SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 11)
Note: The chapter where Peter brainstorms the famous wingsuit ability
CONNORS LABORATORY…
Peter took the cloth off the prosthetic arm and opened up the computer screens in front of him.
"Diagnostic day 10." Peter said to himself as he sat in front of his experiment.
As the data and systematics loaded up, Peter continued to think about his plan to stop Vulture. His instinct was building the gliding wings so that he was better equipped to chase after him.
"OK, imagination." Peter said as he controlled the arm to stretch out.
As he examined the arm, he started surfing the internet for results for wingsuits to build on his idea.
"How should I build this? Make it out of webs? Or maybe it should be a cape… Nah, totally not my style." Peter murmured as he scrolled down the search results.
Curt then entered the room prompting Peter to hide the window screens in response as he went back to a proper studying mode.
"Hope your arms is just as ready as the prosthetic there." Curt said carrying his cup of coffee and Daily Globe newspaper to the nearby table.
"Yeah, I think the functioning on this thing is great. When are we going to test pressure resistance?" Peter replied as he continued staring at the arm.
"By the way, I've got one thing to announce. You see… I've found a candidate to help trial your arm." Curt said, "We're going to witness whether the real-world application is there."
"Candidate? Okay." Peter said, "So, this person is an armless one?"
"Yes. He was a soldier for the UN Peacekeepers. Lost his arm in the Delvadian civil war." Curt said set his things down, "If this works for him, think of the hope there is."
"Yeah, I can picture that." Peter said as he fiddled with the finger controls of the arm.
"Say, why don't you show me your latest analytics…" Curt said walking over.
"Uh-." Peter said before Curt abruptly cut in and opened up the window showing the search results of the wingsuits.
"What's all this? Wingsuits?" Curt said turning around and looking at Peter in a funny manner.
"Just researched out of curiosity if it could work." Peter explained with a sheepish smile whilst seated.
Taking Peter's word at value, Curt quickly dismissed the information and closed the window before looking into the data on screen and clicking through the different days.
"Could you… Create a graph and average those results out?" Curt instructed Pete as he looked at the computer screen before going back to the table.
As Curt went back to take his items, Peter was left again to his own devices relieved that Curt seemed unaware that the wingsuit glider images were for his Spider-suit.
"Cool, cool… Getting caught red-handed and almost spilling the beans, typical Parker luck…" Peter murmured as he agitatedly twiddled the pen near him.
LABORATORY ROOFTOP, MANHATTAN…
As soon as break began, Peter decided to venture to the rooftop where the only noises he would hear are the wind; the busy streets and himself. Sitting cross-legged near the rooftop door.
He had his personal laptop laid out in front with the same images that he viewed back in the laboratory downstairs. Picking up his bologna sandwich, he took one bite as he looked through the screen.
Peter then stretched his own arm out and tried to imagine his own arm length against the length of the wing. After using a measuring tape out of his pocket, he went back to eat his food before being interrupted.
"Hello. What are you doing with all this stuff spread out?" Gwen said jumping down from the top.
"Geez. Gwen." Peter said dropping his sandwich onto the laptop keyboard, "Aren't you surveying the city now?"
"Yeah, but police radio activity is kind of low." Gwen said sitting down and picking up Peter's notebook sketch of the wingsuit gliders, "This looks interesting."
"I've got to figure out stuff like material though and how long my arm is to fit all that. If I'm making one for you then I gotta recalculate." Peter said whilst looking at Gwen's battle-worn suit, "How many suits do you have?"
"So far, three… Two of which I carefully copied from the original one." Gwen replied, "You should swing down sometime… There's a lot of people down there who miss you."
"I wouldn't want to steal your thunder." Peter replied back as he closed the laptop.
"How can I? All my thunder is from you. You're the OG." Gwen stated.
"I think there will be a time and place when it's not like that." Peter said in order to assure Gwen, "You're doing great out there."
"Thanks." Gwen said whilst smiling under her mask, "After sunset, you wanna find a place we can hang out?"
"Put the crime fighting to a rest? I guess… We'll see. I'll finalise the design out of the wing gliders and then get back to you." Peter said, "Oh, and you better hope that Dr. Connors doesn't climb up here."
"Huh?" Gwen wondered.
"Yeah, he saw me searching wingsuit gliders downstairs. Lucky I was working on an arm so… The excuse came clean." Peter answered.
