Double Play

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***

- Why all these precautions, Firs? - I asked the doctor sitting down in the chair that had been brought into his cell.

- It's just time, Peter," he ran his palm through his hair.

- Time?

- I need your help," the man nodded.

- What kind of help? - I asked interestedly.

- Information. To be more precise, information about some Shield agents," Gustav said.

- Stop beating around the bush, Dr Firs.

- Oh, that's funny, Russian proverbs," a slight smile appeared on the cold face. - I knew that Mary's ancestors were Jews who immigrated from the Russian Empire, but that you're so interested in your roots is new to me.

- Why are you asking me for information when you have a mole in Shields? - I'm getting the conversation back on track.

- My source is no longer supplying the information I need, and I need to be ready for the moment when things change," Fierce stood up and straightened with a majestic article.

- What makes you think I can get the information you need?

- Oh, of course you can," Gustav turned away, "access the servers, hack into them with the right equipment, standard exam for a level seven agent.

- Just to remind you, I'm not a Shield agent.

- But they're interested in you," Firs turned to me again, "which means you've got all the makings.

- Okay, let's say," I spread my hands apart, "why should I help you?

- Because now, I'll give you what you need.

- Can you tell me what happened that day? - I assume in disbelief.

- 'And even more,' Fierce walked over to the glass and placed his hand on it, 'you will be incentivised and you will comply with my requests.

"Bearer, he's up to something," the Clintarian warned me.

"I know, Raj, but this is the first time I've been this close to the truth and thanks to you, I'll be able to find out if he's lying or not

- Tell me.

Fierce sighed.

- Mary and Richard were the best in the business, excellent agents, natural born agents even, but as scientists they stood out just as much and those talents allowed them to act quite independently, especially at the time. Even Fury didn't know everything they did. Then the Parkers hunted me down for three years. Can you imagine? Three years travelling around Europe: England, Romania, Germany, France, the Netherlands and finally we met in Spain, Catalonia to be exact, - during the story Gustav's eyes shone sincerely, - it was so simple then: me, a distant evil, my friends hunting for a traitor to the forces of good, - Firs sucked in air with his nose loudly, - glorious days.

The scientist was silent for a while.

- Dr Fierce?

- Catalonia was the end of it. Mary and Richard called in a group of trusted agents, they interrupted my mercenaries and delivered me to the safe house. At the time, Shield couldn't afford to buy up property left and right, so Richard and Mary stayed with good friends, and there was a small child in the flat," Firs said thoughtfully, "I didn't realise at the time how important that little girl was. Anyway, I'm getting off the subject," said Firs, turning his head to me and smiling. - The next day we left for the States on the same private jet. Even after my apparent betrayal, the Parkers had not given up hope, asking me to agree to all the deals they could to commute their death sentence to life imprisonment. Loyal friends to the end," Fierce's smile faded, "they didn't expect what happened afterwards, and neither did I.

I step closer to the cell.

- What happened?

The man looked me in the eye.

- I don't know if someone ratted them out or if that was the plan from the beginning, but the fact is that at some point half of our escort team attacked the rest of the Shield agents, they almost instantly killed all of their former colleagues who were relaxed and didn't expect a blow. The Parkers fought back for a while, even nailing a few, but the numerical advantage was on the side of the attackers. Mary and Richard were dead.

My throat's drying up.

- Who was that?

- HYDRA," Firs answers confidently, "the attackers were double agents of HYDRA, most likely they were sent for me," Gustav turns away, "it's funny, I spent three years looking all over Europe for even a hint, but at the last moment they came to me. Ironic.

'He's not lying, Bearer,' the symbiote muttered centredly.

- So HYDRA?

- 'Correct,' the scientist nodded.

- Then thank you, but I don't see the point in talking any more, I've learnt everything I need to know," I turned to leave the prison level.

- Have you forgotten that I promised you an incentive? - Firs said with a slight chuckle.

- And what, doctor, revenge is that? You expect me to believe that," I turn around and walk towards the cell, "according to this story, after you escaped from the plane and probably staged the crash, you got what you wanted and found HYDRA, working for them for sixteen years and doing who knows what else, right?

- Most of the time I did do whatever the organisation required," the man nods, "and yes, I plan to continue.

- Then what makes you think I won't just walk out the door right now?

