Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 1

     Peter was having an amazing day. Until he was voluntold by a billionaire to save the world. The sun was blaringly white against the freshly fallen snow, the ice was frozen in the trees, and Peter wasn’t even cold. He looked down at his phone, beaming at the 98% shining back at him. All that RedBull had finally paid off. He could kiss American lit behind and go back to his world of logic and inputs. He opens his message app, sending a text to MJ, “Where r u? BIG news!”. A ping and she fires back, “In Stratton with Ned but huuuurry we have class in 15 I can’t focus in suspense.” Peter looks up at the deserted sidewalks. Everyone is hiding from the cold today, if he aims for high branches he could cut the track across campus in half. He’s been hiding his abilities for 5 years now. A couple quick swings is nothing he can’t handle. He’s pretty sure.

     He stuffs his phone in his coat pocket doing a quick scan for stragglers. Then THWAP! The web fluid propels him into the trees. He relishes the cold air biting his face. It feels crazy that he gets to live here. After all the close calls with May and late nights finishing homework, he’s finally going to his dream school, and no one even knows he’s the guy that rescued all those people from the harbor crash last week. Whoever said you can’t have your cake and eat it too didn’t have mutant spider powers he thinks as he hides from the snack guy on the corner. He touches down a block from the student center and nearly breaks an ankle slipping on the slushy ice. He stumbles out of the cover of trees onto a cross walk. A pain shoots up his spine and he dashes out of the way of a black SUV blaring their horn at him. “Omg chill dude”, he waves behind him walking up the front steps of the student building. He bounds through the doors honing his ears for a sound of his friends. It might seem crazy, but he swears he can recognize Ned and MJ’s heartbeats out of the throng of people queuing up to pay for food. He feels a sharp zing up the side of his neck and turns as Ned tries to tackle him from behind. He swiftly ducks away from the intended knuckle sandwich and grasps Ned around the shoulders rubbing his own fist in his friend’s thick hair. “Auggghhh, Come on!” Ned swats Peter away as MJ shakes her head at them ruefully. “Give it up, no one has caught Peter off guard since 10^th grade.” It’s true thinks Peter happily, not one person has invaded his personal space since the bite. “So, she says turning to Peter, “What’s the big deal? You practically teleported here. She looks down at her phone, eyebrows raised. I texted you 3 minutes ago.” Oops. Peter rubs at his neck feeling his face heat. Ugg stupid face be cool he thinks and says with a shrug, “uuh, yah I like running when it’s cold out sooo energizing.” Ned makes a face. “Well then, you must be hungry, let’s eat and yap, I can’t be late for Hodges again.” “Oh, yah of course.” Peter joins them in the queue picking out a burrito.

     “So” he says, “Guess who never has to read a book against his will ever again?” MJ claps her hands over her mouth dropping her water bottle. “No Wayy you actually passed?” She throws her arms around Peter’s neck squealing in glee. Peter’s stomach flips as he grabs her waist to keep them from falling into the food display. “That’s amazing Pete, now I can actually go to bed at a decent hour, I’m so proud!” Peter lets go of her, rolling his eyes towards Ned. “She acts like I didn’t know how to read in the first place.” Ned shrugs, “You’ve failed the class twice dude, even I have tears in my eyes.” reaching out to Peter for their handshake. “Can we please book the robotics lab now? He says exasperated, I finally fixed my code, and I need to run some tests with you before MJ takes you back to professor Jones’ locker”. “He’s all yours” says MJ laughing, “It’s been ages since me and Leslie went out, she might leave me for her yoga instructor if I don’t give her some attention.” Peter’s spirits deflate slightly at the mention of MJ’s annoyingly cool girlfriend. Out of all his best friend’s various significant others, Leslie takes the cake. She’s in their year studying physics to design high-tech aerodynamic sports equipment. What the heck. Peter has absolutely no chance against that and an Olympic silver medal for skateboarding. “Well, he says, paying for his food, “I gotta head back to the dorms and get ready for Calc.” “Ned”, he says saluting the other boy “Hit me up for the lab hours.” They wave bye as he backs out of a side exit. He’s making his way across the street when phone starts to ring. He cradles it against his shoulder and takes a bite of food. “Hey, Karen what’s up.” “Hello, Peter” says his assistant in her trademark cheerful tone. “You are being followed.”

