Capítulo 70: Project S.S.S
Sleeping with Princess Shuri, completing Project New Element, and then making a deal with Emma Frost.
Three life-altering events in one day.
Now, as he approached his apartment, he hoped for a bit of normalcy.
Walking up the stairs, he opened the door to his floor and saw Rio bent over, examining her doorknob. Her tight jeans accentuated her lovely rear, and for a moment, Felix couldn't help but appreciate the view. He quickly cleared his throat, feeling a twinge of guilt.
"Hey, Rio. Need some help?"
Ruo straightened up, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Felix! Yes, please. I think the doorknob's jammed."
Felix stepped forward and examined the problem. A quick twist and a bit of force, and the door popped open. "There you go."
Rio sighed in relief, then playfully tapped his bicep. "Wow, you've got some serious muscles there. Thanks a lot, Felix."
"Anytime," he replied, trying to ignore the warmth of her touch. "Need any more help?"
"Would you like to come in? I could use some company."
Felix hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Sure, why not?"
Rio's apartment was as cozy and familiar as ever, filled with the comforting smell of home-cooked meals and a faint hint of lavender. Rio was already on her way to make something. Coming from her work as a school teacher, he could tell she was straining herself.
"How about I make lunch this time?" Felix suggested. "You've done enough for me already."
Rio's eyes widened in surprise but then she nodded, smiling. "That sounds wonderful. The kitchen's all yours."
Felix made his way to the kitchen, opening cabinets and checking the fridge. He decided on a simple but delicious meal: grilled chicken sandwiches with a fresh side salad. As he navigated the kitchen, he couldn't help but overhear the news playing in the living room where Rio had settled down.
"Breaking news," J. Jonah Jamesone's voice blared. "The NYPD is to announce the results of their investigation regarding the explosion of Mamma Rosa's Pizzeria. Maybe today, we'll get some damn answers on that Spider-Freak!"
"Oh, I was curious about that," Rio commented from her seat in the living room. "That was close by! I really considered not sending Miles to school."
"I feel you. Things are getting heated."
"Mm, I think when Spider-Man appeared, we all sort-of expected for things to go loco. With a super strong, wall-climbing human comes a lot of crazy shit."
"Preach."
The screen switched to a press conference with Commissioner Karnic standing at a podium, a serious expression on his face. Reporters were gathered, cameras flashing and microphones thrust forward.
"Thank you all for being here," Commissioner Karnic began. "Over the past months, many questions have been asked. Spider-Man, the attack on Oscorp, Mr. Negative, and so much more. Then, just last week, an explosion in Harlem. No matter where we may live, no matter what rivalries or clashes we have, we are New Yorkers. We are together. And so, today, we have an important announcement regarding the explosion at Mamma Rosa's Pizzeria."
Felix began to slice some tomatoes, listening.
"After a thorough investigation, we have determined that the explosion was the result of a violent confrontation between the vigilante known as Spider-Man and an individual identified as Brock Rumlow, also known as Crossbones. Evidence at the scene indicates that Spider-Man used excessive force, resulting in Rumlow's death."
Rio gasped. "Oh my God! They're saying Spider-Man killed someone?"
Felix nearly dropped the knife he was using to slice the tomatoes. His heart pounded in his chest, and his mind raced. How had they found out? What evidence did they have?
"We are issuing a warrent for Spider-Man's arrest on charges of murder," Commissioner Karnic continued. "We urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward."
The room erupted in questions, but Karnic simply raised a hand. She proceeded to give evidence. She explained that there were witnesses and that Crossbones was one of the mercenaries involved during the Oscorp attack.
"Our theory so far is this: that Crossbones attacked Oscorp Tower and fled to Mamma Rosa's Pizzeria. Out of some twisted sense of justice, Spider-Man hunted him. Desperate, Crossbones consumed some sort of experimental drug that enhanced his body and turned him into the black creature seen by the witnesses. A battle that caused much destruction and in the end the death of Crossbones."
That…
'That's fairly accurate.'
The autopsy report on Crossbones' body must have led to much of their deduction. Shit, he should have disposed of it when he could—
"So he did kill someone," Rio said, turning to Felix. "It's just like the rumours said! Wow, the media was right for once!"
With a steadying breath, Felix placed the lunch he had prepared on the table in front of Rio. Chicken pesto wraps. "Here, lunch is ready."
She glanced at him, the worry lines on her face softening slightly. "Thanks, Felix. You didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to," he replied, taking a seat next to her. "It's the least I can do after you've helped me so much."
Rio smiled appreciatively and took a big, fat bite. "Mm! You're a good cook. I didn't expect that."
Felix chuckled. "Just something I picked up along the way in college."
"Some fancy college?"
"MIT. Didn't I tell you?"
"Oh, right." Rio took another big bite. "Mm, it's hard to remember."
"Aren't you a teacher?"
"Hey! It's for elementary schoolers!"
As for the news and the Commissioner Karnic, it wasn't done just yet. She had one last warning to offer. "Spider-Man, whoever you are or where you are, do not believe yourself to be above the law. The grim goodwill you have created has been burned. From Mott Haven, Ditmars Steinway, and Harlem, we will meet. We will ward your crimes off of our streets."