- For incentive, of course," the doctor's face broke into that cold smile, "you see, when you fake your own death, it's logical to kill anyone who might recognise you, like the people you visited last night. The Spanish friends of the Parkers were to be punished, they planned to do the same to the child, but, - Gustav stepped back into the depths of the cell, - the revealed facts made me change my plans. You have no idea how compliant people become after torture, especially civilians.

- What's this all about? - I clench my fists.

It's times like this that I remember that Firs is not a kind uncle, an old friend of my parents, but a traitor and a defector, a violent psychopath. My enemy.

- That family was Latino, and the girl is pure European, their words only confirmed the facts, - the man turned to me, - congratulations, Peter, sixteen years ago you became a big brother.

Spider Sense prickled in my head.

A girl with brown eyes and brown hair.

"Raj?"

"He doesn't lie, Bearer," the alien muttered shocked.

- What makes you think I would believe that?

- Oh, of course you might not believe," the doctor paced the cell cheerfully, "in case I'm lying. But you realise that your parents were professionals, but at the same time they were lively people, romantic natures. Perhaps the beauties of Europe had too strong an effect on them, which led to the birth of a baby girl.

- Where is she?! - I approach the camera and bang on the glass.

- In France," Firs replies calmly. - Of course, I won't give you her real name or the name of her foster family. Of course, you can fly to the country and knock on every door," Gustav turns away and puts his hands behind his back, "the Seine is beautiful at this time of year, and the Champs Elysees are worth seeing.

- What do you want?

- I'll give you a list of names, you go through the files, and if my conclusions are confirmed, the mission will be accomplished. Oh," Fierce raised his hand, "of course our dear Director must not know about this small favour being done for me.

- And why don't I tell Nick the truth and ask for his help in finding my sister, leaving you with your nose to the grindstone?

For the first time in the entire conversation, Firs stopped smiling and his face turned into a cold mask.

- Because then, my boy, I will not hesitate to order my men to eliminate your sister. I've held that figure for sixteen years, are you willing to risk me not sacrificing her if I have to?

"He's not bluffing, Bearer," the symbiote muttered gravely. - "The old man truly believes in his story and his actions."

"Then there is no risk.

- I'll need to provide something to Shield," I press my lips together, "they won't believe me if I say we were just discussing the weather.

The scientist grins.

- That's right, Peter," Gustav said thoughtfully. - I think the secret CII experiment will be enough?

I await the continuation carefully.

- I'm sure Fury knows about the secret operation the beekeepers are preparing for. By my calculations, we're about a fortnight away from X-day.

- What is the nature of the project? - I'll get to the bottom of it.

- A hundred of the Centre for Innovative Ideas' top unicums have scanned their brains. They plan to combine the resulting data to create a powerful supercomputer that they believe will also be intelligent. Admittedly, quite an ambitious idea.

- And extremely dangerous.

- That's what the Shield is dealing with," Gustav turned round with a smile, "will that be enough?

- Yes.

- Something else.

- Names," I exhaled tiredly, "just names.

- John Garrett, Victoria Hand and Brock Rumlow. Start with them for now, Peter.

I nod and head for the exit.

- See you later, my boy.

A guard of honour awaits me outside the door, escorting me to the Headmaster's office.

"We're up to a dangerous game, Bearer," the symbiote murmurs thoughtfully.

"I agree, Raj, and I fear the consequences may be unpredictable this time."

"Are you really willing to take that risk?"

"She is. My sister is the brown-eyed girl from the vision."

"As to whether you're sure, I won't even ask," the Clintarian sighed. - "Funny, clones, long lost sisters, your family has been expanding lately, what's next, son from the distant future?"

"Never say die, Raj, never say die," I would smile, but something doesn't feel right.

I'm being taken on the carpet to the principal's office.

- Thank you, gentlemen, you are dismissed," Fury says, looking out the panoramic window of his office.

The soldiers exit.

- So, what have you learnt?

- In a fortnight' time, CII's top scientists will conduct an experiment beyond insanity. Firs told me that the beekeepers' top hundred minds have scanned their brains and plan to create an intelligent supercomputer. I'm sure such technology would be a terribly dangerous toy in their hands.

- Yes, I agree, - Nick nodded, - I was informed about something like that, but the details were not known.

- Gustav is willing to share them all.

The Shield Director turned round.

- 'But that's not all you discussed, is it?

I put my hands behind my back.

- 'No, not everything,' I look into Fury's eye, 'Fierce told me what happened that day. How the plane went down.