Chapter Text

     Peter splutters choking on his food. “What!?” Karen is ever unconcerned. “You told me to alert you of any nearby hostilities.” Peter scampers to a nearby bush crouching down to peak his head over the top. He pinches the bridge of his nose, making a mental note to rethink his decision to program the suit lady to call his phone. “Karen, why would the bad guys follow me to school?” His mind flits through the events of the past week. The police broadcast, leaving MJ in the library, racing to the docs. There’s no way anyone from the scene got away. Peter had stopped the gang before they could drill into those freight containers. It was fine right? He had turned all five in. He was keeping their alien magic blaster under his bed. There should be no issues. He rolls his eyes; guess he can forget about Calculus.

     From behind the bushes, he connects his phone to his Air pods. “Karen, run an identity scan.” He says, continuing across the quad with hands in his pockets and the hood of his jacket pulled up. “It’s a man, facial biometrics cannot be traced right now” Karen says. Great, thinks Peter in what world would I be lucky enough to get followed by a cute girl. “Karen, come on. What’s wrong with the biometrics?” A pause. “The assailant is protected by a superior software.” Peter speeds up his pace. He can get in the suit and find this guy himself. “Fine, stall him so I can get upstairs.” He looks over his shoulder and swipes his room key, pushing past a group of guys carrying a bunch of lamps. “I turned all the stoplights red Peter. ETA 3 minutes.” Getting up to his room, he goes to open the door it doesn’t budge. He lines his shoulder up, throwing himself into it. “I hate”, BANG, “this stupid”, BANG, “door!” He flies through the doorway, tripping over a box of computer scraps and hits his chin on the post at the end of his bed. The burn stings his eyes. He shoots back up retrieving his wayward earbud from under the bed. He puts Karen on speaker tossing his phone on the bed and spinning towards his closet. “Ow, ok Karen where is he now?” he says, doing acrobatics to get into his suit. “Incoming call from ‘bestie Ned’.” Before Peter can protest, he hears the call go through. Ned’s voice fills Peter’s nonplused mind, “Hey Peter, I think your Uber’s here. There’s some guy outside asking for you, he’s HUGE!”

Chapter Text

     Peter was no longer having an amazing day. He paused his movements, his fingers scratching down his chin, halfway to pulling the mask down over his face. With one shoe on he lunges for the phone. “Ned, yah hey you can tell him I’ll be right there.” He puts a hand to the back of his head, wondering. Why the heck is there a guy asking to drive him somewhere? How do they know where he lives!? Then he remembers Ned. How did this guy know Ned? “Ned, uh you don’t have to wait for me, you should really get to class, can’t be late!” “Ok, mom.” Ned, says, “But I booked the lab for Friday after class. Should be a cool session, I think I’ve figured out how to configure laser eyes and-” Peter cuts him off. “Yah, totally Friday ok see you then! Listen, I uh have that place to go so let’s talk later?” There’s a beat, and a sigh that leaves a pang. “K, see ya man.” Then he hangs up.

     Peter groans pulling off his mask, shoving it and some extra web shooters in his backpack. He did not sign up for all this stress. Peter is a terrible liar, it’s a miracle no one suspects anything. He can make it up to Ned for sure, he thinks. He puts his other shoe on, checking in the mirror to see that all visible traces of the suit are hidden behind his shirt. He takes a breath hands ready on his shooters for the first sign of danger. Outside on the street stands a burly man in sunglasses. His arms are crossed as Peter approaches the black SUV he guards. Peter takes a step back pointing at the man. “You, almost killed me, you know that?” The man stepped forward, taking off his glasses to look down at Peter. “Mr. Parker, I have been sent to collect you, before we continue do you agree to comply to secrecy.” Agree to comply he thinks, what am I a dog? His heart starts to race violently. He thinks back to the guys he fought on the dock. They didn’t say anything about a boss, just a bunch of talk about getting rich for a bargain. Is this the source? Do they even know he stopped them or is this something else? He narrows his eyes at the man, “Who are you?” “I’m sorry sir but, I was taught never to talk to strangers.” The man raises his eyebrows, “Listen kid, we know who you are and it’s best if you come with me. Everything will be explained.” He pulls a piece of paper from the folds of his jacket. Its small, the size of a passport. Peter snatches it quickly from the meaty hand scanning the printed words, his body tingling with every word.

