Peter Parker crawled along the wall outside Norman Osborn's office, only to find him talking to an unexpected guest: General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, the Hulk's father-in-law, a steadfast proponent of the Superhuman Registration Act, and a staunch anti-superhumanist.
What could he be discussing with Norman?
Activating the listening function on his suit, Peter immediately caught the conversation.
"...The Pentagon's proposal to acquire the research related to Savage Power is completely unjustified. We haven't failed to achieve results; on the contrary, we've already advanced to the primate testing stage..."
Norman's expression was calm, even relaxed, as he dealt with General Ross. Both men sat composedly in their office chairs; the atmosphere didn't seem overtly tense.
But Peter's expression changed. The Pentagon was trying to acquire Oscorp's Savage Power project? Recalling the Electro incident last month, Peter seemed to realize something. It appeared that this whole affair wasn't just Mister Sinister's plan but also involved the Pentagon.
Going further back, Doctor Octopus was likely involved as well. He had been monitoring Norman Osborn and his supersoldier project; the Scorpion was created by Doctor Octopus after stealing and modifying a radiated scorpion. And as far as Peter knew, Doctor Octopus had also been recruited by the Pentagon specifically to study Symbiotes.
Although, theoretically, there shouldn't be any Symbiotes left on Earth except for the Venom on Peter, so he wasn't sure what Doctor Octopus was currently researching.
It's likely he plans to snatch the Savage Power project from Osborn as a means of revenge, Peter mumbled. Although Osborn wasn't exactly a good person, he was at least friendly toward Peter. If the Savage Power project fell into the hands of others, it wouldn't just pose a danger, but it would be impossible to monitor effectively.
Especially if it fell to Doctor Octopus.
So, this must be why Norman was seeking his help. But what could Peter do?
"Peter, there are a few things you should pay attention to."
A timely message from Harry reached Peter. Through the communication, Harry explained some recent developments around Oscorp and Norman Osborn: "A few small-time Oscorp shareholders have been selling off their stock in large numbers since the end of last month. The Pentagon has acquired these shares and is now Oscorp's fifth-largest shareholder... I suspect some of the bigger shareholders might also have deals with the Pentagon to sell their equity."
"That's strange. If that were the case, the Pentagon should be using its position on the board to deeply intervene in Oscorp's existing projects, yet they're trying to take the supersoldier project back from Norman..."
Just as Peter was pondering the hidden motives, General Ross finally spoke, slowly and deliberately.
"The Pentagon does not doubt Oscorp's progress on the Savage Power project, Mr. Osborn. We are concerned that your pace of research is too conservative. As we understand it, the Avengers' Spider-Man, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Silk, and a super-criminal called the Scorpion are all products of Oscorp's Savage Power project, yet none of them came directly from an Oscorp lab. You have so many successful case studies; why aren't you accelerating human trials?"
"That is because... gene splicing and transplantation is an extremely precise technology, General," Norman deftly sidestepped the narrative trap set by General Ross, choosing not to discuss why Spider-Man and the others were special. "Individual successes do not represent mass production. We may be able to create one Captain America, but everyone knows what your military truly wants is an entire army."
General Ross paused, giving Norman a meaningful look. Undeniably, Norman Osborn was correct logically, but that didn't stop the Pentagon's hardliners from wanting to seize the Savage Power project, and all other supersoldier projects, to ensure full coordination among them all.
General Ross, however, recognized that today's meeting was unlikely to resolve anything.
Meanwhile, Peter, eavesdropping, was deeply worried. He was afraid that the Pentagon's pressure would lead Norman to force Dr. Connors to conduct human trials, potentially leading to the emergence of the Lizard.
I have to talk to Norman...
Just then, a message from Gwen appeared on his eyepiece. Peter read the text. She first asked if the problem was serious, then inquired if he needed a spy or a master thief to help.
Since the Electro incident, Peter had taken Gwen to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters to test her abilities. The conclusion was that Gwen's "Ghost" effect worked not only on human perception but also on various technological devices. When she activated her power, she would be registered as non-existent by monitoring systems and cameras; even computer analysis would come up blank.
However, the weakness of Gwen's power was as clear as ever: she only vanished from perception and observation; she didn't truly disappear. If danger appeared, her physical body was still that of a normal person, and she could even be endangered if someone, unable to see her, swung a weapon right where she was standing.
It was very dangerous.
But Gwen had a point—this situation might indeed require the help of a master thief.
"Take a note for me, Venom. Remind me to contact Black Cat. She'd be perfect for this, and since it involves the supersoldier program, she'll be happy to help."
[I bet Gwen won't be happy.]
Peter ignored that comment. He waited until General Ross and Norman Osborn finished their conversation, which ended on an exceptionally unpleasant note. To summarize, the two sides "frankly exchanged views, reached a basic consensus on the continued advancement of the supersoldier project, and established a positive atmosphere for future consultations."
In short: it was a very unhappy meeting.
"Spider-Man, thank you for coming."
Norman clearly knew Peter was there. After General Ross left, he opened the window. Peter swung in, then deactivated his stealth. Seeing Spider-Man truly there, Norman Osborn visibly relaxed.
"Perfect, Peter. I need your help, or rather, the Avengers' help, especially Tony Stark's."
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