- He did? - the spy asked incredulously, moving closer.

- Yes. That day, the double agents, the mercenaries Fierce hired, boarded the plane with the Shield escort, and during the flight they attacked and killed all the agents and my parents," I clasped my hands behind my back, "the crash was a setup, Nick, and that bastard survived.

- I'm sorry, kid," Fury put his hand on my shoulder, "thanks for doing your duty Peter.

- Hey, I'm a superspy, how could I not be? - I try to give him a simple smirk.

- Right," Nick chuckled, "it worked.

- Do you have any other assignments for me?

- No, you're free for the day. Get some rest, mate.

- Thanks, Nick.

I leave the office and, supervised by security, I'm escorted to an air taxi.

"Bearer, even though I don't like your one-eyed superiors, the game you're playing could end very badly."

"Yes, Raj, I understand. On the other hand, I'm not exactly lying to Fury, just withholding the truth in order to protect a civilian who is coincidentally the last thread that ties me to my parents."

"Good intentions."

"Yeah, yeah, don't start about Hell. Really, it's not like I'm seriously going to go over to Fierce's side."

Shield's gunship lands on one of the rooftops in the centre.

- Thanks, lads, although you could have got a lift closer to the Baxter Building.

- We're not a taxi," the pilot said as he closed the door.

The fighter transport flew away.

"So what now, Carrier, home to dig through the Shield files?"

"I wish I could, but I'm not done for the day."

I change into my suit and fly towards the FF base.

"Peter, you're not going to release the clones from stasis right now, are you?"

"That's exactly what I'm going to do."

"You're a very resilient man, but isn't that a lot of responsibility to put on your shoulders on such short notice?"

"If you're asking me these questions, brother, then you still haven't redeemed who Peter Parker is and who Spider-Man is. Dealing with life's ever-present difficulties is my profession."

"Especially when they can be avoided," the Clintarian muttered.

"That's my way.

Flying to the Baxter Building and going inside.

Going down to my lab.

- Honey, I'm home," I open the door.

- Koo," Delia raises her hand, reading a magazine.

- I see you didn't waste any time," I glance at the can of energy drink, "is that from my fridge?

- Guilty as charged.

- All right, well, I forgive your sinful soul.

- Oh thank you, my lord, your slave is not worthy of such an honour," the shaten woman tilted her head mockingly.

- Not worthy, but I am a noble god," I elaborate. - Okay, now to the point.

Delia nodded and stood up.

Walking over to the flasks, my sister stands over my shoulder.

- Who do you think we should start with?

Good question. On the one hand, we know what to expect from Cain-aggression, but I don't know how Ben might react, but I think Delia's presence will soften the circumstances in both cases.

- Get the blankets ready, we're starting.

The girl nodded and stepped away, and I began to enter console commands into the machines.

- Okay, here we go.

Opening Ben's cell. The solution drains out, I take off the oxygen mask and, after a few minutes, the clone's eyelashes begin to flutter and he opens his eyes.

- Good morning," I greet my brother in a calm tone.

- What? Where am I?" the boy looks around in bewilderment. - What's going on?

- I'm actually anticipating your questions, you.....

Suddenly, my head explodes again with the ringing of Spider Sense. Much stronger than last time with Delia.

Ben himself can't stand it and starts screaming.

- What's wrong?! - panicked sister.

- It's okay," I raise my hand, "it's just my gut, like the last time.

- It doesn't look like that," the girl bit her lip.

- You're right, it's much stronger now.

Reilly came to his senses and tried to climb out of the cloning machine.

- Here, put this on," a blushing Delia whispered, handing the clone a blanket.

- А? Thank you," Ben wrapped himself in the cloth like a toga. - But it still hasn't been explained to me," the clone turned his attentive brown eyes to me and asked with a frown, "what's going on? And why do you look like me?

- I'm going to have to disappoint you, mate, or delight you, depending on which way you look at it. You're a clone created by Miles Warren from my DNA, a genetic copy of Peter Parker, Spider-Man.

- What?" Ben said in shock, "you're lying! That's impossible!

- Listen to your gut, you know it's true.

For a while the guy just remained silent and thought. My twin's face was getting darker by the minute.

Reilly looked terribly lost.

I couldn't bear it and moved closer, putting a hand on his shoulder.

