Author's Note: Moving forwards, I'm pretty sure most of you know what's coming but hopefully you enjoy it anyway. I own nothing.
32. Traps
Dr. Connors got into the warehouse lab with little difficulty. There was only a skeleton crew of security on duty, all of whom recognized him and didn't question his appearance at the lab. He was one of the scientists who had cleaned it out initially after all and there was still the towering computer structure to deal with. He stepped off the scaffolding Damage Control had constructed and into the small lab area. He set down his bag and pulled out his computer. With some difficulty he hooked it up to Oc's lab computer. A voice called out to him across the warehouse.
"Doc Connors!" He looked up and spotted Spidergirl setting Glen Stacy down near the entrance. She swung over to him, easily swinging up to platform.
"What are you doing Doc?" He fiddled with the cord he was using to connect his computer to the lab setup.
"I'm recreating what I managed last night. It works Piper, the formula works! If you'll just let me show you!" Neither of them had the chance to do or say anything else as Doc Connors managed to link his computer to the lab. A holographic screen flickered to life a bright red symbol that was far to close to that of Hydra for Piper's liking popped up.
'Hello intruder, you want my tech? Have as much as you like, as long as it doesn't kill you first.' Dr. Otto Octavius' voice echoed through the warehouse and a force field popped up in a ten foot circle around the main lab structure.
"Oh shit." Piper said as several Octobots clambered out of a nearby unbroken crate. "Doc, see if you can't shut down the security system!" Piper leapt off the platform landing on one of the Octobots and ripping into its circuits. Dr. Connors turned back to the console and began to desperately type. Nothing moved to stop him as his formula uploaded from his computer onto the lab computer. A progress bar popped up as he tried to shut down the Octobots. The bar hit a hundred and a vial popped out of the computer. Dr. Connors grabbed it just as he heard Piper shout his name. He felt her snag him off the platform as one of the Octobots brought a mass of pipes crashing down onto the platform. She managed to land and breathe for a second before her spidey sense went crazy again. She shoved Dr. Connors out of the way as more pipes began to fall. She almost managed to get out of the way but not quite. Several large pipes came crashing down around her and she screamed as one of them smashed into her legs but she didn't have much time to think about it as her head met the concrete and her vision starred before going black.
Dr. Connors stumbled to his feet, still clutching the formula in one hand. He glanced around looking for Spidergirl when he spotted her his heart almost stopped. She was laying half under a metal pipe that was at least three times her size and she wasn't moving. One of the Octobots was advancing on the downed hero. Several of the security officers were trying to get through the force field but they would never make it in time. He had no choice, it was possible, even probable, that the formula would not only allow the regrowth of limbs but enhance human strength. He tore off his lab coat and jabbed the needle into his arm watching with bated breath as the dark green liquid flowed into his veins. He screamed as the formula raced through him like fire and ice, burning and stinging every molecule of his being.
Glen stared as Dr. Connors fell to his knees and one of the Octobots approached the spot where Spidergirl had fallen. He could do nothing to help from outside the forcefield. He was certain that he was about to watch Piper die when suddenly Dr. Connors leapt forwards into the pile of pipes. There was a moments silence before one of the pipes shifted and Dr. Connors reappeared with Spidergirl thrown over his shoulder. Glen stared, Dr. Connors arm was… well it was hard to describe. Where once there had been nothing but a stump maybe an inch longer than his shoulder there was now half an arm, up to the elbow.
Piper blinked slightly. Her legs were sore but she seemed to have been freed from her predicament. She shook her head trying to clear it and blinked at the back in front of her. She wiggled and the person holding her set her back on her feet. She stared at him for a second before recognizing Dr. Connors. His missing arm was back up to the elbow. She blinked at him.
"Doc, what did you do?" The security team finally managed to break through the forcefield and rushed them out of the lab space as the remaining Octobots tore up the lab. Piper shook her head again, stretching her legs slightly. They were sore but nothing appeared to be broken. Glen raced forwards and paused as Dr. Connors scratched his newly growing arm. Spidey had waved off the security team and pulled a cell phone from somewhere. She dialed quickly.
"Nova. Need a favor, swing by the address I'm texting you. You're gonna need a specimen carrier. One of the bigger ones, needs to be more than two feet at least. Don't worry the thing is dead." Dr. Connors frowned, still itching his arm.
"What are you talking about Spidergirl?" Piper held up a finger, silently telling the scientist to wait. He couldn't really tell where she was looking. Under her mask her big blue eyes were fixed on Dr. Connors new arm. It looked alright, no scales or anything. But she wasn't sure how far she could trust her eyes on this.
"Have JARVIS clear out the Bio Chem level. I don't care this takes precedence. Yes now. We're on our way." Piper put her hand down slipping her phone back into her costume.
"Doc, I'm gonna take you back to Stark Tower. Glen you follow in a cab, I'm gonna need your help." Glen nodded racing outside already calling an Uber. Piper grabbed Doctor Connors around the waist and pulled them both out of the warehouse and across the New York skyline.