SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 4)
8:32 am Stacy Private Investigations…
Spider-Man came into George Stacy's office during the morning to talk about the incident that happened last night. The two not only have a close relation on scene but also in office. Ever since George resigned from his NYPD duties, he had much more freedom to run his own operations and work closely with Spider-Man.
"Maxwell Dillon, electrician from Endicott. He's been working in New York City for around 8 years." George stated looking at his laptop.
"Seemed like a bitter guy when I met him." Spider-Man commented, "I wonder how he got those powers."
"Let's start with some history first." George scrolling the mousepad downwards to read up some information.
"He's an only child from his family. Highest earned education was only through secondary education meaning his work might have started early." George informed, "He got married to a woman named Norma Lynn before getting a divorce."
"Did he ever get into trouble beforehand?" Spider-Man wondered wanting to know about his criminal records.
"He's been convicted of a few incidents before. One incident for physical assault and one for drink driving. He also has 'domestic violence' as one of his offences which should tell us how well his personal life had been." George continued, "Now it seems robbery is the latest."
"Okay…Looks like our new friend, Maxie has a few things behind him." Spider-Man noted, "Though the real question for me is the beef he has against me."
"Can you recall?" George asked.
"Had something to do with the time I was fighting the Eel when Hammerhead was around." Spider-Man said, "Apparently I'm responsible in a way for who he is now."
"Well, if you meet him again then ask him why he was performing bank robberies." George said, "Some things have to be his own doing."
"I hope this isn't detrimental to the Spider-Man name." Spider-Man said before groaning in pain and holding onto his chest.
"You okay?" George asked as he got up from his chair.
"He really did a number on me yesterday with the amount of shocks I've endured." Spider-Man replied recalling the fight, "Should have brought rubber gloves to deal with him."
Spider-Man then moved closer to the window in which he had entered George's office.
"Just keep doing what you do, George. I'll be out in the neighbourhood as always." Spider-Man said before opening the window and jumping out.
9:00 am Professor Warren's Lab, ESU…
Today was a special day for Gwen as she started her day with helping out Professor Miller Warren on her internship. Joining at least six other interns, she walked alongside them as Miller guided them on a brief tour.
"Here is the basis of our work…" Miller said proudly showing off a laboratory behind a glass window, "State of the art equipment; spaced out desks and the most up to date safety measures. The technicians we hired are also a friendly bunch."
Miller then waved at the group of people behind the class before letting them continue with their work. Gwen's impression of the place was positive as she contrasted the quality of the workplace and wondered if Peter would be impressed as well.
"Professor, how dangerous does the lab work get?" One girl asked.
"Nothing major. We had a few people incur injuries related to corrosives and other chemical related incidents. But everyone is still alive after that." Miller answered, "It's the same with physical related injuries. Just know your basics. No running or any rough behaviour."
Unlocking the door leading to the lab with his card, Miller lead the interns inside in which a more detailed look was given. The test tubes were neatly stacked as were the volatile chemical bottles stored behind cabinets. The waste disposal bins were also neatly placed. For Gwen, the most important detail noted was the place being really sterile and odourless.
"Every week, the quality assurance people come in and we keep this place polished for not just our workers but also visitors. Let me tell you, we've had some important guests come to ESU in the past." Miller said, "Anyway, there's more exciting stuff to show off."
Leading them to another door with the label 'AUTHORISED ONLY', Miller opened the door up and made each of the interns go down a spiral staircase. Gwen found this to be a strange addition to the otherwise normal lab and curious what kind of things would a university lab be hiding if it is so secretive.
"I'm going to ask for no photos when we go down here. I'm showing you all this to explain what I am doing as a research project and what I am expecting from you as interns." Miller said in a more serious tone.
Going down the staircase, the path was dark as no lights were present which sometimes led to accidental tripping. Gwen was the last in line which gave her time to watch her footing without being pressured too much by people behind her to move forward.
As they finally moved to the bottom floor, the room lit up like it was some sort of secret base. Standing behind the other interns, Gwen noticed some things stationed were similar to the laboratory upstairs. Otherwise there were some really strange devices that she managed to get a peek at.
