SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 46)
Note: Looking forward to No Way Home soon.
3:45 pm Fisk Tower…
After the attack at Forest Hills Hospital, Wilson was furious despite the death of former captain George Stacy. He was mostly upset that his proudly appointed vigilante enforcer had taken matters into her own hands unrestrained and ruined the image of hope he wanted to showcase.
"This is a PR disaster." Wilson muttered sitting at his desk to James Wesley.
James said nothing as he knew Wilson was in a foul mood. No reassurance is going to calm his boss down as he knew the rage he spewed out in the past.
"I know I got away in the past but if all breaks loose again, then I may never be able to live in this city or perhaps the country anymore." Wilson said.
"New York will never leave you, sir." James replied finding the right moment, "You have done tremendous amounts for the city. Your legacy."
"Then I'd leave it to the vultures out there." Wilson said, "Wesley… Let's set up a press conference for tomorrow."
5:30 pm John's apartment…
John scuffled through his recording equipment whilst holding the newspaper headlines for today in the palm of his hands. After setting everything up, he put on his headphones before pressing the record button.
"Ooh boy. Just when I had my hopes up, like many others… I had to swallow them." John started.
"Yes, let's start with the story. Our supposed heroine, Mackenzie Gargan aka the Scorpion had 'accidently' killed former police captain George Stacy at a local hospital. This is so tragic because god knows what was going on in the first place." John continued before sipping from his mug.
"You see, it just so happens that our two Spider-menaces were on the scene when this occurred. Why were they there? Now for all my complaints about them, I know they think they are heroes. So what business is there with them and George Stacy?" John asked, "Was Mr. Stacy a secret close associate of the two who feeds them intel to do their dirty work? What legacy does this man leave behind?"
"There's also the fact three FBI agents were on the scene either to protect him from those two or maybe… Just maybe there's some shifty law enforcement on display? So folks…I'd like to ask a question. How do we define TRUE justice in these circumstances?" John asked, "Me? Oh, I'm not siding with the Spider people for sure but these law enforcers? We better get a clear case on what business George Stacy was on before that tragic incident. My condolences to the Stacy family by the way."
8:35 pm Yuri's house…
Yuri sat in her desk room hanging papers and photos onto a clipboard as she studied everything carefully.
"Why would Fisk be disappearing all these people? I can't find too many links regarding their motives against him." Yuri said, "No illegal activities that connect them; seriously… Did they throw this out there to distract me?"
As she shook her head, she noticed Gwen outside the window peering in and tapping the window gently. Walking towards her, Yuri opened up the window and let Gwen in before looking outside to ensure no one else was there.
"So, the two of you know my home address as well." Yuri said, "Guess I'm in trouble."
Gwen did not turn around after getting inside and was deeply upset about George. However, she had to keep her emotions in check as to not arouse suspicion.
"I had to use an old white pages book to figure where you were." Gwen said.
"Good. Cause damn electronics can get rigged." Yuri said, "So… If you're here about the update about Fisk then I've got nothing yet."
"I didn't expect there to be anything yet." Gwen stated, "I was… Hoping you can help me?"
Yuri scoffed before getting serious.
"You should tell me now… Why can I trust you when the news is you and Spider-Man as well as that new scorpion super cop are involved in an incident where an esteemed former police captain had been killed in hospital?" Yuri questioned.
"I didn't kill him!" Gwen yelled turning around.
"So, what business did he have with you?" Yuri continued to ask.
Gwen paused before giving Yuri the best answer she could muster.
"He was a friend who'd help us. Simple as that. When the fight against the bad guys continued; it was-… Only a matter of time before they start targeting those closest to us." Gwen said, "Ask that bug lady yourself why she killed him. Ask Fisk."
Yuri gulped before calming down.
"Sorry… I judged you too hard before hearing you out." Yuri said, "But does that mean I'm in danger too?"
