Chapter 23: A Debt of Genes
"Dad, Talon came to find Peter, not me. You've misunderstood," Mary Jane explained, utterly dumbfounded.
"Sir, I'm very flattered, but I truly have no connection with your daughter," Talon added, equally taken aback by being so abruptly hailed as a future son-in-law.
Mr. Jameson was baffled. "Then why are you in my daughter's room?"
"I have an intelligent system, Optimus Prime. It can locate anyone. It tracked Peter here, to Mary Jane's room, so that's where I came," Talon explained patiently.
"Then... you want your one hundred million dollars back?" Mr. Jameson asked, bewildered. He couldn't fathom why a stranger would give him such a vast sum.
"The money is a gift. Consider it support for the future father-in-law of my... associate," Talon said with a faint smile.
Spider-Man, feeling increasingly invisible, finally spoke up. "Talon, don't worry. I'll pay you back that one hundred million."
Talon couldn't help but let out a short laugh. Mr. Jameson snorted in derision. Mrs. Jameson simply shook her head in disappointment.
"Peter, my father doesn't appreciate empty boasts," Mary Jane whispered to him.
"Peter," Mr. Jameson said, his tone dismissive. "You're a freelance photographer. How much do you make a month? You can barely support yourself. One hundred million dollars? Don't waste my time."
"Unless you have a fraction of Mr. Reeve's talent, you'll never see that kind of money in your lifetime," Mrs. Jameson added scornfully.
"I'll do it!" Peter declared, his pride stung. "I'll earn it!"
"Then you can see Mary Jane again once you have one hundred million dollars in your account," Mr. Jameson stated flatly.
"Fine! I will!" Peter shot back, his fists clenched.
"Sir, Madam," Talon interjected politely. "If you would please give us a moment, I still have business to discuss with Peter."
"Of course, of course," Mr. Jameson said, his smile returning as he ushered his wife out. As she closed the door, Mrs. Jameson whispered to her daughter, "Be nice to Mr. Reeve, dear."
Once they were alone, Talon turned to Peter. "I can fund you. You could have that money quickly."
"No," Peter refused, his jaw set. "I'll earn it myself."
"I respect that. Now, may we finish our transaction?"
Peter nodded. "Let's do it."
Talon shook Peter's hand.
System, extract and integrate the Spider-Man genetic template.
"Ding. Spider-Man genetic template successfully extracted. Commencing fusion."
A strange, prickling sensation spread through Talon's hands and wrists, an intense itch that made him want to claw at his own skin. As he scratched, a strand of white webbing shot from his wrist.
"Whoa! You... you really can do it?" Peter gasped, his eyes wide.
"It seems so," Talon confirmed, examining the web fluid with clinical interest.
"Talon," Mary Jane asked, her voice full of excitement, "Could I get that power too?"
Talon shook his head. "The method I use is unique to me. But with Peter's genetic data, it might be possible to synthesize a serum. That, however, is a project for another day."
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