20: Injecting Genetic Medicine
"What...?" The students gathered around witnessed the unfolding scene.
The timid girl screamed out, her fear palpable. But just as the impending slap was about to land, Andrew stepped in front of Gwen, firmly grasping the wrist of the aggressor.
When dealing with such individuals, Andrew preferred to cut straight to the chase. He applied pressure to the gangster's wrist, eliciting a painful yelp from him. "Ah..."
"Gwen, are you okay?" Andrew inquired.
Gwen, who had initially claimed she could handle the situation herself, couldn't hide her relief. She managed a smile and said, "I'm fine, but I'm glad you came to help."
"I'm relieved," Andrew responded, a small grin on his face. Despite Gwen's self-assured demeanor, she clearly appreciated being protected by him.
Turning to Gwen, Andrew suggested, "You know what? Next time, I'll give you a chance to take down the bad guys, but for now, let me handle this."
Gwen nodded happily, "Sounds good!"
Peter, who had been observing from the sidelines, watched Andrew's intervention with mixed emotions. He, too, wished he could protect Gwen like this but hesitated to take action.
Andrew, oblivious to Peter's inner turmoil, picked up the basketball from Gwen's hand with his free one. He effortlessly retrieved the ball. "There, you can get it yourself."
With a powerful throw, the basketball soared into the schoolyard woods. The sudden motion also caused the gangster to release his grip on his wrist.
"Now, please leave," Andrew said, his imposing presence making it clear they should back off. The three troublemakers hastily retrieved the basketball, no longer daring to continue their aggression.
"Come on, it's almost time for class," Andrew reminded them.
Peter, looking at his watch, remembered he had to rush to the laboratory where Dr. Connors was waiting. "I'm sorry, I have to get to the lab immediately. The doctor needs me for an important experiment."
"Gwen, Andrew, I'll catch you later."
"Go ahead, Peter. We're headed to class, too."
As Peter hurried away, Andrew couldn't help but wonder why Peter hadn't yet manifested his Spider abilities. However, he assumed Peter would keep such powers hidden, as was characteristic of him.
Unbeknownst to Andrew, the young woman walking beside him, Gwen, was the one who had recently acquired spider-like abilities.
"Just wanted to say thanks, Andrew," Gwen said with a grateful smile.
Andrew replied, "No need to thank me. You said you could handle it, and I believed you."
Gwen smiled, sharing a secret between the two of them. Other than Andrew, no one knew about her martial arts skills.
As they strolled towards the classroom, they chatted and laughed, both momentarily forgetting the unusual changes that had occurred within Gwen in the past day.
After school, as Andrew and Gwen continued their classes, inside Dr. Connors' laboratory, Peter had donned his white lab coat.
In front of him lay three tubes of genetic reagents and a small white rabbit that had recently undergone amputation surgery.
"Peter, provide a status update on the rabbit's health," Dr. Connors requested.
"Blood analysis indicates no issues," Peter reported. "The cross-section of the amputated area is complete, with no signs of infection, meeting the trial's requirements."
"Good, Peter. Let's begin," Dr. Connors said, confidence in his voice.
"Understood, Doctor," Peter replied, putting on gloves and carefully injecting one of the reagent tubes into the rabbit.
Dr. Connors nodded, and the two anxiously waited for the results.
Ten minutes seemed like an eternity. The success of this experiment was pivotal, and their hearts raced in anticipation.
Eight minutes passed, then five, and finally, just one minute remained.
As the final second ticked away, the amputated rabbit in the cage suddenly twitched. Its severed limb shook rapidly, and a surge of regeneration seemed to flow from the injured area.
In no time, the rabbit's new forelimbs were fully grown, identical to the original, and the rabbit appeared lively and healthy.
"Peter, let's proceed!" Dr. Connors exclaimed.
"Understood, Doctor!" Peter replied. He conducted a blood test to analyze the rabbit's health. The results were perfect, with virtually no side effects.
"Success! We did it, Doctor!" Peter exclaimed with elation.
Dr. Connors wiped away tears of joy and removed his glasses. Their in vivo reptile gene regeneration experiment had succeeded. This meant he was closer to regaining his lost hand.
Dr. Connors, however, understood that human trials still lay ahead, and time was running out. He scratched at his empty sleeve, his determination unwavering.
Blissfully unaware of this, Peter was swept up in the moment. "Peter, let's secure the remaining two reagent tubes. We've worked tirelessly, and we need a good rest. We'll clean up the lab and return tomorrow for a final test summary."
"Of course, Dr. Connors!"
Outside the school gates, after ensuring Peter was out of sight, Dr. Connors recorded a message.
"Peter, I apologize for deceiving you. Osborn Industries and the school demanded that we produce a genetic medicine suitable for humans within a week. It's clear we're still short on human trials."
"But now it's too late. You'll only see this recording if the experiment fails."
Dr. Connors pointed at the camera as if explaining his final thoughts, holding the reagent he had just stashed away. He injected it into himself without hesitation.
To be continued...