Disclaimer: Amazing Fantasy #15, published in August 1962 introduced us to a character we all know today with a few words: "Introducing Spider Man". Spider-Man has been part of Marvel history ever since. All thanks to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. I don't own Spider-Man (Spiderman or Spider Man), Marvel or any of the affiliated companies. It'd be super sweet though!
Triggers: There are mentions of what could be construed as self- harm near the ending of this chapter. If you are easily triggered, please skip it. I'm so concerned about it that I've included a bolded trigger warning to mark the spot in this story. If you can, just scroll right past until you find the "End Trigger" mark. Don't look up.
Warnings: I cried… a lot. You might too. Navigating The Curve
By Juliette Lyst
Broken Armor
Main Universe
Alchemex
Liz Allen stared with disdain at the phone sitting on her desk. It had done nothing to earn her ire… but her blue eyes still displayed displeasure. The continued silence was what bothered her so deeply. Since Norman's… negative "reaction" to the serum, he had been safely placed in a mostly isolated section of the building to keep himself and others safe.
The older man was subject to regular testing, which he detested. His physicians updated her every two days, but as his symptoms had become more pronounced… she had requested daily notifications.
She was waiting for one. The stack of paperwork on her desk did nothing but add to the stress that was beating her down. To her, the lot was at times mundane and tiring. She disliked having to deal with contractual issues, however, Alchemex had been built as a legacy for Normie. The thought of her son put a smile on her face.
Even if their relationship had become a little… strained over the years, she still loved her son with all her heart. He spent far more time with Henry, so a closer bond with him was expected. Still…
The stack of paperwork suddenly seemed far smaller than it was. Flipping open the folder in front of her, she began to go over the figures on the sheet. Logging into her computer, she searched up the financial records for the company.
Alchemex didn't work solely on personal pet projects for Norman or even Liz. The company was extending its reach into as many avenues as it could, from building a supply chain of restaurants to luxury vehicles. The more it was able to get into, the faster the company could grow.
Company growth was good. It meant more profits and to the Osborn family, profits were the keys to having a lasting legacy. And power. So much power. Care needed to be taken to make sure that Alchemex wasn't labeled as a monopoly, even though that was the idea fueling the company's rapid expansion.
To mitigate the problem from immediately scrutiny, Liz had gone through the painstaking task of building smaller 'independent' companies from the ground up with what would appear to be modest funding. Over them would be bigger companies that again - would be of little note. Someone clever enough to follow the money trail might eventually track all of it back to her.
A smirk crossed her lips. She'd love to see anyone try. She hired nothing but the best at these start-ups. The problem was of course, making the funding look as innocent as possible. People who were greedy easily revealed their hand far too early. She'd been working behind the scenes with these 'upstarts' for three months now.
She was hopeful that the quarterly reports would turn up something promising. There was no way she could easily funnel funds to the businesses to make them successful if they couldn't stand on their own two feet. The first page was on ' ' one of the automotive manufacturing plants she was trying to get off the ground.
It was too early for a quarterly report, but even a few months should have showed signs of some growth. The biggest hurdle was meant to be gaining investors on board to put money behind a brand-new automotive plant. The plant was located in an area that, according to the reports she'd gathered, had low prospects for employment.
She hoped that the opportunity would be the driving force behind another automotive boom. Everyone knows they needed the jobs. As a bonus, the company was meant to swell not only with demands for auto parts but also funding from the board.
One pale brow furrowed as she studied the report. Is that… She wasn't exactly certain what she was reading on the sheet.
Whoever working at Matic was going to need a lesson on proper recordkeeping. She wasn't sure what she expected, but all of the monetary losses that she could easily read on the page were the last of it. The expenditures on the page surpassed what the company estimates were. Grossly.
Is someone stealing? It was a long shot, because the company was still very new. Still, there had to be some reason behind all of the red. If they kept going like this, they'd go bankrupt in less than two more months.
Absently, Liz reached for the phone, already looking up the contact information for Matic. Before she could touch the cradle though, the phone rang. Her eyes widened, confusion etching across her features for a moment.
When the phone ran a second time, she picked up. "Allen speaking." She was still thumbing the page with one hand, but hesitated when the voice of Norman's doctor came through on the phone. "I… See." Staring at the polished desk she sat behind, she leaned back in her seat and nodded slowly - even though she knew the doctor couldn't see it. The motion made her feel better. "I'll be there in five minutes."
Mouth resolutely set, she put the paperwork back into her desk, securing the drawer. Grabbing her business case bag, she slung the strap across her chest before leaving her office.
"Linda, hold my calls for now, hmm?"
Jerking just a bit at the abrupt action, Linda nodded rapidly. Her movements were birdlike in many cases, which suited Liz perfectly. "For the rest of the day, ma'am?" Straight and to the point. The blonde struggled to suppress a grin.
Liz shook her head. "No. Just for the morning. I'll be gone for a few hours."
"3PM, yes?" Even as she asked, Linda was already grabbing a slim calendar book and the phone at her desk at the same time.
"No…" When Liz hesitated, she felt the ever-observant eyes of her secretary peering up at her. "No, Linda. Make it 4PM." Liz could see the question forming behind those wide eyes, but not one thing was uttered to give voice to it.
"Understood ma'am. See you when you return."
She's going to be here for a long time. Liz decided. Her previous secretaries had been far too loose with their lips. The employment application for this one had been at the absolute bottom of her stack. Now, she was very glad to have hired her. Nodding in response, Liz took her leave.
The doctor's message had been frank: We Need You Here. As soon as possible.
Norman apparently couldn't control himself - again - it seemed. Something else was happening - perhaps something the doctor didn't feel comfortable enough discussing over the phone.
4 th Level - Ashley's Apartment
That could have gone… better. Gunner was rubbing his right ear after dealing with Ashley's screams on the phone. She had been upset, understandable so, when she'd heard that he planned to move all of her items out of her apartment. Her apartment had been a reflection of who she was at a person. She had rebelled against the personality she'd originally been designed with, by forming one of her own. Her choices in even décor clashed heavily with Gunner.
