SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 18)
STREETS OF MANHATTAN…
Taking the day to cool off from his own midlife crisis, Spider-Man took the time to patrol the city solo. A little bit of his own vigilantism might be what he needed after everything going down with Curt.
"Let's tap into the police feed." Spider-Man said as he tapped the communicator on the side of his head whilst swinging.
The feed was all scrambled signifying bad radio signal as Spider-Man tried to get a clear ear on what he was hearing. At first, he wanted to contact Yuri but then dropped the idea.
"Just me and myself for the day." Spider-Man commented as he perched onto a nearby building. As he perched, he noticed the traffic looking more congested as the road went along. Looking further ahead, he saw that four vehicles had collided with a truck at an intersection.
"Bad traffic day? Don't worry, I've got the service skills ready." Spider-Man said jumping down to the scene.
He observed the civilians complaining after getting out of their vehicles. Phones were out while a few were trying to nudge the vehicles away to free the truck.
"Citizens. Are you glad to see me?" Spider-Man said prompting the people around to chatter.
Without ease, he helped move aside the vehicles obstructing the truck using his bare hands. The truck driver was relieved and called out to Spider-Man.
"Thanks, Spider-Man. Thought I was a goner if the engine blew." The driver said coming out of the truck to catch his breath.
Soon, there was banging from inside the trailer prompting Spider-Man's attention.
"What sort of cargo do you have in the back?" Spider-Man asked.
"Eh…Well, you see… It's confidential delivery items…To Roxxon." The truck driver replied nervously as if he was hiding something.
"Roxxon? Wow… That's super heavy and indeed…Important stuff." Spider-Man answered back, "Why don't you let me check that stuff for you?"
"I-I think you should-." The driver stuttered before drawing out a gun at Spider-Man.
"Whoa, hey." Spider-Man said throwing his hands up, "Sorry…I really thought you were just a guy in a bad predicament."
As the driver backed himself slowly away, a group of police ran to the scene and arrived. One of them wore what seemed a stun blaster glove on their hand and shot a blast out that stunned the driver.
"Geez, what was that?" Spider-Man asked observing the hi-tech equipment.
In fact, the police in an unusual manner did not seem to have their guns out this time and opted for the new equipment given to them. Soon one little detail was picked up by Spider-Man as he recognised the aesthetic.
"Is this all Oscorp?" Spider-Man asked again with his eyes widened as the police surrounded the truck.
"New equipment. Courtesy of Oscorp." A nearby officer commented.
"They give your cheques and payrolls now too?" Spider-Man joked.
As the police cornered the truck trailer, one police officer forcibly used a gauntlet to pry open the door revealing a skinny man attempting to bag Greenwave fuel cells, the prized energy source Oscorp is developing.
"Freeze!" The officer yelled as the panicked man dropped the goods.
The fuel cells hit the floor but surprisingly remained non-lethal as they clanked to the ground. One officer picked a fuel cell up and looked at the strange green material floating inside. So far, Oscorp was right that the energy source is relatively harmless but its application is still shrouded in mystery especially with thieves trying to take them.
"Didn't think that the plot to this would move forward, wonder if the Vulture is plotting these things behind bars." Spider-Man thought to himself.
Looking up to the sky, Spider-Man pondered on what ploy is next and whether the situation would be significant.
OSCORP BOARD ROOM…
The next morning, Donna arrived to the room to see each executives chatter amongst themselves. On the presentation screen, paused security footage featuring Norman at the R&D Division was shown.
"Donna, did you get a good look at this footage yet?" One executive asked.
"I think Mr. Osborn has gone cuckoo or this man here is an imposter." Another added.
"Settle down, everyone. Let's discuss civilly about this." Donna said as she went to take her seat.
The whole board soon went silent as Donna began to lead the talk.
"I understand how tough and exciting it is to be in Oscorp right now." Donna started, "We had yet another incident where our precious resources were nearly stolen if it weren't for our brave police officers equipped with our newly integrated gear supplied by us. I know… I am surprised that it worked out as it did."
The board looked at each other for more input for the meeting before Donna continued.
"But one thing continues to trouble us more down the road. More so than our competitors or if I dare say, enemies out there. It is the man who currently leads this company." Donna continued, "I'm afraid that Mr. Osborn's recent suspicious activities and recent behaviour deem him unsuitable to lead and with the rest of the board's support, we must remove him from position."
Whispers soon dominated the table on what this could mean for Oscorp.
"Are you sure you are in right mind to know where Oscorp goes after this?" Emil, director of Oscorp Energies asked.
"Mr. Osborn has trusted me for years now as well as his father before him." Donna replied, "I have what it takes."
"I'm not going to doubt you but Norman is one of those guys that still can look directly into the eyes of those without flinching. It's going to take charisma to keep this company afloat." Another board member said.