- I know this kind of news is terribly disconcerting. You're scared, confused, your head's a mess, but let someone who knows exactly where you are talk to you," I turn to the brown-haired girl, "Delia?

Parker nods and steps closer to us.

- I'm also a clone created by the Jackal. Peter only found us because I woke up in the lab and somehow inexplicably let him know where we were.

- I suspect that the Sense sensed a kindred mind and pointed the way," I explained. - Most likely, the same thing just happened between us.

- That pain in your head?

I nod.

- Please continue, Delia. Sorry to interrupt.

- Basically, that's all I wanted to say," the girl put a hand on the clone's shoulder, "You don't need to be afraid, Ben.

- Ben? - the brother said in surprise.

- You know, I couldn't have you or the other guy responding to Peter," I shrugged, "I had to improvise.

- The other guy?

- Turn around.

The confused bloke does as he's advised and goes into shock again.

Next to the machine in which Reilly woke up, there is the same mechanism, and another clone floating inside.

- So it's true," Ben whispers shocked, touching the glass.

- I'm sorry," Delia says sympathetically.

- What happened to Professor Warren? - The brown-haired man asks, his eyes full of anger.

- Why do you care? - I'm trying to discover the clone's true motives.

- I need to know where the bastard is," the boy clenches his fists tightly, "to look into his eyes.

- I'm sorry mate, I'm afraid that's impossible," I sigh slightly, "but I swear he'll never appear in our lives again.

- How can you be sure of that?

Funny enough, Delia turns her head questioningly to me as well. That's right, she's not aware of it either, she was too busy digesting her situation and chatting with May.

- Because I killed him.

- What?" Del cries out in shock.

Ben's eyes show the same emotion.

- I found his lab, flasks of clones...I mean with you, he mocked, threatened, and I did what I had to do.

Distracted by my own story, I automatically walk over to the equipment where I left the katana.

I look at the results of the spectral analysis while the genetic copies digest the news.

It's an unknown alloy, but judging by the strength and striking power, it's the one.

- Adamantium after all," I pronounce, raising the sword above my head.

- Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait," Ben finally comes to his senses, coming at me sharply and grabbing me by the shoulders, "what do you mean, killed?!

Wow, he's really out of it; if I hadn't reacted, Mr Virtue would have been impaled.

- That's what it means," I move my katana hand further away, "took a life, sent him to the afterlife, executed him, what's not to understand? Or should I repeat it to you in Spanish?

- N-no," Reilly pulled his hands away, "I just can't believe you did that, it's...

- Wrong? I'm sure all your feelings, your memories, what Uncle Ben and Aunt May taught you, tell you inside that what I did was wrong, maybe even inhumane, but it was the right thing to do.

- What's right about killing?! - Explodes the clone, grabbing my arm.

- I committed it to protect those closest to me," I wrench my hand away, "you and myself. You're right, it was a completely selfish decision. My decision.

I sigh.

- To be honest, I'm tired of running away from difficult decisions. On matters of morality, of heroism. Enough. I've killed a man, but I haven't turned into a psychotic maniac. Because I realise there are petty thugs who can reform themselves, like Kostolom, ambitious people with complex destinies and their own view of the world, like Doc Ock. And then there are those like the Jackal, scumbags with no redeeming qualities. I took this life, and that's a decision that must be faced. But I did what I thought was right. And that's enough of that.

Delia and Ben looked at each other. They still hadn't said anything against me.

- Are you more or less recovered? - I asked the clone.

- My head's still foggy," Reilly put his palm to his forehead, "my thoughts are swirling, but overall I'm fine.

- You're not plotting anything against me? - A straightforward question with no subterfuge or subterfuge.

- What? Of course not! I may be a clone, but I'm not an idiot. All my senses tell me you're not lying. Besides, you've explained the situation well and I realise that the next steps in our situation won't be any easier. We need to stick together.

"Good for you. Smart," Raj tsked approvingly.

"Yeah. You can work with that.

- Good," I nod. - Time to release our third brother.

The clones only bow their heads in agreement.

I enter the console commands into the machine

- And be prepared," the solution drains out, "something tells me it's not going to be that easy with this guy.

Once the flow of sedatives stops, then, within minutes, Cain abruptly opens his eyes. Instead of taking a long time to regain consciousness and try to clear his head, the guy starts ripping off his mask and jumps out of the machine.

"Sharp," the symbiote comments.