He wasn't a fan of wall decorations or 'pops' of color… nothing but what Ashley described as 'boring, bland and tasteless' decoration. Not only that, but he was finding that Ashley had more than just a few nick-nacks. For one, she'd acquired that motorcycle.
She also for some reason had purchased furniture and a bed. Had Gunner any hair, he would be pulling it out. Just how was he going to transport her bed, dresser, television and motorcycle without revealing where he lived?
With a frown, he'd patched in a call to the ExpressHawk knowing that they dealt with - above all - discretion. If he wanted them to transport and dump off furniture in an alley and never speak of it again, they could. They were fast, sharp and always on schedule.
His problem was trying to figure out if all of that was worth it. He was already working on plans for a bedroom for the blonde. He wasn't certain about moving all of her furniture. "I have to admit it Ash… You have me seriously stumped." Having put his earpiece in place, he coughed at her response. "You have a lot of items here, Ash."
Hearing her exclamation, he lowered his eyes. "How much television do you actually watch?" Listening to her reply, he paused again and felt his face warming. "That's not what I asked." He choked out after a long pause.
He was never more grateful to have Hea with him. The small bot was easily collecting Ashley's more portable items. It had already collected her phone and purse. Both of them gaped at her closet. "You… really like color in all things, don't you, Ashley?" The dragonfly drone had been carefully attached to his collar, so she was easily able to see what he did.
Between the phone and bot, it was almost as if Ashley was in the room with them. The only difference was that physically, her body was elsewhere.
The conversation was immaterial, he knew, but it helped make him feel better. After all, were he moving a close friend of his an hour away from home - he would afford them the respect of doing it the right way. In this case, he had made a decision without considering the consequences.
Who knew that Ashley had so many things in her apartment? A bed, dresser, lots of clothes, big screen TV and radio… along with plates, cups, bowls and cutlery. And an empty fridge. He wanted to laugh at the fridge and microwave. They were so unused that they had dust on the handles. Both of them had come with the apartment, but the luxurious couch that sat in the living room was her own purchase and looked like she frequently used it. Why did she need all of this if she never slept?!
Lazavo - a 'gastronomical gem' in the heart of Manhattan - 8PM "Table for three, under the name Cole."
Mary Jane folded her arms. When she'd been told to dress up 'neatly', she had never expected Sami would bring her to a place like this. Marilyn had been the one to greet her at the front door. Another
night alone in the house had teased her with more memories of pain. Not wanting another disastrous encounter with the contents of the bottle in the kitchen, she agreed to let her friend dress her up. This wasn't fair… She decided. Marilyn at least knew they were coming to a place like this, but her? I don't want to be seen in public looking like this…
Always seen. Always on display. Wasn't that part of what she did for a living? Her job was to literally be visible for a multitude of eyes to stare at, to gawk over and pick apart. She was what people looked at when trying to decide what to wear. She'd seen her name a few
times in a negative connotation. The prevailing idea was that her hair color was just expensive box dye.
As they were led to their seats, she managed to catch a glance at herself in one of the mirrors. Okay… she thought with a sigh. Maybe Marilyn did dress me to come here? Her bubbly friend had discarded several ideas for clothing choices.
We're not going clubbing!" She'd exclaimed back then. Without any additional input, Marilyn had descended on her wardrobe and picked out the ensemble she was wearing. The emerald green knit dress was off the shoulder, accented with a black pleated cape. Marilyn had helped her adjust her make-up on the ride there - something that MJ was grateful for now. For the most part. Marilyn tended to be heavy with the eyeliner.
Tonight, it was no different, but at least it worked. Between the extra water all day and the make-up, the 'bagginess' under MJ's eyes wasn't visible at all. "I'll admit…" The redhead commented as they walked. "I wasn't exactly expecting this Sami."
The taller man raised both brows, but made no comment.
Marilyn looped her arm with Mary Jane, and beamed at her. "Still, it's fun, right?"
MJ nodded automatically, but her hands were squeezing the life out of the tan clutch she was holding.
"The food here is to die for." Samuel chimed in as they were seated.
Much to MJ's relief, they had been given a very nice, secluded corner to sit in. The atmosphere was less stuffy than up front. Sighing audibly, the redhead allowed herself to sink back into the cushioned seats. They were given a few minutes to order, and while sipping from her waterglass, MJ stared at the menu. At one point, she barely managed to spit out her mouthful at the price of the food there. "Ah… Sami?"
She saw his eye peek up at her from behind his menu. "Hmm?"
Squirming in her seat and feeling more than a little out of place. "Uhh… W-What would you suggest?" Her eyes darted to Marilyn who shrugged.
"Whatever you want, really." Folding his menu, Samuel set it down. "I thought you said she'd like coming here, Marilyn."
For her involvement, Marilyn shrunk behind her menu. "I thought so too! MJ, you're always going to those fancy afterparties!" A guilty blush suffused both of Marilyn's cheeks. "You always talked about the plane rides and meeting clients in places like this."
Shoulders drooping, MJ nodded mutely. She set her menu down. "… That was all for work, though." She was upset, that much was evident in her eyes. "I'm… I'm not into these kinds of places to eat." Was that really how people saw her though? She thought over some of the dinner parties she'd been invited to. Dinners out with Peter were similar.
Did everyone think she was like that?
"T-That's okay, MJ! We can go somewhere else to eat!" Marilyn frowned. "I am so sorry about all of this…"
She tried to smile in response.
The waiter came over then to take their orders. "Actually…" Samuel spoke up then. "Our friend would rather eat somewhere else."
The waiter's eyes widened. "I understand sir. I… I don't think we can refund your reservation though. I can check."
Samuel held up a hand. "No. There's no need." He fished in his wallet and handed a folded bill to the waiter. "We'll be going now." Redirecting his attention to MJ and Marilyn, he grinned. "Show us where you like to eat, Mary Jane."
On The Road
As the lines in the road became a blur, there was one thing the man riding on the back of the motorcycle thought. I'm going to die. Gulping, he convulsively squeezed the bike between his legs. He was a jumble of nerves. This was a request though, and he'd given his word.
If anything, he was a man of his word. "… I never thought you would do it."
Coughing loudly in response, gray eyes narrowed into slits. "I gave my word, right?" If only for that day, Echo hoped to be a man who did not keep his promises. The dragonfly drone still clung to his jacket as before.
