Spider-Man: A New Spiral

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***

27 August, 2013. 10:36

HYDRA training centre.

Peter Parker.

You know what the shittiest thing about being kidnapped by a secret terrorist organisation?

No, not that they intend to make me one of them. Not that I haven't seen my family and friends in weeks. Not that I haven't hugged my girls in twenty-one days. Not that I spend a ton of time not practicing magic or learning my mutant abilities. Not that I've almost missed the entire summer or haven't flown on the web in twenty-two days.

And not even the fact that I haven't been able to celebrate my second round anniversary.

No.

Feeding.

Who would have thought these "fighters for a better humanity" would be fed so shitty?

It's a nightmare.

I was in great physical shape before, and now this forced diet is making me look like an Apollo.

And, of course, living in a typical army barracks, along with seven other "lucky" people.

Although, to be fair, only two were in plus or minus the same situation as me: young, smart, promising or whatever Madame Hydra said?

The first was fellow astrophysicist Ronald Dreaver, not only an aircraft designer but also a judo black belt. Diverse personality, everything HYDRA likes.

The second applicant, Emmy Wager, a brilliant biologist, a bit of a model and actress, daughter of a military man. Pretty much the same squid type.

With the rest of us three had certain contradictions, because five more neighbours turned out to be children of HYDRA agents. Of course, as the "golden youth" they weren't very happy to have company like ours, and I, as the "good guy," took charge of our group, which was being harassed for being "homeless." Ron and Emmy didn't mind, at least not after I'd dislocated the most daring of the kids, but the active harassment stopped, and some of them even respected me.

For example, Derek Dix, in my opinion, was the only normal, if I could say so, of the whole group, and I even became friends with him. Serious, calm, quiet. You could tell he wasn't spoilt by his family. And if it weren't for his true and fanatical devotion to HYDRA, I would confidently call him a friend.

Although, sometimes we have philosophical conversations about the world, people, methods of organisations like HYDRA and PROTECTION and how thin the line between them is, that sometimes I start to catch myself thinking....

Anyway, I digress. As Derek explained to me, he and the other kids were sent to this centre precisely for the purpose of correcting their own deficiencies. The Hafser twins, for example, are Nazi symbols, like they're from a propaganda film, and their execution could be made into an anti-fascist video. Or Virgil Hawkes, the child of a high-ranking HYDRA officer, but in essence a stereotypical nerd, puny with glasses and twitching even from his own shadow. And Adaline Weisk is a fucking nut job. I don't know how they plan to fix that with a crash course. She'd be better off in a mental institution.

I don't know how Deeks messed up his folks, although he seems to have his own issues.

But there were, paradoxically, some positive aspects.

For example, in terms of education and training, yesterday's students and parental children, albeit with some kind of base, were made real machines for destruction. It wasn't much different from my training in the Shield, except for the total pressure to test my limits.

No kidding, I'll never forget that soldier Kirk, except that he, unlike some stereotypical film Hartman, was pushing his limits together with us, running cross-country, doing hard physical training. Once on the field Virge broke his arm, so Kirk set it right, organised a splint, gave him a brief lecture on how to fall so as not to break anything and only then sent the guy to the infirmary. And all this without raising his voice or swearing.

There is a real lack of such guys in the Shield, you don't want to kill such a soldier on the enemy's side.

And so they taught everything: weapons handling, medicine courses (especially I was amazed/pleased with the special attention to the study of poisons and creation of antidotes), hand-to-hand combat, to teach which they pulled Brock Rumlow himself. These are the things I didn't expect.

And I was damn right I wished Crossbones had been assigned to me as a mentor in the Shield back in the day. Now, after Cap's training, I would have fought Mr Rumlow on equal terms, and I would have had a good chance of beating him without the use of superpowers. But still I had to restrain my impulses in order to keep my mask of "just a gifted candidate who can grasp everything on the fly". So I've been face-planted into the mat on more than one occasion.

For the time being.

And the biggest plus was still my interaction with Raj.

Now, after the ritual and the strengthening of our complete symbiosis, my contact with the Klyntar had become something else entirely.