- 'Take it easy, mate,' Ben tried to turn on good old Peter Parker, 'no one's going to hurt you,' Reilly tried to put his hand on the clone's shoulder. Mistake.

Cain immediately grabbed Ben and threw him to the side.

- Stop it!" Delia tried to shoot the web-shooter guy, but he dodged.

It's time to end this mess.

I approach the clone sharply and put a katana to his throat.

- Calm down. Breathe evenly and regain control of your emotions. If you continue to rage, my hand will not waver, do you understand? - I'm pressing the blade lightly against his neck.

Maybe there was something in my voice that said I wasn't kidding, or maybe he understood, but he nodded carefully.

- I understood.

As soon as he looked up at me, the Sense synchronisation kicked in again. Not as strong as with Ben, but not as weak as with Delia. I wonder what the frequency of the signal fluctuations depends on.

By the third time, the ringing hadn't knocked me out, but Cain clutched his head, not screaming but growling muffled.

- Are you all right, Ben? - I asked my clone, the first one to get in the way.

- I'm fine," Reilly gave me a thumbs-up.

He's funny.

- Delia?

- He didn't have time to attack me.

- I know, I'm just checking.

- What's going on? - The clone that woke up has matured. - Who are you?

- Eh, I should have let you out at the same time, to tell you again, - I rub my shoulders tiredly, - it's good that there are only three of you.

- Yes, how hard it is for you, poor original.

- You came round quick, Reilly.

- Reilly?

- Let's introduce you to Aunt May's side of the family.

- And them?

- They'll be the Parkers.

- And I'm the Reillys?

- Something wrong with our aunt's maiden name?

- No, it's fine.

- How about I take my mum's maiden name? Delia Fitzpatrick. That sounds good.

- I'm sorry, sis, I've already done the paperwork on Delia Parker.

- So change it.

- Oh, great, why don't you just do it yourself?

- Will somebody please tell me what's going on?! - Cain couldn't take it anymore.

- Yes, I'm sorry, - I go to the table and take a mirror, - I think a visual demonstration will be more convincing than any words.

I hand the clone the reflective object.

- I'm sorry, brother, but you're a clone created by Professor Miles Warren, aka the bastard Jackal.

Cain runs his hands over his scars incredulously. To be fair, they don't look that terrible, but the presence of such a mesh is still unpleasant.

- A clone," he clenched his teeth and threw the mirror at the wall, shattering it.

- Hey, careful! - Delia's outraged.

- That's it, seven years of failure," Ben jokes awkwardly.

Cain himself comes closer to me.

- Where is he? - The clone asks angrily, but he doesn't show any aggression towards anyone.

- What's the purpose of your enquiry? - standard question. What if the Jackal has encoded some kind of obedience in them or something?

- I want to kill the bastard!

- Then you're too late," Reilly comments, and I can feel the look of disapproval on his face.

- What?

- I killed Warren, you're welcome.

- You killed him?

It's funny, instead of shock and/or surprise, Cain gives me a questioning look.

- You don't think I'm capable?

- The thought slipped out, but judging by your greeting," the brown man rubs his neck and looks at the katana in my hand, "the doubt can be put to rest.

Curious, they're all my clones, but I can feel the difference in their personalities.

An adjustment from the Jackal? Or is there something else going on here? Good thing I copied Miles' research. In fact, the complete diary of the experiment and everything Warren did is now on my Spiderbot's hard drive. I should study the data.

- Now that everyone's more or less back to normal, there's no need to linger here any longer. Delia, hand them the suits.

While the clones are being sorted out, I'm rechecking the cloning machines. We'll need to destroy them.

- Are we going somewhere? - Cain asks, folding his arms across his chest.

Quickly he put on his version of the Scarlet Spider costume.

- Well, it's," I glance at my watch, "seven o'clock. Not as early as I'd hoped, but okay. I think Aunty will be pleased to have guests for dinner.

- Aunt May? - my genetic duplicates are all in one voice.

- I have to introduce my brothers.

- I don't know, Peter," Ben said hesitantly.

- Are you sure this is a good idea? - Cain was confused.

- Don't drift! - Delia tried to defuse the situation and even hit Cain on the shoulder with her fist. - My auntie took me in like family, it will be the same with you.

The boys are still hesitating.

- Okay," I look around at my clones dressed in their spider uniforms, "get ready Spider-Men, we're coming out.