The air feels so nice…"
Air? It was on his mind too, but more along the lines of how he could keep inhaling it and not suffocate. When he'd located the bike, he
had no clue if his gangling frame would even fit onto it properly. That had proved to be no problem. After more than a few mistakes, he'd gotten his limbs to cooperate enough.
Following her instructions, he'd avoided most of the main roads, which put him at a lower risk of crashing into another vehicle. "You say that now, yes." He struggled to hold back a shiver.
Just relax. You'll be fine."
He snorted. "You're not on this bike, racing down the road."
Gunner, relax. You're barely past 30 on this road." "Are… Are you sure?"
I have my eyes on the bike. You're only in second gear…"
"That… That's good, right?" He heard a sigh on the end of the line. "Ashley?"
Please don't mess up my bike. I'll see you when you get home."
Home. The lab really was that to him, wasn't it? Hearing her say it though made it all the more special. "I'll do my best." He allowed a faint smile. Ashley really did love this motorcycle, which was why he felt so bad. He was riding the thing so poorly, had wished there was
a way for her to remotely control it. It had occurred to him to try to connect the drone to the bike, but he quickly dismissed that idea. He had no honest idea how much the drone might be damaged in the attempt.
Currently, the little winged bot was the only way that Ashley could get around too. "Your furniture should be arriving a bit later today," he remarked. "I paid extra to make sure that they're careful with it." He didn't like the idea of the company having an idea where he resided, but for the time being would allow it.
That's good. A bunch of broken furniture would do me no good, would it?"
Nose wrinkling, the man chuckled. "I still don't understand what you saw in some of those pieces." He heard a soft laugh in his ear. The voice wasn't the one he'd grown used to, but the feelings behind it were familiar.
That's alright. I just… like them. That's all."
The smile on his mouth widened at her words. "Glad to hear that Ashley. Maybe you can help me figure out a few things."
Alchemax - Lower Levels
Frowning deeply, Liz shook her head. She'd had to call up to Linda to cancel the rest of her appointments for the day. Norman was far worse off than she'd thought. The man had been calling for her since the night before. At first, the doctor had tried to placate Norman by telling him that Liz was at work taking care of his 'baby,' the company.
After a few hours though, Norman grew more insistent… and frantic. When Liz had walked to this level of the building, she hadn't
expected Norman to look like this. He was technically inside of a 'cell' to keep him safe, but a more comfortable one. His doctor, Domingo Cruz, had informed her that the older man was receiving medication for a fever.
Some of the signs had pointed to a potential infection, and Norman was on antibiotics. They didn't seem to be working, with the doctor reporting delusions on waking. With a sigh, Liz had settled in for a long wait. She'd heard his screaming before she got to his room, but for the last hour or so, he'd been sleeping fitfully on the floor.
Conceited old man… The blonde stared at Norman with a mixture of pity and disappointment. The lure of 'renewed strength and vigor' had been all the motivation required for him to volunteer to use the newest revision of the Goblin serum. With the immediate physical benefits though, the psychological problems had manifested again. And the man had managed to down additional doses… which made everything so much worse.
The persona of The Green Goblin was alive and well, but this time it brought what seemed to be a neurological infection. The 'fever' that Norman experienced - at its heart - was his body rebelling against the serum. Regenerated pathways were being attacked by white blood cells.
His own body didn't even want the serum, but now that it was inside of him, he was going to be fighting for a very long time. The longer that Liz turned over the situation in her mind, the more concerned she felt. The Goblin serum was over-active, but if his body was fighting it as if it was a hostile intruder…
Blue eyes widened, the blonde scrambling from her seat to peer in to see Norman where he lay unconscious on the floor. Even from where she stood, she could see the sweat that liberally saturated the back of his shirt. Oh no… A chill ran down her spine.
How many test subjects had used the serum? Wringing her hands, she turned away from the observation window, shivering. Her back was pressed against the door. Liz's breathing was unusually loud in her ears, along with the pounding of her heart.
"Miss Allen?" Lifting her head, she glanced abruptly to the left. The nurse standing there froze in place, as if afraid to move. The blonde knew that she looked like a mess, her eyes wild. Sweat had bubbled to the surface on her brow. Absently, she wiped her forehead.
"I need the doctor." Liz stated simply. When the nurse hesitated a moment, the blonde screamed at the top of her lungs. "Now!" She bellowed. "Not in a few minutes or hours or tomorrow! You get him now! Now-now-now! Right now!"
Nearly falling in the attempt to escape quickly enough, the door wasn't even able to close before the footfalls of the nurse weren't audible down the hallway anymore.
Abruptly sucking in a deep breath, Liz ran her fingers through her hair, flicking an errant lock back in place. Composed. She reminded herself. She had to look perfectly composed and calm when the doctor reached her. Hearing a masculine moan from behind the door, she risked a look at the window.
She let out a wail of fright and jumped away from the door. Norman was right there, his face pressed against the glass.
"I know you're out there! Let us out! We have work to do!" He was overheating, was shedding his shirt to reveal a reddish bloom across his skin that had nothing to do with his emotions.
"I…" Swallowing hard, Liz stepped closer to the window. She sincerely hoped that he couldn't see her, but with all of the changes in his body from the serum - she really couldn't be sure. "You can't come out yet, N-Norman." Her eyes squeezed shut at the slight stutter.
Not weakness, no fear. She couldn't let him sense any inkling of fear in her voice. As the Goblin, Norman was an apex predator. The difference between him and most hunters, however, was how unpredictable he could be. All creatures that hunted in the animal kingdom tended to plan. The Goblin would plan, but when his plans failed - he would try to beat them into working. He was dangerous, vicious and cruel.
What had she thought she would accomplish by reviving the Goblin serum? Now the older man was at a serious risk of death. It didn't matter how fast his body fought off the invading cells, they would just outpace him. She had no doubt that his reactivated Goblin genes would prove superior… but his very human body might not survive the strain.
"Why not?! I own the place, don't I?" The resounding pounding sound that reached Liz's ears was a warning. Norman wanted out, sooner rather than later.
