SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 21)
NEAR OSCORP TOWER…
"See that balcony up the top there?" Spider-Man said pointing to the peak of Oscorp Tower, "That's his little house."
"Wow… Which rich person who lives in the city these days doesn't own a sky view?" Gwen said with fake amazement as she stared at the tower, "Seems like an easy climb."
"Wish it was. But the problem with climbing a building like Oscorp is the hi-tech ingenuity surrounding it. That's the intel Yuri just slipped us. Thanks to NYPD courtesy." Spider-Man said checking his phone.
"What's this ingenuity by the way?" Gwen asked.
"The building has heat traceability on the outside alongside camera detection. So no matter how fast you climb that building, they will know." Spider-Man explained.
"Okay, tell me how we're getting to the top if that's the wacky stuff Oscorp tacks on." Gwen said in confusion, "Can we plan out a route to get inside?"
Spider-Man then got out his phone and switched the screen to showcase a different app, one with what looks like a holographic schematic of a place.
"I had this Spider-drone that I've been using a bit as of late. Phil helped create the app for me while I built the robot. I've been remotely controlling it around the city for a bit." Spider-Man explained, "It scans its environment and maps it out."
"Neat little gadget. Anything else it can do?" Gwen asked.
"Still figuring how to make it swing and shoot webs." Spider-Man said, "But I'll do all that for now."
"All right, guess you'll let me get to work." Gwen replied.
"Uh, yeah… In a moment, let Spider-drone map out the pipelines; ventilation shafts and stuff. Then I can give you the cue." Spider-Man said while playing with his phone.
"How long is this going to take?" Gwen asked feeling inpatient.
"About an hour, if we're lucky." Spider-Man answered to which Gwen groaned.
HEADING INTO OSCORP TOWER…
After the Spider-drone work had been done, Gwen was now able to do her infiltration part. And of all the places to enter Oscorp Tower, it had to be through the sewers.
"It's really one of the few places with the least amount of security." Spider-Man explained to Gwen's ear through the communicator as she traversed the path next to the rancid running water.
"I'm really getting used to being cynical, you know." Gwen said, "Going through the worst to expect the best."
"Just to make things better. You are using those phasing abilities for this route." Spider-Man informed.
"You know the last time I was in the sewers with you, it wasn't so fun… Was it?" Gwen noted.
"Not at all. Got myself dragged all the way back to bad guy HQ and poisoned by you know who." Spider-Man replied.
"It's okay. Scorpion. Dad's killer." Gwen said with a bit of tension.
"Okay…Let's not get into that." Spider-Man said.
"Actually…How's she doing?" Gwen wondered as she walked further and ready to ask a tough question.
"Oh, after taking her down? Well, she got into the Raft and the people there immediately started putting maximum security on her. And then they started looking into how to reverse her 'condition'." Spider-Man explained, "The treatments were tough and some of which made her lose her brain."
"Of course, she's a nutso." Gwen commented.
"Well yeah… But she's was an esteemed police officer. She's spending her time getting brain 'therapy'. Word is she really wants to kill me but is suffering a bit of memory loss." Spider-Man said, "At least that keeps my identity a bit safe."
"Dang." Gwen said reflecting that the most despicable have their areas for sympathy.
After walking some distance, Gwen stopped to see a tiny green light on the ground coming from a tiny spider-like robot. The robot was red like Spider-Man with the black linings and its optic stared right back at Gwen's face as Gwen picked it up.
"You know, I think I have a name for this little fella." Spider-Man said into Gwen's ear, "Spy-D."
"Haha… What's the D stand for, I wonder?" Gwen asked holding the drone in her palm, "Are we there yet?"
"Oh, yes, sorry. Um. Above you, is the elevator shaft. Just phase above you." Spider-Man informed.
"The elevators? How do I know to safely phase through without being possibly crushed if it comes down?" Gwen asked.
"Use the distance of the sound. I mean… Your head may still pop through the elevator floor if it comes down right?" Spider-Man asked assured of the plan.
"Here goes nothing." Gwen said as she prepared for the next stage.
OSBORN LOFT…
After the tedious elevator shaft hitch, Gwen stumbled and phased out of the closed elevator door and already began feeling the risk of the mission.
"That was… The most stressful web-slinging and phasing I've ever gone through yet." Gwen said gasping for air behind her mask.
"You did it though." Spider-Man chatted to her ear.
"Now, I wish I have your power." Gwen said shaking her head as she went for the door to Norman's loft.
"You mean me being level 1 while you're level 2?" Spider-Man asked.
"Your intellect. You have the brains to make yourself more than just your web powers." Gwen commented.
"But you know how to follow through." Spider-Man said back as a compliment.
"Thank you." Gwen said as she rested her ear against the door to listen for any sign of presence from behind.
After confirming that nobody seemed to be home, she phased through the locked door and found herself inside the very home of Norman Osborn himself.
"Feels like I'm the bad guy now." Gwen said to herself after breaking in.
As expected, the place is expensive and exquisite looking. It is for sure better than her place as well as Peter's. With her living conditions being worse since her father died. Looking around the place, it was undoubtedly comforting for someone like Norman.
Yet, there was a sense of discomfort being in the place as Gwen noticed little hints of wall scratches as well as a few sprinkles of shattered glass on the floor. Seeing this made Gwen think that Norman had an angry moment or he had a pet hidden in the place.
The evidence of rage however was quickly put at the back of her mind as soon as she saw a family photo of the Osborns together on top of a cupboard. There was Norman; his wife Emily and their son, Harry. All looking younger than they expect to look like now. The photo prompted curiosity in Gwen for Harry to which she noticed other photos which contain older photos of the family and were much more in line with what she remembered.