There was a large centrifuge cabinet alongside other things such as a thermal cycler and an autoclave oven. The place also had computer mainframes which were meant to screen data as well as store other information that Miller has access to. However the most fascinating thing was a glass chamber with strap on seat in it.
"The last few years, the university has granted me the honours to have this place built. Normally you don't get this kind of thing with any other place…" Miller said attempting to marvel the crowd, "Meaning I had to push hard and commit. And for me, that's an accomplishment."
"Has a mad scientist vibe to it." Gwen thought, "But it's still sort of surreal."
"For you people, this place is where I see the results of my work personally and I'm going to require you to help me through some little experiments I'm tasking you with. Now I understand that not everyone doing this internship is on equal level which means I'm going to space things out." Miller explained.
Looking at every intern and especially Gwen, Miller's eyes seemed to hide something as it felt as if he was analysing each of them like they were the test subjects. Gwen felt a little strange and showed a hint of discomfort which went away as soon as Miller started talking again.
"My point in bringing you all here is that you're all part of my research project regarding genetics. Remember what I stated at orientation week? The greatest resource is ultimately going to be you guys. This project is about finding the right formula to make everyone as healthy as possible." Miller continued.
"Like a serum?" Gwen questioned.
"Yes…" Miller said, "Sometimes. Precision medicine. For those of you who are studying genetics in class, you know what I'm talking about. Imagine a world where no one suffers from premature deaths due to disease or cancer. Because we have problem-solved their natural background."
"Professor…How certain are you with the success of your project?" A Hispanic boy in the group asked.
"Believe it or not. The odds are 99.1% for me…I have a vision on how this is going to work…" Miller replied, "Anyway, enough of this place. Let's go back to the lab."
The interns all walked back upstairs with Gwen being last again only this time Professor Warren followed from behind. As they walked, Gwen thought that Miller was staring at her only to find that it seems he wanted to get back to the lab as fast as possible.
As they reached back to the lab, Miller quickly closed the staircase door behind him locking it and walked up to a whiteboard to write something down. Picking up a black marker, he wrote down the name of the project.
'PRECISION MEDICINE: A CURE FOR EVERYONE'
As Miller wrote the words down, the same Hispanic boy who had asked Miller the question on the project's chances said something to Gwen.
"This is a pretty ambiguous science project." He said, "Even for a guy like him."
"I'm actually curious to see what goes down in this internship." Gwen stated.
"Me too, amiga…" The boy said, "My name's Anton by the way. Anton Rodríguez."
"Gwen Stacy. Gwen is short for Gwendolyn." Gwen replied, "Nice to meet you."
Gwen then took out her hand to which Anton shook.
"Good luck with whatever you're doing here, Gwen…" Anton said.
9:45 am Oscorp Power Plant…
Arriving at the plant around Ditmars Steinway, Frederick and Ned came out of Frederick's own car to prepare for the article John ordered for Frederick to write on. Frederick was reluctant to bring Ned along for the investigation as not only was Ned inexperienced but also it could bring down the quality of his investigation.
"Hey, you two. This site is strictly off limits for people who don't work for Oscorp…" One Oscorp plant worker said walking up to the pair.
"And what about people working for the media? The Daily Bugle?" Frederick asked, "Me and my photographer just want to survey a few things. Particularly with regards to the incident here related to Maxwell Dillon."
"But you already covered that story ages ago." The worker replied.
"Haven't you heard the news lately? This is crucial." Frederick said, "Also I have something I want to tell you."
Frederick then walked up to the worker and did as he promised whispered a couple of words in his ear. Ned watched confused and wondered what Frederick was trying to hide from him. The worked moved back a little confused.
"Why?" The worker asked, "Why would he be interested with this place?"
"It's business. It's happening soon." Frederick said, "Now, may we pass please? I promise we won't mess around with your business."
"Sure…There's not much you can find around here. We cleaned this place up." The worker said.
Both Ned and Frederick were then given protective worker wear as well as VIP badges before entering the plant with the worker as their guide. For Oscorp, a good amount of money had been spent to repair what had been broken during Spider-Man's activities.
"So…Uh.. Do I get to know what you whispered to that guy?" Ned said readying his camera.
