SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 17)
EMPIRE STATE UNIVERSITY SCIENCE FACULTY…
Curt and Peter waited in the hallway as if it was the hospital all over again. Sitting quietly as students and staff walked by, a few of them even greeted Curt.
"Dr. Connors? Are you there? Mr. Lansky is ready to see you." Someone in the hallway called out.
"Great. Be ready for this guy." Curt grumbled as he got off his seat with Peter following behind.
Walking towards a double-sided door labelled, 'Edwin Lansky, Dean of Science' hanging above, the student and teacher duo made their way in and saw a man sitting with well-trimmed blonde hair and a glossy suit that felt as if it was reflecting light off. This landed some form of narcissist impression for Peter.
"Welcome, you two. Forgive the suit, it's just my style. We have a lot to discuss." Edwin stated.
As Curt and Peter sat down, Edwin kindly poured two glasses of water in front of them before clasping his hands together underneath his chin.
"The rest of the committee are still on their way." Edwin informed, "After all, the decision we are going to make will determine the course of Mr. Parker's studies and whether a scientist like you, Curt is fit to stay in the esteemed ranks of our ESU science department."
Peter gulped and looked across to Curt who had both his prosthetic arm and normal arm crossed. To be in this position felt like the many apprehended criminals he caught as Spider-Man in court. However, Peter knew that consequences will be felt more for Curt who had a concerned expression.
As the waiting time passed, three other people entered the room looking stern. The scientific faculty board were all here to witness judgement being made.
"Dr. Curtis Connors. pHD at New York University back when it was there. Always a risk taker but an intelligent man nevertheless. Your dedication to your work is admirable and you've certainly helped many of our students get through their toughest times but…. Oof." Edwin stated, "What's all this madness lately?"
Edwin then dragged out his laptop and showcased security footage of Curt in a laboratory setting carrying around a lizard in a cage and looking around in a cabinet.
"Edwin… Let me explain." Curt stated trying to raise a hand in protest.
"No need." Edwin replied before nodding to the three council members in the room.
"OK, I got an animal killed. An animal of mine." Curt said, "I can take some form of punishment but my work… And Mr. Parker's tutelage."
"Relax, Curt. I think Mr. Parker will be well off. That twitchy robotic arm work will be fine and perfect to stay…So long as it serves its intended purpose. The lizard work however?" Edwin chimed in, "We're cutting out symbiotic DNA splicing; especially because we have a notorious history of people misdoing it. And we've warned you so many times beforehand."
It was at that point, Peter decided to step in and support Curt.
"Sir, I swear we can avoid this situation-…" Peter intervened.
"Peter…" Curt said back glaringly.
"Sorry kiddo, the field experts are doing the decision making here. Your supervisor…" Edwin said before taking out a laser pointer and lighting it at Curt's chest, "Is the one liable."
Peter sighed before seeing Curt look downright heartbroken. In Peter's mind, he thought that Curt surely knew the risks beforehand but still felt bad.
"What's our vote here, board?" Edwin asked.
"Out." The three members in the room said respectively.
"See, everyone must follow through our ethical guidelines including you. Who knows? We might even have stopped you from becoming a monster yourself." Edwin commented.
"Wait… What about the Oscorp regulations? Doesn't the science have to be approved by them now?" Curt asked keeping their recent actions in mind.
"Well, you see… So far, ESU's scientific endeavours are their own and no company directly influences what we share with the world. So no." Edwin stated.
OUTSIDE…
Curt walked out in a fast pace after the denial. This was the most upset Peter had witnessed from him yet which made him nervous about his future.
"You'll surely find a way, won't you doc?" Peter asked, "I may even lend a hand if you ask."
"Peter, for your own sake. Let me fight my own battles. I won't say again… But stay out." Curt warned before turning around.
Peter then ran up to Curt and placed a hand on his shoulder to catch his attention.
"Doctor, I'm part of this fight too. I need this internship." Peter pleaded.
Curt turned around again to face Peter.
"I know. First, I need to do everything I can that I've always been doing to ensure that." Curt said, "Second, I'm telling you to 'stay out' as a lesson for you. It's good to help others but respecting their wishes and controlling your responsibility are just as needed. Please think about that."
Peter took some time to think on Curt's words before ultimately deciding on his words.
"Okay, doc. Your way it is." Peter said.
BEDFORD APARTMENTS…
By the time, Peter got back home to his apartment room, there was monotonous feeling falling onto him as he thought about the things he needed to deal with at the moment. Whether it was Aunt May; the work with Curt; paying the apartment bills and looking after Ned's cat; Peter felt luck could possibly be part of him.
Slouching on the couch, he picked up the phone and called Gwen. As the number dialled, Peter received Gwen's answer.
"Work all done today?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah, but not without the ominous feeling." Peter replied.
"What's the matter?" Gwen asked again.