     To whom it may concern,

    Courtesy of Stark Industries and C.E.O Pepper Potts, you have been selected to take part in the Stark Initiative. This is a highly select program not open to those unable/unwilling to comply with the NDA featured below.

Non-Disclosure-Agreement

This Non-Disclosure Agreement (hereinafter referred to as, (“Project 47”) is entered into on *date* binding the agreeing party to non-disclosure until the attending manager Tony Howard Stark sees fit to end the agreement.

CONFIDENTIAL IMFORMATION

The Receiving Party agrees to not disclose any, materials, names, functions or purposes of the intended “Project 47” to any living soul, pet, or entity on grounds of dismissal from the program.

Failure on the part of any participant to comply to the above standard will result in “cruel and unusual punishment” from attending manager Tony Howard Stark which may include but is not limited to:

• Immediate liquidation of all funds or materials received throughout the program

• A letter of disgrace to be delivered personally by attending manager Tony Howard Stark to the recipient’s head of students

• Possible injury, and or death

SIGNATURE AND DATE

X_____________

    At the bottom of the page, the Avengers seal glitters up at Peter with a wink. Peter inhales once through his nose. “Holy crap, Holy crap, Holy CRAP!” he looks down at the paper, up at the waiting man and back, swinging his head to look incredulously up and down the deserted sidewalk. “Mr. Stark knows me?” He asks the man, “Me?!” he asks, as he signs the page as fast as possible. His breath starts to hitch, “Omygosh, this- I- I think this is the best day of my life. The man grasps him firmly by the shoulders, forcing him to cease. “Peter, it’s time to get in the car now.” He says, leading him to the backseat and opening the door. Peter plops down on the cool leather seat taking in that fabled new car smell. The driver’s seat is sectioned off by a blacked-out divider, and the windows are so tinted Peter can’t see outside. “Wow, this is crazy.” He looks around extending his hand. “What’s your name?” The man rolls his eyes, checking a sleek silver watch at his wrist. “Happy.” He deadpans. “Now sit back, be quiet and eat this.” “It’s for your nerves.” He hands Peter a gold and red wrapped candy. Ooh chocolate, he thinks. He unwraps the gift, revealing a morsel the size of a quarter. He pops it into his mouth chewing happily. Happy closes the passenger door. Peter hears him get in and close the door through the screen. He yawns, “Hey Happy, how much you get paid for this job anyway? Seams hardcore.” His body sinks lower into the seat. Happy gives a non-committal “uh-huh.” Peter loves nice cars. Man, he thinks, all that worrying and running around for an invitation from Tony Stark?! He needs to chill. Yawning again, he can’t seem to fight the heaviness in his eyes. A nap would be so good right now. Peter feels a distant sharpness run up his spine from somewhere far away, and then the world goes black.

Chapter Text

     Snap! Snap! Peter wakes up to Happy looking over him, snapping his fingers in front of Peter’s nose. “We’re here kid, time to wake up.” Peter sits up from his horizontal position across the backseat, sitting up to rub his eyes. His rolls his neck trying to loosen the crick that must have formed when he knocked out. “Seriously, dude? Did you really have to drug me?” he says looking at Happy. “I signed the paperwork; this isn’t the CIA.” “It’s protocol.” says Happy, “Now get out, I have a schedule to keep. He glances down to check his watch again. Peter gets out of the car, looking around to see that they have pulled into a long driveway. It’s surrounded by a snow-covered lawn that expands out to the tree line of a thick forest.

     They’re… at a cabin? The house is picturesque, skirted by a wraparound porch, with a brick chimney puffing out smoke into the gray sky. “Where are we?” asks Peter, based on the absence of traffic noise they must be hours from the city. Happy grabs him by the arm, guiding him up the driveway towards the front steps. “Hey!” says, Peter spooked by the sudden force. “You know uh, this is great and everything, but I do have class tomorrow.” “Is there a timeline to this or-?” They stop in front of a door painted red and Happy knocks three times. He presses something behind his ear, talking into it. “I’ve arrived with the second package.” Peter looks back up as the door opens, revealing two men dressed in black.

