Chapter 21: Spider's Excitement
"It's been cleaned up, but we couldn't get there in time to support the research facility." Crossbones spoke to his superior as he walked out of the bunker.
His first priority had been a private technology park in the Hudson Valley—the Okmax Corporation research site. What Wilson Fisk was doing there had even caught H.Y.D.R.A.'s interest. Some of the scientists working there were on their payroll.
But it had been breached by two Spider-Man lookalikes, who had also taken the chief scientist's computer. This development was far outside their plans.
Before Fisk built his machine, H.Y.D.R.A. knew he might end up destroying a chunk of Brooklyn. But what did that matter to them? They only wanted the collider Fisk had created. A device that could pull people from other universes into theirs was very, very attractive. With the right modifications, they could use it to retrieve anything they wanted.
To keep their good relationship with Fisk, they had sent a team to check on his safehouse as soon as their spies reported a problem. The result was lost men and a failed mission. It also meant they had no manpower free to support Okmax and capture the two Spiders. All because of that masked freak who showed up at the wrong time.
Crossbones' eyes burned with resentment for the bat-creature.
"I think he might be someone imitating Batman," one soldier said to another, his voice drawing Crossbones's attention.
"What do you mean?" Crossbones's voice was a low growl.
The two soldiers snapped to attention, unsure what their commander had heard.
"I said, what about Batman?" Crossbones had little patience. The fact he was asking calmly meant his temper was being held in check.
"Well, we found this bat symbol burned or stamped on most of the men," the braver soldier explained. "The design is a bit different, but I recognize it. Batman. He's the main comic book character from DC Comics. That's his symbol. So… I think it might have been done by a really serious Batman fan."
The soldier finished cautiously, watching his commander's face.
"What are his weaknesses?" Crossbones asked directly.
"He's just a man. No superpowers. His only real weapons are his brains and his reflexes. Still dies if you shoot him," the soldier said, shrugging. He'd never been a fan of Batman. Too dark for his taste.
That was enough for Crossbones. A mortal, an ordinary human, was much easier to deal with than a masked freak with powers. Even if, judging by the scene, this one was far from simple.
In a coffee shop a few blocks away, Bruce sat again. But this time, instead of a newspaper, he held a glass of milk. The Thomas Wayne in his mind kept complaining that the milk was, at best, average—barely drinkable. Bruce ignored the mental commentary.
He sipped the milk and watched the procession of black Chevrolet Suburbans evacuating from Fisk's Brooklyn property. Why were government agents in every universe obsessed with these full-size SUVs? They were practically a standard uniform. Sensible people in New York gave vehicles like that a wide berth, never sure if the occupants were civilians or someone you didn't want to notice you.
After the last Suburban turned the corner, Bruce stood. He placed a folded hundred-dollar bill under his glass and walked out, the picture of a bored, wealthy playboy. He even threw a heart-stopping wink at a pretty woman passing by, which made her stop and stare, but he was already moving away, leaving her with only a memory and no chance to speak.
Compared to Bruce's casual ease, the three Spider-people who had just escaped from the Okmax facility were slumped on a bus back to the city, utterly exhausted.
Both Peter B. Parker and Miles Morales had been shocked to see the Spider-Woman who saved them. Neither had ever met a female Spider-Man before. And her name being Gwen Stacy made it even more surprising.
Holding the clearly damaged encryption key, Gwen asked Miles calmly, "Did he break it?"
"Yep. He felt really bad about it, too," Miles said quickly. Maybe it was teenage pride, or not wanting to look bad in front of a girl he already liked, but he didn't tell the full truth. He let the blame for the broken drive fall on the snoozing Peter Parker behind them.
The middle-aged Spider-Man, only half-awake, just gave a small, tired smile. He wasn't going to ruin whatever was happening between the kids.
Miles, perhaps feeling a little guilty, lowered his voice. "So, maybe just… pretend it didn't happen? Okay?"
Gwen, who had been doing the hero thing for a few years herself, saw right through him. But she didn't call him out. They had bigger problems. She let out a soft chuckle, a sound that was happy but also carried a deep loneliness.
"I do know where we can make a new one," she said, her tone light. "And he won't break this one." Her eyes were relaxed, but Miles didn't share her calm.
"Sorry about your friend," Miles said, changing the subject. He was referring to the Peter Parker from her world, the one she'd mentioned had died.
"Thanks, Miles," Gwen said, offering a more genuine, gentle smile. The death of her Peter was a scar that never fully healed.
Suddenly, Peter B. Parker, who had been lying across the bus seats, bolted upright. His eyes were wide with excitement. "I know! I know how to answer the Bat! I finally know what to say to him!"
"The Bat?" Gwen looked confused, then turned to Miles for explanation. Miles just shook his head. He knew about the Bat, but he had no idea what Peter was talking about now.
Peter grinned, a confident, hopeful spark in his tired eyes. "A guy who can help us all get home."
(End of Chapter)
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