"And finally here is where my personal studio is and where we'll spend most of our time together, what do you think, Peter?"
"I think I can't wait to get to work with you Dr Connor." I reply.
"Ahah, I appreciate the enthusiasm, Peter, but it's still too early to put on the lab coat. I have yet to introduce you to the other colleagues you'll be working with. While we're waiting, how about we try that-"
"I thought only my husband had that excited baby look when it comes to science, but I see he found a new playmate apparently."
The source of that amused voice we just heard is a woman with short brown hair and blue eyes. Dr Connors, after overcoming the initial embarrassment due to the woman's sentence, He approaches her and he jokes that, after all, one must have the same curiosity as a child in scientific research to progress.
Then the doctor joins the woman, who turns out to be his wife, Martha Connors, who, after greeting me, warns us that the other members of this team of researchers are in the meeting room.
Once there, I have the pleasure of meeting the other five people working on the team created by Dr Connors.
I discover that each of their specializations, as well as their related research, belong to a different branch from that of biogenetics.
Rather than being a compact group working towards a single research, everyone works on their own thing and, if necessary, they give each other a hand, ranging from astrophysics to geology.
Even Dr Connors' wife, although she also specializes in biogenetics like her husband, is working on her own research instead of collaborating with Dr Connors.
From what I understand you are studying a possible formula that can eliminate a genetic diseases of the human D.N.A. , which, although still immature as research, seems to be giving very good signals.
Being surrounded by these people, even if very recently, has given me a very positive impact.
Their obvious passion and their desire to give a positive contribution to the world, fills my heart with happiness, just like when I save someone like Spider-Man, however they do not need a costume or run the same dangers that my alter ego runs.
Inevitably, my memory leads me to remember when I first felt these feelings when I was working with Otto, with whom we shared the dream of changing the world together.
Although what I feel is not as intense as then, I feel in me the immense desire to help these brilliant minds to the best of my ability, in the hope that it will benefit them in achieving their goals.
At the end of that quick meeting where I met Dr Connors' colleagues, each of the researchers moves to their workstation to start working and, in the same way, Dr Connors and I also go to his lab where he will explain to me what I can help him with today.
After a general explanation of what needs to be done today, we start to get down to business, but suddenly I realize I forgot to ask something.
"Dr Connors, I know you also work in the field of biogenetics, but specifically what you're working on."
"As far as you know, my wife Martha works on a formula to correct portions of genes that lead to the birth of certain diseases. Instead of eliminating myself, I aim to improve the human D.N.A. so that our body is free of weaknesses. Question, in your opinion, how would that be possible? Let's say there's a man I don't have an arm with because of an amputation like me. Theoretically, what could we do to remedy this disability?" Professor Connors asks as he looks at me with high expectations.
Before answering, I remain in silence to reflect on what might be the possible correct answers until, suddenly, in my head I relive the memory of when I was bitten by that spider.
"Cross-species genetics..." Whisper.
"Continue." Professor Connors says interested while together we approach one of the doors of the laboratory he was supposed to show me.
"I'm talking about the possibility of replacing parts of our genes with animal ones, which can compensate for certain weaknesses or shortcomings in our genes. For example, a woman with Parkinson's could heal if she had the ability to regenerate brain cells of a zebra fish. As for an amputated arm, all you need to do is find an animal that can make up for it, and since you're an esteemed herpetologist, I think it's obvious what animal gene you can think about." I say thoughtful.
To awaken me from my reflexive state, Dr Connors squeezes me a shoulder with his hand and looks at me with a look that to define enthusiastic is reductive.
"I knew I made the right choice by asking you Peter..." Professor Connors says in a tone of full admiration and pride.
After saying this, the man opens the door that we are now in front of, revealing cases full of lizards and other types of reptiles.
"Just like you said, my research focuses on the future possibility of Cross-species genetics and I'm currently working on the possibility of combining human genes and reptile genes. My research is currently focused on the possibility of recovering lost limbs, just like lizards. I know you'll find the reason for the birth of my reserch selfish bu-"
"No, Dr Connors, I understand that it wasn't just your situation that pushed you into this reserch and even if it was born of a selfish desire, what does it matter? If you could make this real, it would help a lot of people who are struggling because of situations like yours. "I interrupt him.
"I'm glad you see it as I do, Peter. Well then, let's get to work boy!" Professor Connors exclaims happily.
Fortunately, I was not forced to leave before my shift ended and I was able to work in peace with Dr Connors, with whom we have reviewed the data collected so far.
Even my usual afternoon patrol around New York in the role of Spider-Man turned out to be devoid of important events, leaving out some minor theft attempts.
A total calm, which for some reason my sense of spider perceives as a signal for the arrival of insidious danger in the future.
'Just like the saying, this seems to be the famous quiet before the storm. I just hope this time it's a drizzle and not a blizzard like the one that was months ago with Ultron...'
Once I take off my costume and I'm back in the shoes of a civilian, I head home to start already preparing dinner for the most beautiful and generous woman in Queens and to send the photos I took of Spider-Man in action at the Daily Bugle.
The moment I'm near the neighborhood of Forest Hills, I hear my phone ring and, when I take it to see on the screen who was calling me, I see on the display the name of "Match head🔥".
Like every time I see that contact's name, a smile naturally forms on my face as I answer the phone and hear the voice of that idiot I consider my best friend.