"That's not the problem. You have to stay in there!" The worries were multiplying in front of Liz's eyes. Norman had a sickness from the Goblin serum, but he wasn't the only test subject. What if the other subjects were sick like him? What if it was infectious?
"No… I don't. I'm staying here as a favor to you." The older man's voice had begun to change. "Let me out now… and I'll not wring your neck."
The blood drained from the blonde's face.
"Liz, is it? I know you're out there." A loud sniffing sound filled the area. "I can smell you, Lizzy. Let me out." The sounds of scratching at the door were audible.
"I… can't!" The blonde managed. She was maneuvering away from the door, concerned that the frenzied man was about to break through the door. "I don't have the authorization!"
"Yes, you do!" Norman cried. "It's a lie. It's lies, all lies! You can let me out whenever you want to! You're only keeping me in here for my company! You are a thief! You are trying to steal from me!" The banging resumed.
"Stop Norman! You're going to hurt yourself!"
"Thief!" he hollered, "You're a thief, and I'm going to stop you!"
Must to the blonde's horror, she could see the wall around the door beginning to crack from the pressure. "Stop before you hurt yourself!"
"Trickery!" Bang! "More lies!" Bang bang bang!
Hearing a door burst open, Liz yelped in alarm. When she spotted the doctor along with a few orderlies, she relaxed. The doctor was looking at her strangely.
"Miss Allen, is there a problem?"
Before the blonde could make a peep, another banging sound was heard from the door. "I doubt that is a figment of my imagination, right?" Around the doctor, the nurse peeked out at her. Another bang was heard.
"Out!" Norman was heard from behind the door. "Let me out you thief!"
The doctor looked perplexed. He gave Liz a questioning glance, but the blonde spread her fingers helplessly. "There are no thieves here, Mister Osborn."
The banging sound paused for a moment. Then, a strained voice spoke up. "… Who are you?" Without allowing the doctor a moment to speak, Norman spoke again. "What did you do, Lizzy?" He sounded like he was on the verge of tears. "Why have you trapped me in here? What… what did I ever do to deserve this?"
The doctor and Liz stared at each other again.
Doctor Cruz was trying to figure out how to safely sedate the patient with minimal risk to his orderlies and himself.
Liz was trying to reconcile this side of Norman to the one that had just threatened to strangle her.
Sobbing was audible through the door. "I'm really trapped in here. I'm an innocent man."
"Mister Osborn, you're in there for your own safety. You've not been well. Do you remember?"
"… I don't even know who you are. How do you know my name?!"
Straightening his shoulders, Doctor Cruz responded. "I'm the doctor who has been treating you, Mister Osborn." He was thankfully holding Norman's chart. He flipped a few pages. "You collapsed weeks ago, sir. Ever since, we've had you down here for observation and treatment."
"Treatment?" Norman questioned, his voice trailing off. "Is that why I've been so hot?" The older man exhaled heavily and leaned his body against the door. "Or is it you who has the heat on in this room?" Without missing a beat, Norman snapped at the doctor. "Answer me!"
"You have an infection, Mister Osborn. We've been giving you antibiotics for it, but they don't seem to be helping as quickly as we normally see."
"Infection…"
"Doctor Cruz," Liz spoke up. "I have a feeling that I know what is aggravating his condition."
The doctor nodded, gesturing to one of the orderlies. "Yes. An infection, Mister Osborn. Your medication is on the way."
It was Liz then that reacted, she threw her body between the orderly and the door. "Wait, stop!" So close to the door now, she was able to hear Norman's heavy breathing.
"Miss Allen, what are you doing? My patient needs medication!"
"It might be infectious!" She exclaimed, her eyes squeezing shut. "If you open the door, you might let it out!"
The orderly moved away quickly, as did the blonde. Doctor Cruz stood still, staring at the door.
"So hot…" Norman's voice was returning to normal, thankfully. "I'm so tired and hot. What's wrong with me?"
The doctor gave her a pointed look. "Please explain." Opting to use caution, he waved the orderlies away from the door.
"Doctor, please inform your staff that what I'm about to tell you is in the strictest of confidence." Her eyes slowly tracked from the doctor to his nurse and the orderlies with him. "If one word of this is leaked, all of you will be blacklisted." She wasn't making the threat idly either. One word from her, and they all might have to leave the country to find employment again.
Inhaling slowly to settle his nerves, the doctor nodded.
"Norman was one of the subjects in a project." Inside, the young woman was beginning to panic. No word of this was meant to leave the lab, but if the problems were this severe… "He volunteered because the drugs seemed safe."
The doctor's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What sort of drugs are we talking about?"
Liz looked away then, lapsing into silence. She felt worn down, tired. It was so heavy, the burden of knowledge she bore. It was too much for one person, but she'd done it for so long now. This time though, it wasn't just her own name on the line. Her son's future was at stake too.
"It's a drug that rejuvenates DNA, and alters it. Norman wanted to… He wanted to feel normal and healthy again."
"Miss Allen-"
"We were told that the personality altering parts of the Goblin serum were removed," at that, her eyes lifted, her gaze locking with the doctor's. "The other test subjects looked promising." Lifting her chin, she redirected her attention to the door to Norman's room, and folded her arms. "Norman jumped at the chance. He wanted to have the same strength as the Goblin without… Without the problems."
"Problems?"
"There's been a mistake," Liz's gaze wavered a moment. "Maybe the mental problems were already there to begin with and the first Goblin serum unlocked them. Either way, he's so sick now. I suspect that his body is rejecting the serum."
"But the…" The doctor cleared his throat. "The Goblin serum was lost." He stared in wonder at Liz as a bitter smile crossed her lips.
"No. We only made it seem that way, but it wasn't lost. Not at all." Across Town
"Only you, Mary Jane!" Marilyn giggled as the party of three took their seats. It seemed that the Outback was the place MJ missed so dearly. "We were dressed up for the other place -"
"And overdressed for here." The redhead returned with a grin. "I prefer food that I can name at least."
"I'm ordering the blooming onion." Samuel announced, looking at his menu. "As a starter of course."
MJ grinned. "I'm getting the porterhouse. With Aussie fries on the side."
