= Chapter 184. Moving Forward =
Commentary on Chapter 184. Moving Forward If anyone wants to support your favourite and invaluable author by deed rather than word (although I appreciate comments with your detailed opinion no less), you are welcome to do so: 5469980470822129 - Sber 17 July 2015.
"Parker Industries, boardroom. 10:57am.
Spider-Man.
- "We have apprehended Dr Orn, who was attempting to pass the secret of development '42' to Alkemax, the project is no longer in jeopardy," the head of security reported to the board, smoothing his close-cropped hair.
- Thank you, Cain," I nod to my brother, resting my elbows on the table. - By the way, I'm glad that at least the responsible assignment convinced you to cut your hair," I smile, and my no longer scraggly brother maintains a stony expression, but I can see the chuckles in his eyes.
- I'm sorry to interrupt, Principal Parker, but can we get back to discussing WORKING matters? - The dry, dark-haired woman looked at me judgementally.
- I apologise, Miss Singh," I continue to smile, not the least bit impressed by the attempt at "boy-bashing" from one of the five largest stockholders in my company. Singh has a whopping 9.3 per cent. You don't want to hear it. - So, who's next?
While one of the largest (not just because of weight) members of my science department reported on the status of projects, I looked around the room in silence.
Ms Singh, Mr Yamoshiro, Jung Acobs, Uera Diars, and Quentin Sayil.
Shareholders, directorships. 9.3%, 7.7%, 7%, 5.4%, and 5.2%, respectively.
I hate that over the months I've had to learn to think in percentages.
But there's no other way if you want to keep your company.
And stocks aren't everything.
So many checks and balances...
Too bad the guys didn't keep everything I gave them. That's not how business works. Reed, Tony, Warren and Danny had to sell some of their shares on the market to attract investment.
I'm still in control, thankfully.
Having to report to these bigwigs every month is a small price to pay for a personal fortune of fifty million dollars and the company's estimated quarterly revenue of five hundred million, isn't it, Bearer?
Yes, Raj," I replied to my partner, with the further intention of distracting myself from thinking about the numbers.
- Thank you, Grady," I stopped the blond physics expert's report. - Bella, please tell the esteemed board of directors about your breakthrough in prosthetics," I pass the floor to the head of the bioengineering department.
While the blonde indulges in oratory, adjusting her glasses, I continue to look around the room.
Cain was the first of my siblings to accept a full-time job offer at Parker Industries. It's a family affair after all.
Then there was Del, deputy director of PR. But is threatening to make head. No nepotism. If the sister proves herself, she'll take Miss Ronalds' place. And if she doesn't, she doesn't.
Ben persevered long enough, he's still a part-time chemist in the lab.
I turn my head to the right and watch Jessica in her office suit, making careful notes on her clipboard.
The idea to hire Miss Drew as her assistant/secretary came as abruptly as it came to fruition.
Delia and Natasha have agreed to take the former Agent Arachne under their wing. But they look after her in the evenings. I'm the daytime caretaker.
Though I guess nothing could be a bigger sign of trust than the Rez I gave to the spider woman.
What can I say, a symbiote isn't so much a sign of trust as it is an additional means of surveillance.
And from the other side... in case of anything, it's Jess who can best counteract Raj's son with his bioelectricity.
I sigh, turning my gaze to the ceiling.
Checks and balances.
So much has happened in six months...
- Well, we've heard everything we need to hear, Mr Parker," Tadaki said. - I can't say for my colleagues, but I'm pleased, Director," the brunet nodded.
- Thank you, Mr Yamoshiro," I nodded to the Japanese. - So, shall we summarise?
Two hours later, after we had sorted out all the kinks, the shareholders said goodbye and left the meeting room.
After the door closes behind the businessman/woman and the scientists and only Cain and Jess remain in the room, I exhale tiredly and lean back in my office chair, loosening my tie.
- Every month those vultures try to get their claws into you harder and harder," Cain grumbles, folding his arms across his chest. - The company is doing just fine, what more do they want?!
