SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 28)
CONNORS FORMER LABORATORY…
Curt took off his prosthetic arm as instructed. The scientists placed it aside on a table as he walked to the CT-like machine with one arm. This was the moment in life he waited for. And for Oscorp to give it to him felt like a blessing. But there was an air of uneasiness as the operation went ahead.
Norman nodded silently with a smile as Curt was laid down before giving the signal that he was leaving. As Norman left, Curt took some deep breathes to prepare for what comes next.
"OK, Doc. We're going to ask you to drink this cocktail before we start the machine." One male scientist instructed coming from the chemical bench, "Don't worry. It has no particular taste and whatever reaction you get, it's safe for human consumption."
The male scientist prepared a small vial from the bench filled with a murky green coloured liquid. Though he was informed that it was safe for consumption, the colour would give him pause if he did not know beforehand.
Opening up the vial, the scientist pried Curt's mouth open carefully as he consumed every last droplet. The liquid slithered down Curt's throat like some living creature as it entered his system. As the scientist to him said, it was tasteless. But the sensation from drinking it made Curt tingle.
"Alright, connecting wires onto patient." The other male scientist working on the machine calibration said.
The scientist with him then placed the suction cap end of each wire onto Curt's head. Curt took one look around the environment. The female scientist was now seated at a computer desktop observing what may be data on screen. Three scientists and him all in his old laboratory room.
"Just to protect the eyes from light." The scientist with him said as he placed a pair of light shade protection googles over Curt's eyes.
The operation was about to commence. In Curt's ideal mind, he wanted everything to turn out right. He could live a life like many others. He could hug both his wife and son warmly with two proper functioning hands.
"Are you comfortable, Dr. Connors?" The female scientist asked from her desk while sipping a bit of coffee.
"I am fine." Curt confirmed, "I'm ready whenever."
The scientists all nodded before the machine started up. The light above Curt beamed with radiance. As a whirring sound started, Curt grinded his teeth as a seemingly electrical sensation passed through his body. Curt's body started to feel numb as he felt some parts of his muscle fibres strain while feeling as if his body is elongating.
"Keep the power levels steady." The male scientist observing Curt's status to the calibration scientist instructed.
Curt's vision blurred out as he felt something innate in him awaken. As his body was affected, his mind flashed to the day when the alligator took his arm and thinking about it made his blood turn cold. The sensation generated such a white out for him as the operation came to its end.
"Cool down." The calibration scientist said dialling down the machine operation conditions.
Curt made for a sudden gasp of breath as the operation finished. The scientist next to him held out his hand to ensure that he was stable as the wires came off Curt's forehead.
"Dr. Connors. Take it easy." The scientist said.
"Yes. Yes." Curt murmured as he stood ground and shook his head.
After some self-composure, Curt looked at the shocked faces of the scientists. They were not in disbelief at Curt's resistance to their machine but rather something else happening to Curt. Curt then realised something different and looked at where his once missing arm was. To his surprise and excitement, Curt saw a fully grown human arm rapidly generating out that matched the rest of his biological makeup.
NEW OSCORP RESEARCH FACILITY, GREENWICH…
Gwen investigated the place that used to be U-Genetics. The place had been given the sterile white Oscorp makeover instead that the dark shady environment when it was underMiller's control.
"Almost like nothing in the past happened." Gwen commented after examining the environment.
As she snuck through the place, she thought about her concerns for Peter and her own stakes.
"No. We can't slow down. The Goblin… Norman Osborn. We have to stop him. Before he hurts the people, we know." Peter's voice echoed in her mind.
"This is getting ugly." Gwen thought to herself, "But it's what we signed up to."
She then managed to locate the room for log records thanks to signage on the wall and snuck in without detection using her phasing abilities.
"How come there's almost no one in this place apart from the lazy security staff?" Gwen asked as she made her way into a seemingly empty dark room, "Maybe the Goblin attacks put things on high alert?"
As she trekked about, the first thing she did to uncover her answers was from the computer mainframe. To her surprise, there was no password access for the computer.
"Huh? Weird." Gwen muttered as she accessed the computer.
Navigating the desktop, Gwen uncovered certain log reports with dates on them. Each with specific details. Clicking onto the reports, she read them and picked up on certain details. After the fight with the Jackal, U-Genetics had been liquidated and much of its assets were absorbed by Oscorp. Before that, there were already business dealings which detailed the exchange of chemical materials for the specific medical formula Oscorp was working on.
"Whoa. This just went deep." Gwen said mesmerised as she pieced things together.
She also found details that concerned the risks of the chemicals given by U-Genetics. These detailed drastic biological and personality changes that are at times unpredictable. For Gwen, she had found the answer she had sought for and that was a direct connection for Norman's transformation.
"Osborn has been dealing with this company for…four years now. And now he's inherited all of these things to perfect his own formula." Gwen summarised, "And no wonder, he's crazy."
But before Gwen could save any of the data, the screen started to display a deleting message on its own. Even beyond the site of Oscorp, the Living Brain has reach for anything related to the company it seems.
"Wait-wait. No. Stop." Gwen said as the reports were wiped off while she tried to frantically to stop the deletion.
There was nothing however that could be done. At this point, Gwen would have to contend that all computer data is hijacked by the entity controlling the Living Brain. After all the files were deleted, the screen displayed a simple message, 'Data erased'.