"If I'm being frank. I'd say 'yes'." Gwen replied, "I mean… Aren't you neck deep in your own investigation on Fisk? Seems if we even poke him, he'll come for you."
"Glad you realise that… Anyway, how's Spider-?" Yuri asked.
However, before Yuri could finish, a man with glowing yellow eyes tried attacking Gwen from behind after crashing through the same window Gwen entered in. The attack caused Gwen and the man to knock down Yuri's furniture.
"Get off me!" Gwen said surprised at the man's strength.
Yuri in urgency against the damage caused in her house grabbed a switchblade out of her pocket and tried getting up close and personal. The constant flailing by Gwen and the man made it difficult but Yuri managed to land a hit onto the man's back.
The man yelled with a distorted screech before letting Gwen go. He then got back up in an instance after both Gwen and Yuri noticed deteriorating features on the man as the skin seemed to be melting.
"What the-?" Yuri said as the man began to slowly melt.
Despite the display of strength beforehand, the man continued to lose function as everything that melted became a puddle of liquid emitting carbon dioxide. Despite the mask, Gwen could smell a stench coming from what remains.
"Strange." Yuri said picking up her imperfect switchblade, "Hang on, that face looked a bit familiar to me."
Yuri ran back to her study room and clicked onto her computer before logging into her NYPD website portal to look into her case files. She opened up her missing persons file and examined each face. She then closely examined the face of the man that she had saw.
"Cillian Kent. Laboratory Technician at U-Genetics?" Yuri stated.
"Oh no…" Gwen stated prompting Yuri to ask, "What?"
"I know who is behind it then. It make senses." Gwen said as if she had enough ghosts already.
"Is this person related to Fisk?" Yuri asked.
"I don't think he has that much of a relation with him but he's a vile man." Gwen said, "His name is Miller Warren."
"Miller Warren…" Yuri said back before typing his name on the portal, "He's on the missing person list too."
"Yeah, I think he did some face-lifting." Gwen said looking at the old photo of the Empire State University professor.
"Well, thanks for giving me an idea on why some of these people are missing." Yuri said, "I can finally move forth with this case."
"Wait. You don't know what he's capable of." Gwen said, "It's not the first time he's created super human freaks. I know…"
Remembering her own capture was the fear that made Gwen think she is not ready to face against Miller.
"And are we letting this man continue his inhumane work despite that? No." Yuri said, "This calls into urgency. Besides, this actually may be a case where I can call in the whole police department."
"I thought you said the police department was-." Gwen stated.
"They're potentially corrupted? True. But this case was given to me so I can relay this as information back." Yuri said, "As long as Fisk is not tied to it. I still barely know you but you've helped me a lot and it's getting us somewhere."
Yuri then got up from her chair and put on a coat.
"Where are you going?" Gwen asked.
"I'm going to organise a squad and I'm going to storm that U-Genetics place with your help. But of course, I need you out of sight or there will be trouble." Yuri said.
"So what's the plan, wise girl?" Gwen asked again.
12:00 am U-Genetics…
Miller sat in his office excited about tomorrow. Once he installs the aero dispensers around the city, he will witness an event exclusively for himself without a care.
"It's time humanity reaches their next stage of evolution soon. One that they can control for the better adaption against nature itself." Miller said with a grin in his office chair.
Drinking finely brewed whiskey out of his mug, Miller swivelled around his chair before walking up to the glass windows to see NYPD siren lights down below.
"Cops…" Miller said with a snicker, "More lambs to the slaughter and rebirth."
12:45 am Someone's house…
Outside of New York City, a fax machine had begun printing out the words on paper saying, 'CHECK YOUR EMAIL! NEW INFO.' A man then picked up the paper before walking to his computer desk. Opening up his personal email, he found an email with a video attachment that detailed Frederick Foswell's murder.
After finishing the video, the man clicked on the Daily Globe article regarding the burning of Flowerbed Apartments. The same one where Frederick and his niece had lived.
TO BE CONTINUED…