Marvel: The Spider-Grind

Chapter 7: Chapter 6: A Visit to the Osbornes



Peter stood in front of the towering Oscorp building, its sleek glass panels gleaming in the afternoon sun. The structure stretched high into the sky, a testament to Norman Osborn's wealth and ambition.

31 floors, Peter thought, staring up at the massive building. Each level with its own purpose. Offices, labs, residences... and secrets buried even deeper.

He entered the lobby, greeted by marble floors and polished metal accents. Security was tight, but Harry had already arranged for his access. Peter made his way to the elevator and pressed the button for the 25th floor, where Harry's quarters were located.

As the elevator ascended, Peter's mind raced. He had done his research on Oscorp during his late-night study binge. The first ten floors were dedicated to business operations and conference rooms. The next ten were labs and prototype development areas. Floors 21 through 30 housed the Osborne family's private residences, with Norman's penthouse dominating the 30th floor. The 31st floor featured a private garden and an exclusive penthouse. But what truly intrigued Peter were the unspoken basement and sub-basement labs. Those were where the most advanced, and likely dangerous, research took place.

The things that could happen here, Peter thought, his stomach tightening. Norman's experiments, Otto's work, Advanced research... maybe even things no one should be working on.

When the elevator doors opened, Harry was waiting for him, leaning casually against the wall.

"About time you showed up," Harry teased, grinning.

Peter smiled back. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Harry led him down a corridor,"Come on, Dad's having lunch. I'll take you to him."

Peter followed Harry through the luxurious halls, lined with artwork and expensive decor. The Osbornes spared no expense in making their home look impressive.

As they approached the dining hall, Harry glanced at Peter. "Listen, my dad doesn't like being disturbed when he's eating. But for you? He'll make an exception. He's always had a soft spot for you, Pete."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Really? I had no idea."

Harry chuckled, though there was a hint of something else in his tone... Jealousy, perhaps. "Yeah, well, don't let it go to your head."

When they entered the dining hall, Norman Osborn was seated at the head of a long table, elegantly cutting into a steak. He looked up as they approached, and to Harry's surprise, a rare smile crossed his face.

"Peter," Norman said, his voice warm. "It's been a while. You've grown."

"Good to see you too, Mr. Osborn," Peter replied, forcing himself to stay calm. He knew exactly who Norman Osborn was and who he would become. But for now, he had to focus. This was an opportunity to learn and adapt.

Norman gestured for him to sit and Peter joined him at the table while Harry watched the exchange, feeling a pang of jealousy. It wasn't often that his father showed genuine warmth, and seeing it directed at Peter stirred something bitter within him.

After a bit of small talk, Peter steered the conversation towards science.

"I've been reading about the recent papers by you and Dr. Octavius," Peter said casually. "The work you've been doing with Dr. Otto Octavius on sustainable energy is incredible. Using tritium as a fuel source for nuclear fusion,it's groundbreaking. "

Norman paused, impressed. "You've been keeping up, I see. Dr. Octavius believes we're close to a breakthrough, though."

Peter nodded, his mind recalling the details from his study sessions. "It's amazing work. Tritium is such an efficient fuel source, but its rarity and the energy required for stabilization make it tricky. Then there are the challenges with plasma containment and magnetic stabilization. Have you considered adjusting the magnetic field parameters to account for the temperature gradient during fusion ignition?"

Norman leaned back, his eyes narrowing in thought. "That's... an interesting suggestion. I'll have to mention it to Otto. You've been studying, haven't you?"

Peter shrugged. "Just a little. I find it all fascinating."

Norman smiled again, a glint of approval in his eyes. "You'll make a fine scientist someday, Peter. In fact, why don't I show you? We're running a demonstration today on a new experiment with tritium and fusion energy. You might find it interesting."

Harry looked surprised. "Wait, Dad, you're taking him to the demo? I thought that was private."

Norman glanced at his son. "It is. But I think Peter might appreciate it."

Peter's heart skipped a beat. A demonstration? Could it be...?

"I'd love to," Peter said quickly, keeping his excitement in check.

Norman led them to the experiment site, located in one of the restricted labs. Peter's suspicions were confirmed when he saw Dr. Otto Octavius standing near a massive reactor, surrounded by a team of scientists. He was taller than Peter had expected, with a broad frame and an air of restless energy.

He was busily checking data on a tablet, his signature mechanical arms attached to his back. The arms moved with precision, helping him adjust the equipment.

Norman," Otto said, turning to greet them. "You're just in time."

"Otto," Norman greeted back."I'd like you to meet Peter Parker. He's a bright young man with an interest in science."

Otto looked up, his expression curious. "Parker, huh? Nice to meet you."

"Dr.Octavius?!", Peter looked surprised and flustered, for he had appearences to keep. "Nice to meet you too, Dr. Octavius," Peter said, shaking his hand. "I've read about your work. It's incredible."

Otto's eyes lit up. "Always nice to meet someone who appreciates science. What do you think of fusion as a sustainable energy source?"

Peter hesitated. He knew the experiment would eventually go wrong, but he couldn't reveal that. Instead, he focused on subtle suggestions.

"It's groundbreaking," Peter said, choosing his words carefully. "The way you've designed the mechanical arms to handle the fusion reactor is brilliant. But I was wondering, have you accounted for potential AI malfunctions? If the arms' neural interface fails, it could lead to a feedback loop, right?"

Otto blinked, taken aback. "That's... an interesting observation. The AI has safeguards, but it's worth double-checking."

Norman chuckled. "I told you he was sharp."

"And the containment field," Peter added. "I mean no disrespect, Dr. Octavius. It's just something I noticed. Have you accounted for fluctuations during peak energy output? Even a small instability could cause a huge failure."

Norman and Otto exchanged a glance. Peter's observations had struck a chord.

"Let's check it and no offense taken, Peter. In fact, you might be right. We've been so focused on stabilizing the fusion reaction that we might've overlooked the AI safety protocols and containment parameters," Otto said, moving to his console. Norman followed, and Peter stayed back, pretending to examine the reactor.

Peter stood back, watching them work.

This might delay things, but it's worth it. If I can prevent the accident, maybe I can change Otto's fate. Maybe I can stop him from becoming a villain.

After several tense minutes, Otto and Norman confirmed Peter's suspicions. There were indeed flaws in the AI's programming and the containment field parameters.

"This could've been catastrophic," Norman muttered. "Good catch, Peter."

Otto turned to Peter, a look of genuine gratitude on his face. "You've got a sharp mind, Parker. Thanks for speaking up."

Norman clapped Peter on the shoulder. "You've got quite the mind, Peter. I'm glad Harry brought you here today."

Harry forced a smile. But as they prepared for the demonstration, Peter could sense his discomfort.

"You know, Harry is something of a genius himself," Peter said, although he was sure no one could get the reference.

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