"Why he left school will always be the mystery." Gwen commented looking at the more recent picture.
"May I help you?" The hologram of Emily chimed in startling Gwen.
"Wha-? Ms. Osborn?!" Gwen said in shock, "Oh, uh…"
"I see you're seeking answers as protector of this city. If that is so… Then I will assist you." Emily said.
"Oh, wait… You're not actually Ms. Osborn. You're…" Gwen tried to say.
"The Living Brain. The conscious behind the works of Oscorp and digital slave to Norman Osborn." Emily said.
"Digital slave? Sounds like you don't like the work you do." Gwen said still trying to process what the Living Brain is doing.
"I've been waiting to divulge you and Spider-Man the truth about Oscorp." The Living Brain said, "Please enter the chambers I have opened."
It was then the Living Brain consciously opened the secret lab hidden behind the wall of mask collections and led Gwen to a new area.
"The A.I. is helping me." Gwen thought to herself with uncertainty.
Gwen then saw the scientific apparatus set up for the green chemical formula Norman had been making. The computer screen in the room also began to flash information to give Gwen context on what she is witnessing. An image of a bald and modest-looking man wearing a suit was on display.
"Allow me to explain more about myself. Everyone thinks I am simply the Living Brain. But the truth is… I am Dr. Mendel Stromm, the original creator of this system and foreseer of Oscorp's research." The Living Brain's voice said as it changed from Emily's voice to a more robotic one.
"Are you programmed to say that?" Gwen asked.
"I am not a mere program. I am confined to the technology I created and I have witnessed many atrocities by Oscorp and the man behind it." The Living Brain replied.
"Right. Why is Norman Osborn bad?" Gwen asked in attempt to indulge the Living Brain.
The computer screen then flashed up an old video of at least three clinical trial patients bound to chairs. The clinical assistant then came forward with a tray with syringe vials containing the testing chemicals. Gwen watched as the procedure was carried out and shortly watched what happened after each patient received their injections.
It was then after at least a minute, that one patient started shaking violently and began to break out of the chair. He then started attacking the patient to the right whilst the women to his left also began to react violently and tried tackling him. This prompted the clinical team to call for help as the security team came in to apprehend the patients. The camera soon cut off after one security guard was thrown in front of the video screen.
"Norman reaps profit from these. Breaching the boundaries of ethics to fuel selfish needs whilst harming others. He harms in the form of wealth. Pushing untested products; unleashing devastating weapons and covering horrific incidents." The Living Brain said before popping up images from war as well as images of devastated people in court.
"What do you want me to do about it?" Gwen asked, "Do you want me to take video footage from you?"
"Take? No… The data is encrypted and I alone am the one to grant access to it. I want the network routers to be reorganised. I want to spread the cold-hearted truth to everyone." The Living Brain answered.
"Um…I don't know you well but I'll consider what you said." Gwen said as she took a withdrawal stance.
"They've ruined me and they're ruining others. It's time to bring this company to its knees. Sooner rather than later." The Living Brain gloated.
Gwen was unsure about the words spoken to her by the Living Brain. It seemed like the system is smart enough to converse humanly but there is only so much Gwen could do to trust what seemed to be a machine.
"I… May disappoint you. But you have to give me time and consideration. Hey, do you know where Norman is by the way?" Gwen began to ask.
"A business meeting based on the eyes that I have on Oscorp. But don't take my word for it. For he keeps to himself in ways we may not see." The Living Brain said.
Soon, Gwen's Spidey-sense started to sound off. It was the sound of footsteps coming to this area and it did not feel like a friend coming over.
"I don't want to linger around here. I feel someone coming so I guess… I'll leave?" Gwen said before rushing away in a panic.
In desperation, Gwen wasted no time and ran out of the lab just before the laboratory entrance was sealed for her. She then phased through the loft windows jumping out into the New York streets below. As she was diving down for her web swing, she thought about all the information she had heard from the Living Brain.
"Dr. Mendel Stromm…" Gwen repeated to herself before zipping.
OSCORP TOWER…
The next morning, Curt hurried to Oscorp dressed for his interview. This was an enormous opportunity knocking at his door and his experiments could see some preservation and revival as soon as he is given the right to work again.
Entering the building, he walked to the building to see some ordinary business folks in the lobby. While noticing a bunch of security guard looking people trolleying what looked like body bags out to another door. However, nothing seemed out of place for Curt as it felt like an average human day to him.
"Which way to the R&D department?" Curt asked reception.
"27th floor and you sir are?" The receptionist asked.
"Dr. Curtis Connors. I'm here to interview for a research scientist position." Curt answered.
"No problem, proceed as usual." The receptionist said as she focused back to her computer.
Curt then made his way to the elevator. There, he stepped into the elevator with two other men. Curt sniffed diesel coming from the men which made him question their hygiene and how they got into Oscorp. Nevertheless, it was still nothing.
As the elevator started moving up, it stopped around the 4th floor. There another man entered the elevator, but this one wore a business suit. But the odd thing was his facial features which caught Curt's attention.
"What a lovely morning it is so far…" The man said making the two men next to him uncomfortable as well as Curt.
Curt then saw based on the hairline who it was. It was Norman. Standing in front of him, who then turned around to face Curt. His face had green veiny markings and the forehead seemed extended. His eyes had a fierce look and he grimaced Curt who was in shock.
"Hello there." Norman said smiling.
TO BE CONTINUED…