      Peter stiffens, taking in the guns at their sides and the menacing scar decorating one of their faces. They drag him in by the shoulder, pulling him roughly over the welcome mat in the doorway. Scar man nudges him forward into a normal looking house. To his left is a cozy living room with cushy chairs, all circled around a glowing fireplace. Bookcases line the walls, and through a door locked behind a number pad, he spots a desk illuminated by the light of several computers. He hears music playing from somewhere below him the sound is dampened, but the riff of the guitar is distinct enough for Peter to recognize Led Zeppelin.

     “This is a cozy place you guys got here.” He says as they enter a small kitchen. Through the window on the far wall, Peter anxiously watches as thick clouds of fresh powder coat the glass. A guard shoves him against the wall, while scar man observes with his arms crossed. “Well, aren’t you friendly, says Peter looking down as the guard starts to pat his sides and pockets. The sudden proximity of this stranger to his body sparks a cold sweat down his neck. He stumbles as the guard rips off his backpack, tossing it behind him. Peter starts to panic remembering his mask and shooters. “Oh, yah” he says, trying to chuckle as scar man holds up his mask. “That’s just part of my winter running gear, the cold hurts my ears…” He trails off with a gulp as the guard grabs his forearm, pulling back the sleave of his shirt. Peter’s stomach churns as the man presses the button at his wrist. A shot of web flies out with a THWAP, blocking out the ceiling light. Peter is planting his feet to attack when the guard turns his head to look at the man walking through the door.

      Tony Stark stands before them in his full glory looking perfectly at ease in jeans, and a T-shirt. He gestures between the guards and Peter, “What’s all this?” he says. “Back away from the kid, this isn’t Fort Knox.” The guards step back, and Peter lets out a breath. Somehow, he imagined meeting his childhood hero with a little more dignity. He steps forward righting his shirt and running a hand through his hair. Mr. Stark surveys him with a grin, pointing to the ceiling. “That’s some grade A material you got there, looks really strong, where’d you get it?” Peter clears his throat eyes darting wildly around for an escape. “Uh you see Mr. Stark sir, um it’s not what it looks like.” He grabs at the back of his neck avoiding Tony’s gaze. “Hmm.” Says Tony stroking his beard in thought. “Well, Peter, is it?” he, asks. “To me, it looks like a really dumb way to hide a superhero identity.” Peter just balks at him. “I mean, he sucks through his teeth, “When I was trying to hide being awesome back in the day, I definitely didn’t walk around with my suit on in broad daylight.”

     Peter feels his face go red as he pulls the cuff of his sleeve back over the bright red material. That was a stupid idea he thinks, he should have gone with black. “Listen Mr. Stark I don’t know what you’ve heard about me but I-I’m not a Superhero.” He shrugs, “I just like to make stuff sometimes.” Tony raises his eyebrows. “Really, I’m just some guy, I go to MIT.” He says, hoping somehow to change the subject to less incriminating topics. “That’s why you brought me here right? For that project?” Tony surveys him, walking around him in a circle. Peter is starting to feel very confused. Tony grabs one of the wooden chairs from the little round table in front of the stove, sitting across the back of it. He gestures to the other chairs. “Grab a seat kid.” Peter obeys, sitting to face Tony, trying to find somewhere to put his hands.

     Tony turns back to the door, calling to someone outside the room. Peter follows the sound of footstep on stairs. “Emily, come meet us in the kitchen please.” Peter vows to destroy whatever entity allowed this series of events, as an absolute smoke show walks through the door. At this point it’s best if he never left the house. A girl walks into the kitchen, reaching out to hand Mr. Stark an iPad. She’s gorgeous with dark hair falling in waves just past her shoulders. She narrows her eyes down at Peter. They’re so green, shadowed by dark lashes with a dusting of purple glitter. His own eyes travel past her face, taking in the sparkly Saturn planets hanging from her ears, the stud in her nose, and noticing with a jolt the MIT logo on her jumper.

