Chapter 179: Try Again
"I'm discussing Professor Morbius's condition with him."
Harry Osborn didn't want Morbius's relatively private medical situation publicly discussed. He lowered his voice speaking to Batman.
Batman nodded without surprise. He'd learned everything about Morbius during their first meeting.
In fact, the medical section of the Batcave Batman was constructing on Bat Island included plans to research this blood disease.
Not specifically to help Morbius, but because Batman had never encountered this particular blood disease in his original world.
He disliked anything beyond his control—even diseases.
Given Lex Luthor's creation of the Amazo virus as precedent, Batman naturally incorporated Professor Morbius's blood disease into his plans.
Batman even considered avoiding a repeat of last time—when failing to communicate clearly beforehand had driven Doctor Octavius to desperate measures, donning the tentacles and descending into the sewers.
After greetings and several inconsequential pleasantries, Batman seamlessly steered conversation toward Morbius's blood disease:
"I've reviewed the published literature. Mainstream medicine offers only delay and maintenance—a path with visible endpoints. With your intellect, you'd never accept that."
Professor Morbius looked deeply at Batman and nodded without speaking.
Actually, mainstream medicine had offered Morbius virtually no help. Nearly all blood disease research and documentation came from Morbius's own self-experimentation and analysis.
Batman didn't want to leave for New Mexico only to return finding Oscorp embroiled in another crisis. He needed to stabilize Morbius's mindset before departing.
"So let's reframe this. Don't view it as a terminal illness. Treat it as a project—an unprecedented, highly challenging research project."
Batman offered Morbius hope as much as possible, but constrained by the Peter Parker identity, many things couldn't be stated directly. He couldn't even imprison Morbius on Bat Island for safekeeping.
The New Mexico trip might last one day, two days, or ten days to two weeks.
Too many uncertain variables existed. Moreover, Bat Island remained under construction. Security detention areas and stasis chambers weren't equipped yet. Venom Robin couldn't independently monitor Morbius.
Morbius was ill, not criminal. Batman wouldn't repeat the mistake of imprisoning someone based merely on potential danger.
Furthermore, the supposed "danger" was only Batman's assumption. He couldn't confirm whether this world would inevitably trend toward tragedy like Gotham.
Batman wouldn't commit the same error as that white-caped Regime Superman.
"Research project?"
Even the taciturn Professor Morbius couldn't help asking after hearing Batman's words.
His temperament resembled a melancholy poet. Speaking only reinforced the impression.
If not for the blood disease, if this were the fifteenth century, perhaps Morbius would have become a wandering minstrel.
"Yes. As you see, I'm a businessman." Batman maintained his Peter Parker persona. "Parker Industries needs to expand operations. That requires offering something different from competitors."
"My plan targets the medical field, starting with your blood disease. I'll build you an independent, highest-specification laboratory. We'll exhaust every method to conquer and understand your condition."
"This will launch Parker Industries into the medical field spectacularly."
Harry Osborn's eyes widened, mouth opening speechlessly.
Harry understood perfectly how difficult treating Professor Morbius's blood disease would be.
On one hand, Morbius was his company's scientist—Harry couldn't refuse Peter to his face.
On the other hand, his best friend might invest enormous research costs into this.
Harry Osborn stood trapped between them, desperately looking at Batman, hoping to signal his friend to abandon this somewhat absurd idea with eye contact.
But Batman remained silent. Instead, Professor Morbius spoke:
"I've tried all this already."
His first sentence rejected Batman's plan. He explained:
"To treat my blood disease, I once collaborated with top scholars from multiple countries. Ultimately, beyond bankruptcy, I gained nothing."
Without bankruptcy, Professor Morbius would have owned his laboratory and company rather than needing Professor Miles Warren's recommendation to join Oscorp.
"I'm not doubting your abilities, Professor."
Batman said, showing no displeasure at Morbius's rejection. Rather, he appreciated that after attempting numerous methods, Morbius remained a normal person rather than becoming a monster like Mr. Freeze.
'Mr. Freeze was just a pitiful man desperate to cure his wife. Perhaps in this world I can find treatment for him. After returning to Gotham, I might help.' Batman thought silently.
Morbius lowered his head in silence again. He'd grown accustomed to quiet observation while others conducted heated discussions around him.
Batman was indeed conducting a discussion now—just with no one responding:
"Professor Morbius, you once assembled brilliant minds. But each brought only puzzle pieces from their own fields, each wanting to make their piece largest and most prominent."
"The result was geniuses arguing over a fundamentally incomplete blueprint, ultimately constructing a lighthouse that couldn't shine."
Professor Morbius's head snapped up. He didn't know whether this young man named Peter Parker was guessing or had investigated, but regardless, Peter's words accurately described the situation Morbius had faced assembling scientists to combat his disease.
Those scientists had never genuinely cared about curing him. They'd only wanted to extract something from Morbius's blood disease to publish papers, adding brilliant entries to their curricula vitae.
They'd been corrupted by academic politics—paper publication and patent rights disputes.
Amid those scientists' endless arguments and infighting, Morbius's laboratory had closed. He'd begun years of taciturn silence lasting until now.
"What exactly are you saying?" Morbius leaned forward urgently, eager to hear Batman's thoughts.
Batman controlled his facial muscles into a smile. He knew at least during his New Mexico trip, Professor Morbius wouldn't require concern:
"Parker Industries provides an absolutely pure research environment. No board of directors pressuring results. No peer review questioning your direction. You answer only to yourself."
"Professor Morbius, forget treatment. Forget disease."
"Treat it as an unsolved puzzle. Invest your desperation and my resources into studying it. Either we jointly publish a world-changing paper, or we fail together."
"Will you try one more completely different failure?"