Chapter 879: Brilliant Stars (24)_1

Since the Superhero Registration Act has not been implemented yet, no one has collected data on all superpowers that superheroes possess. Nearly all information obtained by every faction so far has been estimated through observation.

Based on these observations, Spider-Man appears to possess extraordinary strength, remarkable speed, superior flexibility and agility, the ability to shoot spider silk, and formidable scientific research capabilities.

In terms of personal conduct, Spider-Man is a standard young superhero, aiding all whom he can help, not resorting to excessively violent means to punish criminals, and he certainly does not kill.

This is characteristic of the majority of Spider-Men, but within the Spider-family, there are several exceptions. Shadow Spider-Man, for instance, is one of the extremely rare Spider-Men who kill, and he is left-wing.

Upon receiving the casualty report, General Ross asserted definitively, "Whoever is by Bruce Banner's side is definitely not Spider-Man. That kid absolutely wouldn't — and doesn't dare to — kill."

After saying this, he squinted and noted, "Don't you find it strange? The mutants have been quiet up until now..."

"Three rocket launch failures. There's no way they haven't heard. Their lack of violent resistance like before probably suggests that they've changed their strategy," Ross theorized, stroking his chin.

"The leaders of the mutants are not foolish. Their previous resistances didn't yield much. Maybe the louder and more massive their resistances are, the more they incite antipathy from ordinary people."

"It's very likely that they've changed tactics, working covertly instead of openly. Otherwise, we can't explain why both our initial public relations campaign against the mutants and our operation against Bruce Banner failed."

"Didn't you notice? Superheroes have thwarted all aspects of our plans that have gone awry."

"Our arranged interviews on mutant incidents always get disrupted with all sorts of unexpected superhero-related incidents. Similarly, our plans for the Hulk have met resistance from an individual who acts like Spider-Man but behaves entirely differently."

"I suspect they're using their special mutant powers to disguise themselves as superheroes, interfering with our plans from the shadows."

Ross sighed, "They've made a clever move. Our plan to wage a public relations war against them openly is imperiled. But that's okay, I'm not unprepared... Where's Baron Strucker? Call him. I need to talk to him."

His subordinate appeared uneasy and said, "General, but... That Strucker... What I mean to say is, he's very likely a Hydra, and moreover, he's untrustworthy..."

"Why don't you understand our current situation?!"

Ross's voice was somewhat hoarse. He seemed to have aged considerably in the last few days. "The military is already under tremendous pressure. Anti-mutant organizations are constantly demanding us to take action. Investigations and trials are underway in Washington, with Stark leading The Avengers demanding a thorough investigation. My Red Hulk plan failed. I lost the gamble, so I must find a way to turn the tables!!"

Ross's voice switched to a grating tone toward the end of his remark. He isn't necessarily a mutant hater but hopes for further advancement within the military. After the near-total failure of the Red Door Lan project, he stepped up and proposed the Red Hulk plan to appease anti-mutant enthusiasts.

He knew he was gambling. As long as the plan was successful, he was sure to make further progress. Unfortunately, he lost. The Red Hulk created in the first experiment lacked strength and stability and lost his powers shortly after being overpowered.

As a result, he faced even more pressure and desperately needed a way to turn the tables.

Just a few days ago, a man named Baron Strucker contacted him, claiming that his children were bona fide mutants. They could collaborate with him to create severe mutant loss-of-control incidents to attack mutants in public opinion.

Ross knew the consequences of cooperating with Strucker, who might be Hydra and a NAZI remnant, but he didn't have any other option. If he couldn't turn things around immediately, all his painstaking efforts over the years would be destroyed instantly.

In a situation where one must keep moving forward or risk receding, there're bound to be more gamblers. Ross didn't start off as a radical, but he had gotten to the point where he had no choice but to stick to his path.

In a secret conference room, Ross shook hands with Baron Strucker. He squinted and looked at the blond man and woman behind Strucker.

Noticing Ross's gaze, Strucker chuckled and introduced them, "These are my children. You can call them—the Fenris twins."

"They wield immense powers and can create any accident effect you want. Plus, they are genuine mutants, which won't raise suspicion."

"Are they your biological children?" Ross asked Strucker, "Are you willing to send them straight to Hell?"

"You're underestimating them. When I said 'create accidents,' I didn't mean using them as human bombs. There are plenty of unstable superpower criminals in New York. As long as they can find them, my children can trigger them in any way. At that point, the gruesome scenes that journalists capture will put all mutants in the wrong."

