe I was wrong to send my own flesh and blood into war…"
"Trust me she understands about duty and responsibility."
"I know she does…"
"But I'm wondering what is the real purpose of this exercise?" "I told you before I don't know. I'm just the middleman."
"The military is monitoring this transmission, aren't they?" "Naturally."
"I get it. `All the world's a stage', right?" "Yeah but even players can influence the play."
"Let's see if we can prevent a bad ending then." He then ended the call.

Once done with his call Mary Jane spoke again. "Now then if we're going to go North we'll need to go through the Commander's Room on this floor. The door out of his office is a level five card. This will open it. I found it in the guard's uniform." Spider wondered what it was that their former jailer could have been guarding to carry such a high level card. Mary Jane moved bringing his attention back to reality. "I know this place better than you so I'll take point. Follow me." They both moved carefully out of the women's rest room. MJ with her Desert Eagle raised while Spider examined his radar to find no contacts. "Odd. A patrol should be along right now." "My radar doesn't show any contacts either." Spider fired a web line into the ceiling. He then quickly grabbed MJ and swung into the air. In one swift move they had web swung around the corner and almost to the door leading to the Commander's Room. Mary Jane began to hold her head in pain. "Ugh. It… hurts…" "What's wrong?" "Don't come here, Webs!" She urged him back. MJ seemed to be waging a small battle against an unseen force but then she seemed unnaturally calm. "Is everything all right?" Spider asked. "I'm fine." She replied. Spider noticed her voice was different. It was the voice of Mary Jane Silverburgh however it sounded clipped with a slight German accent. "MJ?" "I said I'm fine. Come on Mr. SHIELD Agent. The Commander is waiting." She then began to walk forward as if in a daze. Spider began to suspect something was wrong as she led him into the next room.

The Commander's room was more opulent than Spider was expecting. At the center of it sat a large wooden desk with all the usual peripherals needed for office work. Behind the desk was a large painting of a sunset from the Midwest. To the left of that was a bookcase almost bursting with leather-bound books. Wonder if any of them have even been opened. Spider wondered. On columns around the room were busts of famous leaders from the past. Spider noticed one of them was former Director of SHIELD Nick Fury. He began to wonder about this Commander. His spider sense blaring a warning brought his attention to see Mary Jane was facing him her Desert Eagle pointed at his head once more.

"Spider… Do you like me?" Her voice cooed but her face contradicted it. It was devoid of any passion. "Say what?"
"It's not a difficult question. Quick Spidey hold me!"
"Whoa, whoa WHOA there lady!"
"Hurry! Oh hurry! Make love to me!"
Spider noticed the German accented voice take the place of Mary Jane's despite her urging. It said "I WANT YOU!"

Without thinking Spider activated the Codec but used the wrong frequency since Miggy answered. "Hey Spider. What's up?"
"It's MJ! She's acting not like herself!"
"Huh. Sounds like it may be Doctor Octavius! You know that SHIELD guy with psychic powers!" "Yeah. Psycho Octopus! If he's here though I can't see him."
Miggy seemed to chuckle. "If he has what I think he does he's more clever than we thought…" "What are you talking about?"
"Well I've been developing what I like to call Optic Camouflage. It's the ultimate form of concealment. It works by bending the light around the user in such a way that they're rendered somewhat invisible."
"Somewhat?"
"Yeah. I couldn't figure out how to hide body heat. It's because of that one flaw that the units weren't massed produced. I had some prototypes but those SHIELD guys must've taken them."
"So my infrared lenses can smoke him out. Thanks Miggy. I owe you one!"

The second Spider ended the call he switched his masks lenses to infrared and sure enough he saw a multicolored form floating behind Mary Jane. Spider noticed at least four other arms that seemed to be reaching out from the form and grasping her arms, neck, and head. Not wasting any time Spider aimed his web shooters at Mary Jane but at the last possible second fired a web blast into the forms face. The strange arms seemed to release Mary Jane and she fell to the floor like a marionette with its strings cut.

The floating figure was now visible and struggling against Spider's webbing. "Nice stolen Optic Camo., Doc. I hope this isn't you're only trick!" The webbing then seemed to be ripped apart by some invisible force. Spider then got a very good look at the man he had heard of named Otto Octavius. His hair was cut in an old bowl cut and his visor covered his eyes almost like a diving mask. His uniform looked as if it were armor of some sort. "You! You dare doubt my power?! Now I will show you why I am the most powerful practitioner of psychokinesis and telepathy in the world!" "Yes but can you do this?" Spider then attempted to pat his head and rub his stomach only to fail. He did not improve after two more attempts. "Crap. I used to be good at that!" "I wouldn't mock me were I in your position…. Mr. Parker!" Spider felt as if his mask had just been ripped off his head. An evil sneer crossed the doctor's face. "You see? There's no need for words, you useless bug! I am Psycho Octopus! This is indeed no trick, this is true power! I can read your every thought." He floated in silence for a moment then said "You feel conflicted Peter Parker. Between the Cat you couldn't save and the woman who may suffer the same fate! Am surprised you have already developed feelings for this girl. Are you aware of the age difference?" Without thought Solid Spider fired two web lines from his web shooter at two opposite points of the office. "Has your anger affected your aim?" stretching the web lines taut he let go. Using them like a sling-shot Spider hurled himself towards his opponent but with a condescending laugh Octopus vanished from sight moving safely out of the way of Spider's blow.

