Capítulo 6: Part 6
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***
When I woke up and started the diagnostics, I hummed with satisfaction, because it's good to be a mutant, and to be able to adjust something - even better, isn't it? I'll have to think over the possibility of genetic upgrade, but at the same time not to cross that dangerous line where you will no longer look like a human, but rather like a monster, because the road of power can easily lead somewhere wrong.
Although I wouldn't say no to increased regeneration. The only question is where to get a suitable recipient and test subjects. I'm not some monster who steals people off the streets, so I'll have to find some corporation to work on improving myself. If things don't work out with Von Doom, there's no need for a backup plan.
However, the topic with cyborgs or androids is also very exciting and promising, but to lose the former humanity and pleasure for the sake of the supposed superiority of the machine? No, I'm not ready for that yet, and in the long term, probably, too. I want to live as a human being, even if slightly improved, because we won't tell anyone about our little secret, will we?
After a quick shower and a snack of what was left from the evening, I started to get ready for school. Weekends are great, but you have to study too. At least once in a while, otherwise you'd come to class and no one would recognise you. And I don't want to ruin Parker's perfect attendance record, and then, maybe, I'll get a machine gun.
I read the note from May, which was nicely stuck on the fridge with a 'trophy' magnet from Naples, and hummed understandingly, because she was working late tonight. I sighed sadly - I'd have to cook for myself. And who would have thought architects were so overworked? Oh, yeah, I didn't tell you. May works as an architect for a big company. But her weekends are floating, so only sometimes we get to sit down together, and then Auntie makes a feast for my ever-hungry body. What can you do, high metabolism always requires fuel, but there is some regeneration. And, as they say, you have to pay for everything, and I think it's not such a big price to pay for increased survivability, because there's only one life, isn't there?
As I left the house, I was immediately confronted by a brand new Infiniti QX55 in a deep red colour. A moment later, the door opened, and Norman Osborne stepped silently out of the car, pleased with something. The industrialist's predatory features were now more like a grin than a smile, but Ozborn was happy to see me.
After his father's death, the only thing that had remained in Peter Parker's life was his friendship with Harry, and after his uncle's death, their friendship had only grown stronger, and Norman had become like a father to him. Well, or at least replaced his image of someone to look up to. Osborne's lively gaze seemed to want to start a dialogue as soon as possible, but for some reason he kept his guard up every time he spoke and maintained a showy politeness. He shook my hand and offered to drive me to my place of study, saying that Harry was a little ill, so the old tycoon decided to shake off the old days without a driver.
Comfortably settled in the first-class interior of the crossover, I waited in silence, because how could Norman Osborne decide to give someone a lift to the university? An invasion from Mars sounds more real than any help from this industrialist. Yes, he can be generous, but he's not always a good father, he's a businessman, but he's never been very good with children, and I'm not a teenager.
- Captain Stacey called me this morning. - Osborne suddenly began his conversation as we were on our way. I tried to figure out what he knew and what I'd done, but after a moment the tycoon smiled and went on. - It turns out that the two of you survived in a monstrous meat grinder, arranged by a psychopath, and even saved two beauties. - The industrialist nodded respectfully. - Not all people survived that night, so thank you for not abandoning my son, and for staying in one piece. I'm proud of the man you've grown into, boy. I think your parents would be proud too, as would your uncle, God rest their souls. - Crossing himself and kissing the white gold cross, Norman continued. - So I'm offering to put you in charge of Ozcorp's science division as soon as you graduate. I know you're a smart and responsible guy, so you won't go to waste, and I've made a good investment in the future of my company. - Osborne smiled warmly. I think Harry would have cringed at Norman's praise, but he's not around, so I won't ruin his rosy world and rainbow glasses, where he still dreams of his father's approval.
Thinking seriously, I tried to figure out, do I need all this? Doom was a good candidate, even if he is a dictator, but he is developing his own science and economy at a breakneck pace, after all, he is the state!
On the other hand, I know everything here, and Osborn believes in me, and after that Harry won't stop supporting my work and projects. Unless, of course, I don't disappoint them, but it's like that everywhere, and who needs unprofitable specialists who only promise you a panacea, but in fact just saw the budget.
As they say, one is not a warrior in the field, and without a good rear is not a lot of war, albeit in the field of science, because the principle is the same for everything. But on the other hand, taking the side of Ozkorp, I will depend on their projects, at least until I earn trust or respect, or maybe both, who knows?