Her eyes were dead serious.
'...can I go one day without some life-changing event happening?'
***
The sun had barely risen. Felix jogged down the sidewalk. Since yesterday, the arrest warrent for Spider-Man was made. Everywhere he went, billboards and digital screens plastered blurry images of the dark Spider-Man. Running past an electronics store, that was all the television screens displayed.
He ignored it. He had to go to work.
As he neared the train station, his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp voice.
"Sir, could you stop for a moment?"
Felix slowed to a halt, turning to see a police officer approaching him. He kept an expression neutral. The officer's eyes were sharp and assessing, scanning him from head to toe. Felix's Advanced Glasses skimmed through every bit of information on him.
"Morning, Officer," Felix greeted, sounding puzzled.
"ID, please," the officer requested, his tone firm but not unfriendly.
Felix handed over his ID. The officer examined the card, then glanced back at him.
"Where to?"
"I work at Oscorp," Felix replied, gesturing in the general direction of the towering building which was too far from here. "Just heading to the subway."
"From Harlem?"
"Uh, yes. I mean, technically, I'm not from here—"
"Understood." The officer nodded, his gaze lingering on Felix for a moment longer before handing the ID back. "All right, move along. Be safe."
"Thanks," Felix said, pocketing his ID and continuing his jog. Inside the subway station, he noticed several other officers stopping pedestrians, asking for identification, and searching bags. The increased police presence was palpable, a clear sign that the hunt for Spider-Man was in full swing. He saw them stopping people who looked nothing like Spider-Man, including women and older men. The thoroughness of their checks underscored the level of panic and urgency driving the authorities.
Felix boarded the subway, finding a seat near the window. As the train pulled away from the station, he leaned back and let out a quiet sigh. His mind drifted back to the news broadcast and the charges against Spider-Man. The heightened security measures seemed almost absurd, a waste of resources when the real danger wasn't a vigilante but the criminals and threats he fought against.
'They're wasting time and energy chasing a ghost,' Felix thought bitterly. Really, he couldn't don his costume for the next couple weeks. 'Herbie screwed up and touched the acid too much. He needs repairs, so I'm going to have to spend the entirety of my weekends fixing my costumes.'
Put simply, being Spider-Man might not happen till the end of the month or even further.
***
Felix sat in the break room at Oscorp, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. He had a sandwich in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. The hum of the vending machines and the quiet conversations of his colleagues formed a soothing background noise. For once, he allowed himself to be momentarily carefree.
Why? Because although the hunt was going on, there was nothing the NYPD could do to find him. Literally, they were wasting everyone's time for the next couple weeks and inciting fear for no reason. He wasn't going to give himself up and they had no way of finding him.
Until Herbie and the Advanced Glasses had something to show him.
DR. FAETH, I HAVE FOUND VITAL INFORMATION. SOURCE: THE MOBILE PHONES OF OSCORP EXECUTIVES.
'Huh? New information?'
He squinted as Herbie proceeded to bring up screenshots of texts. He cocked his head. These messages…
"No way…"
Holy shit, was this actually real!? This was…this was downright conspiratorial!
THE EXECUTIVES OF OSCORP LOBBIED FOR SPIDER-MAN'S HUNT.
Why? Why?
Why was Oscorp gunning for Spider-Man all of a sudden? Wasn't the original idea to sit back and watch?
'Is it because of Crossbones? But that makes no sense. Unless…what? Is the traitor scared that Crossbones told Spider-Man? Is that it?'
THEY WILL BE ASSISTING THE NYPD WITH THEIR MILITARY DRONES PROJECT.
Several images of the mentioned drones appeared. 'I saw these before when I was investigating. Project S.S.S. But I vividly remember that this project failed because the military failed to buy them.'
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING AND WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR MILITARY USE IN AFGHANISTAN. IT WAS NEVER USED BECAUSE OF MILITARY BUDGET ISSUES. THE DRONES ARE READY; ONLY ADJUSTMENTS FOR GREAT MOBILITY IN THE CITY IS REQUIRED.
Felix sipped on his coffee. 'So the project still existed in terms of stock. That makes sense, I suppose. Probably kept them in some old storage place.'
THEY ARE CALLING THE OLD PROJECT S.S.S THE SPIDER-SLAYERS AND WILL ROLL THEM OUT NEXT MONTH. THE CITY BOUGHT THEM FOR TWO-HUNDRED AND FORTY MILLION DOLLARS.
Felix nearly spat out his drink. "Two hundred million?" he muttered. "What the fuck?"
FOR THE LONG-TERM, THEY PLAN TO USE SPIDER SLAYERS TO ARREST MISPLACED HOMELESS PEOPLE.
'Jesus, talk about a dystopia. How about actually helping them with the two-hundred and thirty million dollars you spent instead of, I dunno, threatening to bomb them with fucking drones.'
Hunting for Spider-Man was fine, but using this as an excuse to hurt the weak? That was where he crossed the line. Felix's hands clenched into fists. He was going to have to do something about this. The final message appeared.
THE ORIGINAL HEAD OF THE PROJECT S.S.S, ALISTAIR SMYTHE, WILL RETURN AND LEAD THE SPIDER SLAYERS.
And of course, things had to get even more complicated.
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