SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 41)
6:30 am U-Genetics Underground Laboratory…
Early on, Miller had been working tirelessly in the U-Genetics away from public eye as much as possible. Survival was his ultimate goal but so was the work he wanted to complete. Originally, Spider-Man was his focus but now he had set his sights on Gwen after learning that she was the Spider-Woman.
"Such an unexpected surprise." Miller complained in regards to Gwen as he checked the status of each tank.
Within each tank, there were a variety of different individuals stuck inside. These individuals were the unfortunate victims of Miller's scientific ambition in which he needed the lower the amount of suspicion that he could potentially draw to his work.
First there was the family Miller had to silence when he took over the Richard Hanz identity. Second, there was the list of U-Genetics staff and clients that were curious about the insidious work Miller was conducting. Each individual was fitted into a tank tube naked and embedded in regenerative green liquid.
"They said death is a point of no return." Miller said as he advanced his way forward through the room, "They cry and say it is horrible."
While he monologued, he walked up to a secure control panel linked to the tanks and switched it off. In an instance, the power connected to the tanks started to die down.
"As it is always said, you can't make progress without sacrifice." Miller said as he watched for signs of movement in each tank.
One tank showed a man open up his eyes slowly while his fingers twitched. Another tank had a woman do the same as well. Amazed, Miller made a bold statement.
"I may never have to weep at the loss of life again." Miller said.
10:30 am Stacy Private Investigations…
Gwen waited at the door of her dad's private investigation again this time to meet up with Peter who she had called. She wearily looked around concerned on whether Miller might be stalking her however the atmosphere was relatively safe.
After looking around carefully, Peter arrived in his ordinary clothing carrying a latte cup.
"Good choice of costume." Peter said and noting the plain clothing Gwen was wearing, "Are you still mad with me?"
Gwen sighed in return while acknowledging the attempt to humour her.
"How's your…Dad?" Peter asked in a worrisome tone.
"He's in stable condition last time I checked." Gwen said, "They managed to take out each bullet carefully. Hey, let's get out of public sight for a moment."
As Gwen finished her sentence, she and Peter walked to the alley side near the building and continued their talk.
"Thank goodness. Listen, I promise I won't drag your dad with me any further." Peter said worried that Gwen was still upset with him.
"Look, I probably was a little harsh with you back then. I know you and dad worked together and that's cool." Gwen said, "Even if you weren't in the picture, things probably still would have gone south because he's a private investigator."
"Wait, are you not really that mad with me?" Peter sheepishly asked.
"Mad? Of course, I'm upset. But not with you." Gwen assured.
"You know, Gwen. I just want to say… I don't want to take you down the same path of danger." Peter said, "I've nearly lost Aunt May once; Ned is out of the picture and now your dad."
"Peter, here we go again. Stop worrying too much about saving people close to you." Gwen snapped.
Peter then stopped talking after the quick shut down from Gwen.
"If I die, I'm asking you to be able to move on quickly before you cause yourself any more pain. The fact is… I can handle myself." Gwen said, "Recently, I've been able to escape Miller Warren and his torturous Manhattan laboratory."
"You what?!" Peter asked shocked.
"Yeah, I got captured by that green maniac and nearly got experimented on." Gwen said, "Thankfully, you realise I have phasing abilities."
"Oh yeah… Phasing abilities. Where the hell did you get that?" Peter asked remembering.
"No idea. I'm guessing gender-related." Gwen said with a bit of smugness.
"Unfair. That means you're me version 2.0." Peter said crossing his arms.
"Get used to it. Anyway… I just want to make it clear that I can handle myself and I really want to work alongside you more." Gwen said, "I know I'm not going to handle every situation on my own, so I'm wondering if that's okay."
"Well, Gwen. I don't want to dwell too much but of course… You're welcome." Peter said, "I mean you're superpowered. Which is something I've never quite dealt with before. Glad to have a sidekick."
"Um, partner in arms would be a better name. So… Are you ready kick ass with me and take names?" Gwen asked again.
"Sure, just so we understand each other. By the way, I did take care of a major problem while you were left alone." Peter said before showing off a file about Fisk he got from Tombstone.
"What's this?" Gwen asked as she opened up the document.
"Item courtesy of Tombstone. Did you hear the news that he's finally locked up?" Peter said.
"You… Well, I gotta say you are the OG so I can't be too surprised that you found a way." Gwen said as she skimmed through the document contents.
"And that means we gotta have faith with each other from now on." Peter said, "Does that also save our relationship?"
"What do you mean?" Gwen asked in confusion.
"Uh… You know." Peter replied awkwardly.
Gwen stared Peter in the eye before giggling.
"Alright, Mr. Ladies Man. You want to come inside to this building with me?" Gwen asked taking Peter by the hand inside the private investigation building.
