Alex's first week at Oscorp passed in a blur of research and learning. His small office on the thirtieth floor became his second home. The view of Manhattan from his window was impressive but he barely noticed it. His attention stayed fixed on the work.
Dr. Kumar had given him the biomechanical research assignment. Artificial limbs. Neural interfaces. Exoskeleton designs. The folder contained hundreds of pages of technical specifications and research data.
Most analysts would need weeks to process it all. Alex finished in three days.
His report sat on Dr. Kumar's desk Thursday morning. Twenty pages. Single-spaced. Comprehensive analysis of commercial applications that Oscorp's research teams had completely missed.
Medical exoskeletons for elderly patients. Not military applications. Consumer healthcare. The aging population in developed countries was massive. Rich seniors would pay premium prices for technology that let them walk again. Move independently. Live without constant assistance.
Neural interfaces for paralysis patients. Direct brain-to-computer connections that bypassed damaged spinal cords. The technology existed. Oscorp had prototypes in their labs right now. But they were focused on military contracts instead of the medical market that was ten times larger.
Prosthetics with genuine sensation feedback. Artificial limbs that could feel temperature, pressure, texture. Not just functional replacements but actual improvements over natural limbs in some ways.
Dr. Kumar read the report twice. Then he walked straight to Norman Osborn's office.
Friday afternoon, Alex got called to the executive floor again.
Nora Chen greeted him with a professional smile. "Mr. Osborn wants to see you. He's very pleased with your work."
Norman sat behind his massive desk reviewing Alex's report on a tablet. He looked up when Alex entered.
"Sit."
Alex sat.
"This is excellent work," Norman said. His tone was measured. Controlled. "You identified market opportunities our entire R&D division missed. Dr. Kumar is impressed. So am I."
"Thank you, sir."
"I'm upgrading your clearance to Level 3. You'll have access to more of our biological research databases. Not the classified military projects yet, but significantly more than your current access."
Alex kept his expression neutral. Inside, his mind was racing. Level 3 clearance meant access to experimental programs. Cross-species genetics. Enhancement research.
"I appreciate the trust, Mr. Osborn."
"Don't make me regret it." Norman's blue eyes were cold. "Your next assignment will involve our cross-species genetics program. I want your analysis of potential applications. Commercial and military. Two weeks."
"Understood."
Norman dismissed him with a wave. Alex walked back to his office trying not to show his excitement.
Level 3 clearance activated Monday morning. Alex logged into the expanded database and started searching immediately.
Project Arachne appeared in the results.
Cross-species genetics. Spiders genetically modified with DNA from various animals.
The goal was understanding how to transfer desirable traits between species. Strength. Regeneration. Enhanced senses.
Fifteen spider specimens. All housed in Bio-Research Lab 7, Sub-Level 2.
Alex read through the files methodically. Each spider had different modifications.
Specimens 01 through 07 were strength experiments.
Wolf spider DNA combined with jumping spider genetics. Incredible leg strength. One could leap nearly six feet vertically despite being the size of a quarter.
Specimens 08 through 11 focused on regeneration. Starfish DNA. Axolotl DNA. Could regrow damaged tissue.
One spider had regenerated an entire leg in forty-eight hours after it was severed for testing.
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