Chapter 21 – War Machine
On August 9th 2016, Peter is now beginning his job as an internship with none other than Tony Stark himself and it is a temporarily job for Peter so that Peter can help his aunt with financial problems.
Peter manage to got up early to help his aunt with breakfast, the schedule for the Stark Internship was negotiable meaning Peter can balance his life between work, school and hero work. Peter was excited and nervous, there is a chance that Tony Stark could figure out that Peter is Spider-Man within minutes and Peter need to make sure his alter ego as Spider-Man is not discovered yet.
"Sir, Mr. Parker has arrived to see you" says F.R.I.D.A.Y. "Thanks Fri, send him in" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
Peter walk casually into Stark's office where he was greeted by the billionaire himself.
"Peter, it's been a while and I see you accepted the internship even though it is temporarily for you" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Mr. Stark, I just hope that the schedule here doesn't effect my school" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Oh don't worry, I got that covered and you can by in the weekends or whenever your free also call me Tony because Mr. Stark is my father" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
Tony immediately gives Peter a tour of the lab and also the equipment, Peter knew this is a dangerous gamble for being under the noses of the Avengers and the government. Peter decides to use his enjoyment and enthusiastic to hide his real purpose, Tony didn't question his enthusiastic when accepting the job and Peter was then shown to his own work place just near Stark's office.
"Welcome to your new work place" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Thank you, Tony" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Anytime, now— "Tony, we got people from D.C is here to see you" says Pepper Potts. "Sure thing, Pep" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Who is this?" Pepper Potts asked. "Pepper, this is Peter my new temporarily intern and Peter this is Pepper Potts the CEO of Stark Industries" Tony Stark/Iron Man introduced.
"Call me Pepper, Pete" says Pepper Potts. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Potts…I mean Pepper" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "You know you're so kind and adorable, I think you be better off being my intern than my idiot boyfriend" says Pepper Potts. "No way Peps, you're not stealing my intern" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
"We'll see about that" says Pepper Potts as Tony groaned. "That's not going to end well" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Relax kid, once you get to know her then she will be nice" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
As Tony went to see the people D.C which is probably government, Peter settle down in his new work place and the first thing Peter did was to repair Iron Man's Gauntlet. Peter has a skill on repair tech and transforming the tech into a brand new one, Peter learn that if you don't have the tools you needed and just use the only tools you got.
It didn't take Peter long to repair it, Tony went into Peter's work to check on Peter and Peter's only been here for a couple of minutes.
"Wow, you've been here for a couple minutes and you did great. Plus, you repaired my best friends Rhodey's Repulsor" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "You mean War Machine's Repulsor, that's cool" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "It's cool, but now criminals have aliens weapons and now I have to adapt new tech to clean up the mess" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
"You mean what happen in Sokovia?" Peter Parker/Spider-Man asked. "Yeah, how did you know that?" Tony Stark/Iron Man asked. "The Daily Bugle, I read the news" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "What else that idiot Jameson says?" Tony Stark/Iron Man asked. "Nothing much, but Spider-Man is getting more criticism than the incident in Sokovia" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
"I feel sorry for Spidey" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Me too" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Well, keep up the good work Pete and you probably would become better than Pepper or Banner" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Do I get to meet Doctor Banner?" Peter Parker/Spider-Man asked. "Yeah, of course you can meet him" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
Peter was so excited and Tony told him if he wishes to leave then make sure everything is locked out plus inform F.R.I.D.A.Y, that way no one can enter the room and in just one day alone Peter has help Tony out which it makes Pepper Potts feel happier that Tony can get some sleep for once.
On Peter's second day of his internship, Peter is heading into the lab with Pepper Potts and the first scientist that Peter will be meeting is none other than Doctor Curt Conner's.
"Peter, I want you to meet Doctor Curt Conner one of finest scientist we have here" says Pepper Potts. "Hi, I'm Peter Parker and it's nice to meet you Doc" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Please, call me Conner or Curt and no need a formality" says Curt Conner.
Peter shook Doctor Conner's hand; Doctor Conner was surprise to see a young man has a strong grip. Doctor Conner's was happy to share his knowledge with Peter, Pepper Potts is taking over as Peter's boss since Tony Stark is now busy helping his best friend Colonel James Rhodes and both of them are now at the Pentagon discussing about the Sokovia Accords in private.