Strucker was very confident. Ross asked, "So what do you want?"

"We'll talk about that once everything is done." Strucker revealed a confident smirk, "I will show you my sincerity, which will pave the way for deeper cooperation between us in the future..."

"Now, let us play a dirge for the mutants."

As the weather grew colder, the night sky became deeper. Under the deep blue curtain of night, where stars were sparse in the moonlight, several figures stood on the edge of a building against the New York City skyline, and a husky voice began to speak:

"Today, a group of people came to Dr. Banner's lab. They were armed with dangerous weapons and narcotics. I've dealt with them all."

Another female voice rose in response: "Someone is spying on Dr. Otto. I found surveillance equipment outside the lab, and I'm tracing the signal."

"The same goes for Doctor Connors." Another voice chimed in, stating, "Lately, unknown people have been lurking outside the lab. Despite his abilities… I am still worried that he could be targeted."

"I guess now we understand the trouble that kid warned us about."

The clouds blocking the moon gradually dispersed, and the moonlight fell on the rooftop, coating the Amazing Spiderman's red uniform in a strange purple hue. He spoke, "This universe has indeed developed better than any other, but it also faces more crises. We have arrived at a turbulent time."

"Someone wants to target the mutants, someone the S.H.I.E.L.D., and someone else intends to exploit the absence of certain people to target these researchers—we have no clue who is planning these attacks or when they might strike," Extraordinary Spiderman added, "All I know is, we absolutely cannot let them succeed."

Spider Gwen looked up at the stars, her tone suddenly softening, "Don't you find that the stars in this universe are exceptionally bright? In my universe, it's rare to see a night sky so radiant and brilliant..."

"That's because here, the stars are within the reach of humanity, no longer a distant dream." The Amazing Spiderman's words faded into the wind, "I'm not sure if there will ever come a day when my universe, like the people here, can explore the stars and touch the sun."

"If not, I hope that there will be a universe, a group of humans, who can realize our dreams."

"In any case, we must stop these evil people. They seek to destroy the future of the human race." Spider Gwen frowned and asserted firmly, "No matter which universe, that's what Spider Man should do."

"It appears, our easy and pleasant holiday trip ends here." The Amazing Spiderman laughed and reached out his hand first, "The Spider Legion should assemble now."

Many Spider Men come forward, placing their hands together, under the dazzling starry sky, they strengthened their resolution to protect the human race's first step forward.

At this moment, another spider silk swings over. Peter lands on the rooftop, looking at all the Spider Men, he exclaims, "What are you all doing here? I've been looking for you. I need your help!"

"What happened?" The Amazing Spiderman asked.

Peter's tone was exceptionally stern and solemn, he said, "I got reliable news from S.H.I.E.L.D. An agent discovered that the military is collaborating with a mysterious person. They plan to instigate a massive mutant accident to completely discredit them in the public view."

Spider Gwen stepped forward, her eyes narrowed, and asked: "Do we know the specifics of the plan?"

"According to the agent's report, there are a pair of brainwashed mutant siblings. They are choosing targets among the most volatile criminals. They plan to trigger a criminal to lose control completely, causing an explosion in a densely populated area, creating a massacre to frame the mutants."

Most of the Spider Men gasped in shock, berating the planners of this scheme as inhumane, but Peter stated, "Now is not the time for sentimentality, we must prevent this terrible plot, otherwise, both common people and mutants will only end up hurt."

"It seems like, you already have a plan?" The Shadow Spider-man asked, twirling his gun in his hand, then said, "Tell us what you plan to do."

"The twins have highly recognizable characteristics. They both have blond hair and look very similar. Their abilities are also similar, so we must split up to search for them."

"After finding them, we must unite to stop their evil actions. At the same time, some of us must evacuate the public to ensure everyone's safety."

As Peter's words trailed off, one shadow after another leaped off the edge of the building and took to the skies using their spider silk.

They echoed the brilliant stars in the sky, covering the entire New York City with an intertwined web of spider silk, forming an omnipresent, inescapable net in the New York sky.

One by one, the lights lit up, the rustling sound resembling that of spiders weaving a web. Suddenly, a strand of spider silk quivered. Instantly, all the Spider Men received the message.

"Target spotted! Abandoned chemical factory in southeast New York. Their target appears to be a gang of mutant criminals…"

"Wait, don't come here yet, there are others here!" The Amazing Spiderman's voice came through. He asked, "What is that? Those cameras… are they some kind of film crew?"

"What does that signboard read 'New York Oddities'?!?"