Mystified
Thwipp. Whoooshhh. A red and blue streak is seen swinging through thecity. Heads look up to see the spectacular Spider-Man executing fantastic gymnastic feats on a thin strand of webbing. "Ahhhhh. This is the best part of that spider bite. Just getting out and clearing my head." Spider-Man thought to himself.
A bystander looks up and remarks,
"Why doesn't he just put that act on TV!"
As Spider-Man swings through the caverns of Manhattan he releases his web and lands on a building ledge. Surveying the city's streets he notices some smoke billowing out of a small convenience store.
"Great, and I had myself thinking it'd be a quiet night too. Well at least I can make a few bucks from JJJ."
Spider-Man flips of the ledge, shoots a web out, attaches his camera to the side of the building, and swings down to the street. He runs to the smoke, and he sees two masked men making a run for an old car. Spider-Man quickly shoots out a web-line and trips up the two criminals. He flips up onto the car and says, "If this is your idea of a getaway car I am definitely not seeing the perks of crime." Spider-Man spins his webs around the crooks and strings them up on the lamp post. The crowd forming around him ohs and awes at his quick defeat of the criminals, and Spider-Man swings off before the police arrive. He quickly grabs his camera on the building ledge and leaves.
Across the city at Laguardia Airport a company jet from Boston arrives. Two scientists from Novartis, Paul Szklennik and Simon Shuster step off the plane and meet up with an United States government official and two military officers.
"Good to see you two. Let's step into the limo, and we'll be on our way." The limo drives off to 405 Lexington Avenue.
"I'm a little nervous sir." Paul said.
"Don't worry about Mr. Szlenick . . . is it? Inquired the general.
"S then clinic." Paul said
"Mr. Szklennik. You'll do fine. The top scientists at the pentagon are amazed at this breakthrough. I'm sure that will break the ice quite well." The general said.
"Where exactly are we headed?" Simon asked.
"We're heading to a conference room on the 55th floor of the Chrysler Building. We'll be there shortly." The general said.
As the limo takes a turn a screeching car appears around the corner cutting off the limo. The limo comes to screeching halt. Immediately after stopping three men rip off the doors to the back of the limo.
"Freeze or we'll shoot!" the military officers yelled.
Several shots ring out, and proceed through the men.
"What the . . . they're not even down! What do we do?" the officers ask.
"Move!" the general commands.
Paul, Simon, the general, and two army officers begin to run. Then three more men appear from out of an alley in front of them, but this time they are brandishing 9mm peacekeepers.
"Set the chemical case down slowly!" one of the men said.
After the case was laid on the ground, the three men in front of them disappeared.
"What happened to the . . . the . . . the men?" Paul inquired nervously.
"Don't know, but get the chemical case." The general commanded.
Before Paul could reach the case the sound of three guns cocking are heard, and the request is made again. One of the three mysterious men grabs the suitcase. The other two shoot Paul, Simon, the general, and the soldiers with chemical tipped darts.
A red and blue figure swings towards the Stark Enterprise's Tower. As he alights on the building, he opens a window and slips in unnoticed by anyone.
"Peter have you ever tried a door?" M J quips.
"Ahhh, home sweet home." Peter says while taking off his mask.
"Hi tiger. good night?" Mary Jane asked.
"Well just a simple robbery, but I managed to get a few good pics for old Jonah Jameson. Although I doubt it'll put us on easy street. Your day?" Peter asks.
"Not much happened just rehearsing for the off Broadway play I'm in."
"Well I'm off to get myself a shower and check out the daily 'Spidey's a Menace Report' on the news." Peter said.
Mary Jane turns the TV on, picks up the channel changer, and turns it to the local news station.
"This just in! A car hijacking has taken place near 405 Lexington Avenue. Two chemists from Novartis, and three government officials were kidnaped. The kidnapers' identities are still unknown. Some witnesses claim that the kidnapers had superhuman strength. Others witness claim several similar men appeared almost out of thin air, and took a briefcase containing chemicals. The contents of the suitcase are unknown. The United States government has only issued this statement, 'The contents of the briefcase are a new experimental organic compound only recently discovered. The chemical compounds are a breakthrough for some psychological and physical aliments.' We will continue to keep you updated as we receive more information. In other news Spider-Man foil . . . " The news broadcaster's words are cut short when Peter enters the living area.
"Well I guess I better take a rain check on the shower. Sorry, honey duty calls. Love ya." Peter says winking.
"Love you too. Go get' em tiger!" Mary Jane says while blowing Peter a kiss.
Eyes open, and darkness gives way to light.
"Wha... where are we?" Simon asked.
"I don't know my head is pounding. Last thing I remember we were hijacked, and knocked out." Paul answered.
"Quite correct",a muffled voice says, "Thank you for the generous donation of chemicals. They're quite crude, but with a few adjustments and additions they should become quite potent." The voice finished.
"Who are you? What do you want!" The general asked.
"Why I simply wanted the chemical compounds. You were just in my way. Although you will be excellent lab rats... hahahahahahahaha!" The mysterious voice manically said.
Across town Spider-Man arrives at the scene of the abduction. Several NYPD squad cars are parked in the street, and a crowd control unit is well in place keeping the crowds back.
"Man whoever these guys were they sure didn't waste anytime getting what they wanted." A police officer states.
Just then Spider-Man lands on the ground, and walks towards the police officers.
"What's up?" Spider-Man asked. " I heard about the car jacking on the news and thought I'd check it out."
"This is official police business Spider-Man please back off." Officer Moony says.
"Look I just want to know what happened then I'll web off to La La land 'kay?" Spider-Man says.
"All right. All we've been able to ascertain is that at least six men with superhuman strength hijacked a limo heading towards a small scientific conference at the Chrysler Building. All the car's occupants are missing, and the chemicals being carried by the scientists were taken as well. Whoever did it had everything planned out to the letter. All the witnesses claim that the attack was well organized, and it was extremely efficient."
"Was anything found on the scene?" Spider-Man inquired.
"Nothing viable." Officer Moony stated.
"Alrighty, thank you officer." Spider-Man said.
After finishing his conversation with the NYPD Spider-Man shoots a web to a nearby flag pole, and swings off in the distance.
Swinging from a strand of webbing to strand of webbing Spider-Man mulls over the current situation.
"Hmmm a well-orchestrated hijacking. Hmmmm, maybe the Kingpin, but he wouldn't use super-powered henchmen. Doc Ock maybe, but the problem is, he's in the slammer. "
Spider-Man flies off his web-line, and lands on a gargoyle's head.
"Well there's not much I can do now, but wait. I'll head back home, and get some food and a good night's rest."