SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 16)
8:45 am Empire State University Campus…
Finally arriving at the entrance of Empire State, Gwen walked onto the prestigious grounds of the university greeted by the bronze statue of its founder, Stanley Oktid. The university motto of 'Excelsior' was stamped underneath it reminding students and staff about the brighter days ahead of them.
However, today was not one of them. Gwen noticed that there were police patrolling the university grounds with their dogs on leash. This was no doubt a response towards the Man-Spider incident. For some reason, Gwen also felt alerted to everything around her as if there was something dangerous.
"Everything okay here?" Gwen asked an officer.
"Actually, yes. For now. Had the situation been any worse, the university would have been closed." The officer said, "That can change though."
"Well if you think so. Thanks, officer." Gwen said before heading to class.
8:30 am Professor Warren's office…
Earlier, Miller was under a lot stress with not just the authorities. But also, the science and ethics committee. There was plenty of paperwork to be filled out for him regarding the Man-Spider incident.
"I can't take this much reduction." Miller protested looking at the grant paper on his desk.
"I'm sorry, Miller. The money needs to be well spent but surely it can't impact your research too much right?" The female committee director stated.
"It's too much!" Miller yelled, "In fact, I don't consider that a failure. Those were positive results that can be taken elsewhere."
"Creating a monstrous arachnid, Warren?" The committee director asked again, "Isn't that unethical?"
"If there was no consent, of course. But Mr. Rodriguez and I went through this. We talked and we were ready for consequences. We-." Miller answered before being stopped.
"Regardless, you never stated to us about the full depths of this project." The committee director interrupted.
Miller grumbled underneath his breath and had the urge to tear out the committee director's throat but managed to suppress it.
"I apologise. You know…I've been fascinated with New York's arachnid hero lately, I must admit." Miller stated.
"Spider-Man? What does that have to do?" The committee director asked.
"There's so much about him that is shrouded in mystery. And I'm at the peak level of discovery to uncover all the fascinating biology he has. To make better versions of ourselves." Miller said before cracking a smile.
"Okay, okay…Uh, why don't you take your time with the paper?" The committee director said as he turned around.
"Why don't you consider the breakthrough of my research as well?" Miller argued, "After all, you still let the guy responsible for the magnesium blow up to continue working around, right?"
The committee director turned around to face Miller before giving his word.
"Professor Warren… You might want to watch that sharp tongue of yours. You're lucky that we haven't considered firing you." The committee director said.
"Oh, you wouldn't want to try. It would be a shame to lose me." Miller warned.
8:54 am Empire State University…
As Gwen got close to class, she managed to catch Miller running out in a hurry before bumping into him.
"Oh, hey Professor!" Gwen greeted.
"Gwendolyn Stacy. Here on this day, huh? To be honest, a lot of you students should be staying home." Miller stated.
"Oh, really? But we've got a cell biology test, right?" Gwen replied.
"Might want to check again, the university could close down for real next day." Miller said holding onto a piece of paperwork.
"So, everything okay?" Gwen asked.
"So far…" Miller said while trying to crack a smile and holding onto the piece of paper, "It's tough having to deal with things like a crazy spider man."
"Right…Hope you can get through it, sir." Gwen nodded in response.
"Oh and…One more thing before you go to class." Miller said.
"Yes?" Gwen asked.
"I've been setting up individual meetings with everyone who had been involved with my internship." Miller said, "They're at my place in Queens. My office is compromised at the moment."
"What is this about?" Gwen asked again.
"You see…I'm trying to get through everyone regarding the consequences of our work. You know what I mean?" Miller asked.
"Uh, sort of… Um… I have some things I want to say too." Gwen stated.
"Well, hold them off. You have class. Let me know when you want to visit me at your convenience. It's still urgent though, so please come along." Miller said.
Gwen thought hard about the offer and found it strange that Miller would arrange meetings at his place. Then again, it would seem everything at Empire State University at the moment is a mess so it makes sense.
"Alright… Um, I can stop this afternoon around 4 o'clock?" Gwen asked.
"That's absolutely perfect. Anyway, I'll see you there." Miller said before starting to walk away.
As Gwen walked to her class, Miller titled his head a little as he thought he sensed something strange from Gwen.
"I will definitely be seeing you." Miller thought.
9:30 am The Raft…
Meanwhile, business elsewhere took place at the Raft. Wilson made his way through the penitentiary he was partially responsible for building and took the elevator down to a level where individuals are being scientifically examined.
Accompanied by prison guards and James Wesley, he stormed the place before entering the room where Man-Spider was held. The creature had its mouth covered by a muzzle of sorts and contained within a boxed transparent cell where it was trapped in.
"I'm having so much fun with him, Mr. Fisk." Dr. Gerhard Winkler stated staring at the cell.
Wilson observed the creature in fascination while it continued to struggle. Before giving out his own input.
"This isn't fun, doctor. This is research." Wilson stated, "More importantly, answers for our enemy."
"Of course, I've tried the anaesthetics by the way. They seem ineffective. Would killing it be worth it then?" Gerhard asked.
"No…After all, this isn't just a creature we're talking about." Wilson answered aware that Man-Spider was an ordinary human beforehand.
"Indeed…" Gerhard said.
"Keep working. I have another thing to get to." Wilson said before leaving Gerhard with Man-Spider.
As he left, Wilson stopped by another area in the Raft that he had special access to. Within another room, he watched prison guards surround a cell that was half-filled with water. The cell was like a fish tank until Wilson motioned for the water to be drained.
After all the water was drained, Wilson watched a drenched Electro in prison clothes fall to the ground as he breathed heavily before looking up.
"You asshole… Keeping me in this cell like I'm some sort of fish." Electro growled with sparks of electricity jumping around his hands.
"You are important, Mr. Dillion. But have no worries, you are ready to be free once more." Wilson said.
"I'm just an asset right now, is that it?!" Electro yelled.
"You'll come around, Mr. Dillion." Wilson said taking a small device from a guard's hand before pressing it.
Electro then felt jolts of electricity pass through the collar around him which shocked him and empowered him at the same time.
"Oh, I'm feeling it now." Electro smiled.
"As you should. I have another chance for you regarding your web-slinging friend." Wilson said.
"Way to get me motivated, Mister Kingpin." Electro replied acknowledging the alias of Wilson as he continued to spark up.
"Do a special task for me. You'll need it." Wilson said.
9:30 am Daily Bugle building rooftop…
Peter and Ned went up to the rooftop examining the damaged Spider-Man mask from last night's fight against Man-Spider.
"You sure you can repair that?" Ned asked.
"Of course. But it's complicated." Peter said holding onto the mask and being wary of the acidic webbing.
"Can you shoot acid webs?" Ned asked again.
"No… That will be irresponsible of me." Peter stated.
"Well, what are we going to do now?" Ned asked.
"I've got a hunch with the F.E.A.S.T. areas. Plus, I've got plans with some other bad guys. Mainly that Lonnie Lincoln." Peter said.
"What about him?" Ned asked concerned.
"He's got a lot of big things with Fisk." Peter stated.
TO BE CONTINUED…
End note: Stanley Oktid is a play on Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.