"Wow, that's one strong grip you got there Peter" says Curt Conner. "Sorry about that, it is an honor to meet you" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Still figuring out how fix your arm?" Pepper Potts asked. "Yes ma'am, I feel hopeless with only one arm" says Curt Conner.
"You'll make it through, but it's not hopeless even if you have just one arm" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "You're optimistic Peter, I respect that" says Curt Conner. "I'm optimistic because I believe in hope, there is always a way" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
Pepper Potts enjoy having Peter for a day, perhaps one day Pepper Potts could snatch Peter away from Tony just to prove her point. The tour lasted until 2:00pm, Peter return back to his work place and Peter feel like he can balance everything even his hero work since Peter can coordinate his team to protect the city.
However, Peter is operating this under the noses of the government and the Avengers which it is a dangerous gamble one that could probably kill the Web Warriors. Peter decides not attract too much attention to either himself or his team, but then Tony Stark enters his work place for some help.
"Ah, it's good to find you here Pete. I need your help" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Sure, anything" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Help me decrypt this, as fast as you can" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Okay I…wait, isn't this government hard drive?" Peter Parker/Spider-Man asked. "Yup, let me know if you find anything" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
After that, Peter theorized that Iron Man doesn't like the government much especially Secretary Ross and Peter thinks Iron Man is just having fun or there some hidden agenda that Iron Man needs to know.
Peter didn't take long to decrypt the files inside the hard drive, using the tools provided by his boss and it took merely 10-20 minutes of decryption depending on the size of the data files. Peter took the hard drive he decrypted back to his boss, it took nearly an hour to get it done but Tony wasn't in a rush.
"Wow, you decrypt all that by yourself?" Tony Stark/Iron Man asked. "Yeah boss, all files are now decrypted" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Wait, when you did get a…that's a military hard drive right?" James Rhodes/War Machine asked. "Yes, I took it last week" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "By the way, Rhodes this is Peter my intern" Tony Stark/Iron Man introduced.
"Peter Parker, it's a pleasure to meet you Colonel Rhodes" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Please son, call me Rhodes" says James Rhodes/War Machine as James offers his hand and Peter shake his hands.
"Wow, that's a strong grip son" James Rhodes/War Machine commented. "Thank you, I've been working out my body to stay fit" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Well, I'm looking forward to continue our conversation that is if Tony doesn't do something he'll regret" says James Rhodes/War Machine. "Ha-ha, very funny" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
That night, Peter return back to his apartment and Peter's aunt has just finish making dinner.
"Hey May, can Ned come over tonight?" Peter Parker/Spider-Man asked. "Sure honey, ask him to join for dinner too" says May Parker.
Ned arrive an hour later, Peter greet him the way best friends did and Ned was one of Pete's best friends.
"Hey Ned, thanks for coming" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "I brought the Lego Death Star, let's get started" says Ned Leeds. "Sure, but let's eat some food then we'll do it" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
After dinner, Peter and Ned went into Peter's room to build their Lego Death Star but at the same time finishing the leftover foods.
"Man, your aunt cooks the best turkey in the world" says Ned Leeds. "Got to love it, dude" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "So, how was internship?" Ned Leeds asked. "Good, on my second day my boss wants me to decrypt a government hard drive" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "No way, where did Tony Stark get a government hard drive?" Ned Leeds asked. "No idea man, but I think Mr. Stark wants to have fun hacking government stuff" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
"Cool Pete, I hope Mr. Stark is forgives people like us since you and I both nearly got ourselves into a criminal record" Ned Leeds started. "I know, we got ourselves into some illegal program that nearly put both of us in the most wanted criminal record" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
On the next day, Peter continue his work on helping Mr. Stark tinkering with the Iron Man suit and Stark need to be ready for a future attack.
Peter is making sure the suit doesn't have any tracker or glitches, Peter with the help of an AI name F.R.I.D.A.Y manage to enhance one suit after another and Peter secretly planted his own Trojan bug to get some heads up.
Suddenly, James Rhodes enter the lab in his War Machine suit unexpectedly and Peter was the first person to know that the War Machine suit was hacked.
"Rhodey, what are you— "Get down boss!" Peter Parker/Spider-Man shouted as War Machine open fire it's machine gun. "F.R.I.D.A.Y, War Machine suit is being hacked and suit me up" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Roger that, boss" says F.R.I.D.A.Y.
