SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 2)
MANHATTAN FINANCIAL DISTRICT…
The police soon arrived at scene surrounding Gwen and Shocker. All civilians were then told to leave the scene as the police got out of their cars.
"10-15, clear. Mr. Schultz has been caught." An officer said over his walkie-talkie, "Spider-Woman, you can leave now."
"Not until I get info on how this guy got out." Gwen insisted.
"Listen, we have jobs here too." The officer replied, "You catch the criminals; we arrest them and question them."
Gwen found the exchange unbelievable as she expected much more gratefulness for helping to stop a major super-criminal.
"You know this is the Shocker, right?" Gwen retorted.
"He isn't some top-tier villain; this guy is just a pushover." The officer said as he looked back to see the other officers removed the costume off Shocker to reveal Herman Schultz, "Hey, maybe when you bring down a serious villain like Wilson Fisk, then we can look up to you the way we do with Spider-Man."
"Are you kidding? I was there when he was arrested. And what about the Jackal? The green furry monster thing." Gwen asked.
"As far as I'm concerned, that cop and her squad took the credit for that. Very brave of her." The officer said in reference to Yuriko Watanabe.
Even her biggest victory cementing her as an individual hero was overlooked; Gwen could not believe the discord.
"This is ridiculous. Alright, have at it." Gwen said.
Zipping away, Gwen let the authorities take care of Shocker as much of his gear was removed before Herman himself was handcuffed. She was not going to take in more frustration as she swung to the tops of each building.
Gwen then instinctively pulled out her phone and called Peter. Peter picked up the phone instantly and greeted her.
"Hey, I just heard the news that you took down Shocker. I must say that's awesome of you." Peter said.
"Yeah, I didn't get all the love for it though." Gwen said in disappointment as she looked down below at the police scene she strayed from, "Besides some of them miss you it seems."
"Don't worry too hard, I know not everyone likes me either. I mean you'd have to twist my arm bad if you want someone like Jonah to like me." Peter said, "Look you're not doing this for the fame; you're doing this because it is the right thing to do."
"You sure know your advice, Peter." Gwen said with a smile, "You're the only person I got; who can keep me going. I'm sure you're enjoying your little private life now."
"Oh, I'm stuck in my little apartment now." Peter said, "Got a lot of research to do for Dr. Connors tomorrow."
"Maybe it's just bad experience; but don't grow close with your science teachers." Gwen joked based on her experience.
"I'll know before it happens." Peter said, "But come on, I've waited for this moment my entire life. Tomorrow I'll make a concrete effort to help the world as Peter Parker."
"Well, good luck with that, science whiz. Maybe I'll go home; play the drum kit and write some music." Gwen said.
"So, uh… Any plans for dinner?" Peter asked briefly stopping Gwen from hanging up.
"Um, maybe tomorrow or the day after that?" Gwen stated, "What's on your mind?"
"Hmm… I'm thinking the old Italian restaurant that we all went through our families? You know… Romita's?" Peter suggested, "Or what other cuisines or preferences do you have in mind?"
"No…That's fine. And poetic." Gwen said, "Oh, it looks like the police have finished their job. Guess, I'm going to call it a day too. Talk later?"
"Sure, love you." Peter said before the call ended.
Gwen took a deep breath as the convoy was prepared for Herman to be taken back. As this happened, Gwen looked at the sun from afar and pondered for that feeling of significance. Sometimes even wondering what her father would think as well.
CONNORS LABORATORY…
Peter arrived back at the lab the next day and saw Curt feeding the lizards superworms. Curt was occupied with a smile as he attended to them.
"Good morning, doctor." Peter said before Curt turned around to greet him.
"Peter Parker. You're just in time." Curt replied putting the jar of worms aside on the table.
"I see you were busy." Peter noted.
"Well, I can't take these guys home." Curt replied looking into the glass tank, "They're part of an animals ethics agreement I have to abide by."
