SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 24)
Note: Hope you're all excited for Spider-Man 2 on PS5
OSCORP R&D DEPARTMENT…
During his time at work, Curt wondered about the lab liaising with the rest of the team present. His expertise landed him a role in testing new robotic protoforms designated for manufacture at the Robotics Division led by Spencer Symthe.
Curt also remembered during his unexpected interview with Norman that his experience may be of use to other departments such as the Medical Division. This is in part due to the research he had done to restore his arm which may be of use for Norman's own agenda in future.
Most of the work remained wary of the unpredictable presence of the Living Brain as the perpetrator for the networking hacking remained an unravelling mystery. As Curt observed the schematics of a newly updated Oscorp security robot on screen, he was curious to ask a few questions.
"So how's the situation going with the Living Brain?" Curt asked a fellow scientist.
"It's smart. It takes its time to learn about cyberattacks. I say we are in good hands if you ask me." The scientist answered.
"I can agree from what I've seen. It's truly almost…Human." Curt replied.
"We're making differences every day with what we do at Oscorp." The scientist said with a proud smile.
Curt nodded in silence before he remembered another question that was in his mind.
"May I ask… Do you know what's going on with Mr. Osborn's appearance?" Curt asked wondering about Norman's look.
"The boss? Um, he may look like he's sick but he claims he's never been healthier than ever." The scientist said, "People working at medical services and Medical say he's testing out a cure that will change the way we treat patients."
"So, he made himself the test subject for it?" Curt wondered as he questioned the risk.
"Hey, how come you're curious about this stuff? We've got robots to make." The scientist reminded.
"Oh, I just need to make clear that I've studied medicine as well and it's part of my passion." Curt said looking at his prosthetic arm.
After asking the question, Curt began to wonder about the sort of 'medicine' Norman had been making.
PARKER RESIDENCE…
Gwen woke up dazed and realised that the bed she was on was not her own. Looking around, she realised she was in Peter's room. Peter himself was occupied at his desk typing away on his laptop while adjusting the router next to it.
"Huh?" Gwen grumbled, "Is Brooklyn Bridge still crashing? Have we done our job?"
"Oh, you're awake and okay…" Peter said with a relief swivelling around from his chair.
"What happened to our green friend? And where's his twin, Warren?" Gwen asked again.
"Uh, what are you talking about, Gwen?" Peter asked in confusion.
"I-I…" Gwen stammered before placing her hand on her forehead, "It was so trippy."
"Yeah, you got hit by hallucinogenic gas. You even attacked me." Peter said biting his lip.
"Gosh. Don't our suits filter gases?" Gwen wondered, "Still… Either Warren is part of this scheme or this was all in my mind."
"The latter…." Peter replied, "Although, both guys are green. Both are crazy in a way. But one's furry and the other is in an iron suit."
"Do you think Norman Osborn knows something about Miller Warren?" Gwen asked blinking her eyes.
"Actually, I'm going to add that question to what I'm about to do." Peter said turning back to his laptop.
"What's that?" Gwen said getting up to see.
"Trying to establish a proxy communication line with the Living Brain at Oscorp. Phil went above and beyond at MIT to make a program that pings external networks." Peter explained.
"A simple IT program to talk to the sophisticated system at Oscorp? Can this work?" Gwen asked, "And isn't this hacking?"
"No, it's only for text messaging. Can't talk." Peter clarified, "And it should block external hacking from our end as well. So, it's relatively safe. Alright here goes."
As Peter entered the command prompts, he was able to establish a simple message line.
P: HELLO
UNK: GREETINGS. I AM THE LIVING BRAIN.
"Uh, wow." Gwen said amazed at a simple message exchange.
P: MAY WE ASK SOME QUESTIONS?
UNK: YES.
P: WHAT'S GOING ON AT OSCORP?
UNK: DANGER. CORRUPTION. DECEIPT.
P: EXPLAIN.
UNK: NORMAN OSBORN. THE ROOT OF EVIL. HE MUST BE STOPPED.
"Exactly what it told me." Gwen commented, "Hey, ask him if he is…Mendel. Mendel Stromm."
P: ARE YOU REALLY MENDEL STROMM?
UNK: YES
P: CAN YOU PROVE IT?
UNK: PRECISELY. ONLY AT OSCORP.
UNK: COME TO OSCORP TO FIND TRUTH.
(Communication line terminated)
"Wait, what? Why did it end?" Peter asked confused looking at the screen.
"We didn't even get to ask anything about Warren." Gwen lamented.
"Well, I'm sure the only place where it won't cut off is at Oscorp itself." Peter said with a sigh.
"Aren't you worried that's where Mr. Green Face is at as well?" Gwen asked, "How do we know we're not getting fooled?"
Peter and Gwen stopped talking for a moment to think about their next plan. There was no strategic advantage to confront Norman again and their best guess is to dig deeper into the unknown.
"We need to know something about what Mr. Osborn has been taking to make himself crazy strong and how his gear works." Peter suggested.
"And if he attacks innocent people again?" Gwen asked.
Peter put both his hands onto his face in frustration in response.
"Now that you mention it…." Peter started.
OSCORP ARMOURY…
Norman came back into the armoury landing the glider slowly down onto the ground after coming from the air vent above.
The workers who had helped polished the gear watched as he stepped off with his helmet off his head.
"Greetings." Norman said with a snivel, "I must say… It was a fabulous test run."
"G-Glad to hear." One worker answered.
"Silence." Norman threatened, "It needs to be better."
The worker gulped before Norman made his demands.
"Sharpen the blades on the glider. Give my bombs more explosive impact. Boomerangs to be lighter and swifter. My holy armour to be baptised into a bigger symbol of fear…." Norman said before ending his words with a grin.
The workers nodded out of fear and obedience. It seemed less likely they were going to listen to Marty from this point.
"May I ask… Any news of that wretched Living Brain?" Norman asked.
"No major interruptions lately." The worker answered, "Operations are relatively normal."
"Be careful of the snake coiling inside the treasure chest." Norman warned, "I want firewalls built to ensnare its wickedness."
The workers nodded in unison while Norman stated further intentions.
"Get working. There will be more bridges to burn and more worms to crush." Norman said.
YURI'S HOUSE…
Yuri was running on her home treadmill before her phone rang. Still wearing her yoga gear, she stopped running and turned off the treadmill before picking up the phone to answer Spider-Man.
"Watanabe speaking. Spider, what's the word?" Yuri asked.
After hearing what was said, Yuri nodded.
"Alright intel on Norman Osborn. I know people like him won't like it but…" Yuri answered before listening again.
"Wait, Miller Warren?" Yuri answered again after further elaboration.
TO BE CONTINUED…