     His eyes flit back to her face, meeting her gaze, He gins at her waving, “Hey, I’m Peter.” “You go to Mit?” he asks pointing to her jumper. She puts a hand on her hip, “obviously.” She turns to Mr. Stark. “Is he the guy?” “I thought he was from New York.” Mr. Stark finishes tapping the screen turning it for Peter and Emily to see. “No.” he says, “the Spider-man lives in the neighborhood.” He presses play, and Peter watches in mortification, as a live feed of the Boston Harbor shipyard plays. The numbers at the bottom date back to last week. He sees himself, clad in red and blue, crawling along the edge of a cargo boat. He winces remembering the shock of the bright purple blast that caught him in the face. One of his eye lenses pops off the mask with a cling, and he’s flung backwards into the icy water, as the man with the scepter runs off. Mr. Stark taps the screen mid fall pausing to display a clear shot of Peter’s one brown eye.

      Peter’s throat goes dry. Mr. Stark looks almost bored, and Emily raises her eyebrows as if daring him to make an excuse. He knows she’s right, there’s no way any of that evaded the power of Stark biometrics. He gestures to the screen in exasperation, “I know that looks bad, but I actually stopped those guys.” Emily purses her lips, trying to hide her smile. “I did!” he says, determined to salvage this crumbling first impression. “They didn’t get whatever they were after, it was some kind of rock, and I took that guy’s spear thingy.” Mr. Stark gets up from his chair, “That thingy you found, is exactly why I brought you here Peter.” “Follow me.”

     He turns, walking out the door. Emily immediately takes off, leaving Peter to take up the rear. Mr. Stark leads them out of the kitchen and to the right leading into a narrow hallway. Again, Peter is caught off guard with how cozy everything seems. Why was Tony Stark hanging out in a log cabin, and why was this girl being so chill? Did everyone miss the part where he was being pushed around like a high value criminal? He looks up at the pictures hanging around them, grinning when he sees several featuring a cheerful version of Happy and a little girl with big green eyes and pigtails looking up at him. Emily stops suddenly in the middle of the hall, and Peter accidently slams his chest into her shoulder. “Oof, sorry!” She looks at him puzzled, “You are really clumsy for a superhero.” “Sorry.” Says Peter, I’d probably be more in gear if your dad hadn’t drugged me. Her face flushes, eyes glancing at the pictures. “Sorry about him.” She huffs, bending down to lift the edge of a shaggy rug, revealing a latched door in the floor. “Nice.” Says, Peter. “Tony Stark has a secret layer!”

     Mr. Stark opens the door, beckoning them down a steep flight of concrete steps. Peter leads the way not wanting to be the cause of a near death experience. He skips the last step jumping onto a landing. In front of him is a wall of frosted glass. A sign on the door reads, “qualified personal only beyond this point.” Mr. Stark opens a lock box next to the door with a code. Inside it’s a screen with an opening for scanning fingerprints, and a camera at the top. He puts his eye up to the camera and a red laser scans his retina.

     A chime sounds and a cool English voice says, “Good evening, sir, what can I do for you?” “Hey Jarvis, I need to expand the guest list.” He pulls Peter over by the shirt, “Look here kid.” Peter’s head is shoved down as a red light stings his eye. “Augh.” He jerks his head back, eyes streaming. “Retinal scan complete, sir.” Says Jarvis. “Great, now hands.” Says Tony, and Peter places both thumbs in the tray, stepping back when he hears another tone. “Peter Parker is now enrolled in full lab access sir.” “Perfect!” says Tony clapping his hands. He scans his own thumb, and the glass door slides open with a hum.

   Dang this is crazy, thinks Peter looking around in wonder. He is surrounded by every wonderful tech gadget on the planet, The walls are lined with holographic screens displaying project outlines and data structures. There is a huge white worktable in the middle of the room, with the most comfortable looking chairs. Peter sits in one, spinning around. “What is this place?” “It’s so cool!” his eye catches on a desk in a far corner displaying a blue and red PC build. He jumps up, “no way!” Her runs over to it running his hand over the top of a sleek monitor. He looks at Mr. Stark who is grinning slightly. “Peter this will be your workstation.” He collapses into the white chair behind the desk. “But first, it’s time for a briefing.” Says Tony, leading them over to the main table.