"I spent a good chunk of the evening yesterday reading through your papers, doctor." Peter said, "Simulating all aspects of the hand and arm nervous system non-biologically is nuts; not too mention to recreate the number of nerves the human body has overall."
"You see, that is where experience matters, young man. You've only just entered this world and that's the response I expected from you." Curt said, "Surely you read thoroughly how I and others have cracked the secret to making a hand. The median nerve; the ulnar nerve; radial. Dorsal; Palmar."
It was at that point, Peter had to put his intelligence to the test. He was facing a prestigious researcher and he needed to land the first impression as best as he can.
"Yes, I've read it." Peter answered.
"Good. Because I will be putting you to the test." Curt said before directing Peter to seat where the mechanical arm he saw from yesterday was displayed.
Alongside the arm were a touchscreen pad as well as a mini circuit board.
"I don't recall a circuit board being mentioned." Peter said as he took his seat prepared for him.
"Here's the task; I want you to replicate matching voltage of a normal action potential for the arm to generate with." Curt said, "Use the touchscreen for reference and figure out a proper circuit generating -70 mV and -55 mV. You have an hour to do your best; good luck."
Left to the devices; Peter was left with the tools Curt had lent him. He remembered trying something with circuitry for a Spider tracer he wanted to make but could not due to the complications. If he could reroute the circuits; then he would have a blueprint for making that device. However, his insistence on not being Spider-Man now would not make this happen any time soon.
After an hour of head scratching and intricate engineering; Peter came to a conclusion with Curt coming back with a coffee mug on his normal hand.
"Doc…How did I do?" Peter said whilst checking the touchscreen.
Curt then looked at the set up on the circuit board before opening up a computer monitor screen to open up a measurement program to check on the voltage.
"When I tell you to press the start button; you start." Curt said whilst holding the mug on one hand.
After Curt gave Peter the signal, the signal of the voltage measurement was displayed. A near replica of an action potential plot was displayed showing all necessary steps from resting statel to the polarisation stages and refractory stage.
"Remarkable. You've managed to create a near identical simulation of the nervous system within one day." Curt said checking the monitor screen, "That's enough millivoltage for a signal to generate in order for an arm to move."
"I did it?" Peter remarked.
"Let's see how it works." Curt said detaching his own mechanical arm onto the table in exchange for the one being tested.
Upon attaching the arm, Curt tried moving it around on its own.
"Still stiff; but the signalling is there for sure." Curt observed, "A natural first step, young man. Be proud."
Peter nodded happily in response; he had past his first test in proving his intelligence.
STATEN ISLAND…
In the 'forgotten borough' of New York City; the borough was near dead silent at night after days long industrial activity. Gwen had an update of a new lead regarding the release of the Shocker. News updates had suspicions of increased theft activities with a group of men stealing electronic-related materials such as chips and engine parts. The latest trend scattered across the city with multiple sources that included the Shocker.
"An Oscorp manufacturing facility here in this place?" Gwen said to herself as she checked her phone, "First it was a bank heist for gold bars but now a manufacturing place?"
Yuri had been feeding Gwen much of her intel regarding the latest updates. One of which had been given to her here.
"Alright, let's see what this place is making." Gwen said leaping to action.
Because the borough is more suburb in nature; Gwen mostly found her web-swinging to be a little redundant unless there were light poles nearby.
"As if this isn't ridiculous…" Gwen murmured as she arrived at the automatic door of the facility without a single web swing.
The door was secured shut however for Gwen this was not a problem thanks to her unique ability of phasing through. Slipping pass the solid glass of the door, Gwen entered the premises whilst keeping an eye for security cameras.
The place was dark with light only coming from exit signs and other lights illuminating doors. In recent times, Gwen had followed Peter's footsteps in updating her eye lens to include a flashlight; thermal-vision and night vision. Gwen chose the night-vision to keep a full-vision in the darkly lit environment.