"I think…What this company needs a change in morale. For years, we are accused of things that of course, we would deny. Our company can be more than just the man whose family started it." Donna said, "But our CEO who in his current state of mind and is suspected of murdering one of our own cannot be the face for this place going forward. Does that sit right with any of you in this room?"
The board all began to look at each other with no one seeming to disagree with the stance taken by Donna.
"Then let's put it to a vote. All in favour of removing Norman from position, please raise your hand." Donna instructed.
As the question was given out, Donna watched as unanimous number of hands were shot upwards signalling the next motion to come.
CONNOR'S APARTMENT…
Curt was cooped up in the place he was staying over while away from the rest of his family. The loss of his job and teaching privileges had really taken its toll on him already as he prepared to Facetime with his wife, Martha and son, Billy on screen.
Sitting in his bedroom, he waited for the computer screen to switch to an image of both his brown-haired wife and toddler son in their PJs as they were getting ready for bed but not before a word with their father.
"Hey, I see you…" Curt cheerfully tried to say to the screen.
"Billy, say hi to daddy there." Martha said as she made Billy wave a hand to his father.
Curt smiled as he watched his own son see him. As this happened, he watched Martha tuck him to bed before he and his wife could talk amongst themselves as adults.
"He learn how to fully count yet?" Curt asked.
"He's getting there. He'll make his dad proud." Martha said back with a laugh.
"Good. Florida doing fine with all the crazy weather?" Curt asked.
"Oh, I've got the house prepared for a storm as always. Janet even gave a hand. Are you keeping warm in New York then?" Martha asked, "How's work?"
Curt sighed and swallowed as he prepared to drop a bombshell to Martha.
"It's pretty much the cold season at the moment I can say. As for work… Uh, progress. Progress has been made." Curt answered with a smile.
Martha then moved closer to her screen before speaking.
"Curtis…I know something isn't adding up based on that voice so tell me…What's been bothering?" Martha asked.
After his wife confirmed his underlying troubles, Curt got the courage to speak out.
"I was fired today." Curt said, "I messed up."
"Curt… Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. Still, you know they are starting to bring in better institutions here in Tampa." Martha said, "I can help find you a new good spot."
"That's kind of you but… I'm not ready to give up on New York just yet." Curt said.
"What else is there?" Martha wondered.
"Unfinished business and I need to work on a solution that might actually fix the predicament I am in." Curt answered," If that fails, I will still be happy to see you two again."
"The answer for you coming back to Florida better be soon. You take care and rest well then." Martha said, "Goodbye, I love you."
"I love you, Martha." Curt answered back before ending the call.
After closing down the Facetime, he took the moment to rub his eyes. Then he started going through his emails with the latest email given to him in form of an automated message by Empire State University to signify the end of his career there. However, before that he looked at an email which is about working at Oscorp.
Clicking on the email, Curt looked through and started pondering on the message blaring right back at him, 'LOOKING TO ACT OUT YOUR MIND?'. A message that gives him hope that he may carry over his work.
BLACK MARKET HIDEOUT, MANHATTAN…
Marty was fuming about with a subordinate of his as the news of the Greenwave fuel cells reached him while watching his men assemble automobile parts like normal business.
"Getting rid of that old man was the right thing but not getting rid of his talent." Marty said regarding Adrian Toomes.
"There's no way we can go up against Oscorp now. Their police are getting upgraded thanks to that stupid deal signed in by Osborn. Seriously, it's like he rules us now instead of running his damn company." Marty's lackey answered.
"We gotta find someone else willing to do our work then who doesn't… Have the treachery like Adrian." Marty insisted, "Someone that can push back against Spider-Man because we can't let that twat constantly bother us."
As they walked, they were greeted by a metal suitcase thrown in front of their feet. From the shadows, a slow whistle followed prompting their line of sight to focus on someone else approaching. Marty squinted his eyes to see who it was before seeing a man wearing a trench coat and fedora hat.
"Are you boys up for some serious business?" The voice asked.
"Who are you, stranger?" Marty asked dumbfounded.
As the stranger approached, he looked up revealing his face to be none other than Norman who was looking cheerful.
"What? The? Hell… Are you doing in this shop?" Marty asked suspicious and ready to attack.
"I want just some help from a few reliable men." Norman answered, "Ones who were keen on my property."
Marty then looked at his lackey next to him unable to understand why Norman, the man he was going up against is doing in his place. Norman simply tiptoed forward to the suitcase on the ground before opening it up to reveal what is inside.
There was a shiny looking white coated chest armour alongside arm and leg garment pads. It was a disassembled suit all packaged up.
"Do you like the present I sent in for you?" Norman asked with a crooked smile, "I could use a little fine tuning."
TO BE CONTINUED…