- It's when things are going well that the management audits are the most comprehensive," Drew replies, rising from his desk, pulling up his pencil skirt and approaching us in a hip walk. - From what I can tell, they're only going to get bolder in the next few months. And they'll be waiting for your first failures," Jessica shifted her neon-green eyes to me.
- We're talking about the corporation, not the HYDRA council, Drew," my brother grinned at Spider-Woman.
Cain is one of the few who took Jess's correction in stride. Of course, after hearing her whole story unvarnished, the moment I informed the family of the arrival of another heroine with spider powers. Our future partner.
- Businessmen and opportunists are the same everywhere, Parker," the brunette replied condescendingly to my doppelganger.
- You two are enough, - I say on an exhalation and look carefully at their quiet workers. - Anything else?
- Just a few moments," the spider woman corrected her glasses and looked at the clipboard. - Mr Osborn's assistant sent me a reply to your letter with a proposal of cooperation. Director Osborne will consider the idea of teaming up.
- I see," I nod, averting my eyes.
An unintentional habit when I hear that last name.
It's a habit I have to break.
- Next, Mr Simms is still insisting on a meeting.
I sigh and stare at the ceiling.
Ezekiel... How long have I been trying to avoid him?
Sims, then Morlan.
Morlan, so the Heirs.
Covering my eyes.
Time to stop hiding.
- Set our meeting for tomorrow, Jess," I get up from the chair. - Anything else?
- No, that's it," Drew nodded, and Cain tilted his head in the same manner.
- 'Then thank you both, and now if you'll excuse me,' I turn away from the view from the meeting room window, 'I need to think.
- Whatever you say, Director.
As soon as the Spider-Men exited, within two minutes, the silhouette of another one of my employees formed leisurely out of the sand particles.
- What about me, boss? - The brown-haired man began to shake off his shoulder.
- You can give the report to Cain for now, Flint," I turned to the sandy one, "thank you.
- Boss," the genetically modified man said goodbye and staggered to the door.
I remember how much trouble you had with Mr Marko's trial," Space Spark began to reflect on the days of yore.
Yes, it wasn't easy.
As soon as the door closes behind the Sandman, I pull out my phone.
I dial the number, it rings.
- "Hello, Tiger," comes my favourite voice.
- Hi, Carrot-top," I smile. - How's it going? Everything all right?
- Everything's fine, Daddy," says Spinner, laughing. - The kids are in Kitty's care and they're all over Wade again.
- Somehow they always think of him as a dummy," I smirk. - A chatterbox is supposed to keep you safe outside the house, not inside.
- I couldn't kick him back out after he smelled the casserole," my tigress rolled her eyes in assurance.
- I'll take it out of his pay," I panted. - I'll be there for dinner on time.
- Okay, Tiger, we're waiting," MJ replied, then added in a languid whisper. - And we miss you very much.
- Is that Spidey? Say hi to him, redhead! - Wilson shouted at me.
- I miss you, too, honey," I said to my fiancée. - Well, it's a good thing you have a lot to do, right?
- Preparing for a wedding isn't easy," Mary snorted. - But Fey and I have come up with some interesting designs...
- Hela, don't ignore me, spider mum," Wade shouted again. - Say hi to the big guy! Well, you're welcome!
- Okay, he's got the baby voice on, I'm hanging up,' she muttered, soon no longer Miss Watson. - Love you.
- Got it, Carrot-top, and I love you.
After the call ends, I adjust my tie again.
The day has just begun, so I need to keep my finger on the pulse.
So, first, down to the lower floors of the labs.
* The Dimension of the Unimaginable.
The lord of his own space rose from his stone throne and turned to the web.
The threads of Life and Fate increasingly exploded with uncontrollable bursts of energy.
The knight squawked at the flash of yellow-purple lightning.
The man in armour raised his palm and removed the excess.
