Chapter 14: Part 13
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- So, you are the Peter Parker, then? - The blonde smiled enigmatically.
- The one? - I grinned back.
- Handsome with brains and not stupid to fight. - immediately summarised the girl. - My kendo coach was talking about a guy who went through all the dojos in the city and beat up the best students. And you know, you look a hell of a lot alike from the description. - the blonde's smile got a little snide. - And according to the same Gwen, you put down a couple of terrorists in a nightclub without much trouble. So yes, Parker, you are the one. - With a cheeky grin, she succinctly finished her analysis of such an unknowable beast and immediately set the record straight with one sweet smile.
- You're right, I'm the one and only,' I put on a haughty expression, but I didn't argue and just watched Harry's face, which didn't hide his emotions and surprise. - So what can I do for you, Miss Hardy?
- Just Felicia. - she replied immediately, correcting me, apparently not really caring for the whole officiousness thing. - I'm curious to meet new people, and you look extremely curious,' she practically purred in my ear. - So be a little bolder, Parker, and invite a girl to dinner. - The blonde continued aggressively.
- I will, but next time. - I politely blow off the hottie, because I have so much to do. One arc reactor is worth it, and the samples of genetic material of one monster is even more curious, so next time, Mon Amour.
- You're a boor. - The girl replied immediately, but with the tone of an enraged fury. - You're the first one who dares to refuse. However, this is only a recommendation and nothing more. - The platinum blonde smiled charmingly again.
- What can you do, sometimes people have responsibilities and very little free time, so you have to sacrifice companionship with such a charming angel as you, Felicia. - I say with arctic calm.
- Well, since you're busy, I'll ask Flash Thompson to keep me company at the charity dinner. I'll see you tonight, Harry. - The girl hurried out of the party with a look of triumph, and my friend, not really knowing what was going on, looked at Miss Hardy's lithe figure.
- What the hell, bro? - As soon as the girl had moved away, Osborne spoke.
- I really don't have time for this game, man. I reckon you'd understand, wouldn't you? I mean, you've got one of these toys, too. Can you imagine all the interesting things we could do with it? - Harry thought for a moment, and then continued without any negativity.
- You're right. Well, suit yourself. I'd hit on her if I were you. I'm sorry, I've got to go,' Osborne quickly said goodbye and followed Felicia.
Relieved of the burden of my studies, I returned to my underground lair. I had bought a lot of useful equipment and furnished my underground lair. Now you can really live there for a while, but without much fanaticism, and work so will be in a high and more productive. So it would be perfect for research.
Having carefully placed the reactor in a special container for preservation, I began to study the genetic structure of that creature. Having a solid toolkit, I began to slowly sort out how this mutant came to this life. Everything turned out to be extremely simple, albeit too complicated. So, if I wanted to, I could do it all again. But first, I'll have to create a new body to test it on. But such destructive power is worth the inconvenience. But the technology of cultivation and cloning is not available to me yet, and what kind of technology can they be at my age? So sooner or later, I'll be able to use that too. In the meantime, it's worth improving. The material I've got is far from perfect, but I can see how it can be improved without too much trouble.
Back to the reactor, I began to check its power and assess the possibility of powering anything from this toy. Having the original reactor will be much easier to replicate it, the only question is where to get all the necessary resources and at the same time will not be burned. There is also the question of production capacity, because in my 'basement' such a mass production I can not pull. Although, why do I need mass production? A dozen or two working copies will be enough. I'm not going to supply the whole country with energy, am I? And for my needs, I don't need that much. Then what's the point of all this fuss?
Let's say it's at least interesting, but is it worth it? It's such a waste of resources and time. And on the other hand, having a couple of arc reactors wouldn't hurt. I'll improve the Rhinoceros suit to perfection, and I'll have something to power it with, and it's a useful thing to have in the household. But all this costliness is a bit embarrassing, so I'll have to curtail all the costly research and return to my studies, and then look for additional funds for my developments.
Having finished studying the reactor, I put it back into the container and headed home through the tunnels. Completely absorbed in my thoughts, I nodded to the huge lizard, to which the surprised monster mirrored my gesture and walked on, also obviously thinking about something of its own.