Spider switched his masks lenses instantly to infrared again and followed the psychic's movements around the room. Noticing he also began to move every object in the room that was not nailed down as well while all the while laughing. Spider leapt from one spot in the room to the next aided by the warnings of his spider sense to avoid danger to land only a single punch. The blow sent Octavius backward a few inches.
"Laugh that off, Legs!"
"A strong show of force. Well done. You are powerful indeed!"
"Trust me you haven't seen anything yet!"
"Speaking of…" Once more Psycho Octopus activated the Optic Camouflage.

Still using his infrared Spider followed the movements of his enemy and was going to attack again when Octopus reached out with his strange tentacles grabbing Mary Jane again. Out of curiosity he switched his lenses back to normal and saw Mary Jane being forcibly lifted but not by anything. He switched it back to infrared and saw the tentacles do as they did previously. MJ's gun arm was raised with Desert Eagle in hand. His spider sense warned him of the shots prior to them being fired so he managed to successfully dodge them. This brought riotous laughter from Octavius. "Oh this is fantastic, Mr. Parker! Look at the conflict which gives you pause now! Tell me what would your Uncle Ben say?" The fact Octavius could read his mind frustrated Spider however the mentioning of his Uncle Benjamin Parker caused him to become incensed. However he recalled the teaching of his mentor Master Murdock: Anger can be like a sword. An effective weapon when used with skill but useless when slashing blindly without thought.

Spider focused his thoughts and used his webbing to pull the Desert Eagle out of Mary Jane's grip sending it clattering to the floor. He then bounced off the desk and sailed through the air landing on top of Psycho Octopus. The two opponents landed hard on the marble floor and Solid Spider making sure Octopus took the full force of the landing. He then wasted no time in landing punch after punch to Octopus's head. His rage found a target at last with each landed punch but made a point to relent learning from his mistake earlier with Mysterious Decoy. Seizing the chance he had Spider fired two blasts of impact webbing only to have them be ripped to shreds just before they even came close to touching Octopus. "Well met Mr. Parker! You've focused your rage! Your Uncle would be proud! But let's see if history can repeat itself. I know your weakness you see! Ms. Silverburgh! Stand where Mr. Parker can see you…. So he can see me blow your brains out!" The Desert Eagle and MJ herself were lifted off the ground and pulled towards Octopus. "WEBS!" She cried. Good idea! Spider thought as once more he fired a line from his web shooter attaching it to the gun. The result was the beginning of a battle of wills between Solid Spider and Psycho Octopus. Spider could feel his muscles begin to strain against the strong grip of the psychic tentacle. Octopus began laughing again as MJ writhed in his grip. Deciding not to think Spider pulled a little harder then allowed the tentacle to bring the gun to Octopus using the tentacles pull to reel himself to the weapon. So now both Psycho Octopus and Solid Spider had their hands on Mary Jane's fifty caliber pistol and were wrestling for control of the weapon. Though Spider was using every ounce of his spider enhanced strength the gun's barrel was still slowly turning towards her head. Then from out of nowhere Mary Jane herself reached out for the gun adding her strength to the struggle. Beads of sweat began roll down Octopus's face as he pressed harder with his own will and abilities. Inch by inch the combined strength of MJ and Spider was moving the gun back slowly to face Psycho Octopus. "How?" He asked through clenched teeth. "You may be able to read minds Octavius, but you lack when it comes to knowledge of the human spirit!" With an amazon yell Mary Jane wrapped her hand around the grip and she began to pull the trigger over and over. The Desert Eagle sounded loudly in everyone's ears.

Still holding the weapon in both their hands Solid Spider and Mary Jane had to rest while they allowed their heads to clear and to recover strength. After a few moments Spider walked over to see the result. The first bullet had grazed Octopus's forehead shattering half of his visor. The others seemed to follow the couple's downward plummet as MJ was released from the mind control. There was an array of bullets from his chest down to his knee. Mary Jane seemed stunned as she held the still smoking gun in her hand. It had been the first time she had fired a gun at someone so Spider knew she was in shock. He decided to leave her alone for the time being. It was now time to update the Colonel.