"So far nothing…What's the crime?" Gwen wondered, "Or am I getting set up?"
Soon, Gwen heard a small clanking noise that drew her attention. She then tiptoed to the nearest door with the label 'SECURITY'. Behind the door, she could hear muffled noises before slipping through the door with her phase-through.
Inside was a Oscorp security guard with duct tape on his mouth as well as his hands around the swivel chair and a black beanie masked man wearing a blue welder suit with a tool belt attached. The guard was the first to be alerted to Gwen's presence causing the other man to turn around.
"Hey, what the hell?" The man said before picking up a spanner that had fell out of his belt earlier.
In an instance, the masked man swung down the spanner before Gwen dodged and tossed the man away from her and breaking the door down. The man then hit the wall outside of the room and was knocked out. Gwen then shot some webbing to keep him pinned down.
She then approached the security guard and took off the tape on his mouth.
"The system got hacked and one of these guys snuck in here." The guard said in recognition that it was Spider-Woman.
"What's going on?" Gwen asked.
"There's a crew raiding the assembly room. I can't show you because they jammed my screens but I know why they're here." The guard said pointing to the static screens he was supposed to be monitoring.
"Alright, which way is this assembly room?" Gwen asked.
"Go right, then left and then left." The guard replied.
"R,L, L…" Gwen muttered, "Alright, I'll free you and you call the police here, got it?"
Gwen then broke the restraints off the guard before taking off. Dashing across the spiralling hallway of an otherwise modern building; she could instantly hear more going on. As soon as she reached the assembly area. She could hear some silent chatter going on.
"New bag… I have too much chips already." One man's voice said.
"Do we have to take all of it?" A woman's voice asked.
"Yes, all of it!" A voice of seems to be an old man said.
With one little peek, Gwen peered through the door to see what was happening. She then saw an automation conveyer belt system for what appears to be computer assembly. In the room where a bunch of people all wearing the same black beanie mask as the other man in the security room. The only one who was different was a strange bald old man wearing a fur collar jacket perched near an open ceiling window that had carefully been cut open.
Gwen also saw that the crew were carrying sack bags; cages and anything else that carries to steal materials ranging from computer chips; hardware drives and batteries. Despite not opening the door and making sound, Gwen's prescene had been alerted after the old man pointed her out.
"Who goes there?!" The old man yelled causing the people stealing to look at Gwen's direction.
"Shoot." Gwen said after phasing through the door, "Eh…I'm just wondering…What's the latest trend here where you're stealing electronic parts?"
"Stop her!" The old man ordered before his people came running up to her.
As a skilled fighter with superpowers, Gwen had little to no problem kicking down the group who were blindly coming in and getting themselves knocked down. Whilst this was happening, the old man took out an airpilot helmet and strapped it onto his head as he silently watched Gwen kick down the people with her.
The fight resulted in some parts of the assembly room to be smashed and the stolen things to be scattered all over the place.
"Well, you guys will pay for this first." Gwen said crossing her arms.
"I expected a Spider to show here at some point after that idiot of the Shocker ruined things." The old man said through his mask.
"Hey, old guy. What are you doing so high up from the rest of your crew?" Gwen asked.
After asking the question, Gwen tried to get a clearer view of him. She saw that the man had fashioned what looked like metal talons on his boots as well as sharp metal fingertips on his gloved hands. Furthermore, aside from the fur jacket; Gwen could see that the man wore a blue welder uniform alongside a strapped-on harness around his waist that covers his jacket also.
"You've…Got a lot of sharps things." Gwen commented nervously.
The old man then activated the harness around him and revealed mechanical wings stretching at least a metre away from him. He also activated the airpilot helmet on him with his visor activating a green flare.
"Um, okay. You're not a regular criminal." Gwen commented again as she turned on her brave facade.
"Young lady, I danced with the original Spider long before you were around." The old man said before jumping down and swooping.