"Dr. Connors. He's in trouble with the board after messing around with his lizards. This could mean bad for my studies and I want to do everything I can to help him and myself." Peter answered.
"Geez. Horrible and questionable science experiments gone wrong? I'm glad I don't have to deal with that anymore." Gwen said.
"Connors isn't Professor Warren; he isn't some guy with a superiority complex." Peter warned.
"I wasn't insulting the guy. I'm just relating my own experience seeing that I gave up and lost interest in science after some time." Gwen said.
"Well, what are you up to now?" Peter asked.
"Me? I'm picking up a passion of mine since high school." Gwen said followed up by a sound of a drum beat, "And I stopped doing parcel deliveries."
"Music? Oh, cool. Good luck with that. I know you can do some killer solos." Peter said with a chuckle.
"Yep and I'll be writing my own music. Exciting." Gwen replied.
"So, any plans for a band?" Peter asked.
"Nah, not yet. Just going with my flow first." Gwen said, "Besides, I hope you're going love the recordings I make for you."
"Surely, I'm only allowed to love." Peter joked.
"Well, good to just catch up as ourselves. Caught some more notes to write down. May I talk to you later?" Gwen asked.
"Uh, okay." Peter said, "Take care then."
As the call ended, Peter had the motivation to sit up straight. He looked around the place before going to his bed and pulling out the box from underneath. Opening the box up, he was greeted by his own Spider-Man mask and outfit bundled together.
"Perhaps I can spend the rest of the day stopping a robbery." Peter thought as he held onto the mask.
OSCORP R&D DIVISION…
It was near the end of a night shift as Bert got ready to leave the room. As a young security guard with technician qualifications, his job in ensuring the security of the area was crucial for Oscorp in making its innovations known and failure on the job could mean dire consequences.
"Robotics check… Environmental… Check." Bert said carrying around a touch screen pad.
As Bert finished checking the list, he yawned as the rest of his colleagues all left before him and it was his time to leave as well. As he prepared to leave the room, the door in front of him slid open and gave him a bit of a jump when he saw Norman suddenly walking in causing the security cap on his head to fall onto the ground.
Panicked, Bert tried to pick up his cap before Norman bended down first and picked it up for him.
"Looks like you dropped this." Norman said in a soft tone and offering Bert the cap back.
A bulging vein seemed to be flowing down Norman's forehead and his eyes look a bit flared up as he faced down the security guard with authority.
"Oh my god… Mr. Osborn. Crazy seeing you here, what are you doing so late?" Bert bluntly asked as he put his cap back on.
Norman snickered and licked the tip of his lips for a little before answering.
"I just wanted to pick out a nice suit from my wardrobe." Norman answered.
"What? I don't get it." Bert blurted out.
"Bertie, Bertie, Bertie." Norman said, "I gifted you the privilege to look after my 'things'. You know what I am talking about… The ARMOURY!"
The last word yelled out caused Bert to walk back in fear before he nodded.
"Take me there, Bertie. I'll be right behind you." Norman said stepping forward.
As this happened, Bert then decided to walk with Norman to where Oscorp manufactured suits were lined up and tested. Bert was nervous and he also felt privileged to meet Norman in person and help him with something.
"You know, Mr. Osborn. It's surreal meeting you in person. I'd never thought I get the opportunity" Bert said.
Norman stayed silent as he continued to walk behind Bert while he helped the CEO access the Armoury.
"It's a lot of stuff that we've currently shelved since you know…When you said that we wouldn't make military products." Bert said.
As the two entered the securely locked room, Norman was greeted by an array of different mechanical suit prototypes. All of which had been stored in the event that Oscorp would want to invest in their use further. Now, the time has come in Norman's view to pick a suit out.
"Our noble quest starts here…" Norman said to himself as his eyes looked at each standee, "Our quest to take back and plunder the maggots within."
"Sorry?" Bert questioned hearing Norman's strange words.
Norman then stared Bert in the face before giving out a sinister smile. Without time to react, Bert was suddenly strangled by Norman as his palms squeezed onto his neck. Bert's bewildered eyes stared back at Norman's in confusion and fear as he slowly felt his life leave.
As the security guard's body slumped onto the ground, a brief change in personality came to Norman who was mortified by the action.
"Wh-What? Why- why?" Norman asked shocked before putting both hands on his head in despair.
However, the sign of morality went away as Norman spoke back to himself.
"Don't let any maggot touch our 'golden armour', Osborn. His hollow hands taint this place and we're only starting small here." Norman said spitefully, "Now… Pick up his card and choose a suit."
As the malicious conscious of himself spoke, Norman nervously picked up the security card off Bert's body. He then stood up to look at the suits near him. They were perfect craft in his eyes and his mind started to plot a course on what he would do to keep Oscorp under his control.
TO BE CONTINUED…
End note: Yes, that was a reimagined version of the comic character, Lightmaster at the start.