39: Cooperation between Peter and Osborn Industries

"Peter, Harry's good friend." 

"The kid who understands my research report."

"What brings you to see me today?"

Inside Norman Osborn's office at Osborn Industries. 

Osborn tapped his leg impatiently, looking at Peter sitting across from him. 

Harry had been in the office originally, but left thinking they would discuss scientific matters beyond him. 

Letting the two talk privately. 

"Mr. Osborn, I want to borrow some Osborn Industries equipment and set up a small lab."

Peter's request made Osborn frown. "At Osborn, only project leads can have personal labs." 

"I don't know why you're asking this. Isn't your school's research environment sufficient?"

In his view, though Peter grasped his academic paper beyond the average person, he was still just a college student. No student could compare to him, except perhaps Tony Stark.

"Look at this first." 

Peter took out a notepad from his pocket, opening to a densely formula-filled page. 

Osborn took it indifferently, initially just glancing casually. But his eyes gradually grew serious. 

Even his posture changed, from arrogantly leg-crossed to sitting upright. 

As an expert in genetics, he grasped what those formulas represented. 

"You wrote this?" Osborn asked, surprised.

"Not all, my mentor originated it, I extrapolated further based on his work." 

"And advanced it." Peter replied.

"Who's your mentor?"

"Dr. Curt Connors!" 

Osborn considered a moment. "The Connors at your school studying regeneration?" 

Peter nodded. 

"Why's he not here today then?" 

"With this stuff, I could absolutely get you guys your own team." Osborn remarked admiringly. 

Only he saw the notebook's immense value. 

Noting Peter's silence, Osborn sensed something must have happened.

"Did something occur with Dr. Connors, is that why you've come alone?"

Osborn now addressed Connors as doctor. 

Peter agonized before confessing everything to Osborn, including the severed funding. 

The patient Osborn listened fully as Peter explained, even about Connors' transformation. 

"Scientific experiments are risky, especially genetic ones."

"As a pioneer in this field, I deeply admire Dr. Connors." 

"Peter, believe me. Had I known your research was so advanced, I never would have pulled funding."

"That board group are fools..." 

Osborn grit his teeth. "Peter, I can provide a lab and any equipment you need." 

"But I have one condition only!"

Peter nodded for Osborn to continue.

"I want access to all data from your next experiments, as it will support my own research." 

Peter didn't hesitate. "Of course, Mr. Osborn." 

They shook hands, allied.

"You're Harry's friend, just call me Uncle." 

Now Osborn no longer looked down on the young man before him.

"I hope your serum succeeds in restoring Dr. Connors. I know we would have much to discuss together."

"I believe so..." 

Yes, with Osborn Industries' backing Peter aimed to develop an anti-gene serum to turn Dr. Connors human again. 

It seemed the only way to save him.

Besides...there was no other option. 

...

Andrew's house.

At the moment, Gwen was alone running on the treadmill, though her expression showed irritation. 

Just before, when Andrew had come on strong... 

She anticipated he would finally kiss her.

But at the last second, he instead mentioned it was dinnertime! 

Then went to the kitchen to cook. 

Her expectations were thoroughly disappointed. 

That jerk.

And Andrew, busy cooking in the kitchen, had a thousand grass mud horses galloping through his heart too.

It had been such a close call!

If not for the frog cub returning when it did...

Andrew opened the game while cooking. 

After clicking through the tips, he saw what souvenir the frog cub brought back this trip.

[T-series robot design blueprint] A keepsake from the "Terminator" world, containing designs for the Terminator T-series robots. 

(Note: Can be used for research, combined with current technology to grasp robotics.)

"This is useful. Does this mean I can build my own robot army someday?" 

Thinking of that prospect excited Andrew.

With these designed and the Red Queen controlling them, the robot forces would be utterly loyal to him. 

No Terminator-style AI revolt.

Andrew collected the souvenir first, then bought supplies for the frog cub's next excursion. 

He was too cash-strapped to upgrade its abilities presently.

In-game, the frog cub sat writing in its diary. 

This made Andrew curious - could it really write? What did its diary contain?

"System, can I enter the game world?"

"Yes host, you may!"

...To be continued.