{T/N: A reminder... There will be an extra Chapter for every 150 Power Stones. Sound Reviews are also a good motivator. Alternatively, you can read ahead from anywhere between 20-45 Chapters on my P@treon... Enjoy..}
...
The next morning, the inspection team from the Department of Defense arrived at Oscorp Industries.
The lead official, General Thorne, barely acknowledged Norman Osborn's enthusiastic greeting, coldly demanding to proceed directly to the lab to assess the progress of the Human Enhancement Formula.
Under General Thorne's leadership, the Department of Defense team swarmed into the research facility.
Norman followed closely, a vague unease creeping over him... something felt off, but he couldn't pinpoint what.
Inside the lab, the chief scientist in a white coat presented a new prototype aircraft, another Oscorp project that had previously piqued the Department of Defense's interest.
"...This is the first-generation prototype, constructed from a new alloy with gravity-sensing systems that perfectly resolve key issues of aerial stability..."
"...It has a payload capacity of one ton, a flight speed nearing 500 mph, and remote-control capabilities. It can carry twelve micro air-to-ground missiles, one mini-gun with 5 000 rounds, and costs approximately six million dollars per unit..."
The scientist gestured to a hovering aircraft shaped like a bat with outstretched wings, its dark green metallic surface gleaming.
The user could stand atop it to operate it, while the rear engine emitted a green energy glow, generating intense wind pressure and deafening noise that nearly drowned out the explanation.
"I have zero interest in such toys. They're already obsolete." General Thorne's voice was icy.
He glanced at the hovering aircraft with undisguised disdain. The exorbitant cost and limited applications made it useless to the military... they needed mass-producible, devastating weapons, not overpriced vanity projects.
Tony Stark earned the military's favor because he consistently delivered cutting-edge, high-value tech that never went out of style.
"General, this aircraft was specifically requested during the last DoD procurement–" {T/N: 'Department of Defense' is a mouthful, so I'll be occasionally using 'DoD' as a substitute...}
Norman stepped in smoothly, rescuing the flustered scientist with a practiced smile.
Despite Thorne's glaring hostility, he couldn't afford to alienate the DoD's new procurement officer.
"Enough. Like my predecessor, this project belongs in the trash. You may not be aware, but he was dismissed for taking bribes. I won't repeat his mistakes."
Norman's stomach dropped...
If that's true, it meant all prior agreements between Oscorp and the Department of Defense were null and void... That is, they'd have to start from scratch...
Scanning the room, Norman's unease spiked when he spotted two board members who never attended lab inspections: the bespectacled Mr. Barret and the wheelchair-bound Mr. Fay... Both major shareholders backed by Wall Street, they were parasitic financiers who cared only for squeezing profit from Oscorp.
'Why are they here?'
'No time to dwell–'
With Thorne uninterested in the aircraft, Norman hastily presented reports on the Human Enhancement Program.
The new procurement officer was far more difficult to please than his predecessor.
"Through vaporized inhalation testing, we've increased lab mice's physical capabilities eightfold. This confirms our research direction is sound. With continued development, we can replicate the Super-Soldier Serum from World War II..."
Norman shadowed Thorne, meticulously detailing the formula's progress while glossing over its flaws.
"Promising," Thorne remarked blandly, "Any side effects?"
Norman's face tightened. He shot a glance at the chief scientist, who, under Thorne's piercing stare, confessed:
"The mice exhibited severe aggression and violent tendencies post-inhalation. We'd need to restart from the foundational equations to resolve this."
Norman hastily interjected, "General, this is a minor issue! We'll have it solved shortly–"
"Enough, Mr. Osborn." Thorne cut him off coldly, "You just attempted to deceive the DoD... an unforgivable offense. Moreover, these results are wholly inadequate. We need super-soldiers. If you can show me a 'Captain America' in two weeks, we'll talk..."
"...You have fourteen days. Fail, and I'll revoke your funding and DoD contractor status." With that ultimatum, Thorne led his team out, leaving Norman frozen in place.
The titan of industry felt his world crumbling...
Without Department of Defense contracts, Oscorp's massive investments would evaporate overnight. The financial hemorrhage could collapse the company.
The higher the climb, the harder the fall. Norman had gambled everything (even taking massive loans) for this opportunity.
Now, with Thorne unwilling to fund further development, decades of work teetered on the brink of ruin.
As his dream shattered, Norman's eyes darkened with fury. Noticing the two board members leaving with the DoD team, a terrible realization struck...
'This was planned. Thorne never intended to approve Oscorp...'
"No one takes what's mine!" Norman snarled. Losing Oscorp wasn't an option...
After clearing the lab, he kept only the chief scientist...
...
Hours of agonizing deliberation led to a desperate decision.
"Mr. Osborn, this is too risky! The formula isn't ready for human trials, it could kill you!" The scientist grabbed Norman's arm, understanding his desperation but horrified at the recklessness.
Any formula required exhaustive testing before human application.
Norman shook him off, stripping off his shirt, "I'm out of time! No DoD contract means Oscorp is finished!"
Facing the gravest crisis in Oscorp's history, he had one path forward: succeed or watch his empire burn.
Wall Street's vultures would feast on the carcass.
"Administer the serum. It will work."
Strapping onto the testing apparatus, Norman was sealed inside a chamber.
As the scientist activated the system, green vapor flooded the enclosure, swallowing Norman whole.
Echoing through the empty lab, Norman's agonized screams grew weaker.
On the monitors, his vitals plummeted, as if something monstrous was being born within that toxic fog...
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
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