The power he had obtained in the Web Pocket after killing the Wolf had become desperately lacking.
It was being depleted.
And the web is only getting stronger.
His time is running out...
The moment had come.
The Unimaginable raised his wrist with his communicator.
It was time for the final test.
- Red, Dandy, come in.
Legendary's dimension.
- Yeah, I got it, I'm on my way," after receiving instructions from his mighty superior, Peter switched off the communicator.
The man exhaled.
Life went on as usual. He returned to the Avengers... Became team leader.
Started training the girls who had finally put on their costumes (or at least stopped hiding it from him).
It seemed like the guilt of his worst decisions of the past was starting to let him go...
But he would never forget as long as the noose of the Unimaginable hung around his neck.
The cloaked man exhaled and activated his mechanisms.
Master said to gather his strength.
Last check.
At the same time.
Dimension Unresponsive.
- Yeah, I got it," Red replied with a little tired sternness in his voice.
- Don't be late," after a garbled retort, Knight ended the transmission.
Peter turned away to the panoramic window and exhaled.
The man was damn tired of being a Fucking Motherfucker. Especially after the recent news.
It seems that his black heart, too, is capable of beating with happiness and joy in life again?
But he's still a six. Forced to serve the "One who sits on the throne", his boss.
Pride and the urge to fight have begun to raise their heads. The desire to throw off the shackles grows stronger.
But he won't listen to them if it means that she... IM will be in danger...
- Daddy? - A soft voice called out to Red.
Peter's frowning features smoothed out, a smile returning to his face.
The man turned round and sparks of happiness lit up in his eyes.
Our girl has become so feminine... You'd be proud, Mary.
Though perhaps it was the prospect of future motherhood that had such an effect on her body?
Annie walked leisurely over to her father and floated into Spider's arms, stretching her arms out in front of her.
- How are you feeling, dear? - lovingly asked the brown-haired man, putting his palm on his daughter's visibly rounded belly.
- Much better," the young girl explained with a smile, looking into her father's eyes. - Our baby has stopped kicking so intensely," the spider woman placed her delicate palm on top of her father's.
Peter squirmed slightly at those words, eager to stretch the moment of tender happiness spilling inside him.
Our baby.
What an idiot Parker felt, because of his past fear and long denial of his desire to become a parent again.
It took his little girl a long time to convince her daddy. But she succeeded.
Annie had always been Parker's stubborn. And she'd managed to outdo the father of her unborn child.
Peter lowered his eyes and stroked his daughter's cheek.
- I'll have to go on business again," Red hurried to explain when he saw the worry in his favourite emerald eyes. - It's the last time I'll be away this time. I promise.
- Dad... I hope there won't be any... - Parker bit her lip, - imposters?
Irresponsible's eyes widened in amazement, and then he laughed softly.
His daughter wasn't worried that he might be in danger. Once again her sense of possessiveness was inflamed.
- Spiderwoman, have you forgotten what I did to them when you announced your pregnancy? - Red lifted his daughter's head by the chin and lovingly ran his thumb over the hollow. - 'Only you alone, baby,' the man held his daughter tighter again and buried his nose in her intoxicating hair the colour of autumn leaves. - Only you.
In response to those words, Parker only clung tighter to her father. Her man.
- Whatever it is, I know you can handle any danger," Annie-Mae Parker spoke quietly and confidently. - You'll do what you have to do and come back," the girl raised her head again, looking into her father's eyes. - And we'll be waiting for you," the redhead placed the man's palm against her stomach.
- I love you," the man spoke, pulling his daughter into a kiss.
- I love you too, Daddy," the girl replied after their lips completed the act of their ardent union.
Red stepped back and, donning his mask, opened the portal.
When the vortex closed, only the young pregnant girl remained standing in the spacious apartment.
- Shh, it's going to be okay, baby," the redhead said, feeling a tangible kick. - Daddy will be back to us soon. Commentary on Chapter 184. Moving Forward As always, big updates bustich 20th, all business)