Marilyn snorted. "If I'd know you preferred meat and potatoes, we could have gone somewhere else." When Mary Jane looked at her, the grinning brunette stuck out her tongue. "I'll be ordering the grilled chicken."
This time when their waiter walked up, the atmosphere was clearer. MJ appeared more relaxed too. She felt the sting of embarrassment over how badly she reacted at the previous place… but she really did not feel comfortable in places like that.
Being around the rich and famous did not make one wealthy or well known. If anything, the constant scrutiny in establishments like that made even breathing difficult. It wasn't only the staff that was waiting
for little mistakes, but other patrons as well. One tiny flaw, one crack and they would skitter off to their privileged lives… believing themselves to be 'safe'.
It was a wonder that the stares themselves weren't knives. She would have been mortally wounded by now.
"Are you all ready to order?" Their waitress asked. She'd come up with a smile, moving far less gracefully than their waiter at the previous place.
MJ offered a friendly smile in place and prepared to place her order. Outside ECHO's Lab
"My poor baby!" Ashley exclaimed, staring at her bike as it was rolled down the hall. "Why did you keep stalling the engine like that?!" The indignation sounded through the mechanical voice. She was
frustrated with him, understandably so. He had promised to hand deliver the bike to her, though, had succeeded.
"You ask that as if I'm an expert on all things motorcycle?" He snorted. The dragonfly drone that had clung to him flew off and through the open doors to the lab.
Ashley's still body waited for him. The bot hadn't moved an inch, simply because she wasn't able to control her own body.
"No…" A giant green eye was staring at him from the main monitor. "But I gave you clear and understandable instructions."
"It's not that your direction was bad, Ash…" ECHO began. Ducking his head, he rolled the bike through the doors to the lab and rested it against the wall. "I'm completely new to a motorcycle, and I don't have your reflexes." Turning around, he moved to his computer and paused, his eyes widening.
"What do my reflexes have to do with anything?" She asked in response. Why was he comparing their experiences? She had lived among humans for a while, but that didn't mean that he couldn't have explored other interests. When ECHO was slower than normal on a rebuttal, Ashley paused and eyed him up and down.
"Is there a problem?" she asked. She was hopeful that the scientist knew how to get her easily out of the jam she found herself in.
Not that there was anything wrong with being trapped inside the computer, except that it was even more confining at the end of the day, than her own compact frame. Even the ability to fly was limited by a lack of knowledge of the new systems.
"Are you… completely in there?" He asked, wringing his hands. Just how had Ashley gotten herself into the computer itself? He'd set up an interface that would have allowed her to use the computer to communicate with him. He didn't expect to come home and find her imbedded in the machinery.
"As far as I can tell. I'm not sure how to get back out either."
"… Oh no." Echo muttered. Now he had another problem. He wouldn't be able to work fully with the hard drive if the blonde's memory was mingling with the computer. "Just what did you do?" Abandoning his plans, he moved over to Ashley's body. The cable was still intact. She truly had not moved an inch.
Was she still connected to the main computer or was her 'mind' projecting itself into the computer? Either way, he had to cut the tie. He wasn't sure what effect the information in his main servers would have on her.
"I relaxed and ended up in here." The green eye on the screen followed Echo as he walked over to her prone body. "I thought that was the intention?" Dismay began to filter through as he vehemently shook his head.
"Communication was the only system you were supposed to get into." His gloved hands gripped the cable, ready to pull. He hesitated though, looking at the green eye. If he did what he was about to do, he might lose her mind.
What made Ashley Gardiner so intriguing was her personality. It wasn't just her body, though her form was pleasing to the eye. Her AI was allowed free reign to adapt to her environment and change to accommodate different situations. If she was just 'projecting' her mind into the computer, severing the connection could destroy her completely.
Pulling off his gloves, Echo looked directly at the primary monitor. "Do you remember how you felt Ashley? How you were able to get into the main computer?"
"Ah… Yes!" Had she been in her body, she would have nodded. Being unable to was disconcerting.
"Just reverse it, Ash." Echo's voice was warm, encouraging. "I know that you can do it!"
"Can't you just pull the connection?" The blonde's uncertainty was easily heard. "You were about to before."
Echo shook his head. "Listen, this is me, Ashley. I stopped because I knew there was a risk." He shook his head. "I want you out there just as badly, but if I cut the ties right now, you might be lost."
"Lost?"
Again, Echo was reminded of why it was good he lacked hair. "Deleted, Ashley. Permanently gone." The now familiar ache swelled in his chest as he saw recognition dawn in the lone eye he could
see. "I can't complete my work with you tied to the main server, Ashley. Anything I do could overwrite something important about you."
The eye glanced at the floor a moment. "I understand. I'm sorry, Gunner."
Echo offered her a sardonic smile. "I'm Gunner, yes, but right now I'm Echo." His tone was flat. "Get out of my main computer, Ashley. Right now." As if he was scolding a toddler, he pointed at her body on the slab. "Chop chop! Time to get back to where you belong."
The sarcastic jibe he received was expected. "Okay mom . Calm down!" The giant green eye closed as the gynoid tried to focus. Unlike when she'd been 'sucked' into the main server, she was going against the current to return to her own body. Soon enough though, she felt herself settling in.
Watching intently, Echo released a breath he hadn't noticed himself holding as he saw Ashley's toes wriggling. The transfer process needed several minutes to complete, and he took a seat to wait it all out.
Somehow, he doubted that he would be dealing with this when he returned home. How could I have ever expected her to be able to cross the barriers into the main system? Another worry bubbled to the surface. With access to the main mainframe, Ashley could have seen or done anything. He would need to exercise caution with her in the future.
Finally, he saw her head move. "Ah! Back I see."
The blonde gave him a smirk before opening her mouth to respond. "I never went anywhere else." The robotic voice was jarring for her again, but she pushed away her unease.
"That's… not exactly true." Echo gestured to the wall in front of them. "You went for a small flight today." He was encouraged by the grin that blossomed on her face. "I take it that you enjoyed?"
"Is… Is enjoy the right word to use?"
Echo shrugged his shoulders and returned to study the cables coming from her throat. "I don't know, you tell me." His actions were halted as he felt a hand placed on his arm. "Ashley?"
