Chapter 127: You Must Survive, Peter
In the laboratory on North Brother Island, the three scientists stared at each other wide-eyed, listening to Venom in its containment repeatedly call Batman "Dad"—their brains momentarily unable to process the situation.
"Batman, tell me honestly..." Banner carefully chose his words before asking bluntly, "Is there also a giant mass of symbiote under your mask forming a human shape?"
Otto quietly retreated several steps, ready to bolt for the door at any moment.
Only Professor Connors, who knew Batman's true identity, stroked the stubble on his chin with one hand, his gaze constantly shifting between Batman and Venom.
"No." Batman's voice rumbled low.
"Could be." Venom mimicked Batman's deep voice.
The three scientists exchanged bewildered looks again.
They knew symbiotes possessed extremely strong learning abilities and could mimic human speech. They'd even prepared themselves mentally for this.
But witnessing a humanoid bat-figure and a pitch-black blob of symbiote establishing a father-son relationship still caused the three scientists' brains to temporarily malfunction.
Batman didn't continue this topic. Instead, he asked Professor Connors: "Professor, has the material composition analysis of Robin been completed?"
Connors stood motionless.
"Who's Robin?"
"Me!" Venom immediately raised its head inside the containment. "My name is Venom, also called Robin!"
Connors shook his head slightly, struggling to make the scene before him seem less absurd. He stubbornly continued using "Venom" as the designation.
"Already completed. And we've reverse-analyzed how Anti-Venom manages to dissolve it instantly based on Venom's composition."
Otto, seeing no conflict would occur, relaxed slightly and retrieved a stack of printed, organized materials.
"According to our analysis, there are three possible mechanisms causing Venom to dissolve on contact with Anti-Venom. These three possibilities aren't independent—they all point toward one characteristic of Anti-Venom: 'purification.'"
Batman accepted the materials, reviewing the three scientists' week of research and comparing it point by point with his own analysis.
After a long moment, Batman set the materials aside and addressed the three scientists. "Thank you. This helps tremendously."
A week ago in the Adirondack Mountains, Batman had already formulated a concrete plan for dealing with Anti-Venom. Now the research from three scientists combined with his own had made his plan more comprehensive and feasible.
"When are you planning to act? Are you certain you don't need my help?" Banner confirmed again.
"I don't need it." Batman shook his head slightly. "Tomorrow, for the entire day—no matter what sounds you hear, don't leave this island."
Connors smiled with relief.
"You said the same thing last time. Result was, we three didn't hear any commotion at all."
Otto asked with a confused attitude:
"This time, are you still using the Adirondack Mountains as your combat location?"
"No. This time it's the neighboring Hoffman Island." Batman stated.
"Hoffman Island?" Banner looked at Batman with puzzlement. Having spent years moving across America and around the world, he wasn't familiar with New York's various islands.
"It's directly north of us, Banner." Otto provided the explanation. "A hundred years ago, Hoffman Island was used as a quarantine facility."
Connors added:
"Tuberculosis, typhus, yellow fever, smallpox... Back then, New York sent virtually all infectious disease patients to the island. This continued for decades. The place became a focal point for concentrated viral diseases."
"Fifty years ago, Hoffman Island was converted to a drug rehabilitation center, widely accepting addicts of various substances... But the result was it became a concentration point for virtually every drug in the world."
Banner listened to this seemingly fantastical explanation, shaking his head repeatedly, unable to help laughing bitterly.
"Right. Very American."
"Now Hoffman Island—forget landing on it, just approaching carries risk of contracting lethal viruses. No one in New York dares set foot on that island anymore." Otto said.
Connors was the only person present who knew Peter Parker existed beneath Batman's mask. He looked at Batman with concern.
"Are you certain you want to use Hoffman Island as your battlefield against Anti-Venom?"
"In all of New York, perhaps all of America, there's virtually no location more suitable for dealing with Anti-Venom than Hoffman Island." Batman said. "I'll make comprehensive preparations."
"Be careful, Batman." Connors still cautioned.
Otto and Banner glanced at Connors. This was the first time the professor had shown such concern for Batman.
"I will." Batman finished speaking, took Venom, and left the laboratory, arriving at North Brother Island's shoreline.
A trace of anguish crossed Connors' face. He knew Peter Parker existed beneath that suit. His mind couldn't help conjuring images of Peter infected with hundreds of lethal viruses, lying on the ground in agony.
"Wait!"
At this thought, Connors chased after him. Fortunately, Batman hadn't left yet—still standing at the shore.
Hearing Professor Connors' voice, Batman turned to face him.
"You must survive, Peter!" Connors looked at Batman, one hand gripping Batman's shoulder tightly.
If possible, Connors would rather go to Hoffman Island himself—a man who could transform into a Lizard—to face Anti-Venom. But he was precisely a ticking time bomb.
"Professor, don't worry." Batman patted the back of Connors' hand, using Peter Parker's youthful tone. "Wait for my return."
The words had barely left his mouth when the calm surface of the East River suddenly exploded with a mighty splash.
Water sprayed everywhere. Connors raised his single arm to shield himself. Batman stood motionless.
With an engine roar like rolling thunder, the massive Arkham Batmobile—its tires alone standing 1.6 meters high—emerged from underwater. The vehicle's armor plates sealed tightly. River water rolled off drop by drop onto the ground, vanishing without a trace within moments.
Under Connors' astonished gaze, Batman leaped skyward, his cape snapping sharply in the air.
The Batmobile's cockpit opened automatically. Batman landed perfectly in the driver's seat. The next second, the cockpit closed automatically with seamless precision.
With a thunderous engine roar, the Batmobile spun sharply in place, then plunged straight into the East River, leaving only a trail of swirling currents rapidly disappearing into the distance.
Connors stood on the shore watching Batman vanish from sight, then returned to North Brother Island's laboratory with a heavy heart.
The Batmobile raced through the East River at high speed. Minutes later, it entered a drainage pipe, then wound through the sewers before shooting into New York's subway tunnels.
Over ten minutes later, in City Hall station's Batcave, Batman already stood at the workstation assembling a completely new suit—one he'd been designing specifically for Anti-Venom since returning from the Adirondacks:
The Anti-"Anti-Venom" suit.
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