Inside the lab, Jack spoke slowly, "With Spider-Woman's help, the vagrant has been arrested by the detectives."
Hearing this, Peter finally let out a long sigh of relief. At least the modified human had been captured before causing any bigger trouble. However, Norman slumped down, his face ashen. He knew all too well what the arrest of the modified human meant. If it were discovered that this incident was connected to him, his career would be over.
"Dr. Norman..." Peter began, intending to offer some comfort, but before he could finish, Norman suddenly roared, "Get out! Both of you, get out!"
Peter and Jack frowned at Norman's abrupt outburst, though each had different thoughts. Peter, after a moment's hesitation, sighed and quietly walked out of the lab. Jack, on the other hand, was irritated by Norman's shouting, but he knew that if Norman went down, he wouldn't be far behind. So, he held back his frustration and followed Peter, shutting the lab door behind him.
Outside, only Peter and Jack remained. Jack glanced at Peter with interest. "He treated you like that, and you're still going to help him?"
"Did you know? While you were unconscious, he even considered testing the serum on you."
Peter's face flickered with anger upon hearing this, but he responded calmly, "No matter what, he's still the father of my good friend. I can't stand by and watch him continue down this wrong path."
Jack lit a cigarette and scoffed, "You're out of your mind."
---
Inside the lab, Norman gazed at the experimental monkey, its vital signs stable, its body back to normal size.
"The anti-gene serum worked. If paired with the enhancement serum, maybe..." Norman's eyes lit up. Perhaps there was a way to fix this mess after all.
Quickly, Norman pulled out his phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, the call connected, and a voice on the other end said, "Norman, what is it? Is your experiment finally complete?"
Norman's expression shifted, but he forced a smile, knowing he needed help. "General, the perfect version isn't ready yet, but we've developed a new iteration."
The general, now interested, asked, "Tell me about it."
Norman explained, "The new serum promotes overall development in the subject, but it has a side effect—it creates a violent secondary personality. However, we also developed an anti-gene serum. With a second injection, the subject can return to normal."
After hearing Norman's explanation, the general was clearly displeased. "And how does this help me get the 'New Captain America' I asked for?"
Norman's face paled as he tried to justify, "General, I understand this is far from the result you wanted, but I think there's potential..."
Before he could finish, the general interrupted, "Enough, Norman! Based on what I know of you, you wouldn't bring me such a half-baked product unless something had gone wrong and you needed my help, right?"
Norman, realizing he'd been found out, gritted his teeth and admitted, "Yes, General."
The general's voice turned slightly less hostile. "Your research has shown some promise. Tell me what you need help with, as long as it doesn't involve the military, I'll see what I can do."
Norman understood immediately—the general was trying to keep his distance. If anything went wrong, he could cut ties quickly. This realization made Norman's heart sink, and he began to doubt whether asking the general for help would be useful at all.
But with his career on the line, Norman had no choice. Swallowing his pride, he began to explain, "General..." He laid out everything that had happened, knowing he couldn't keep any secrets if he wanted help.
Norman had hoped that the general, even if unwilling to assist, wouldn't be too harsh. But the truth was, he had underestimated the situation.
The general's first reaction after hearing everything was to explode in anger, "Norman, are you insane? You kidnapped someone and conducted unauthorized human experiments, and you let him escape? Do you have any idea how disastrous this could be if the public finds out?"
They both knew all too well how damaging public outrage could be in a country that prized free speech. The downfall of Kingpin, just recently, was still fresh in their minds.
Norman wanted to explain, but the general's final words sent his hopes crashing down: "That's it. From now on, the military has no further connection to you. Don't contact me again."
Norman quickly tried to argue, "General, you must understand, I'm the only one who can develop the perfect enhancement serum. Trust me, just help me this one time, and I'll deliver!"
But the general merely laughed coldly on the other end. "You?"
"Have you heard of Hammer Industries?"
Norman froze, not understanding why the general would ask that out of the blue.
But he still replied, "Yes, I know about them. They're the underground arms dealer, founded by Justin Hammer. They've developed the Iron Legion, and there's going to be an exhibition soon. Once the exhibition is successful, there will be an indefinite partnership between the military, the Department of Defense, and Hammer Industries."
The general's laughter echoed through the phone as he continued, "In comparison, your enhancement serum is pitifully slow. The reason I haven't been pressuring you with calls during this time isn't out of sympathy. For me, whether you're here or not makes no difference anymore."
With that, the sound of the call disconnecting filled the line. Norman couldn't believe it and tried calling back, but the line was completely dead. He understood that from that moment on, he had been completely abandoned by the military.
Without the support of the U.S. military, he knew there was no way he could suppress this matter! Norman felt utterly powerless, collapsing in front of the experimental monkey.
As he recalled all the past events, they all turned into a bitter smile of self-mockery at the corners of his lips. At that moment, he finally realized how naïve he had been. How could he have dared to collaborate with the military?
It was only now that he understood the gap between himself and Howard Stark, as well as the gap between himself and Tony Stark.
"Ha ha ha..." Norman laughed loudly in the lab.
---
Inside S.H.I.E.L.D.
Nick Fury's brows were tightly knit together as he stared at the scene before him—the image of the vagrant fearfully retreating in front of Alan's car. So many people had witnessed this moment, and if the Red Queen intervened and sealed it, it would be too obvious.
"This Alan is truly not simple..." he mused.
"Hill!"
"Yes, Director. What else do you need?"
Nick Fury replied, "Send someone to the New York Police Department to investigate what happened with this modified human. I want to know every detail of what occurred."
"Understood, Director!"
After responding, Hill turned to leave.
Then Nick Fury saw Spider-Woman appear. After watching Spider-Woman's series of actions, he muttered to himself in confusion, "Could it be that Spider-Woman knows Alan?"
...
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