"Well, I won't interrupt you then. Love you." Gwen said before lifting her mask up a bit and kissing Peter on the cheek.
Peter then watched as Gwen went off to do her vigilantism. His own time occupied by the lines between normal and superhero. When the time is right, he will soon join Gwen in ensuring crime remains low.
MAYOR'S OFFICE, MANHATTAN…
Norman and Donna waited in the reception of New York's mayoral office. The two's patience contrasted despite their well-polished appearances.
"Norman, this deal can't really mean much." Donna said confused.
"Actually, it will mean a lot. It means we're on the front lines of things." Norman said, "We make the ultimate decisions."
"And exactly how much is going to be spent?!" Donna tried to snap.
"Shh…" Norman tried to shush back before the receptionist called.
"The mayor would like to see you." The receptionist said as Norman and Donna got up.
The mayor of New York was Randall Brown, who had lost before to Wilson Fisk but had since been given the opportunity ever since Wilson's corruption had been exposed. The man is young and opportunistic sporting his gelled blonde hair; fair skin and green eyes.
As Norman and Donna entered the elevator, Donna kept shifting her eyes to Norman but kept her doubts in check as they prepared to meet the man himself. The elevator door clicked open and the two leads of Oscorp headed straight to the office where Randall waited with a charismatic smile.
"Welcome. Welcome." Randall said as he stood up to shake both Norman and Donna's hands.
"Mayor. Lovely to meet you." Norman replied, "You know me. And you will also know Donna. Donna Meneken, my CFO and therefore my second-in-command to keeping my company afloat."
As the two sat down, Randall was excited about talking to Norman as any fan of Oscorp would.
"Mr. Osborn. You know I supported your innovations during my campaign and I fought hard for your presence in upholding the image of NYC." Randall started, "What's the occasion?"
"Well, you'll like this for sure. I would like to propose a cooperation between city government and my company of Oscorp to jointly promote citywide security." Norman stated, "Look, I know how important safety is for the city and I thought this would be a bright idea that you may be interested in."
"Well, if there's anything to fund it then sure. But isn't your company under attack now?" Randall asked.
"That's why I'm here to ask for generous help. Help which can protect others and stand up to those seeking to destroy." Norman appealed as Donna eyed him.
"This proposal can only be accomplished from what your government can provide and what we in return can afford. So, I have budgetary plans written here." Donna interjected opening up her check book.
Randall looked into the check book before nodding.
"Honestly, I'd love there to be a secure city. And Oscorp undoubtedly has the tools. Again… Just the…" Randall said.
"We've got the tools, alright? Randall, you can start a program to address technology integrity and network safety in this city. It'd be good for re-election because you're showing people that you care for them." Norman persuaded.
"Re-election, of course. Can't let those other dreamers be standing in the way." Randall replied with a chuckle.
"Well, here are the terms and conditions." Norman said before telling Donna to switch the paper on the check book to showcase the written proposal, "Shall we negotiate while we're at it?"
OLD ELECTORAL OFFICE, MANHATTAN…
Marty and three other members of his crew have set the office into a card playing room where they quietly enjoyed their leisure time whilst their business was happening outside. The time has come for when the crew must ditch Adrian.
"So while we're playing, how are we dealing with that old coot?" One man asked as he threw down his spades.
"I still need him once we learn enough." Marty said checking his deck, "Besides the contingency plan still needs planning."
"You know he thinks you'll betray him right?" Another man said chucking his hearts to the table.
"He's already known. All we need is to get the Spiders involved." Marty said watching the cards carefully.
"You're crazy, right? Why do we need their involvement?" A man said clutching a few of his club cards, "You said-."
"Think of it… When freaks like them meet, we are hardly the attention. We slip right by and create the battle trap. It will be entertainment for those and an escapade for us." Marty said with a confident smile.
"Uh huh…" The man with the spades said as he drew a card from the deck.
"I ask that he retrieve a rumoured amount of vibranium secretly stashed somewhere. This stuff will be worth the prize if it isn't bullshit." Marty said, "He'll want it like all of us. It's got to be there."
"Well, shall we finish the game and get to work?" The man asked again.
"Keep playing. I'll get his friends first." Marty said getting up and throwing diamonds and an ace down.
TO BE CONTINUED…