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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Nineteen Shadow Play Part III
Rochester Memorial Hospital Upstate New York one week after the events of the previous chapter, morning
Mary Jane sat in the hospital waiting room while Peter anxiously paced back and forth. "I'm sure he'll be okay, tiger. He's strong like you are." Mary Jane said offering words of encouragement she only half believed.
"How could I have been so stupid," Peter asked rhetorically. "All these years I thought he was gone. I should have known better. I can't help but wonder how long he was down in that basement being-,"
"Don't go there." Mary Jane advised. Both she and Peter knew no good would come from such a line of thought.
"Mr. and Mrs. Parker?" Asked a slim African American woman in a lab coat. She held a clipboard in her hand. Stylish glasses where perched on her face. "I'm doctor Sandford. I have an update on the condition of Mr. Parker's cousin Ben Reilly."
"Will Ben be alright?" Asked Peter who had stopped pacing.
"We believe so, Mr. Parker." Dr. Sandford said choosing her words carefully. "But to make a full assessment of your cousin's condition we need to know what really happened to Mr. Reilly." She read information from her clipboard before she continued speaking. "According to information we've received from the NYPD Mr. Reilly has been missing for over six years. Our medical assessment indicates he has been tortured, perhaps for months. You claim you found Mr. Reilly in an abandoned mansion outside of the city after receiving an anonymous tip that he was being held there against his will. Coincidentally the vigilantes Spider-Man and Spinneret, who you are both connected to via a business relationship, apprehend the supervillain known as the Jackal in Rochester the same day. I suspect there is a great deal you aren't sharing with us."
"We've told you everything we know." Mary Jane said.
"Are you sure?" Dr. Sandford asked her tone one of deep skepticism.
"Yes," Mary Jane said. "We wish we knew more."
"Can I see my cousin now?" Peter asked.
"Not yet Mr. Parker. He isn't strong enough for visitors. Perhaps in a few more hours. I'll give you an update before my shift ends." Dr. Sandford said.
"Thank you, Dr. Sandford." Mary Jane said.
Once they were again alone Mary Jane said. "What are we going to tell Aunt May and the girls?"
"The truth I suppose," Peter said shrugging.
"Which would be?" Mary Jane asked.
"Beyond that we've found Ben battered but somehow alive I have no clue," Peter admitted. He thought back to the chains of events that began to unfold two days ago.
Offices of Spidey Inc in Manhattan two days ago, early morning
Peter Parker prided himself on his easy going nature. In both his civilian and superhero lives he could get along easily with just about everyone. Even people like the Punisher and Deadpool who other heroes detested Peter found tolerable. Sajani Jaffrey, however, was a different story. The young woman was getting on his last nerve. When Max Modell had asked if he could send over one of his people to help with joint Horizon Labs-Spidey Inc projects Peter gladly accepted Max's offer. Surely anyone Max sent over would fit in at Spidey Inch, not so it would seem. Peter had been wrong. Dealing with Sanjani was a nightmare.
"With all due respect Mrs. Parker the only reason you or your husband exercise positions of authority within this company is because Spider-Man is overly paranoid and only trusts people who he knows, like your husband," Sajani said gesturing at Peter. "While Spider-Man and his current squeeze might have total faith in each of your abilities I do not share their faith. At the end of the day, I am here to protect the interests of Horizon Labs that is my overriding concern not catering to your every whim or that of your husband. In short, your advice is neither wanted nor sought by me." Sanjani next turned her attention/wrath on Peter. "Mr. Parker while your designs are intriguing a university dropout with a checkered past is not the most accurate judge of what might or might not work in the field. Until further notice, you will submit future design proposals involving Horizon Labs tech through me. I will not waste time or resources on your pipe dreams. Do you understand?"
"I sure do," Peter said. What a bitch he thought then chided himself for using such a derogatory word for a woman. He correction himself what a jerk. Still mentally calling Sanjani a bitch was satisfying he had to admit.
"Good," Sanjani said. A scowl had never left her face since she arrived. "I'll be in what passes for my office until further notice. Message me if my attention is required." She departed before Peter could further acknowledge her words or Mary Jane would even speak.
"The nerve of that woman. I should give her a piece of my mind." Mary Jane fumed. "I thought you said Max knows what he is doing? Why did he send such, such a terrible person?"
"I'm sure she'll come around, give her time." Peter lied he did not feel that way at all.
"Sure she will." Mary Jane said.
An alert sound on Peter smartphone. 'Save by the bell', He thought. Peter checked his phone to see what the alter entailed.
"Anything interesting?" Mary Jane said noticing the expression of intense concentration on her husband's face.
"Very," Peter said. Peter then asked his wife to accompany him to his office so they could speak privately. When they were behind closed doors he explained the content of the information he just received. "Matt asked his old buddy Foggy Nelson to do some digging on my behalf. It turns out Miles the Jackal Warren purchased a rundown mansion outside of Rochester gets this over a year after his final supposed death. I'll head to Rochester first thing tomorrow to check out this lead and hopefully get answers."
"Correction, we're heading to Rochester first thing tomorrow." Mary Jane said.
"Could be dangerous," Peter said. "We have no idea what Jackal might have waiting for us."
"Danger is my middle name." Mary Jane said.
"Here I thought it was Jane. So, all these years I should have been calling you MD." Peter teased playfully.
"You goof," Mary Jane said smiling in spite of the seriousness of the situation, "thanks."
"For what?" Peter said.
"For always bringing a smile to my face no matter how great our challenges are." Mary Jane said. "I don't know how you do it. I mean stay upbeat when things go south. I wish I had your inner strength, tiger."
"Want to know my secret?" Peter asked stepping closer.
"Yeah," Mary Jane said.
"You," Peter said. "As long as I have you I can face anything. You are my rock. When I thought I lost you to Legion I almost gave up. If I knew I couldn't have got you back I would have curled up and died."
"I'm sorry I put you through that kind of pain." Mary Jane said.
"Don't be, red. It wasn't your fault." Peter said putting his arms around Mary Jane drawing her close. "What I'm saying is we feed off each others strength. My wife, my partner, the mother of my child, my everything. Together we are unstoppable. I love you and always will."
"I'll love you forever." Mary Jane said kissing Peter.
An immaculately kept Mansion just outside Rochester New York one day ago, afternoon
"Nice place, and here I thought Foggy said it was supposed to be a dump," Spinneret said whistling as she admired the plush furnishing and tasteful paints that adorned the walls. She and Spider-Man had slipped into the mansion by way of an open third story window a few minutes before, "quiet though."
"A bit too quiet," Spider-Man said.
"Whoever lives here could be away at work or maybe out shopping?" Spinneret suggested.
"Or downstairs in a secret basement laboratory experimenting on someone," Spider-Man said.
"What makes you think that?" Spinneret inquired. "Seems oddly specific."
"Activate your x-ray and thermal imaging lenses in tandem," Spider-Man said. One of the perks of running a large company was Peter now had a much bigger budget to buy as well as invent his own gadgets. He made damn sure he and MJ were well equipped before they went on any dangerous mission. Spinneret did as he did. "Look down at the floor." He instructed.
"Ah, there are two people in the basement; one is tied to a table. They are surrounded by computer banks and chemical vials." Spinneret said.
"We should proceed with caution. We don't know exactly what is happening down there." Spider-Man said.
"Agreed," Spinneret said.
Spinneret and Spider-Man slowly snuck down to the first floor crawling along the walls. They opened the basement access trap door. Proceeding inside they beheld the Jackal in all his sinister furry glory. The green-furred mutated mad scientist was cutting into the arm of the person on the table with an orange hot scalpel. The person who was mostly covered by a dirty grey sheet screamed out in pain. They noticed the voice bore a distinctly masculine timbre. Spider-Man made hand signals telling Spinneret to take up a position opposite his so they could catch the unsuspecting Jackal between them.
"Hey," Spider-Man called out. Jackal wheeled around in surprise.
"What are you doing here!?" Jackal demanded.
"I was in the neighborhood so I thought I'd drop by and say hi," Spider-Man said.
Jackal attempted to flee after throwing his scalpel at Spider-Man who easily dodged but his ankles were caught by twin strands of webbing. Spinneret dropped him on the cement floor with a mighty pull. Before he could recover Spinneret and Spider-Man wrapped him up tight in webbing so only his head and neck were showing.
Spinneret and Spider-Man walked over to the examination table. Spider-Man threw off the sheet that covered the man including his face. The pair gasped in utter shock.
"Another clone?" Spinneret asked in confusion.
"Peter, is it really you?" The man who greatly resembled Peter asked. He was a mess. With his swollen face turned a shade of purple and some of his teeth chipped. "He said you had abandoned me but I knew you would come."
