"Dr. Kumar will meet with you in an hour to discuss your initial assignments," Nora explained. "In the meantime, familiarize yourself with the database access protocols. Your login credentials are on the desk."
She left. Alex sat down and logged into the computer.
The Oscorp research database appeared on screen. His clearance level gave him access to certain categories. Publicly published research. Internal white papers. Project summaries.
But not the really interesting stuff. Not the classified military contracts. Not the experimental enhancement programs.
Not yet.
Alex started reading. His mind absorbed information rapidly. Oscorp's research was cutting edge. Regenerative medicine. Genetic modification. Neurological enhancement. Materials science.
An hour passed. A knock on his door.
"Mr. Carter? I'm Dr. Rajesh Kumar."
The man who entered was in his fifties. Indian. Wearing a lab coat over business casual clothes. Thick glasses. Friendly expression.
"Please, call me Alex."
"Alex then. Welcome to Oscorp." Dr. Kumar sat in the chair across from Alex's desk.
"Norman speaks highly of you. Says you have remarkable insight into technology trends."
"I try to stay informed."
"Good. That's exactly what we need. Your role here is to act as an outside perspective. Our scientists are brilliant but sometimes too focused on their specific projects. We need someone who can see the bigger picture. Identify which technologies might converge. Which applications might emerge."
"What's my first assignment?"
Dr. Kumar handed him a folder. "Overview of our current biomechanical research. Artificial limbs. Neural interfaces. Exoskeleton designs. I want you to write a report on potential commercial applications. Not military. Commercial. What could we bring to market in five years?"
Alex opened the folder. Started skimming. His enhanced mind immediately began connecting concepts.
"How long do I have?"
"Two weeks. But take your time. Quality over speed."
They talked for another thirty minutes about expectations and processes. Then Dr. Kumar left Alex to work.
Alex spent the rest of the day reading research papers and taking notes. His mind was already forming connections. Seeing patterns. Understanding where Oscorp's technology could lead.
But part of his attention was always on the larger goal. Access to enhancement research. Understanding what Oscorp had discovered about human genetic modification.
And planning for Peter's transformation.
After work, Alex went straight to the school library. Found Peter studying for a chemistry test.
"Hey," Alex said, sitting down. "How's studying going?"
"Slowly. This material is dense."
They studied together for an hour. During that time, Alex carefully collected what he needed. A few strands of hair when Peter ran his hand through his hair and some fell on the table. Alex palmed them smoothly. No one noticed.
He also "accidentally" knocked over Peter's water bottle. Offered to throw it away. Collected it carefully in his bag instead. Saliva sample secured.
"You okay?" Peter asked. "You seem distracted."
"Just tired. New job started today."
"Right. The Oscorp thing. How was it?"
"Interesting. Lots to learn."
They studied until the library closed. Then Alex went home with his samples.
In his apartment, Alex carefully stored the hair and water bottle. He would need proper lab equipment to analyze them. But that would come. Once he had more access at Oscorp.
For now, he had the baseline. Peter Parker's DNA before any genetic modification.
Three weeks until everything changed.
Alex opened his laptop and started planning. He needed to be on that field trip. Needed to be close to Peter when the spider bit him. Needed to collect samples immediately.
'I also need to identify which spider it will be,' Alex thought. 'Oscorp has multiple research programs. Multiple genetically modified specimens. I need to know which one.'
He started building a strategy. Multiple steps. Multiple contingencies. Everything planned down to the smallest detail.
Because this wasn't just about Peter. It was about understanding the process. Learning how genetic enhancement worked.
Preparing to develop his own safe version.
This was about survival. About becoming strong enough to face what was coming. About being more than just a powerless extra in a universe of gods and monsters.
Alex worked until 2 AM. Planning.
Strategizing. Preparing.
Three weeks until the field trip. Three weeks until Peter Parker became Spider-Man.
And three weeks until Alex got the data he needed to start building his own path to power.
Read More on Patreon marvelstark