After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to try to move towards my goal. Then again, Von Doom might refuse me, because who knows what a genius has in mind, they all walk on the edge and the difference between them and a madman is only one false step away.
- That's good to hear, Mr Oz, but I can't accept such a generous offer. I have no experience and I'm just an undergraduate student, so I can't lead Ozcorp's science division. Let's discuss it in ten years. - I answered as neutrally as possible in the face of Ozborn, who was thinking about something. - But you can still help me. - The thoughtful tycoon only shifted his interested gaze to me, dangerously distracted from the road. - I hope you can recognise me as a scholar. As a scholar, I could use your recommendation for an apprenticeship with Victor von Doom. - Osborne chuckled understandingly.
- Of course, Peter, because education and practical experience are great tools for a young man like you to grow up. It's a pity Harry hasn't found himself and followed his own path. Time passes quickly, and while you're young, it's not so noticeable, but when you're thirty years old, the clocks start ticking, and all you have time to do is note that another year has passed. - Norman ended on a sad note. - Well, let's not talk about sad things, kid. I'll be expecting you in my company in ten years' time, and I'll give you a recommendation for the snob Von Doom. What do you see in him, except robotics? - The tycoon smiled understandingly. - You know, there may be something in it, I wouldn't say it's the future, but it will be an interesting field for the next twenty years. And with your passion for genetics and biology, you'll build your own terminator or skynet. - The industrialist grinned dreamily at the thought of an autonomous army of killer androids. - Well, since you refused my gift, I'll have to think again. By the way, Peter, you've had your licence for a long time. I'll give you a car. That's not bad, right? - Osborne has gone back to his rhetoric that every effort should be rewarded. And how could a car not be a gift?
The thing Norman hated most about being indebted to someone. Maybe it was his troubled past as a military industrialist that turned into a mania or something else. You can't say for sure now, but Osborne always knew how to be grateful, and this distinctive generous trait was liked by many people. However, the tycoon was not a grey and fluffy do-gooder, rather a shark that would devour competitors at any opportunity.
But Parker somehow always embarrassed by such a trait of the tycoon, and he always refused all the gifts and incentive prizes Ozborn Sr. However, there were nuances here too, and you couldn't refuse more than three times, otherwise you would offend Norman Osborne and his entire conglomerate of corporations with your behaviour.
And I never wanted an Infiniti, and it was red, I don't like crossovers. But for nothing, why not take it? And I'll tell you why, because the rule of three refusals still applies, but the main thing is that the third time he offers the most generous gift, and try to refuse it.
The tycoon once gave the Parkers a house for Peter's graduation, but first he hired May as an architect and set the goal of creating the perfect place for a quiet and measured life, and then he simply reissued all the documents to May. That was Mr Oz, mysterious and obscure, but he was not a villain, he was not an unscrupulous capitalist perhaps, but he was not a villain.
- Thank you, Mr Oz, but I like to walk, and it's much better for my health, because I've been eating like crazy the last few days, so I have to burn more calories. By the way, it's a shame you didn't come round for lasagne this weekend, it was delicious, so you missed out on a lot. - Osborne smiled cheerfully, admitting that sometimes May did make a damn good lasagne. - Here we are. - When I noticed the familiar columns and bearded titans that held up the stone vault of our university, I nodded gratefully to the driver who'd given me a lift.
- You're always dodging, Parker, you're just like your father. - Norman smiled wryly. - He didn't need the job, so he didn't need the car. You never cease to amaze me, kid. - Osborne's smile grew warmer again. - Reminds me of me when I was your age. I used to send everyone away, too. Not as politely and culturally as you, but still. So keep it and use it, and I'll consider that I have one more son. - The tycoon winked cheerfully at me and held out a platinum card. It was the same one Harry had, and as far as I could remember, Norman had never put a limit on spending or withdrawals. What did I say about the last reward and may the waiting be rewarded?
- Generous as ever, Mr Oz. - As I gratefully accepted the card and realised that I had been accepted into the 'family', I mentally gloated, for it was a simple matter, even if it was not in my plans.
I quickly said goodbye to the tycoon and hurried to my class, because today we have neogenetics, and Curtis Connors, the honoured doctor of genetics, biology and surgery, a combat medic and a veteran of a couple of wars, will teach it. So I think it's going to be one hell of an interesting pairing.
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