SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 34)
Note: Hi all, this is a notice regarding art. I appreciate the audience that has come in to read and enjoy the stories I wrote; and it is a great thing to see that there are artists willing to elevate the work further. However, at this point of time, I cannot take such requests due to financial and family reasons. In the meantime, I will still be writing in my free time to tell stories for free.
Thank you for understanding.
THE RAFT…
The Lizard had been airlifted securely to the best specialised cell in the Raft for a creature like him. Understanding the hasty decision, it was to put him in such a cell, the wardens at the Raft demanded security to be on watch at all cost should the creature attempt escape. Electrical currents installed in the cell container floors are to be charged should the creature be aggressive whilst tranquilisers should be used to quell him to rest.
Yuri under special police authority was granted entry via boat to witness the security at the Raft whilst keeping tabs on Adrian Toome's arrest. There was ongoing discussion about whether Adrian should go to the Raft and join other high-risk criminals or be regulated to another regular prison sentence.
As for the Spider-people; they were granted special access at the behest of Yuri for their efforts. A choice which drew reluctance from some of the Raft personnel but nevertheless, they accepted. Spider-Man and Gwen reconvened on the helipad area amidst a quick hug.
"Thanks for saving them." Gwen said to Spider-Man.
"I owe you too." Spider-Man said back in reference to May.
"Let's go check on our Lizard friend." Gwen said.
Yuri approached the two at the helipad meeting point and directed them to where Lizard was being held captive.
"He's currently sedated. A blood sample is also undergoing analysis to confirm the creature's DNA." Yuri informed as they walked.
"So can you tell me if the Lizard is actually a human?" Spider-Man asked.
"It would seem so." Yuri answered checking her phone, "The forensics are trying to separate the interspliced reptile DNA that's also in him though. I'm not a scientist."
"I think that might confirm something." Gwen said.
"Huh? Confirm what?" Yuri asked.
"That the Lizard is Dr. Curtis Connors." Spider-Man chimed in.
Yuri at first said nothing before receiving a new message that human DNA had been identified.
"Yep. That is very plausible." Yuri said, "Oh, just so you're aware. We might pass a few friends in this place. So don't say 'hi' to them on the way."
"Oh boy, I can't wait to see some old grumpy faces." Spider-Man said sarcastically thinking of the past villains he had beaten, "Surely Adrian's there."
As they walked deeper into the Raft, the guards lined up square as Yuri walked behind the two Spider people. She had to pretend that her connection with them was not super obvious as they passed through security gates and guard check-ups.
"That's the closest our identities are going to get exposed." Spider-Man said as both him and Gwen were scanned in.
After passing through, the trio walked past cells holding different kinds of criminals ranging from the lowly thieves; first degree aggravators and illegal drug dealers. Upon seeing the Spider people, they made an effort to jeer at them.
"So friendly." Gwen noted.
As they reached an elevator, they selected a lower floor level which is reserved for the most dangerous. This was the level for villains like Scorpion whose unhinged sanity and animalistic tendencies posed a higher risk than others who were at least sane.
"You know I wouldn't mind doing some of my own sneaking if necessary." Spider-Man said as they rode the elevator as a way to relieve the stress from meeting Curt again.
Once the elevator reached the designated level, the place was darker compared to the previous floor as they stepped out.
"This is the place where you're keeping Connors?" Gwen asked.
"Be thankful, we also got Mac Gargan out of there first." Yuri said as they walked up to a circular dome containment dome.
Security guards walked about making sure that the Lizard stayed put. As it happened, Lizard is currently motionless save for a monitor displaying his heartbeat activity on a computer screen. The sedations and shocks given were done periodically to ensure the creature was staying put.
"What are you feeding him?" Spider-Man wondered.
"Tuna; freshly caught and supposed to be canned kind." Yuri answered, "It's enough to stave off what goes through his mind."
"Well, okay. Perhaps now is a good time to work out a way to change him back." Spider-Man said.
"What? How can that be possibly done?" Yuri asked confused.
As they conversed, the Lizard moved its jaw sleepily prompting security guards to stand ready. At any moment, chaos could erupt again and there was a simple solution to it but Peter would not take the chance.
"You really are going to take the chance?" Yuri asked again.
"Because if anything, he doesn't deserve to put down like some animal." Spider-Man said watching the Lizard behind the force field glass of its chamber.
OSCORP ENERGY SECTOR…
Norman in his crazed state sobbed at the despair created from the wreck that was done in the Energy Sector after his fight with Mendel. The overflow of Greenwave energy continued to spew and dominate the environment. It was also a moment where the Goblin in a bizarre show of absence gave Norman a chance to grieve but not for a moment of sympathy.
"My company; my son…" Norman sobbed as the generators continued to shake around him.
Spews of Greenwave energy released began to sparkle and it was raining down all over Norman in the room. Although harmless as he always had known, Norman stood by the belief that the energy meant something else besides being renewable.
And to make the thought actuality; he needed to ignite the energy to create moving force. Forcing himself to stand up, Norman went for the control panel. If he and his company must go down, then so shall others.
As he fiddled around with temperature and other variables; he looked up to the ceiling and smiled at a bright light being created. His world was about to change.
THE RAFT…
After a passage of time debating on what to do and checking the Lizard's status, the Spider people insisted on the possibility of a cure to reverse the effects on Curt.
"You know… This is the first I heard you two were science whizzes." Yuri said, "And among all the things you guys can do, I find this implausible and yet I'm willing to give you a chance to see if it can be done."
"We just need another sample from him to start." Spider-Man said looking at Gwen.
"Yeesh, I remember how lucky it was to get that blood from him in the first place." Yuri said crossing her arms.
"I don't know what to say but this could be an epic failure." Gwen said in concern.
"It's time to stop thinking that 'impossible' should stop us. I'm going in there to risk it." Spider-Man said.
"Hold on, but…" Gwen stated trying to hold Spider-Man back.
"I'm going in there alone with a syringe and go in and out. I'll do my best to not make it complicated" Spider-Man said.
After the medical staff approved Spider-Man usage of an extraction syringe, Spider-Man approached the glass of the chamber staring at both his reflection as well as the Lizard himself. He then carefully let the slide door open up with the guards standing behind him.
As soon as he took one little step inside, the Lizard slowly opened one of its eyes with its silted pupil dilated.
TO BE CONTINUED…