SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 29)
Note: Apologies this chapter took long to come out. Had life stuff happen.
CONNOR'S FORMER LABORATORY…
Maya was in complete distress at the moment as she slipped away while her colleagues, Sunil and Erwin were getting mauled by the monstrous lizard-like creature that was once Dr. Curt Connors. In fact, she barely got a good glimpse as she tried to get away.
Hiding behind a desk, she caught a glimpse of a huge shadow silhouette in action as it clawed and gnawed its victims. As she hid, she saw the exit to the lab near her and made it her objective to reach it. First, without drawing the creature's attention to her, she found a pen nearby and held onto it.
The lizard creature heard no more sounds coming from other its victims. It took one good whiff of the air before hissing. Looking around, it was keen on finding suitable prey that would be edible for it and if the food did not meet its standard, the victims would still probably be unfortunate.
Maya held her breath in fear as the creature's footsteps thudded whilst it searched around its environment. She did not understand what she signed into with Oscorp. She was told with the other colleagues that this was a career changing opportunity for her. But now she's trapped in what feels like a horror movie.
The lizard's silted eyes twitched as it stalked around and knocked pieces of lab equipment aside using both its tail and claws. Without much time on her side, Maya hoped for her chance to escape to which she relied on her pen to make the distraction for her. Holding her breath, she hurled the pen to a certain direction.
As the pen dropped, the creature's attention was diverted as it scurried over to check the distraction. Maya then used this opportunity to go to the door as fast and as quiet as possible. But the escape attempt proved improbable given the laboratory's small space as well as the lizard's sensitivity to sound.
The lizard's sharp nose allowed it to detect Maya quickly who panicked as she tried to push the door open. She screamed as loud as possible as the lizard dashed its way towards her with its jaws open and claws ready to pin her down.
FOREST HILLS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, QUEENS…
Peter had his luck restored for a moment as he went his way to visit Aunt May. The Goblin would have killed him and every time there was a moment in which he would die, Peter at least wanted to be trying and save those around him.
His phone was still out of battery as he swung closer and closer to where the hospital was. Peter's own suit remained damaged from the fight with Goblin and it was sweaty wearing the suit. Nevertheless, he managed to stich up the face mask with an extra eye len to mask up much his identity.
"Man, this suit is really starting to reek." Peter commented whilst keeping his mind onto May's safety.
As he nearly reached the hospital, Peter was intercepted by a flying foe. At first, Peter thought it was the Goblin again but upon further inspection he recognised the bird-like wings on the interceptor, who was none other than the Vulture.
Vulture's own suit looked more fashioned than ever and hi-tech. No doubt, Oscorp gave him the benefits to go along with his engineering talent topped off with a nice coat of vintage green colour paint.
"What do you want now? A fashion contest? Or are you on behalf of Greeny McBogger face?" Spider-Man asked as he latched onto a nearby tree whilst watching Vulture float in the air in his new suit.
"I'm unfortunately on a tighter leash thanks to you." Vulture said whilst his mechanical wings shuffled as if ready for weapon deployment, "I've been asked to do this one task in exchange for my proper life back."
"Speak." Spider-Man insisted.
Vulture cooled his own temper as he conversed with Spider-Man. A rare instance that a villain would be reasoning with him in what otherwise could have been a battle.
"There is a sickly old woman Norman wants me to kidnap. He said this woman has 'sentimental value' to you." Vulture explained, "Meaning she is my leverage against you."
"Don't you dare use civilians to solve your problems, Adrian." Spider-Man warned.
"I see where your nerves are struck, boy." Vulture retorted, "But to be frank, I think this kind of person would be cheap and unjust. Especially when they're sick… Like me."
"Sick as in criminally bad." Spider-Man said, "There's something we agree on."
"You fool. Did I ever tell you that I have cancer?" Vulture asked.
Spider-Man's eye lens widened. Adrian might be telling the truth to him. Beyond his old age, Spider-Man could tell from his eyes just how weary he was and that the suit was his way of keeping himself functionally mobile.