"Wait… Before you remove the cables…" The blonde gestured to his chair. "Please… have a seat." Reading the furrow in his brow as curiosity, the gynoid elaborated. "We have things to discuss, Gunner. I'd prefer if you could easily hear me."
Exhaling slowly, Echo sunk into his seat, scooting over to her. "I want to start off by apologizing." He felt her stare, but plowed forward. "I've not been considerate of what you desired or wanted. It doesn't matter if it has been six months or six years since we've known each other. I should not have made a decision about your living accommodations before discussing it with you first. It was your home. You lived there."
"Gunner…" Ashley shook her head and carefully propped herself up. "That's not what I wanted to talk to you about. Even though that really got on my nerves."
Echo sighed heavily. "No, please let me finish."
Thankfully, the bot quieted. Ashley was not one to fidget, but she did so now.
Observing her, Echo wondered if her actions were preprogrammed or if she felt nervous. How can a machine feel nervous? He wondered, then squeezed his eyes shut. He had learned much about the bot in the few days he'd had with her alone in the lab.
She had developed a vast array of responses to various stimuli in the outside world. Originally, Ashley was created for the sole purpose of, in many cases, infiltration. She gathered information. She had traveled with him on jobs where her initial task was to keep him safe. Since Ashley had been brought online, there had never been an instance where their situations were reversed and she needed to be kept safe.
How times had changed.
"Again… I want to apologize for how I've treated you." The scientist had to remind himself that the 'machine' he spoke to was in fact just that - but more. Ashley, to outsiders, was a beautiful young woman who had hopes and dreams just like them. Does she dream? That was something else he had to figure out about her. "You're more than just the sum of your parts, Ash."
A lone blonde brow rose at this, but she remained quiet.
"I never should have just taken it upon myself to empty your apartment. You had a life there, memories." Did she have friends? He didn't really know. All he'd seen was footage over a short span of time. "I'm loathe to admit it, but were you flesh and blood - I never would have presumed on you like that. I would have given you a chance to choose."
Her features were changing slowly, a light of dawning recognition in her eyes. Or was it a reflection of the lights overhead in the lab? So many changes had been done to her over the years, that he couldn't remember them all off the top of his head. He wanted to laugh at his younger self back then. Was he truly building something to just 'accompany' him or gather intelligence?
There were so many other ways to have designed her. For one, he didn't need to make the bot female. He could have easily created a male. I'm not a conventional man… He thought with a frown. Being locked away for so many years by his mother and neglected, he hadn't been able to develop the skills he needed to cope with life outside. He didn't know how to relax and just be around other people.
No wonder Octavius was so uncomfortable around me… He thought with chagrin. Gunner didn't know how to program a male bot to act. He had dealt with powerful men in a business setting, but his ability outside of that was lacking. He also had no clue how to properly speak with women, but he had a rough idea of how they behaved. Most of his experience was limited to his mother, unfortunately, along with other women that had aided him as he gained his
independence.
His current life and those around him were mechanical. It was safer.
Robots, gynoids, computers and drones couldn't hurt him. Or so he'd thought. The pain he felt was of his own doing. He hadn't reached out himself, too afraid of rejection, not wanting to be hurt anymore.
"I'm not good at this." Tilting his head back a little, the muscles in his jaw worked as he tried to express himself.
"I understand Gunner." Any warmth that Ashley tried to insert in her words were drowning under the heavily mechanical tones of the main computer. It hadn't sounded quiet so terrible through a phone line, but in person… it was jarring. "It's practical," she added as he glanced to her.
Scooting closer, he took her left hand in both of his own. The slight coldness of her hand reminded him of what she was. He'd toyed with the idea of upgrading her so that she felt warm to the touch but had abandoned the notion as too fantastical.
"True, you should have asked… but why would it matter? I belong to you. You've reminded me in the past that you are my builder and -"
Placing the fingers of his right hand over her lips, Gunner signaled a desire for her silence. "I'm sorry, Ashley. I'm sorry for all of that!" Red-rimmed eyes looked at her longingly. "I'm not sure where to draw the line with you anymore. You're not just my creation - you're my friend." He looked away for a moment. "You've become so much more than what you were made to be."
Smiling behind his fingers, Ashley reached over to place a hand on his cheek. "You're crying, Gunner." This time, her lips didn't move and she spoke solely from the main computer. "You don't need to cry for me." Moving like she was put her at risk of being disconnected from the power supply, but she didn't care. She was made to care for her builder, to protect him. The lines had been blurred between them for some time now. The difference was that her feelings for him had bordered on fear and uncertainty because of prior knowledge.
It hurt to see him cry, she wasn't used to it. It made her feel strange to see his laughter, because it wasn't often. Those moments had been few and far between.
"Don't… feel sad, Gunner." Her thumb gently wiped his tears away. He pressed his face against her hand, his breathing uneven. What she was going to say seeped away from her. "Please. It's hurts
me to see you in pain."
Drawing in a shuddering breath, he nodded. "I'm still to blame. I built you, but I didn't do the best job." No, he had been so thrilled to make her move… only to learn that he had neglected regular maintenance. He grew hot with anger when she was around others, when she challenged him. He'd built her to question and learn on her own - yet punished her when she vocalized her difference of opinions.
"You're not listening, you silly man." She tilted his head toward her. "I can talk now, right?"
Numbly, he nodded.
"My landlord asked if you loved me…" Blunt and to the point. "Is it true?"
Paling even further, Echo's skin turned bone white. "You… heard that?"
Blinking at him slowly, the gynoid assumed a neutral expression. She'd been right there as the drone, so his question made little sense. Not to be deterred, she plowed forward. "Is it true?"
Looking away from her, Echo backed off and stood up. "I… It's wrong. I can't put those kinds of expectations on you." He turned away from her and walked near the doors to the lab. As if he wanted to leave.
Trigger Warning - Proceed With Caution
"What do you mean? Clarify what you mean." Her questions were probing, but at this point, it didn't matter.
"You're just a machine!" Echo ground out - suddenly angry, his back to her still. "You were never meant to feel. You'll only ever be just a machine."