Frederick said nothing in response in first before he broke off the silent treatment.
"Stick with me, kid. I'll show you the steps into good journalism." Frederick said.
The worker then led the two of them to a transformer and started conversing as if it was a tour.
"This is where Mr. Dillon got the shock. If you want that picture, now is your chance." The worker said.
Ned then got out his camera and took a couple of snapshots at the machine and the newly constructed power grid poles.
"Fascinating…Hey, Bryan is it?" Frederick asked looking at the worker's nametag, "You don't mind a few interview questions don't you?"
After getting enough pictures and information at the place, Ned and Frederick were escorted out immediately and made it back to the car.
"Hey, Ned...Uh…You wait for me. Gotta make an important business call." Frederick said pulling out his phone.
"Um okay…Is it stuff with Jameson?" Ned said.
"Yeah for sure…" Frederick snickered before motioning Ned to get inside.
As Ned got in, he patiently waited in his seat while Frederick dialled up a number. To kill some time, Ned decided to play a mobile game on his own phone.
"Boss, you there? I got the intel from the Oscorp power plant." Frederick said.
1:30 pm The Raft…
The Raft was built in response to the unpopularity of Ryker's Island which it is stationed next to. Its function has not just provided a new haven for New York's worst but it has been the one place for the most unique and important criminals in town.
Hammerhead was still locked up in his own cell with rumours circulating that he will be released thanks to his Maggia allies but as of now he was secured as tight as possible. The Raft also housed a few more rogues that have fought against Spider-Man which include Kangaroo and Cyclone. The only ones who did not make the cut into the Raft were Beetle who had been inducted into a secret government program and Shocker who was locked up in the Ryker's Island prison.
As a supermax prison, the Raft was also constructed in a way that would be able to house any human mutates making it easy to house its latest prisoner, Maxwell Dillon who had been called 'Electro' by the Daily Bugle. Max had been given his own cell in which the sprinkler system above him constantly turned once in a while just to dull his electrical powers.
To add to his humiliation, sometimes the guards would bring hoses. Max's misery in the Raft was matched by the fact he would never wear proper dry prison clothes. This time however, the odds may change for him with a special visitor coming to meet him.
"Mr. Dillon, you got a guest coming to see you on your first day. Lucky man." A guard informed.
"Hope it's my mother…" Max spat embracing himself after a round of cold water.
The automatic doors to his room slid open and Max came face to face with the large man himself, Wilson Fisk. Wilson was dressed formally in black suit and purple tie while approaching Max's cell.
"Ah…The Big Man, is it? This might be a moment I'll never forget." Max said, "Care to join me in this shower?"
"Mr. Dillon…My name is Wilson Fisk. I'm…One of the people who helped fund and build this prison." Wilson introduced revealing part of the Raft's origins.
"So you're the warden here, is that it?" Max asked.
"I understand that this is not a time to…Make fun of you." Wilson said, "Clearly I have my own brand of pity that I'm bringing for you."
"That ain't enough." Max said briefly while sparks flowed through his entire body.
"I heard about your accident at the Oscorp power plant. A real tragedy really…I can imagine how your work and life were affected." Wilson continued.
"Listen, Big Man. These sweet words don't mean anything to me unless it's something you're offering to me." Max said.
"I'm here to tell you that I'm currently seeking to redevelop the neighbourhood that you were in and I'm appealing to anyone affected by the events. Anyone who is affected by their 'hero', Spider-Man." Wilson said prompting a strong response from Max.
"You here to give me sweet revenge, huh?" Max said intrigued.
Wilson looked at Max giving him a look of sympathy before saying anything further.
"Your abilities are fascinating. Clearly you are special if you somehow survived your accident…" Wilson said.
"Yeah, my whole body changed from the touch of electricity. That Oscorp stuff sure meant something." Max replied.
"My father used to tell me that with great power…There's great authority." Wilson said, "Perhaps I could help you with that."
"What are you offering that's in my interests? Didn't you say you were a business man?" Max questioned.
"I'm man with power and where I see fit, I see to it. If you want out of this cell now, you can follow me and I'll put you under employ for my business." Wilson persuaded.