"You know… That this is a hospital… Right?" Spider-Man asked pointing to the hospital, "You could take the suit off and we'll get you help."
"You damned fool. You are truly being hollow minded today. Besides, we both have Osborn to worry about, don't we?" Vulture asked in annoyance.
"Well… I guess I'll have to stop you again." Spider-Man said getting ready to fight.
"Not so fast, junior. I can tell you had a rough day. I want revenge against you but I also want you to be in your full fighting spirit. Fix your own damn suit first. It would be better to wear you down that way." Vulture replied, "I also want to rechose a better victim. In that case, the girl of yours might suit."
"No problem. She'll kick your ass." Spider-Man said confidently of Gwen.
"Then I give you this chance to prepare. Against me and whatever strength you can spare for Osborn." Vulture answered.
With those words, Vulture turned the opposite direction and flew away. Peter had to revitalise quick or else things will turn even ugly.
SUBWAY TO QUEENS…
Gwen in her Spider suit took a ride on top of a New York subway train. She had to take a breather from all the swinging and process what she had found down in Greenwich. The train operations were strictly controlled after attacks by the Green Goblin.
"Warren's own chemical substance… Helped Norman perfect his own chemical formula." Gwen said lying on top off the subway, "One sick bastard makes another."
She tried to recall any memory from her time as Miller Warren's student and if there was anything special that would help. But most of her memories with Miller were suppressed and she wished that everything about him would move on.
As she pondered, Gwen's ear communicator started to ring with a message from Yuri.
"Your search was really a bust?" Yuri asked.
"I had something and then I didn't. Their stupid computer system completely wiped away files that tie Norman to Warren's shady business." Gwen stated, "It's like it knew I was there in the room."
"That is one heck of a super computer. And guess that means it's hard physical evidence we gotta nail down." Yuri said, "No digital."
"Where do we start with that? It's hard to figure how Norman makes his own serum." Gwen responded, "Maybe something in Empire State Uni might have something."
"I doubt they would be keeping record of Warren's name still." Yuri answered back, "Your only hope would be with Osborn. He-."
After a moment of radio silence, Gwen acted confused and tried speaking to her.
"Yuri?" Gwen asked.
"Uh, you might want to turn back to Manhattan this instant." Yuri warned with a new message.
"What?" Gwen asked again.
"It seems to me that there is a 'dinosaur' rampage going on now." Yuri informed, "I'm not joking. A giant reptile."
The revelation of this information made Gwen get off the moving subway and hang on top of the tunnel ceiling. She was going to check on her family but it seems New York has another problem in its way.
OSCORP IT DEPARTMENT…
Norman's scowl never quite fades even in the eye of his own employees who are seemingly unaware of his duality that is the Green Goblin. In fact, Norman had spun the Green Goblin as another scavenger story of someone like Vulture who is trying to ruin the company and gain hold of its vital technology.
"It's ready?" Norman asked walking into the room with many computers connected to one super computer.
"We've spent days and hours making this simple but effective computer virus off the grid." One IT specialist said on his chair, "One install and it should reset the Living Brain back to default manual control."
"Then let's give the Brain some shock." Norman replied.
Norman ordered the IT specialists to hastily install the virus. One plug into the USB-C socket of the hard drive and the Living Brain would cease normal operations. The specialists went to work and immediately, there was prompt asking 'yes' and 'no' to downloading a new file.
"Yes." Norman said insistingly.
As the virus started loading, Norman waited with eager anticipation that the damage to the Living Brain will be enough. After much waiting and the loading complete, Norman waited for the change. However, the response was less than satisfactory.
"It won't work, Norman." Mendel Stromm's voice projected, "A simple and feeble computer virus created by out-of-date coding won't erase my consciousness. I am the Living Brain and I will stay with the system for as long as it's in operation."
Norman in frustration slammed his fist on top of one computer before listening to more of Mendel's taunting words through the Living Brain.
"With Gaunt's protocols, I exercise full control of Oscorp's technology." Mendel announced, "And your crimes, Norman. They will know."
TO BE CONTINUED…