Peter didn't seem frighten as Iron Man swings into actions to prevent the War Machine suit from destroying everything inside the lab. Peter sneak his way around using the carnage as a stealth approach to jump on War Machine suit rear, Iron Man was trying his best to stop the out of control War Machine suit and Peter didn't need to use his powers to do so except using his spider-sense to work his around.
Peter then jump on top of the war machine suit, Peter yank the wires inside the war machine suit and it took some time to find the source of glitch or bug. Peter found the bug and took it out, the war machine suit was disabled but when Tony attempt to open the suit and his best friends Rhodes is not there.
"Boss, the suit here but where's Colonel Rhodes?" Peter Parker/Spider-Man asked. "I don't know, all I know he was heading for Sarajevo in Bosnia and he was due to return today" says Tony Stark/Iron Man. "Excuse me boss, but I got a call from Colonel Rhodes CO and his transport got hijack on the approach into New York City. Colonel Rhodes is believed to be sighted somewhere in New York City" Happy Hogan explained.
"I can use hack the bug to pinpoint the last known location" Peter Parker/Spider-Man suggested. "That's a great idea, kid" says Tony Stark/Iron Man.
Peter took the bug and try to hack it, the bug that was found on the war machine suit was Russian and it is probably from Russian mercenary such as Sergei Kravinoff. Peter decides to hack into the bug to trace where it was found or come from, Peter hack the bug and it pin point the last known location.
"Nice work kid, you manage to locate the last known location but sadly Tony cannot be there and the government is restraining him right now" says Happy Hogan as he enters Peter's workplace. "Thanks, Mr. Hogan…I mean Happy" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Just call me Happy, kid" says Happy Hogan. "Well, if it makes Mr. Stark feel any better I could get the Web Warriors to check it out" Peter Parker/Spider-Man suggested. "I'll let Tony, thanks kid" says Happy Hogan.
Now with Stark's approval, the Web Warriors was given a task to located and rescue Colonel James Rhodes aka War Machine but Tony decides that his intern Peter should work alongside Spider-Man. Tony Stark at this point is not aware that on the inside, Peter Parker is actually Spider-Man.
Peter return to New York City and change into his suit, his team rendezvous with him at the abandon warehouse in Chinatown District.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen asked. "Well, Iron Man doesn't have anyone to trust and we're the only option he has right now" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "It's so cool to help Iron Man" says Miles Morales/Kid Arachnid. "Thanks Miles, for the support" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
"Well, let's hope shell head doesn't think twice to arrest us" says Cindy Moon/Silk. "Don't worry, he won't" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Well, let's…hey Pete, isn't that Michelle?" Ava Ayala/White Tiger asked as she pointed out to Peter. "Yeah, that's her…wait, she's not going to do what I think she's doing" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
"Yup, she's going in there to get information and then have us saving her butt" says Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen. "Bloody hell, she's crazy" says William Braddock/Spider-UK. "And we're amazing, Michelle Jones is scary" says Angela Del Toro/White Tiger.
Michelle Jones or MJ as Peter called her arrive at the warehouse, Peter believe MJ is there for a reason and Peter believe MJ wanted to be one saving Spider-Man or MJ is just itching for a rescue since she's not the Black Widow.
MJ enter the warehouse equip with nothing but taser gun and a high resolution camera, Peter heard rumors that MJ is secretly practicing to become an investigative journalist and this is not what Peter is expecting. MJ sneak her way into the warehouse and inside the warehouse is 200 armed thugs, the thugs were run by Sonny Burch and they have a hostage with them which is a U.S Military Colonel.
"Hm, that could be Colonel Rhodes the one who is MIA right now. I just hope Spidey knows this but I need more proof" Michelle Jones whispered.
As Michelle sneaks her way towards the interrogation room, the Web Warriors enters the warehouse quietly from the rooftop and Sonny Burch's gang was paid by someone to restrain War Machine while using the suit for their own purpose.
"Well, Mr. Rhodes you won't be getting that suit of yours back" says Sonny Burch. "You idiots, I don't need the damn suits to kick your butts sky high" says James Rhodes/War Machine.
Sonny Burch just smirk and didn't take it seriously after leaving the room, Michelle took the opportunity to sneak in and enter the room but at the same she noticed that the Web Warriors are here now.
"Are you okay, Mr. Rhodes?" Michelle Jones asked as she unties him. "Kid, what are you doing here and how did you get here?" James Rhodes/War Machine asked. "Just shut up and follow me, asshole" says Michelle Jones. "Wow, for a kid you sure seem to have loud mouth" says James Rhodes/War Machine.
"Says the army guy in a tank suit" says Michelle Jones. "Damn kid, I don't why Spider-Man wanted to save you" James Rhodes/War Machine muttered.
As MJ took Colonel Rhodes to leave, but the thugs suddenly found them escaping and now all guns are pointing at them.
"Well, I never thought a 15 year old girl would be stupid enough to come here" says Sonny Burch. "I never thought Sonny Burch is more than just a common arms dealer instead becoming an alien's arms dealer with idiot minions" says Michelle Jones. "Nice words kid, but not enough" says Sonny Burch. "Kill them" Sonny Burch ordered.
MJ is expecting the Web Warriors to jump in, MJ was first saved by Spider-Man 4 days ago and hopefully MJ could be a great asset to the Web Warriors. Spider-Man and Spider-UK were the first one to jump in to rescue MJ and War Machine.
"You know it is rude to say it to a girl" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "What the…how the hell did you get in here?" Sonny Burch asked. "Not the same way the girl came in, we came through the roof you wanker" says William Braddock/Spider-UK. "You brits never learn" says Sonny Burch.
Then, the rest of the Web Warriors join in the fight and the fighting begins but the Web Warriors webs all of the thug's weapons to make them fight hand to hand. Sonny Burch as usual flee for his life allowing his own goons to do his dirty work, the Web Warriors put a ring steel around MJ and War Machine.
Peter and his Web Warriors evade every single punch and kicks from the criminal thugs, some criminals were webs to the ground, some thugs were even hanging on the ceiling and the rest of them is just stuck together.
"Hey Colonel Rhodes, nice to meet you" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man as he salutes Colonel Rhodes. "Please Spidey, that's not necessary" says James Rhodes/War Machine. "Come on, web head let's get out of here" says Michelle Jones.
The Web Warriors exit the warehouse with Michelle Jones and War Machine, but when the cops came by and the Web Warriors disappear immediately because some Police Officer doesn't exactly a fan of vigilantism.
The Police unit that arrive first was Detective DeWolf and her unit, but Web Warriors can see her from the rooftop and War Machine was gone by the time the Police got there. Peter suspect the MJ is close enough to figure it out his identity as Spider-Man, the Web Warriors return from their hideout and it is another job well done.
"You know what, I think MJ is trying to uncover our identity" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Well, that just bugger" says William Braddock/Spider-UK. "So, what now?" Miles Morales/Kid Arachnid asked. "What are we going to say exactly? Hi, we're the Web Warriors and we're fifteen years old so kill us first" Ava Ayala/White Tiger mocked. "No thank you" says Ava Ayala/White Tiger.
"Look, I just get off easily from MJ and I don't want to make things worse between MJ and I" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man. "Besides, MJ and I are just friends" Peter Parker/Spider-Man added. "Friends are good, mate" says William Braddock/Spider-UK. "Thanks. Well, I have to go before my aunt kills me before dinner" says Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
After that, the Web Warriors return back to their normal life but Peter is trying to figure out what to do if the Sokovia Accords was approved.
Peter knows that the Accords are going split the Avengers into two, that is called Civil War and Peter has learn what happen to people during a civil war plus his team will be on the center of the civil war.
Meanwhile back at New York City, Curt Conner is still searching for a way to bring back his paralyzed left arm and it's been nearly 2 years until today Curt Conner receive a break in his research.
"Finally, just a few more then I'll be free and I don't care what the cure will do to me as long as I have both my arms" Curt Conner whispered.
Curt Conner decides to fuse the DNA of a lizard to inject into his own arm to regenerate it, but Curt Conner need to test it on his arm and the only test subject he did was with a mouse with only one arm.
The test on the one arm mouse was started and recorded last week, it was a success but now Doctor Conner needs to test the formula on his own arm and it is now or never.
Curt Conner close his eyes and inject the serum with a lizard DNA at his left arm, it was painful too much for the doctor and within 12 minutes Curt Conner pass out on the floor unconscious but not dead.
As Curt Conner was unconscious, his left arm begins the regenerate quickly like a Lizard but as Curt Conner's arm finishes the regeneration and the mind of the Lizard begins to gain control over Doctor Conner's mind.
It will soon haunt Doctor Conner's for the rest of his life, Curt Conner will have not just one but two personality.
That's all.
On the next chapter – Curt Conner will soon transform himself into one of Spider-Man's rogue's gallery known as the Lizard.
Stay tuned to see what happens.