"Is there anything the Avengers can help you with, Mr. Osborn? Just a heads-up, if you're talking about stopping the Pentagon from reclaiming the Savage Force Project, that might not be realistic..."
"Reclaiming? That's just an excuse for pressure."
Norman shook his head, indicating the so-called pressure was negligible. "If they really planned to reclaim the Savage Force Project, they wouldn't be acquiring shares in Osborn Tech. What they want is to seize control of the entire project themselves, gobble up Osborn Tech's years of research, and even, further, take over my entire company. Damn it, I won't let them succeed. I have to stop them."
Well, Norman Osborn was still Norman Osborn; he wouldn't want to be a supervillain, but he wouldn't sacrifice his own interests either. He was happy to help Spider-Man or even the Avengers, but not at his own expense.
The core of the issue was that the Avengers themselves didn't want the Savage Force Project controlled by the Pentagon. Previous incidents had proven that the Pentagon—or at least a significant portion of its personnel—was willing to develop supernatural powers at any cost, regardless of human life or collateral damage.
They didn't care about illegal human experimentation or associated losses of life. Norman Osborn, at least, cared a little, because if he was exposed for illegal experiments, his company's stock would truly plummet.
"So..."
"I need the Avengers, or if not in the name of the Avengers, then in the name of Stark Industries, to buy a stake in Osborn Tech. I will heavily support you. I'm tracking the shareholders who are likely to sell their shares to the Pentagon. If Tony Stark can snap up their shares before the Pentagon does..."
Peter was dumbfounded. You could say this had nothing to do with being a superhero, but since it involved the Super Soldier Project and illegal human experiments, there was definitely a connection. But you could also say it had everything to do with Norman Osborn's private interests and manipulative business maneuvers.
It seemed too ridiculous.
Peter hadn't fully processed the request, while Norman was still outlining his grand plan. "If possible, I can use my funds to buy back those shares acquired by Stark at a premium. Even if Stark finds it profitable and doesn't want to sell, we can negotiate a retained stake, provided he promises not to interfere with Osborn Tech's internal affairs..."
"I... I don't really understand this stuff," Peter said helplessly, giving a vague response. "How about this, I'll tell the Avengers about this, especially Mr. Stark? He should be able to make a reasonable judgment."
He truly didn't understand business, and the specific details needed to be discussed with Tony. Norman, clearly confident that his proposal would be approved, nodded with a smile.
"Sorry, no new gear for you right now, Peter," he said, switching back to a paternal tone. "Is there anything else you need recently? If you have any other technology requirements, Osborn Tech will satisfy them as much as possible..."
"Actually, no, Mr. Osborn. But there is one thing I wonder if you remember: Dr. Otto Octavius previously worked for the Pentagon and escaped after being captured."
Norman Osborn instantly looked thoughtful, but quickly recovered. "Of course, I remember. Alright, you head back to the tech fair. I saw you brought your girlfriend; have fun."
Peter scratched his head, offering no correction about Gwen's status. Then, he remembered something and made a bold request. "Could I take Gwen... or my friend... to visit Dr. Connors's research?"
A few hours later, when everyone else should have been on a bus heading home from school, Peter and Gwen, each holding an Osborn Tech intern badge, entered the testing area on floors 33-37. Gwen looked at the contents inside, staring at Peter in astonishment. "I thought you wouldn't bring me here, worried I'd go looking for some modified creature to get bitten by and gain superpowers or something."
"Actually, I was pretty worried."
"Uh-huh?"
"That's why I brought you."
Peter said this as he led Gwen through a genuine "tech exhibit." The various creatures on display opened Gwen's eyes. She saw all sorts of reptiles scurrying around. The one that most surprised, and even horrified, her was a lizard kept inside a temperature-controlled box.
It had bitten off its own neck, but its head was still moving, looking up at Gwen from the sand. Gwen was startled, and a scientist with a missing arm quickly walked over. "Sorry, it did it again."
"Again?"
"Oh, good afternoon, Peter, and this must be..." Dr. Connors smiled and shook Peter's hand, then looked at Gwen. "Your girlfriend?"
"We haven't officially defined the relationship," Gwen answered for Peter. Peter nodded repeatedly. Dr. Connors looked at them strangely, but Peter quickly shifted the topic, picking up on Gwen's earlier word: "You said 'again,' Dr. Connors. Has this self-mutilation been happening for a long time?"
"Yes. These lizards realize that they are different from other lizards—practically immortal. If we put them with ordinary lizards, they end up killing the normal ones, as if they already know they are unique, perhaps identifying themselves as a special kind of lizard, a unique creature."
Dr. Connors then explained the current situation: "And once their population is too low, they attempt to reproduce. If their number is 1, they try to commit suicide."
"Then... why keep only one?" Gwen couldn't help but ask.
Dr. Connors shrugged, then activated the equipment on an adjacent temperature-controlled box. Inside, a monkey with lizard scales and a skull-like structure was baring its teeth, roaring at Gwen and desperately pounding on the glass window.
"That's the reason, kid," Dr. Connors said. "We are conducting a new round of primate experiments, and the results are extremely unsatisfactory."
Peter leaned close to Gwen's ear and spoke.
"That's why I brought you here."
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