The sudden, unfamiliar pain in her chest made Ashley wonder if one of her circuits was failing. She felt numb to the body she was in. She was afraid, not sure what was happening to her. I don't want to go offline… Her teeth clattered audibly together as she uneasily
stepped off the slab. Just a machine. Only ever a machine… The words spun around in her head, and she felt off balance.
The clank of her feet hitting the floor drew his attention. He spun around, eyes growing wide and fearful as he saw her on her feet. Something was very wrong. She was leaning heavily against the slab, her head hanging between her shoulders. "Ashley?"
His voice echoed oddly to her ears, like he was underwater. The gynoid's head tilted toward him, and she took a shaky step away from the slab.
"No, stop!" Echo hurried back to her. "You'll disconnect -"
Dulled green eyes stared back at him. "What does it matter? I'm just a machine…" With those words, the blonde wrapped both hands around the cable in her chest and ripped out her power supply. Her eyes rolled back as the electricity powering her was suddenly cut entirely. What happens to my mind if I-
All she knew was nothingness.
Disconnected, her ears didn't even hear the torturous howl that suddenly flooded the lab.
End Trigger Warning - The Bugle - 9PM
The doors had been closed for over an hour; everyone's work done for the day. Only JJ remained. His excuse was that he was just 'closing up'. That wasn't the truth though. The longer he stayed at work, the more ways that he could find to distract himself.
He wasn't certain what to do. Instead of immediately searching for another assistant in his office, he kept things as they were. As if Ashley was going to waltz through the front door one day. He also had yet to call law enforcement. What was stopping him? Normally, he was all over things like this.
He had been quick to report the explosion at Pier Sixty, had been even faster to secure an interview to give his first-person view. Now that the dust settled, was he suddenly less eager to keep going? That can't be it. His bushy brows furrowed as he catalogued his actions the last week.
The stack of paper on his desk demanded his attention. No matter how hard he plowed through it, it seemed to get just a little higher every single day. He had project proposals awaiting his approval, charities that he needed to respond to, completed assignments awaiting his review… but he didn't want to deal with all of it.
Not alone at least. That was what he'd done before, so what was so different now? Was he getting lazy in his old age?
Sighing, JJ sat on the corner of his desk, holding a mug of 'office sludge' between his hands. Swallowing down a mouthful, he grimaced. Disgusting coffee was not going to help elevate his mood. He needed a change of scenery, a vacation perhaps?
He had more than enough money to go wherever he wanted honestly. Maybe I'll go somewhere tropical. The sun would no doubt improve his mood. He'd read that somewhere… that sunlight helped boost one's state of mind. But just why was he so melancholy to begin with?
He was drinking down more coffee when his office phone rang. Lazily, his eyes moved to the clock. It's after 9 at night… He wondered who would be calling. Briefly, he considered ignoring the call. Before he could decide either way, the line went silent. That solves that.
If only all problems were so easily fixed.
Knowing that a change of scenery was needed, JJ reached for his coat and hat. Idly, he stared at the pile of papers. He had made the decision long ago to stop bringing work home with him, but what else could he do if he wasn't able to sleep. Maybe two pages won't hurt? He was reaching for them when his office phone began to ring again.
This time, he didn't hesitate to answer. If someone was calling The Bugle late at night, it had to be important. "Jameson!" He barked down the line.
The voice on the other end of the line was one he knew well. He pulled the phone away from his ear for a moment to stare at it. Why is Elizabeth calling? They weren't exactly on poor speaking terms, but both were busy and barely had time to ever meet at all.
"Wait… slow down." He begged. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighed. "What do you mean I need to come tonight? What is so urgent that I need to come tonight? " The response he received was chilling. She spoke two words to him that made him hurry to his car.
Just two words, that carried a lot of meaning.
Extremely Virulent.
Alchemex - Lower Levels - 10PM
Tapping her nails against the desk did absolutely to solve the problem at present. It did help her feel better. She could tell that she was irritating Doctor Cruz, but she didn't care. They were dealing with a serious issue and it needed to be solved as soon as possible.
Retrieving samples from Norman hadn't been easy. The staff had needed to done protective gear before entering his room. The fear existed though, that many of them had been put at risk before they even knew there was a problem.
No matter how aggravating she was, Liz was allowed to stay. The doctor felt pained at the lack of trust between them - angry and hurt that she'd needlessly put others at risk. If they confirmed that Norman was contagious, his entire staff would have to be recalled to the building. Anyone and everyone who'd been in contact with Osborn would need to be tested to see if they were infectious.
What about the other test subjects? They all had to be found. If the infection was like this, there was no way to know how many others had been exposed.
Liz wasn't ruffled often, but the sheer scope of the PR nightmare that loomed ahead was overshadowed with guilt. She should have left well enough alone, should have ignored Norman's encouragement to resume working on the Goblin serum. If they'd never begun trials to perfect it, this never would have happened. If she'd just buried the knowledge that she had of it, her son's grandfather wouldn't be so sick.
But no, the alure of power was strong. Not only she was affected either. If there were any investigations, anyone tied to Alchemex would be crucified in the press. Public opinion of them was already poor because the conglomerate seemed to have its hand it nearly everything. The only one protecting the interests of Alchemex and knowing the full scope was her. That was exactly why she'd made the late-night call.
JJ was one of the high-ranking people invested in her company. When Alchemex's profit margin swelled, Jameson's pockets grew fuller as well. His precious newspaper would be tied up in any subsequent scandals, knocking him down from the pedestal that he'd so precariously placed himself on.
Did he know about the experiments that Liz and her scientists had carried out? No.
It didn't matter to the public. Jameson was just one of the few who's reputation would be destroyed.
Thinking about his reaction was beginning to give her a headache. She needed painkillers and sleep. "Doctor Cruz, when you find out something, please let me know."
Warily, his eyes looking huge from behind the protective face gear and mask he wore, the doctor nodded. Despite the desperate situation, his hands remained steady as he worked.
"The head of the department in charge of synthesizing the formula will be here around midnight." Liz supplied. "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get her to come in any earlier." Not waiting for a response, and sick of the judgement she saw plainly in the doctor's eyes, Liz headed to the elevator.
Reaching the floor where her office was located, she walked down the quiet and darkened hallway. Passing her secretary's desk, abandoned now, she was surprised to see JJ standing outside her office door.