"Triple J. Mary Jane will be fine."
"Thank you Spider. That's another one I owe you." "I'll add it to your already extensive tab. Anyway now that Octopus is beaten his brainwashing will wear off, right Mayday?"
"Yes. I'm amazed at how far you'd go to save her. Was it for Jameson's sake or was Octavius right in that you like her?" "I don't want to see anyone die right in front of me. Not now or ever again. It is true. I've been on many battlefields and witnessed a lot of death. That doesn't mean I don't have a heart. My uncle always told me `With Great power comes great responsibility'. If I have this power as well as the ability to do something about a situation and I didn't do anything… I wouldn't be who I am!"
Mayday's image seemed taken aback at this. She replied. "O-oh. Of course. I understand."
The Codec call then ended.

Spider moved to where Doctor Otto Octavius, call sign Psycho Octopus was taking his last remaining breaths on Earth. Upon seeing the wall crawling operative Octavius chuckled softly. "Seems I wasn't able to read the future after all." Solid Spider crouched beside his fallen foe and removed his mask. "Something my uncle said to me once: `A strong man doesn't need to read the future, he makes his own.'" Octavius started to laugh but it caused him to cough up blood. "Perhaps but I'll read yours… To get to Sentinel's underground maintenance hangar… you have to go through that hidden door… behind the bookcase." It suddenly shifted from its position to reveal the door he was referring to. "The overland route is blocked… by frozen glaciers. Go past the communications towers then use the tower's walkway…" "Why are you telling me all this?" Peter asked with a frown. "I can read people's minds. In my lifetime I've read the pasts, presents, and futures of thousands upon thousands of men and women… Each mind I peered into was full of that same disgusting desire to pass on one's seed… it was enough to make me sick. I had learned that every living thing on this planet exists for exactly that purpose. It's how we're designed… and that is why there is war. You are no different than us Mr. Parker… you've no past and no future… Our only purpose is to live in the moment. Humans weren't designed to bring each other happiness… from the moment we're thrown into this world we're destined to bring each other nothing but pain and misery!" Octavius spat out the last three words along with more blood. Peter made sure to clean what blood remained on the dying operative's chin so he could continue. "You know the first person's mind I looked into was my father's. Since my mother died in childbirth all I saw in him was hatred and resentment towards me… I thought he was going to kill me! On that day my future vanished along with my past… when I awoke my village was in flames…" "You telling me you burned your village to the ground just to bury your past?" This brought another chuckle and more blood. "We are very alike you and I, Mr. Parker. The world is an interesting place with people like you in it. I never agreed with the boss's revolution. I just needed an excuse to kill as many people as I could…" "You monster!" Mary Jane spat but Peter held up his hand. He then looked into her eyes for the very first time with his own and replied softly. "Let him talk. He doesn't have much time left." Peter regretted the fact that this was the time where she saw his face. He had honestly hoped to do this in different circumstance but it seemed it was not to be. As their eyes met Mary Jane seemed to soften and she nodded. Peter than returned his attention to his dying foe.

"I've seen true evil… Though you're different Parker… you both are alike… but he's… worse. Compared to him I'm not so bad." Another coughing fit engulfed Octavius. Peter knew his time was almost up. He wiped more of the blood off his lip as he rasped. "I read her mind as well." Peter looked to Mary Jane. "MJ's?" He asked. "Yes. I saw you there… you have a large place in her heart…" For the second time their eyes met. Mary Jane became flushed and turned away from his gaze. Peter had to admit it did make his heart soar but now was not the time. "A large place?" Octavius smiled and looked at him. "Yes. A large place… however I do not know if your futures lie together. You know this is the first time I have ever used my power to help…. Someone else. I have to admit… it… feelsss… niccccce."

Still kneeling beside the corpse of Dr. Otto Octavius Peter Parker bowed his head out of respect. Mary Jane stood next to him and did the same. After a few moments Peter stood up and faced her. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, just can't believe I let him control me like that!" Peter shook his head. "Don't doubt yourself. No matter what believe in yourself and learn from the experience. It'll make you stronger." She looked into his eyes as tears begin to well up. "Right. Thank you. You saved my life!" Peter nodded in reply and kept looking into her green eyes. After a moment Mary Jane spoke nervously. "So… he said your name is I think Peter Parker, is that right?" He nodded. "Glad to finally meet you face-to-face!" They shared a laugh. They stood for a moment looking into each other's eyes. It felt like an eternity and as much as he would have liked to have stayed standing there holding Mary Jane and looking into her eyes he knew there was a mission to complete. So with a tap on her shoulder Peter turned and put his spider mask back on. Then after he reloaded his web shooters and she checked her weapons they nodded at each other and walked through the door.