"Beats this place…" Max said with his whole body beginning to glow a bright yellow causing the guards to raise their guns before Wilson told them all to calm down.
"Don't get too excited yet, Mr. Dillon. I have to get my lawyers first to help clear your name." Wilson said.
4:05 pm Parker residence…
Peter had spent his day being home alone due to the lack of a job while going out of the house from time to time to be Spider-Man. Despite the house's electricity being cut off due to Electro's attack, Peter still had enough power in his laptop to do things.
As the clock ticked, Peter finally received an email from ESU regarding an engineering scholarship on his laptop and opened it up to see if he had got it. His smile went away as soon as he read the email to himself.
Dear Mr. Parker
We regret to inform you that you will not be able to proceed forward with the scholarship for Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering due to your academic performance not missing the standard requirements.
However do not be disappointed as there are plenty of opportunities still open for you.
Empire State University
"Are you serious?! I missed the mark?" Peter complained feeling like he wanted to punch the laptop screen.
As he was looking through his email, Peter also happened to be working on his Spider suit in which he thought about adding proper electrical insulation prior to the encounter with Electro. He opened up the suit and worked his way into placing pieces of rubber beneath it.
"If only I show this to appeal for my scholarship." Peter said to himself stitching up the suit before examining it.
"Probably won't work. Guess I'll have to figure out a new suit to deal with electricity." Peter said peeling off the rubber pieces, "Or I have to keep using Uncle Ben's old gloves and maybe his rubber boots…"
Peter then pushed his suit aside and decided to go on social media feed to check what is going on. Before when he had no laptop, Peter only bothered people through texting or phone calls. This time, everything happened to be more interactive.
There were some people Peter reconnected with like Mary Jane who has an astounding number of people following her stacking up at 1347 people. People like Flash Thompson or Liz Allan have around 700-800 people. Ned has 203 people; Gwen had 423 while Peter only had 129. Out of all the people Peter had, there was one person who hadn't connected with him and that was Harry Osborn.
Knowing that Gwen might be having a good day at ESU herself, Peter decided to check on Ned and see what is up with his friend as of late. After messaging him, Peter then got a Facetime response on his laptop in which their chatting began.
"Hey Peter, how you're doing?" Ned asked sitting his own room.
"Life sucks…I didn't get into the scholarship. Adult life is gonna kill me before I turn 20…" Peter said.
"Well, you have your job right?" Ned asked.
"What job?" Peter said, "I'm never doing wrestling ever again and I'm sure as hell not going to be a pizza boy. The only thing I ever get to do is be a hero which doesn't get anything for me."
"Oh come on…You're making people smile at least with what you do." Ned said.
"You think I'd be an Avenger, huh?" Peter said, "Come on, I'm thinking 'normal' here."
"Dude, relax. You're Peter Parker, you're one of the smartest kids from Midtown High." Ned said.
"Smart to pass school but dumb to pass life. That's what I think." Peter said, "Sorry if I'm moping by the way."
"Hey dude, if you have time tomorrow. Maybe you can stop by the Bugle? We can catch up again and you know I'll see if there's a position you can get there." Ned said.
"The Daily Bugle? Oh great…" Peter groaned knowing that the Bugle constantly bad mouths him as Spider-Man.
"Honestly J. Jonah Jameson is actually a pretty cool dude. It really feels like greatness working there. Plus you do realise his son is an astronaut and while his wife is a lead biologist at ESU?" Ned said.
"Right because he has money…" Peter said with a hint of cynicism.
"Look I know those blogs he writes and such are blasphemy but you gotta give people a chance at face value." Ned said, "Peter, I'm trying to help you as a friend here."
"Yeah I know…I'm just in a state of being driven crazy by disappointment here." Peter said with a sigh.
"Come on, dude. The Daily Bugle really like new recruits." Ned encouraged.
Peter looked down before he could give a straight answer.
"Fine…I'll be there. Let me know the time and everything." Peter said accepting Ned's invitation.
TO BE CONTINUED…
End note: The next couple of weeks might have a slow down in chapter release because I have other things to deal with in my life such as studying and work. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter.