Chapter 21 – What a Women

Dr. Ziegler 1st POV

{Ding} the elevator ding announced my arrival on the top floor of Oscorp. Norman had called me to his office again. That floundering child I thought he would have learnt his lesson after I stopped his tantrum about the press conference, but it would seem he intends to lord over me for the rest of his limited time as CEO. Not that he's aware of the timer counting down his remaining days in office. Arriving outside of his over-the-top office doors – clearly, he's trying to compensate for something – I took a minute to collect myself before putting on my best smile and knocking on the door.

"Come in." Hmmm? No extra-long wait to relish in the fact that there's one room in this building I can't storm into and take control of from him. Norman must have an important guest in there right now. The military? No, my master said that the section of the military funding the Goblin series is under General Thaddeus Ross and Ross wouldn't bother to go through official channels after the stunt I pulled he'd just take me and force me to work.

Well, no need to think too hard I'm about to find out anyway. Pushing open the door, I enter the room to see Norman sitting on his 'Throne', a chair decorated in as many expensive jewels as he could find. It was an abomination, claiming to run a medical company with the purpose of 'helping the people' when he invested tens of millions that could have been used to save thousands of lives in a chair that serves no purpose but to feed his bottom less pit of insecurity.

Shifting my gaze away from Norman, I observed the only other person standing in the room. And WOW, she's stunning. Gorgeous red hair that rolled down her shoulders in beautiful curves. A picture-perfect face that seemed to capture every positive feminine trait with a body that came straight out of men's dreams. Long legs and a perfect figure I'm surprised I've never seen her on a magazine I've no doubt Shes received dozens of modelling offers. Norman is drooling so much I'm surprised there isn't a puddle on his desk.

Seeing Norman fail to acknowledge my presence in his captivated state I walked up to stand in front of his desk before clearing my throat. {Ahem} "you said you needed me for something chairmen? If I'm interrupting your perverted leering, I can come back at another time. I wouldn't want to interrupt you while you're finishing your business." I let the disgust fully leak into my voice as I finished speaking.

The majority of the board are already backing me so I can get away with almost anything now. The only people still trying to prevent me from taking over are a select few board members who Master has confirmed are HYDRA's dogs. They clearly want the company to remain on course developing super serums. They've already tried to assassinate me 3 times in the past week alone. Not that their hounds had any chance of harming me but I have to avoid meeting Master until I lose them. Thankfully, Reyes is always quick to get rid of them. Humph serves them right, keeping me from my master.

But I wish HYDRA would hurry and understand that they won't be able to assassinate me with normal humans. Even if their fanatics no one deserves to have to go up against Reyes (except those who bother Master), he's so polite normally but he becomes quite nasty when he's on a mission.

Norman shook himself out of his star struck state much quicker than I expected him to and quickly turned to glare at me. Ohh it's so nice to know he cares about me so much. I can't wait to burn this hideous office to the ground once were down with this company.

"Dr. Ziegler." Norman spat my name with as much vemon as he could, but I only internally recoiled in disgust at hearing his voice and didn't show any outward reaction besides letting a smug smirk settle onto my face as I watched his cheeks rapidly redden in fury. Taking a deep breath to maintain his composure Norman started to speak once again, trying desperately to keep the rage out of his tone and failing spectacularly.

"Dr. Ziegler, this is Amelia Kraus. She's a German medical student who has received renown for being one of the brightest up and coming geneticist. She's received many offers world-wide to intern at different medical companies and she's chosen to come to Oscorp. Originally, I had planned for her to work with Doctor Conner or Doctor Octavis, but both have made break throughs in their research recently and don't have the time to spare. Seeing as you've just finished your latest project with your revolutionary pain killer recipe, I've decided that while you rest and work on some of your no doubt numerous pet projects you could include Amelia in some of your experiments." As Norman spoke the smile on his face continued to get smugger.

Master had made it very clear how he felt about people observing his work and I've upheld the same policy. Though I try to set aside at least an hour each day to help with the different projects on my floor. Every project completed successfully is one more person saved from potentially otherwise fatal injuries. Since learning about this world from my master it has been one of my goals to build up the medical industry into what it's supposed to be. A cloak that protects all of humanity from anything seeking to stop them from living fulfilling, long lasting lives. Regardless of any factors today's medical industry uses to deny people such treatment. I've already received my master's approval. It seems Master too has long been planning to make changes in the medical industry.

Not letting my displeasure show on my face at the annoying hassle of having to deal with this intern, I turned towards Amelia before giving her a bright smile. "Of course, there's no problem Norman. It would be my pleasure to help guide the next generation of geniuses." And it really would be too. The next generation is the key to humanities progression. If only Amelia was who she says she is. Shes good, I'll give her that far, far better than the other riff raff that have begun to approach me since my announcement. But unfortunately for her I have God on my side. My master has already alerted me of the possibilities of SHIELD striking some kind of deal with Norman to get someone next to me.