     Peter takes his seat, looking over at Emily, seated at the head of the table watching Mr. Stark intently. She’s so serious he has an unbidden urge to go and smooth out the wrinkle that stands out between her eyes. “So, peter.” Says Mr. Stark directing his mind back to the many illuminated screens. “As you, know I’ve selected a talented and select pair of individuals.” He gestures to Peter and Emily. “Peter, based on your recent movements over the past months, I gather you have seen an increase in armed robberies.” He turns, toward the screens waving up several images. Peter is slightly alarmed at the evidence of his movements. He recognizes all the pictures from months of missions, some dating back to the summer before his freshman year of college.

     “All of these robberies, Mr. Stark continues, have all aimed towards this element”. He zooms into a pile of sleek rock shining with bits of purple. Yes, thinks Peter they’ve all been after the same thing, and he’s never had access to it until the harbor fight. “I’ve been tracking these guys for a while”, he says. I haven’t been able to pinpoint the source of the material or a boss in charge.” “Exactly.”, says Emily. She’s turned to look at Peter now with her chin propped up in her hand. Her earrings sparkle as she speaks, “Which is why you need our help.” She motions between herself and Mr. Stark. “We’ve never been up close to the action.” “But you have your swinging and can stop a bus with your bare hands.” Her eyes flit away from him at that, “If anyone can get us field samples, you could.” “Thank you, Emily’s right.” Says Mr. Stark “We are aiming to use our combined skills to harness, discover, and redirect the power of this new resource.” Mr. Stark points to himself, “I will be overseeing the operation and assisting Emily in her research of the biochemical structure of the material.”

     Peter perks up, “Wait, you’re in Bio-Chem?” Emily nods slightly, “That is so cool,” “I’m in software engineering, my focus is A.I structures” he says, bouncing his leg, “but your field is much more useful.” “You could find a cure for cancer or discover a renewable energy source.” “I mean yah.” He realizes he’s been rambling again by the way his hands have started wildly gesturing of their own accord. “Thanks, yah I really like it”, says Emily with a slight grin. Mr. Stark nods at them. “Yes, so as a team we are gonna work together to figure this out.” “Now, I’m sure you’re both asking yourselves, ‘what’s in it for me?’ well besides getting to work with me, you will also be paid a bonus of 5 grand for every pound of this mystery element you bring in and stabilize.” Peter’s Jaw hangs open. Even Emily blinks in surprise. 5 grand?! Peter could do so much with that money. He imagines a debt free life, and many trips to Best Buy in his future. He stands up to shake Tony’s hand, “Thank you, Mr. Stark for this opportunity, I won’t let you down.” “I’ll do anything you need.” “Perfect!” says Mr. Stark clapping Peter on the shoulder, “Because, the next load is scheduled to be nabbed on Friday, and you’re gonna be the errand boy."

Chapter Text

I rub my eyes trying to push down the realization that I am actually stupid. I look to Mr. Stark who is ginning down at me like he just hung the moon and is waiting for me to get the memo. He did, I just can’t accept it. I get out of my chair looking around at all the glorious displays of untamed genius. Who cares about the money, I can’t go leaping around doing chores. “Mr. Stark, listen.” I say, “this all seems great, but I have school, and we have no idea how crazy this could get.” Mr. Stark exchanges a look with Emily, who rolls her eyes. “Sorry If we’re interrupting some hot date, she says, but I think an unidentified weapons heist is more important than your weekend plans.” Her bright eyes narrow at me like a hawk; distaste etched on her brow. Irritation squirms in my stomach, these people don’t know me, why did I even sign that stupid paper? I can’t sign up for some stupid fever dream of a mission and put myself in a situation I can’t get out of. My mind turns to all the times I’ve had to sneak out at night, chasing the beckon call of sirens and being forced to hide injuries. “Well, I say throwing my hands up, as I’m sure you’ve never been hit by a bus while flying through the air, it makes sense why you don’t get my hesitancy.” “Spiderman doesn’t get paid to unlock the secrets of the universe.” I say with a huff. Emily stands up suddenly, “Oh poor you, she says holding up her hands in a mock imitation of my gestures, “I have fantastic abilities, but I don’t wanna do anything interesting, that would be too risky.” I feel my jaw clench, getting ready to fire back before Mr. stark holds a finger up at me, and nudges Emily back down by the shoulder.

