Chapter 90

[Third Person's PoV]

Harry sneaked into Norman's office while he was away and approached his desk. He reached into his pockets and retrieved a small audio device.

Harry then rigged Norman's office phone with the audio device, allowing it to pick up the phone's audio and record their conversation. After finishing, he quickly restored everything to its original state before stealthily leaving.

A few hours later, Norman returned with a visibly sour mood. Seeing this, Harry retreated to his room, put on headphones, and pressed record on his device.

After a few minutes of silence, just as Harry was considering ending the recording, he heard the phone ringing.

Norman glanced at the ringing phone, his expression souring further as he anticipated the call's content. He composed himself before answering.

"Hello."

"So, from the news I'm seeing, I gather you don't have the spiders," the caller on the other end remarked, to which Norman remained silent.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Norman," the man expressed disappointment at the lack of response. "I had hoped you would complete the task as requested. You truly are a disappointment, Norman Osborn. You know what this means, don't you, Norman? It means I'll have to cut off the 'funds' I've been providing. It's such a shame; I had the next batch ready, but we can't waste valuable resources on failures."

Norman gritted his teeth, thinking, 'This bastard loves the sound of his own voice,' a sentiment surprisingly shared by Harry.

Norman composed himself. "There's no need to cut off the 'funds.' Despite not obtaining the spiders, we've acquired something better during our operation."

"Oh, really? And what might that be?" the voice inquired.

"The Lizard Serum," Norman revealed. "You're likely aware of the circulating internet video showcasing its abilities—regeneration, enhanced strength. I've secured the serum; federal agents have confiscated Connors' office, but fortunately, I obtained the serum in time.

"Not to mention, based on its regenerative functions, there's a high possibility of it possessing a long life. I dare say this is definitely better than what any other spiders could provide."

"Hmmm," the man on the phone made a pondering noise. "Well, would you look at that, Norman? You aren't completely useless. But you still failed to do as we asked. Here's what we'll do: you send over the serum, and I'll send over the batch. However, you won't be receiving any extras. Since you failed to follow instructions, this won't count as a contribution. It's merely to show that you still have your uses."

"As for the spiders... leave them be for a bit. If they're attacked again so soon, they'll become suspicious that someone is after them. Let's give them a false sense of security."

"Understood."

"Well, this sure was a productive chat, Norman, but I'm afraid we'll have to cut it short. I have things to do. Now, don't forget to send the serum, okay? Hail Hydra."

"...Hail Hydra," Norman responded before the line disconnected.

Harry stopped recording, removed his headphones, and lay in bed with his arms spread open, staring at the ceiling.

*Cough* *Cough*

"I better call Pete." Harry reached for his phone and dialed Peter's number.

After a few seconds, Harry heard the sound of occasional sizzling.

"Yurrrr," Peter answered. "What's up?"

"What are you doing? Are you busy?" Harry asked.

"I always have time for my Harry boo boo bear. What's up?"

"You're so weird, I swear," Harry sighed.

"What? I can't be gay for the homies? Anyway, we just got back from visiting MJ, and I'm in my batcave building something. What's going on?"

"I'll meet you there in a few minutes," Harry informed Peter before hanging up.

Peter took off his goggles and placed them on his head, looking towards his phone in confusion. "That was weird. Well, he did say he had something to tell us yesterday. I'm sure he wants Gwen here as well. Aria, call Gwen for me, please."

After a few seconds, Gwen answered, with the sound of a man groaning in pain in the background.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Harry called; seemed important. Might be related to the Rhino thing," Peter informed her.

"I'll be right there. Let me just finish taking this bastard down."

"Damn, what did he do?" Peter asked with a raised brow.

"Stole this nice granny's purse on a motorbike," Gwen said before hanging up the call.

Peter shook his head and put away the soldering iron. "Might as well test it while I still can."

Peter picked up a metal headband and put it on before looking at the tiny mechanical spider. The spider started walking towards Peter as he held out his hand towards it, making him smirk at his accomplishments.

Peter then made the spider start jumping in place before making it jump side to side rapidly, as fast as his own thoughts would allow him.

"Hey Aria, if I give you control of these spiders or make you a similar body, how many do you think you can make with all the current materials we have?"

"Calculating... approximately 1,896," Aria answered seriously.

Peter nodded. "Alright, I'll give you full control of these spiders. I want you to use them for constructing more. Constructing different objects shouldn't be an issue now; you'll be like the central core of their hive mind. Tell how long do you think it will take to finish build them all"

"Calculating… if taking the created ones into account and considering mutual increases in productivity, I can estimate it will take 10 to 20 days," Aria replied.

Peter nodded at the estimate as he removed the headband, causing the spider on the table to power down. After making a few more plans, Gwen appeared, kissed Peter on the cheeks, and went to change.

Harry then arrived as Gwen walked out and sat on Peter's lap. "So what's wrong?" Peter asked, looking at Harry.

Harry didn't say anything but made a writing motion. Peter and Gwen exchanged looks before handing him a piece of paper and a pen.

He then wrote, "Do you have anything to check if I'm bugged?"

Peter and Gwen looked more confused but concerned. Peter positioned Harry where Aria would typically scan him when they were designing their suits. A blue graph flowed through and across Harry for a few seconds.

"So, Aria, anything?" Gwen asked.

"No, he is clear," Aria responded.

Harry sighed in relief. Before Peter or Gwen could ask him any questions, Harry immediately blurted out what he discovered, as he had been holding it in for a while.

"My dad is part of Hydra, the organization—I don't know if it's the terrorist group from long ago or a new one that's just popped up. He's the one who sent Rhino after you and tried to capture you guys to hand you over to them. It looks like they want to capture you for experiments, or so I believe, since they want you guys alive, so I doubt it's for a good reason. The guy my dad was on the phone with kept mentioning 'funds,' but he was putting emphasis on the word. Luckily, I decided to rig his office phone so I could eavesdrop. I brought it with me so you could listen to it if you guys didn't believe me or anything. I just don't know what I'm going to do—my dad is a terrorist. I'm freaking myself out now that I'm saying it out loud. *Cough* *Cough*"

"Harry, take deep breaths and slow down…" Peter said with concern before adopting a serious expression.

"Now then, repeat what the fuck you just said," Peter said in shock, while Gwen had her mouth agape.

Harry took a deep breath to calm himself down, "My dad is a part of Hydra"

Peter nodded his head, "Yeah that's what I thought I heard, now then"

"WHAAAAAAT!!" Both Peter and Gwen exclaimed in disbelief.