12:45 pm Fisk Tower R&D Lab…
Wilson's response to the news about Tombstone's defeat at the hands of Spider-Man hardly surprised him.
"I've warned him not to underestimate our web-slinging fiend and he paid the price." Wilson said as he walked around the room with Farley.
"You knew him well?" Farley asked curiously.
"I kept him in place." Wilson said, "Without me, crime would have been rampant in Harlem."
"Surely, his arrest means comfort and ease." Farley said.
"Unfortunately, it will give way to the Spider-Man." Wilson said, "How is the project?"
"The machine assembly is coming along nicely. Today, I'm sure we can test the candidate you have requested." Farley said.
Wilson nodded before signalling the other scientists nearby. As the scientists obeyed their orders and walked out of the room. They then quickly came back with a brown-haired woman with a muscular build wearing a white shirt and green pants.
"This is Sergeant Mackenzie Gargan, one of Manhattan's finest police officers as you already know. She eagerly volunteered for the role." Wilson introduced, "After assessing her endurance and other physical abilities, we are confident that she will fulfil the project's objectives."
"Mac Gargan is a… Um, excuse me, mam. Have you read and understood the procedures of the Genome Amplifier?" Farley asked before Mac gave one stern look.
"I know what I'm getting into, smart man. I'm ready to protect New York to the next level." Mac answered.
"I also chose her because she loves this city. She was a Yonkers girl growing up." Wilson professed.
"When someone asks me to catch someone, I don't give up and I get them. This machine that's in the room, it's the thing that will give me the chance to hunt Spider-Man. I'm excited." Mac said with glee.
"Whoo… That's some fiery spirit." Farley said, "Without further delays, I guess we can start the test."
Wilson nodded in approval as he and others watched Mac be led to the Genome Amplifier. Everyone in the room could see the determination in Mac's eyes as she walked into the chamber-like structure of the machine with a seat in the middle.
Under Farley's instruction, Mac was strapped onto the chair under white light. Farley also put on googles that protect himself from blinding lights before asking everyone including Wilson to wear the same googles.
"Hurry up, I want all the time available." Mac impatiently said as she was clutched to the chair.
"When the machine turns on, just now there will be some form of radiation. That's common if you're attempting to change an organism's genetic sequence." Farley said.
As the machine buzzed, everyone outside of the Genome Amplifier watched as metal sheets lowered covering the chamber glass as if to obscure what is going on behind the machine.
"Everyone, the trial run is about to begin soon. Step back safely as much as possible." Farley warned as he joined the rest of his colleagues.
Soon, the machine was in operation as the sounds of radiating light began to flash. This was noticeable from the little openings visible on the Genome Amplifier. Mac's cry of endurance was also heard as she seemed to absorb the energy the machine was producing.
"The machine is as safe as it can be." Farley said as he made sure everything was under control.
Mac's cry continued for a few more minutes before Farley hastily told the machine operators to shut off all operations ranging from temperature and radiation level. The DNA concentration reading on the machine was also almost zero which suggests the trial is about done.
"Well, let's open that machine up." Wilson ordered taking off the googles.
"Indeed." Farley added.
6:30 pm Parker residence…
Peter and Gwen got home after spending a day's worth of time together. It was a positive momentum to their relationship despite the set back of George being injured. The two of them have vowed to stay together for the benefit of their lives as well as when they're in costume.
"Back home early?" May asked which startled Peter who did not expect her to be home.
"Hi, Aunt May. I'm just bringing Gwen back to the house." Peter said.
"I can see that." May said coming out of the living room, "Lovely to see you, Gwen. I'm sorry to hear about your father."
"It's okay, Mrs. Parker. He's gonna make it." Gwen said.
"You're coming home earlier and earlier each day." Peter jumped in.
"Peter. I'm about to reach retiree age, so I get off easy. Besides, there are younger caretakers that are filling in for me." May said.
"Of course, say… Are you interested in eating out tonight?" Peter asked her.
"Huh?" Gwen wondered.
"Oh, dinner outside… I'm not sure, I've got an excellent roast I want to make…" May said.
"That can be tomorrow. Uh… So I was thinking since we've been to Thai; Chinese and Italian already. I was thinking we can pick up a new cuisine." Peter stated.
"What's on your mind then?" May asked.
"Uh, I was thinking… Indonesian?" Peter replied.
"Isn't that similar to Thai?" Gwen questioned.
"Not at all. Uh, you don't mind, Gwen?" Peter asked back.
"Mind what?" Gwen asked.
"If we take Aunt May along for dinner." Peter said, "Come on, it's not a strange thing. I don't want May to eat alone by the way tonight."
Gwen paused for a moment before nodding.
"I'm sure this is acceptable." Gwen said.
"Alright, let's get ready." Peter replied back.
TO BE CONTINUED…
End note: Scorpion will be the final villain introduced for the story. Also you read right, she's a woman in this iteration.