"How did you get in?" She asked, starting off the conversation.
Jonas, predictably, didn't respond. His eyes looked tired. In fact, he looked completely haggard. The late night call no doubt aggravated
whatever else was going on with him.
Holding back additional useless prattle, Liz opened the door to her office. "Come in. I'll put some coffee on." She could see the sudden tension in his movements as he stepped inside. "This is going to take a while."
ECHO's Lab - 4AM
"… Believe that you would ever do something so foolish." Echo's words were filled with heat, but his voice held desperation. "Come on, Ashley!"
The gynoid's field of vision was narrowed at first, awareness creeping in slowly. She wasn't sure where she was or what was happening. All she was aware of was the ever-present numbness.
"Wake up!" Echo yelled, getting directly in her face. The terror that welled up inside him was unwelcome. When he'd first witnessed Ashley pull her own power supply, he'd been in shock. Then, he understood the words she'd uttered and felt devastated. He wasn't certain what effect a lack of power would have on her systems. He'd hurried to her, then faltered and had to call HEA for an assist.
Two other droids in the building had come to his aid. The three bots had easily lifted the blonde back onto the bed. After she was situated, Echo had commanded all of them to stand back while he reattached her power supply. Donning thick rubber gloves, the hefted the thick cable and carefully aligned it back in place.
What he had hoped for did not occur. Ashley was supposed to immediately respond to the stimulus, but nothing had happened. Not understanding, Echo had turned to his main server, hoping that she'd slipped back inside. He spent two hours trying to find her unique signature, all to no avail.
All he suddenly found he had time for was to wait. He couldn't focus enough to work on additional designs for her. He couldn't think, refused food when offered and even refused to take his medication. However, HEA had been so unnervingly insistent that he take his pills that Echo took them just to shut the bot up. He ended up collapsing back in his chair, only to wake several hours later with a blanket tossed over him.
Ashley looked unchanged, and that bothered him. How much damage had been done to her now? Wasn't it his responsibility to fully attach the cables to her? Wanting to avoid another mistake, he got to work on creating a harness to secure the cable to her chest, just like the one coming from her throat.
Hours continued to tick past without any change, the growing desolation only getting worse. She had to wake up. He was not past the point of slapping her to get her attention, even though he knew it was futile. He might break his hand trying to rouse her, but he at least would feel like he'd done his best.
He was preparing to do just that when his hand was suddenly grabbed. The green eyes, which before had been fixed in place, moved.
Ashley's mouth moved, but no words came from her. It was as if her connection to the main computer's voice had been severed. Her lips were readable though: "What are you doing?"
Exhaling in a rush, Echo looked her face over carefully. "Trying to wake you up. You gave me a scare." Noting the confusion on her face, he elaborated. "You pulled your power supply, Ash." He gave out an unsteady laugh. "Nearly gave me a heart attack." He was still feeling shaken from the event, but now that she seemed better, he felt the extreme fatigue setting in. He almost missed when her mouth moved again. "Wait… I'm sorry, what?"
A faint whirring sound was audible as Ashley's lips moved again, which was concerning. Her mouth formed words that he never expected. "Who? Why can't I-"
Alarmed, Echo glanced away. Gently, he pulled her hand away from his wrist and rested a hand on her cheek. "Don't worry about it. You'll be fine soon." Her memory is damaged… He thought with dread. That meant that the previous days might all be gone. He offered her a smile. Gone for her maybe, but never for him.
Her mouth moved again. "What happened?"
Not wanting to delve too far, he lightly shrugged. "Your battery was faulty, so you're in here for repairs."
Ashley's eyes narrowed at the corners as she tried to understand. "I'm broken?"
Swallowing down a sigh, Echo shook his head… feeling numb. What was he supposed to say exactly? He didn't think of her as broken, but she did. "No, Ash. Never broken." He couldn't meet her eyes, unwilling to see her lack of recognition. "I'm the one who's broken."
The response she would have made never came. A series of squeals rent through the air - this time originating from her head, her body contorting for a moment. He could easily recognize the sound of fritzing wires - mortified at the thought of more damage inside her body. Stumbling away, Echo felt his legs go numb. What was happening?!
Ashley's upper body arched off the slab, her head turning to stare at him. Unable to speak, she reached out for him.
Concern for personal safety fell to the wayside and he returned to her side. Knowing the risk, he still linked his rubber encased fingers with hers. "Hold on, Ashley! I can fix it! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" From inside her body, he could hear a low whine as other
mechanical parts were beginning to fail. "No, don't leave me!"
Her eyes twitched, moving in separate directions before focusing on his face. "I'm s-so sorry Gunner…" Her own voice came from his console.
His nape rose at the sound. How on earth -
He wasn't able to respond when she suddenly grabbed him by the front of his nearly thread bare shirt. The red material ripped audibly as she yanked him to her. She crushed their lips together, pouring out the feeling that she couldn't give voice to.
A split second later, Echo met her kiss with his own in response, feeling repelled and drawn to the alien touch assaulting his senses. She was cold, so cold, but drew heat from him. The two of them made a happy medium together. It was all that he'd wanted for so long, but more than he ever believed he deserved.
The feeling was not to last. It was Ashley who broke the kiss. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Echo. "I love you Gunner…" Her voice echoed through his speakers, the grip on him lessening as she began succumbing to cascade failure. "… You foolish, foolish man." A smile curved her lips before her body grew slack.
Freed from her grasp, Echo felt blood pounding in his ears. "No… No, no, no. You can't!" Hugging her limp body, the man rocked where he was positioned, over her prone form. "You can't leave me!"
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: So, it's come to my attention… that I am a sap. Might as well pour me in a bucket already and call it a day.
Hey! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of "Navigating the Curve"! Sorry for the delay.
I'm grateful for all of your support and thoughtful commentary. I love constructive criticism!
Stay tuned for the next chapter! Love you all! XXO
~J. Lyst
Author's Note Addition: Eeee! I'm still going! It's still December 10, 2023. However, these edited chapters will probably go up on December 11th.
I have earned peanut butter crackers tonight… or grapes. Not sure which one yet.