After stopping at a familiar shop with friendly Vietnamese owners, I bought a bottle of Jack and headed home, because such stress and realisation of my worthlessness made me a little sad. Not to go robbing a bank like any self-respecting villain? You can, of course, take Osborne's money, but there are nuances and pitfalls. On the other hand, why not? I need to think it over and evaluate all the pros and risks, maybe the devil is not as bad as I make it out to be?
Norman's a businessman, and he's negotiable, so maybe it's a way out. But it's worth looking at all the other options, because I don't really want to be indebted to anyone. I mean, I could modify Stark's technology a little and push it as my own, but that's not really an option. What if we help Harry with that? Like they say, I'll do it for you, you do it for me. And I'm curious to see what my old friend is up to, because he knows a thing or two about technology, even if he's just pretending to be a major.
It might work.
And the money from the sale of weapons is already coming to an end, so we need to think about where to find the finances for their projects. And what if we slightly modify the walking tank, which by sheer mistake of fate is called a rhinoceros suit? And then make a couple of courtesy visits to local criminals? They must have all sorts of interesting, useful and moderately valuable things, right? If anything, it won't be hard to sell it all, so what's not an option? Yes, of course, there's more dirt here, and you'll have to work with your hands, but at least you don't owe anyone, and everything you've earned is yours. And the city will be cleaner again, because all these 'heroes' are engaged, frankly speaking, in some kind of madness, and after 24 hours all those who they catch simply let go. Isn't that crazy?
I will act tougher and leave no trace after my courtesy visits, so it will be more effective. The main thing is not to get infected by the dolboyism in the air and not to do this kind of heroism for free. I'm not Mother Teresa, so I don't need it for free. But it's quite possible to get your gesheft from various scum. And then, and then, and then, and money for various projects will appear. So it is worth considering this option.
Along the way, you can still make various pages in social networks and on various sites and post various content, because people love cruelty and other 'cute' things. So let them see a different side of life, because sometimes their favourite characters kill. The main thing in this case is anonymity and the ability to pour content without fear of disclosure. And if the case is successful, then you can get money from adverts. I can't imagine who in their right mind would fund a lynching, but my goal is not just money. So if at least one of the above points is fulfilled, I will be satisfied.
And I can make money from media holdings too, because insights have always cost a lot of money. As it is known who owns information, he controls the world, in this or that area, and as a part-time job will also do. So we need to think about the possibility of upgrading the rhinoceros suit, because if you bring it to mind, you can do dirt with impunity. Even though I'm not going to ask banks and other financial institutions to 'share', but such an opportunity, perhaps, will not be superfluous, and as a rule, they insure everything, so my conscience will not torment me either.
If you think about it, it's not that bad, so I'm just getting myself worked up. After all, the world is simpler than it seems, so you just need to find a way out of the logical dead end, in which you have driven yourself. However, you can always take a sledgehammer in your hands and pave a new path straight ahead. There is only a desire, and we will find a way to realise it.
Having a good airing of my thoughts, I calmed down a bit, and now I was trying to understand what the hell a familiar Lizard was doing near my 'basement'. It's not for nothing that this carcass in a white coat wanders under the city, is it? He obviously has his own interest, and maybe the same lair as mine. It's clearly a classic villain, so there aren't many options, and it's hard to believe in them. If you were a huge monster, would you live in a sewer or underground? Maybe all the ninja turtles with an old rat and norm, but all more or less reasonable here is a bit uncomfortable, and even to live here - please, only work, and even then, perhaps, should look for a better place. Lizards are already coming to visit, and this, I'll tell you, is at least not in order. And if he steals something, if he finds the entrance - then look for the wind in the dungeons.
So we need to worry about the defence system, or the last will steal from under our noses, and then where to get a new reactor and samples of mutant type gamma? That's the thing, I don't know. And it will be necessary to visit the trainer sometime, because he promised to come back, and it wouldn't hurt to stretch. Well, or once again get a little 'happiness'. After all, only with a strong opponent you can surpass yourself, such is the cruel law of self-improvement in the forced mode. At such a load you will either become stronger, or simply die, the third is not given.
At home, I was greeted by a satisfied Mei, who was once again cooking something delicious smelling. A pleasant aroma wafted from the kitchen, and Mei hummed a light tune to herself, purring sweetly.