Although I'm flattered that they felt the need to make the Black Widow my observer. I would have thought she'd be doing something more in line with her skill set. After reviewing the information my master provided on SHIELD it's obvious, they wouldn't try to kill me without at least confirming if I could be made to work for them first. Nick Fury is a very resourceful man, unless he saw me as some world ending threat – which is unlikely cause he never seems to see those – I don't have anything to fear from interacting with SHIELD personnel. But I'll need to pay more attention to how I act. Master has already prepared all the tools needed to hide my projects but masking myself will be nearly impossible in front of her.

Oh well there's nothing I can do there. As long as she doesn't see the projects, I'm working on it matters very little what she learns about me personally. Master has told me stories about the person I was created in reference to and if I'm even 1% the saint she was then I have nothing to worry about when inevitably I show something I don't mean to. Focusing back on Ameila, I gave her a smile before gently taking her hand and leading her out of the office. "Come on then sweety, let's get you settled and then I'll give you a show of what I've been working on."

Ignoring Norman's shout of protest about mandate and insubordination I continued to hold Amelia's hand until we got into the elevator. "Sorry dear but Norman can be such a pain if you don't cut him off. If we didn't leave soon, I've no doubt he would have tried to put you to sleep with details on how he had made that throne of his." This time I made sure not to show my disgust as I did in Norman's office.

Antagonizing him was fine if it was just the two of us but allowing our conflict to spread down the chain of the company could have very negative impacts on the workers mental health and most of them push far passed their limits as it is so Norman and I have an unspoken agreement to keep our conflict among us and the board. Although I suspect the only reason, he holds up his end is that most of the workers like me far more than the boss they barely see who constantly nags about deadlines.

"It's fine Dr. Ziegler, I appreciate your help. His constant stares were rather uncomfortable." The Widow gave me a nervous smile while shuffling her body as if she was still feeling his eyes on her.

"No worries, dear. Norman can be a bit of a dunce when it comes to women. He's ever had much time for relationships, always focused on furthering Oscorp. And don't worry where we're going, you'd be lucky to get 5 minutes of attention from these research addicts. Honestly, if I hadn't updated the alarm system these idiots would work themselves to death." Keeping my friendly smile on my face, as we reached our floor, I stepped out first to make sure no one was experimenting in the lobby again before turning and ushering Amelia out of the elevator.

Making our way through the floor to my lab I was surprised by the lack of noise and the shut doors along the hallways. Norman must have pulled a lot of strings to get this rambunctious crew to obediently stay in their rooms. Arriving in front of my door I begin to key in a set of numbers that would begin the lock down process of all the classified research I've been doing. {dun dum} Alongside the flashing red light the familiar sound of an incorrect input confirmed that everything was in order for my surprise guest.

"Oh my. The quiet must be getting to me, I'm not nearly old enough yet to be forgetting things." Giving Amelia an embarrassed smile I quickly keyed in the correct password which was almost the exact same as the one I entered previously and watched as the door unlocked with a click.

"Feel free to stay in what you're wearing if you'd like. I'm not working on anything dangerous, and I think for today I'll just let you get familiar with the lab equipment and then you can start helping me tomorrow." Giving Amelia quick instructions on what equipment to start with I made my way into my lab on the far left. Here I'm working on altering a chemical recipe my original had made. It is a small orb fired from plastic rifles that incapacitates anyone within about a meter squared radius of the impact area. A very effective non-lethal weapon that can be massed produced easily enough and will eliminate the need for police to use life ammunition on duty.

What I'm trying to do however is create a method of tracking the orbs. The chemical pellet once fired is only effective for about 2 minutes before the chemical thins out enough to no longer affect the human body. But the chemicals stay in the area of impact for up to 48 hours before fully dispersing. According to master the original made these pellets when she was very young and without having such a tracking method prepared crime rates shot through the roof with the introduction of a silent extremely effective knock out weapon. It took the original another 6 months in her panic to make the ammunition trackable. I don't know how she did it. Master is leaving this to me, he wants to see if I am under the influence of what he calls "Plot Armor" and if I am capable of evolving past my originals limitation of 6 months to make a solution.

I plan to prove myself far beyond the limits of my original. Master has already told me that this world is much more dangerous than the originals so if I don't outgrow her then I'll be left behind by master. I won't allow such a thing to pass. No matter what I need to do I will prove myself worthy of the life he has graced me with. The opening of the door behind me took me from my thoughts and I turned to find Amelia inspecting a custom PCR (AN: Don't know what this is but its sounded cool so) I had ordered to hopefully give me a lead on where to start as quickly as possible. It was funny watching her methodically inspect every instrument. She most likely had been given a crash course in the handling of equipment like this. Really, I feel almost bad for knowing her identity when she put in so much hard work to go undercover.

Hmmm. I've decided I'm going to try and make this week as fun as possible for her. And at the end of the week all show her something that will hopefully start her in the process of recovering from the horrible things done to her in the Red Room. Masking my thoughts behind a smile I walked over towards her and began to show her how my model differed from the common ones she would have been taught with.

Seeing her eyes twitch in annoyance at having to learn even more annoying procedures, I allowed myself to briefly become absorbed in the moment.

This life I've been given is truly a blessing.