"You what?" Gwen answered with a confused tone.
Gwen's instinct to dodge then kicked in as the man came gliding with his claws and talons. However, one wing managed to hit her causing Gwen to wobble in balance as she steadied herself. She fired a web before one of the wings was used to catch the webbing.
"Uh oh." Gwen replied before being into the air.
The man started to glide up and lift Gwen as she continued to hold whilst the man struggled to rid her. After that, the man came forward and tried swiping Gwen on the face with his claw. Gwen dodged the claw to her face; however the man then used one of his talons to grip onto Gwen's wrist before lifting her and throwing her aside.
The man's talon throw made Gwen hit the ceiling before she fell back onto the ground. The man watched callously as Gwen tried to get back up.
"Had enough yet, young lady?" The man asked.
Gwen's responded by firing single shot webs back at the man who simply used his durable wings to shield himself. After Gwen found herself low on web; the man took the opportunity to spread his wings to create a gust of wind that would knock Gwen back.
Despite the Spidey-sense, the man pounced onto Gwen quickly before she could move due to being knocked back a couple of times. Grabbing her by throat, the man lifted her and began gliding upwards and breaking past the ceiling whilst getting close to the night sky.
Gwen could hear the heavy breathing behind the respirator as she looked into the ferocious blue eyes of the man behind the green visor as she was lifted up in the air. The man's eye widened just before Gwen could shoot a web. The next response the man did was spin himself around before tossing Gwen airborne.
Gwen felt a little dizzy after the spinning and brief lack of oxygen before she realised, she was free-falling. The man watched as Gwen was thrown aside whilst continuously flapping his winds to keep himself floating.
"Stay out of my business, bug. Or I'll be sorry." The man proclaimed before flying back down.
As Gwen fell, she quickly used what was left of her web and used it on a nearby tree within the Staten Island neighbourhood. This allowed Gwen a brief slowdown from falling but not before she began rolling as she landed.
Worst of all, her roll made her hit a large waste bin causing one of the trash bags to fall beside her.
"What a rollercoaster." Gwen groaned whilst lying with dust; grime and sweat all over her.
After regaining her strength, she picked herself up and looked to the night sky. There were no stars to be seen and she was in the middle of a strange borough when she should be at home by now. Nevertheless, there seems to be a new enemy in town confirmed.
J. JONAH JAMESON'S APARTMENT…
"Good morning, everyone. It's J. Jonah Jameson here and breaking news…Yesterday there was a russle and tussle between Spider-Woman and our favourite yellow buzzkill, the Shocker right across Financial District." John reported whilst sitting on his podcast desk.
"Cars were destroyed; bricks on buildings fell down; a shopping mall in despair and civilians nearly killed!" John yelled, "I'm glad there were at least some people speaking against this superhero LARP but then they talk about… Yes, you know it. Spider-Man."
John huffed as he carried along with his podcast rant recording.
"It's true; we haven't seen him recently but his presence still exists." John continued, "Spider-Man, I hope you are listening because look at this city. It's your fault we have freaks like these in town."
John then got a notification on his phone about the latest news regarding Spider-Woman. Opening the news up, he read on the story about how the winged criminal got away.
"Breaking news by the way; it looks like a story from the Globe says that Spider-Woman had let a criminal escape with roughly $10,000 worth of electronic material from an Oscorp computer assembly centre at Staten Island." John spoke out, "What a shame… I mean, what a disgrace! This so-called justice fighter had failed. You see…This is why city police need to be on level; why we need all the right funding to put security on the map!"
After the words he said; John pulled the microphone closer and had one message to deliver.
"Let me say this though…To Spider-Man and his cronies; the further you fight; the smarter your foes will get. And when that happens; be damned sure that you'll never take things back!" John warned.
TO BE CONTINUED…
End note: Just like to use this chapter to clarify that the Spiders use synthetic webs mostly in this iteration. It was something I was thinking back to whilst writing.