“Now, now let’s be friends kids.” He looks to me cocking his head to the side, “Peter, give me a minute to explain, he motions for me to sit down. I do, glancing over to see Emily is refusing to look at me. Still think she’s cute? A voice nags in the back of my head, Unfortunately, I can’t help but appreciate the look on her face as she blows away a stray curl. “If we are going to be of any help to this case at all, I think we should get to know each other. Don’t you think?” says Mr. Stark looking between us. He claps his hands, “Jarvis! Bring out the refreshments, please.” Jarvis replies from some sound system that envelops the room like a bubble. “Certainly, sir.”

There’s a crash behind me, and I turn to see a crane-like arm on wheels rolling towards us out of a room behind the wall. The tray it’s carrying holds two mugs, another has crashed to the ground, spraying the white floor with its steaming contents. “Speaking of friends, says Mr. Stark, taking the mugs of the tray and handing one to me and Emily, “This is DUM-E!”, “he’s a big help”. The robot waves his arm with a wir. I raise my hand in greeting, as he turns on his wheels, rushing after the mess on the floor.
“Now, let’s start with you, Hun.” He looks to Emily, as she takes a deep drink from her cup, setting it down to look at us. She straightens up, looking resolved, and she holds her hand out to me from across the table. “I’m Emily, she says shaking my hand. Her fingers are painted electric blue and freezing, I give her palm a squeeze trying to transfer a few spare degrees. Maybe, it helps, she takes her hand back flexing it slightly, before wrapping her hands tightly back around her drink. She looks to Mr. Stark, “He’s my godfather, I’m only here because I need the lab hours.” She says with a shrug.

“Yah, she doesn’t like me at all, right?” says Mr. Stark, nudging her with a grin. Her mouth quirks at that. “She’s also here, says Mr. Stark to me, “because she’s the best geological chemist I have on hand, as the green one is lost in space somewhere. A bell rings loudly in my head. “Wait”, I say pinching my nose, “Hulk is missing?” I attempt to work out how a giant green bodybuilder/scientist goes under the radar, and I try to remember the last time I saw the Avengers on the news. Back in high school when I was obsessed with following along with every battle looking for tips, there was barely a day that would pass without mention of some disaster they were working to stop. Mr. Stark sighs, suddenly looking 5 years older as he runs a hand through his salt and pepper hair, slumping his shoulders. “Yah, the Avengers are on hiatus kid.” I raise my eyebrows, shocked that this is the first I’m hearing of this. I guess the whole world doesn’t need to know that the earth’s mightiest dream team broke up. Tony sucks his teeth, mirroring my realization on his face, “definitely, not good for morale.”
My gut twists, I can’t believe I’ve been fooling myself for months, relying on some far-off hope that I could lead a normal life. Now all the relentless mid-scale crime makes perfect sense. With the Avengers off the field, what bad guy is gonna fear the dreaded force of some dude in tights.

“So.” I say, propping my elbows on the table, “you guys know each other.” I wave a finger between them and Emily nods. “And you,” I say pointing at Mr. Stark then back to myself, “need me because I’m the last vigilante on the market?” Mr. Stark chuckles, rubbing a hand over his face. “Well, when you say it like that, I sound desperate.” “You are.,” says Emily matter-of-factly. “What?” she says, shrugging in response to Mr. Starks offended expression. “Why else would you turn to two random college kids to take out a possible world-scale threat?”
She turns to me, commanding my attention. “These people, she says looking to the violence on the screens, found something big, and unless we figure out who’s behind it you’ll have a lot more to worry about than college.” Her jaw is set into a grimace as she continues, “You’ve felt the effects of those weapons Peter. Don’t let your fear pave a path towards someone’s pain.” Something yanks inside me at the way she says my name with such conviction. The jade in her eyes glimmers, I think I could do whatever she asked.