"Dang it. But why?" Gwen asked.
Left with nothing to gain, Gwen was despondent as this would have been vital information to stopping the Green Goblin. Instead, it was only her memory that she needed.
"We're not getting anywhere close. We have nothing yet to stop…" Gwen uttered before realising something, "Mom. Simon."
Realising that she had a family who may be in danger, Gwen rushed away from room and out of the building to hurry for her own family's safety.
OSCORP ARMOURY…
Adrian had been given an opportunity to develop a new set of wings and talons using Oscorp's arsenal. Although the technological advances he gained were impressive, it was sheer reluctance and bitterness that made him work under Norman's thumb. As such, he swore that he would use what he gained for revenge against him when the time is right.
Norman calmly walked in after accompanying Curt. Knowing that Adrian has a grudge against him but also a grudge against Spider-Man; this opportunity to exploit him would prove interesting.
"What troubles are you after now?" Adrian wanted to know as he pieced together his new wings with a welding tool and googles for protection.
"I'm thinking it's your turn with the Spider. I've softened him up." Norman snickered letting the Goblin persona do the talk.
"You've beaten him senseless? How's this work for me?" Adrian asked confused.
"Ha. Think. You're a Vulture. A bird who goes for the leftovers." Norman replied, "I think it's important that you pick the pieces."
"Hrmph…" Adrian angrily sounded trying to get his old self up.
"Now. Now. I know it's unfair. But he's resilient. Besides, if you want your chance with him… I suggest a few faces to bring him to the open." Norman answered trying to joke around Adrian's anger.
Norman then took out a photo from his pocket and revealed May Parker; the very aunt of Peter Parker himself.
"Who's this?" Adrian said taking the photo off Norman's hand and examining it.
"A sick woman. May Parker. She's hospitalised in the Forest Hills Community Hospital in Queens. A lonesome widow whose only living family member is her dear nephew who is…Rarely there to see her." Norman said with a wicked smile.
"You want me to harass a sick old woman to draw out Spider-Man?" Adrian asked understanding he is not just any villain who targets the innocent.
"This old woman has sentimental value to him. Use her and the Spider will be yours to handle next." Norman said while being careful about spilling the detail of who Spider-Man really is.
Adrian gritted his teeth and hoped he could think of a different solution that would work to his standards. However, without further details, he obliged to Norman's suggestion.
"I will pay the woman a visit then. And I'll see what this is all about." Adrian answered with caution.
"Ha, ha! Splendid. Now… Make the Spider squirm. And also…" Norman said before tossing a phone to him, "Deliver a message to him from me. He has to hear all the exciting details."
Adrian gripped the phone in hand before eyeing Norman.
"You are more contemptable than I thought." Adrian replied.
"Ah, that's right. Everyone hates me for my deeds. But who needs love when you can limit the choices of others?" Norman asked with a grin, "Now, I have some more business to attend to, if you would excuse me. Something about a database hacking."
Norman then hurried off leaving Adrian to his next decision.
CONNORS FORMER LABORATORY…
Curt was grateful for his new arm and in return, he wanted to thank Norman for helping him. He tried to call Norman but he did not answer the phone which led to a generic voice mail in place instead.
"Hi. You've reached Norman Osborn. Congratulations. You must be honoured. If you have anything urgent just send your message to my reception where my lovely secretaries do all the work." Norman's voice said.
"Mr. Osborn, I couldn't thank you any better." Curt said happily through the phone to Norman, "It's incredible with what just happened. I still don't quite comprehend on how you'd made this happen but you should have seen it."
Meanwhile, the scientists stood proudly as they observed Curt's joy. As Curt finished his call, he turned to the scientists who contributed to his operation. He was ready to thank them when suddenly he was hit with an uncomfortable feeling.
Falling onto his knees, Curt felt like he was hit by a bowling ball to the stomach. He gagged out his mouth in pain causing the scientists to rush to his aid.
"Dr. Connors. What's wrong?" The female scientist asked.
"My i-in-sides. They-re sudd-enly hur-ting." Curt struggled to say as he felt like his internal organs were squirming.
"What's this? Did we not run safety runs first?" A male scientist asked restraining Curt.
"Mr. Osborn said it was safe to us beforehand and that he did the trials himself." The second male scientist replied.
Curt began to shake violently as his muscles spasmed and slowly began to grow rapidly. The scientists then noticed some reptilian scales growing and overlaying his human skin prompting shock.
"Seriously? What is this?!" The scientist near Curt asked.
Curt's next change also saw a long tail grow from his pelvic area. A long greenish scaly tail grew followed a change in other areas of the body such as the fingers becoming elongated claws and teeth becoming somewhat pleurodont. Curt's nose shifted into an elongated snout.
"Is this a dinosaur?" The female scientist asked concerned.
"I think we should run." The second male scientist said beginning to panic.
To finish off all the reptilian features, Curt's eyes were now beginning to turn yellow and have slitted pupils in them. To make matters worse, Curt's human instincts became more animal like as he gave out a hiss with a newly formed fork tongue sticking out.
Curt's casual clothes were ripped but remained on him. To the scientist's horror, the miracle they made was extraordinary on a nightmare perspective. The beast that stood before them scanned the environment before it thrashed about. It then made its first contact with the scientist next to him by attacking with its teeth.
TO BE CONTINUED…