111: The New Red Queen and the Enhanced Battle Suit

"Cousin Anna, today..." 

"Don't you need to go to the police station to help Dad?"

On the sofa, Gwen hugged Pikachu and asked Anna.

Anna smiled and said, "I don't want to be pushed by your father to deal with those reporters." 

"Did you not pay attention to the news when you woke up this morning?"

"The incident last night has already made headlines."

Saying so, Anna picked up the remote and turned on the TV. 

On screen, George stood on stage telling reporters and media about last night's events. 

"Last night, the NYPD was attacked by high-tech terrorists."

"Fortunately, two urban heroes, Iron Man and Spider-man, succeeded in preventing this terrorist attack."

Listening to George's official speech, Gwen said curiously: "It was clearly the Emperor who defeated Green Goblin." 

"Why didn't Dad mention him at all?" 

Andrew, sitting on the sofa's other end, smiled. 

Because when in the sewers, he had told George not to publicly mention him. 

It seemed George had kept that in mind till now. 

Anna also gave her analysis: "I think this must be what the knight emperor meant." 

Hearing Anna's analysis, Andrew was stunned too. 

This woman's IQ was indeed terrifyingly high.

Only Gwen, unaware of the truth, nodded dumbly. 

"Now, the station is surrounded three layers deep by every media wanting first-hand news." 

"I think Uncle George must be very distressed about how to manage the police now."

Looking at the station swarmed by reporters on TV, Andrew could already guess how distressed George must be.

He had planned on going to Osborn Industries this morning to make arrests, but now in this situation, even the police were trapped, let alone arresting people at Osborn's. 

Just as Andrew guessed, George was currently anxiously pacing his office. 

"Chief, those reporters at the door just won't budge." 

A detective said helplessly before George.

They had tried every trick, but none of the reporters wanted to leave.

George also felt utterly helpless, looking out the window at the reporters below.

With these people, not only could they not be violently driven away, but they had to be endured - the most frustrating thing.

Not granting them interviews would backfire, with accusations of suppressing the people's right to know. 

Then his tenure as chief would be over.

"How's the arrest warrant application going?"

Another detective stepped up: "Rejected. After all, the other party is the famous Norman Osborn." 

"The court felt solid evidence was lacking, so it's best not to touch him yet."

George banged his head on the wall below. As expected, but upon hearing the news he was still very unhappy. 

This was the celebrity effect. 

To move a social celebrity enjoying certain status, various consequences had to be weighed.

Lacking hard evidence, higher ups generally wouldn't let George act.

George rested his chin on one hand, pondering what to do next.

"Anna left last night right?" 

He asked the two detectives. 

"Yes, later when I contacted Dr. Anna, she said she first looked for a place to stay."

"Did she find someplace around to live?"

"A hotel she said."

George was stunned for a while, having been busy since last night without any break. 

Anna's affairs were handled by subordinates.

Only realizing she'd left early last night when not finding Anna this morning.

But here, where could Anna stay?

Hotel?

The detective continued: "Not a hotel, she said a friend's house - your daughter's." 

"My daughter..."

George came to his senses instantly: "Andrew..."

If he remembered right, Anna and Andrew had met once before.

And now she'd gone to his place...

Was the boy so handsome and charming? 

George dismissed the strange thoughts and said to the officer beside: "Call Anna."

"I need her help here, so tell her the arrest warrant won't come through." 

"She'll be here soon."

"Yes sir."

"Cousin Anna, you just came back this time. When are you leaving again?"

Gwen asked cautiously.

Anna glared at Gwen: "I just got back, and you want me to leave?"

Then she glanced intentionally at Andrew: "Sure enough, there's an old eastern saying."

"A woman staying over brings disaster."

Andrew also heard - she was referring to him. 

"Does cousin Anna also research eastern-eastern culture?"

Anna nodded: "When I went abroad, I once studied under a Chinese detective named Li." 

"It was he who made me appreciate the charm of eastern culture."

Andrew nodded, immediately recognizing who Anna spoke of. 

Only Gwen, not grasping the meaning of Anna's words, watched their exchange puzzled.

Just then Anna's phone rang. 

Seeing the caller ID, Anna wondered "Uncle George's subordinate..."

She could guess what they wanted her for.

Picking up, Anna asked directly "The arrest warrant didn't go through?"

After listening, she continued "Okay, I'll be right over."

Hanging up, Anna glanced at Gwen, then Andrew: "Alright, I'll leave you two be." 

"I'm off first."

Hearing that, Gwen immediately blushed, but still said "Cousin Anna, be careful."

After Anna left, Gwen let out a huge sigh of relief. 

Whenever with Anna, she felt a lot of pressure.

In her arms, Pikachu also sighed in relief seeing Anna go: "Pika..." 

Then jumped out of Gwen's arms and ran to the kitchen.

Where was Andrew's breakfast for him?

Seeing Pikachu's actions, Andrew smiled "Tough work Pikachu." 

"Don't know when cousin Anna will leave."

"With her here, I'm always scared."

"Oh right, Andrew."

"Hmm?"

Andrew looked at Gwen curiously: "What is it?"

"When I went out in the morning, I found the Red Queen couldn't be switched on. What happened?"

"It's nothing. The Red Queen was upgrading." 

Looking at the time, Andrew smiled "It should be done by now."

He took Gwen's hand, sitting back down and opened the laptop. 

As it powered on, the familiar eyes of the avatar closed slightly, 

as if sleeping.

Unlike before, the original red avatar now had some blue stripes on her face.

The red dress also had blue patterns.

Gwen looked at the Red Queen curiously: "She seems much better than before."

Andrew also nodded. 

The previous plain red was too monotonous. 

On screen, the Red Queen's eyes opened slowly, looking at Andrew and Gwen.

They noticed her eyes weren't vacant anymore, but more lively now.

Giving a more real feel.

Seeing them, she immediately greeted cheerfully: "Master, Miss Gwen." 

"I slept very well."

Gwen asked excitedly: "Queen, did your upgrade go well?"

"Yes Miss Gwen. I can now provide better data support in battles." 

"As well as upgrades to your battlesuit."

"Great!" 

Gwen was happy as a child.

Andrew also smiled, satisfied. He knew with Skynet AI integrated, the Red Queen's intelligence level was far beyond just 1+1=2 now.

Perhaps even over future Ultron. 

"If that's really so..."

Andrew's eyes suddenly lit up: "Then maybe it really can..."

A small plan began taking shape slowly in Andrew's mind.

Just then the Red Queen reminded: "Master, Miss Gwen." 

"The new battlesuit has arrived."

"Our new house can be moved into starting tomorrow..."

To be continued...