"How do you know my name?" Spider-Man asked.
"Peter it's me Ben, Ben Reilly." The man said.
"You can't be Ben Reilly I saw Ben die. He was murdered by Green Goblin while saving my life. His body turned to dust." Spider-Man said.
"There was enough viable genetic material left to clone me. Jackal brought me back but only so he could torture me by killing me again and again." The man claimed between heavy sobs.
Spider-Man rounded on the immobilized Jackal. "Is what he's saying true!?" Jackal laughed but did not reply. "Answer me you sick bastard!"
"Naughty Ben stooging on me. Then again Ben always has been a disappointment. Haven't you Ben?" Jackal said smirking.
"What about my daughter? What did you do to her?" Peter said leaning over Jackal.
"Uh. uh, uh, that would be telling." Jackal taunted. "I'd wag a finger at you if I could. Be a nice boy and cut one of my hands free, would you?" He said glancing at Spinneret.
Peter's hands shot forward they encircled Jackal's neck. At that moment he wanted nothing more in life than to destroy this vile thing. Surely the world would be better off with Jackal in it.
"Peter stop you're killing him!" Spinneret screamed trying to pry Spider-Man's hands from around Jackal's neck.
"He should die! After everything he's done he's more than earned death!" Spider-Man hissed through clenched teeth.
"You're better than that than him! Please don't!" Spinneret pleaded.
"You're right," Spider-Man said his hands loosening their grip.
"We need to get Ben help." Spinneret said.
"I'd advise you let the piece of crap die. Everybody would be better off. Oh and dear if you are interested I'd love to make a clone or more than one of such a feisty lady as yourself. I know I could have fun playing with your genes." Jackal said after a short coughing fit. He gave Spinneret a lecherous look.
Without saying a word Spinneret kicked Jackal in his head knocking him out cold. Spider-Man stared at her in disbelief. "What, he'll live." She said.
The Raft Prison present day, afternoon
Norman Osborn watched from behind the triple-layered security glass of his cell while the Jackal was escorted down the hall under heavy guard. "Miles long time no see," Norman said waving at his acquaintance. "How's life?"
"Don't talk to me, Osborn," Jackal said. "I know you ratted me out."
"Me," Norman said feigning offense. "Perish the thought. I would never do such a thing I swear, scout's honor." Norman crossed his heart and raised his other hand as if taking an oath.
"How else did the Spiders know where I was hiding?" Jackal asked not believing Norman's denials for a second.
"No socializing with other prisoners outside of approved times." One of the guards said shoving Jackal forward.
"Don't be a stranger, Miles!" Norman called after Jackal.
"Hmph," Jackal snort.
Norman's outward expression remained placid but his mental wheels were turning. His latest scheme had worked perfectly. Peter and his bimbo took the bait. With Jackal behind bars where Norman could exercise greater control over him, Norman's master plan was one step closer to fruition. Truth be told Norman would have preferred Jackal torture that treacherous clone for a while longer. Norman had not forgotten how "Ben Reilly" frustrated his plans by saving his worthless progenitor six years ago. Alas, often times sacrifices were required for the greater good. A lesson Norman had learned time and again since becoming Green Goblin. Besides the clone was such a mental mess even if it recovered physically, which seemed likely given its advanced level of healing, it would be a long time if ever before it would pose a threat to anyone.
'Parker and his little family will be in their graves where they belong before then and this city will become my personal fiefdom, as it always should have been. As it would have been if Spider-Man hadn't meddled in my affairs all those years ago when I was trying to unify the criminal underworld. Soon I will correct a grave historical injustice. One which never should have happened.' Norman thought as he waved happily at the passing guards.
To Be Continued
Next up the conclusion of "Shadow Play" then we resume a more canon centric chain of events.
Author's Note -
Because in this universe, Norman needed to distracted Peter and MJ while he starts the ball rolling towards "Goblin Nation" earlier than in 616 canon they saved Ben Reilly from Jackal before the events of "Spider-Island" even unfold (although Ben did not show up during "Clone Conspiracy" Slott has confirmed he was being secretly tortured by Jackal even then). I feel Ben got a raw deal in the recent comics so I wanted to give him a chance to shine here as a supporting character alongside the growing Spider Family. While he'll still have major psychological problems he won't slide into being a straight out villain as he did in 616 for a time.