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.
Specimen 12 was adhesion research. Gecko DNA. Could stick to any surface regardless of texture or angle. The files showed video of it walking upside down on polished glass.
Specimen 13 was sensory enhancement. Multiple predator species DNA combined. Could detect vibrations, electromagnetic fields, chemical signatures in the air. Basically a living sensor array.
Specimen 14 was venom modification. The files were vague about the exact mixture.
Just noted that the venom had "unique properties" and "unexpected results in mammalian test subjects."
Then there was Specimen 15.
The Omni-Spider.
Every modification combined into one specimen. Strength, regeneration, adhesion, enhanced senses, modified venom.
All of it in a single spider that was described as "highly unstable" and "prone to aggressive behavior."
The notes indicated Specimen 15 kept escaping its containment. Had to be recaptured multiple times. Was scheduled for termination next week.
Alex sat back in his chair and processed the information.
'That's the one. Specimen 15. That's what bites Peter.'
The timing was too perfect. Termination scheduled right before the field trip. An "escape artist" spider that would conveniently get loose and bite a student during a school visit.
Either someone at Oscorp wanted to test the spider's effects on a human subject without official approval, or it was just narrative destiny. Comic book logic making the story happen.
Either way, Alex couldn't stop it. Preventing Peter from getting bitten would require explaining how he knew it would happen. That would raise questions he couldn't answer.
But he could collect data. Document everything. Learn from Peter's transformation so he could eventually develop something safer for himself.
First problem was identifying the spider beforehand. He needed photos.
Measurements. Behavioral observations. Enough data to recognize Specimen 15 when it appeared during the field trip.
Alex cross-referenced the lab schedules with the field trip itinerary. The route took students past observation windows overlooking the spider research areas. They would see the labs but not enter them. Safety protocols.
Perfect setup for an "accident." Spider escapes, hides near observation area, comes into contact with students.
Alex started mapping Oscorp's layout during his lunch breaks.
The building was massive. Sixty floors plus multiple sub-levels. Security was tight but not perfect. Guards rotated on predictable schedules. Cameras covered main corridors but not every corner.
Sub-Level 2 required Level 4 clearance. Alex only had Level 3. He couldn't access the spider labs directly.
But the ventilation system connected different security zones. Air had to circulate throughout the building. Those ducts went everywhere, including restricted areas.
Not that Alex was planning to crawl through air ducts. That was movie nonsense. But understanding the building's infrastructure gave him options.
He noted camera blind spots. Emergency stairwell locations. Service corridors that maintenance used. All stored in his memory for future reference.
...
Thursday evening after work, Alex met the study group at the school library. Peter, MJ, and Gwen were already there when he arrived.
"Finally," Gwen said. "We were about to start without you."
"Sorry. Work ran late." Alex dropped his backpack and sat down. "What are we covering?"
"Chemistry test next week," Peter said.
"Organic compounds. I'm okay with the concepts but the nomenclature is killing me. Watch."
They settled into studying. Alex helped Peter with naming conventions while Gwen worked through calculus problems. MJ was reading ahead in their English literature assignment.
After thirty minutes, Alex stood up. "I need to grab a book from the reference section. Gwen, can you help me find it? I'm not sure exactly where the chemistry references are."
Gwen looked up from her calculus. "Sure."
They walked toward the reference stacks together.
Once they were out of earshot, Gwen whispered, "We don't need a chemistry reference. What's this about?"
"Giving Peter and MJ some alone time. Watch."
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