I nod, swallowing my residual anxiety. She’s right, how can I sit here with these powers, and not be the first to run in at the first sign of need. A wave of shame goes through me as I recall, how stupid I must’ve looked complaining about a few injuries. “Ok.” I say, If I do this, “What’s the game plan?” Mr. Stark beams at us, “I’m happy you asked.” He turns to the screens in front of us zooming in on a square of video. The three guys on the screen jeer at me from the edge of a landing dock. I look to Mr. Stark, unsure of his point. This had been a regular day with the usual brainless goons. In the middle of a construction zone, debris flies everywhere, and I see myself wildly swinging across the site, fleeing a sheet of raining cement. He pauses the playback, unfortunately catching a freeze frame of my crumpled face mid punch. He points to a spot somewhere behind a man on the landing pad. “See that?” I squint, near the foot of a man with a shaggy blond beard the side of a green box peeks out. “A box?” I ask. “A clue”. Says Mr. Stark wagging his eyebrows in glee. “Jarvis, enhance”. He says. The picture zooms in on a spray of jagged grey pixels. I can’t distinguish any meaning except for a vague sense of Deja-vu. Mr. Stark moves through several more pictures, clicking buttons on his remote to highlight several more of the labeled crates. “This is what we need you to find”, he says. “Follow the next shipment out and bring back some of these.” Seems simple to me, just a simple pick-up and drop-off. My shoulders start to relax. Just do the job and get paid, I tell myself.

“Sounds easy.”, I say. “How can I track them?” Mr. Stark looks at Emily, “you tell him.” He says. Emily stands up grinning. “Well, she says. “I’ve been watching you closely Peter.” I gape slightly. At my reaction, she shakes her head slightly, palming her face. “No, that was weird.” “Just come with me.” She waves me over down a hallway behind her. I had thought we were at the end of the lab, but with a touch of her blue little finger, a section of wall illuminates with bright light revealing a doorway to another room. “What the crap.” I say, following her down the steps. “This is the closet” she says. She moves to a computer at the head of the room. The walls are lined with vertical pods, each displaying a different version of my suit. One is outlined in gold and silver, slightly giving me the creeps with eight long replicas of a spider’s legs. Another is solid black it’s surface glinting with textured material. “Where did all of this come from?” I say, looking around to Emily.
“We made them.” She says, eyes bright. “I’ve been going through the logs of your fights, and I couldn’t help but notice you were in dire need of an upgrade.” She shrugs, I mean for a guy with super strength you get beat up a lot. “Wow.” I say. “I’m not sure if I’m offended yet.” She laughs, “you can tell me after you try it out.” She says, turning to the tube with the eight-legged suit. An action screen pops up on the smooth glass. She grabs my wrist, slapping my hand to the screen. “More biometric recognition.” She tells me with a wild gleam in her eye. A tone sounds, and the glass door slides away.

Emily steps on her tiptoes, reaching up to pull the mask from the rest of the suit. “Here.” she says, holding it out to me. I slide the smooth material over my chin, it’s soft and cool. “Smells like a new car in here!” I say, taking a deep breath in. There is a chime somewhere behind my left ear, and my vision blinks into focus. I look around the room, it feels like someone just gave me laser focus goggles. Its like all sight and sound are being vetted through a high-poured funnel and I can finally focus. I take in the minute cracking of the tile, the still-there ring of a mug on the desk and the tiny freckle on the underside of Emily’s jaw. When I focus on her, bubbles of information pop up in front of me. I see that she has no criminal record. And a brief diagnostic of her vital signs. Her heart rate is thumping along as I watch her body temp go up 3 degrees. “Well?” she says, wringing her hands. “It’s almost your birthday.” I say, pointing to a bubble above her head, displaying a birthday of March 18th. She swats away my hand, “No, do you see the side menu?” I look to the left out of the corner of my eye and see a menu with three options. Assist. Initiate. Maneuver. “Ooh I see it.” I say. “Activate the assist option. She says. “Uhhh.” I wave my hands. “Assist.” I say. A loud voice booms in my ear. “Hi Peter!” I unceremoniously fall on my ass from shock, holding a hand to my ear. “Karen!?”.