It was as if the alien had become a shadow of my soul, an inseparable part, an additional internal organ, a voice in my head, a personal schizo. Many definitions and all describe this state as fully as none of them.

It was not for nothing that my brother shared that it is such an ancient ritual that none of the symbiotes know what happens to their brethren afterwards. Only the existence of such a thing is known.

And Raj and I may be the first in centuries or even millennia.

It's amazing.

It's especially cool to be in complete control of the symbiotic material that has become the same part of me.

It's just amazing to pick up on how its reproduction works, the latching on to control emotions, the process of solidification or elastic elongation.

While I'm limited due to HYDRA's recruitment, I've had to invent something, for training with new, though in some ways already old and familiar, abilities.

For example, I adapted symbiotic taste buds to check food for poison. It came in handy once. Stupid fucking Adi joke. Had to come down with fake indigestion that afternoon.

I was lying in the infirmary thinking I could form a symbiotic language now. That would be fun.

I was also able to "clean" samples of my DNA, which were taken for analyses, I don't know if we would have been able to repeat such a thing with my Klyntarsky partner before the procedure of pure symbiosis. But for the squid, I'm one hundred per cent human with no impurities.

Then I came up with the idea of creating a symbiotic layer between skin and muscle, to create almost titanium strength. When Raj wasn't part of me yet, it was impossible, too subtle a manipulation, but it's different now.

And I'm not talking about invisibility/chameleon mode or mimicry at all.

Once in the enemy environment, I thought of another trick and the question is, will it be useful?

And would it be too inhumane?

The symbiote embryo is an interesting situation.

Another manifestation of perfect symbiosis is that the host is able to influence the reproductive cycle of its symbiote.

So now the 999th member of the Raj line is completely in my hands.

The history of symbiotic reproduction is curious. Clintarians can have as many offspring as they want, but the most prominent will be the firstborn. And the Millennial children of a particular symbiotic line are generally unique to their species.

It is still an open question whether Raj's descendants will be under my control, but there will be time to check it, and I will hold off on the development of Carnage for now.

Thoughts of creating a whole personal symbiotic army are too dreamy and unrealistic, but still quite realistic.

At the moment, I should be more concerned with HYDRA's genuine interest.

Even if I am not their guest for too long, it is still a very unpleasant moment. Yes, I wanted to infiltrate the squid. For Theresa's sake, for revenge, for my own personal desire to check out the enemy. And at first it even seemed like I was looking at this opportunity with the proper perspective.

But now I hesitate. I'm scared.

If I were alone, I don't care at all, but HYDRA knows about my loved ones and will exploit that.

It's okay, as long as I play the role of their obedient soldier, but I can't be like that forever.

So I have to use all available resources and prepare a plan, and until then I have to stay in the shadows and destroy this cloaca from the inside.

Without destroying myself in the process.

- All right, rookies, wake up!

Another morning, another joyous shout of "Eric the Red".

- Parker, did I not make myself clear? - Cap kicked my bunk. - Get up!

- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," I reluctantly rise.

- It seems that our top contender has become too high opinion of himself, - said the local sheriff with a sneer. - Fifty push-ups, Parker.

I calmly assume the supine position and follow orders.

I can't believe it, Bearer, we've been through so much, and now we're actually following the orders of this creep instead of tearing him to pieces! - In a tone of righteous anger, the Clintarian rustles in my head.

I understand, mate. And, yes, Spider-Man has been through a lot, but Peter Parker, alas, interested the wrong people and I should not demonstrate my abilities at all, even if I really want to, - I finish the third ten.

But why? You can take a chance, Pete! What about that spell?

It's insurance. It's for the very, very last resort. And frankly, if I'm scared of HYDRA, even though they're to be feared, I don't deserve to go forward. Until then, brother, I will destroy HYDRA and I will use every resource I have to do so.

Thankfully, you have them. And a lot of them.

That's true. But I have to get out of here, and I swear to God, if this fucking summer camp doesn't end soon, I'm gonna have to flush the whole infiltration plan down the toilet and take action against the squid with Shields, out in the open.

What about the one-third working for the enemy?

I'm sure, despite my pleas, Nick has started his own preparation plan: double-checking all the agents, sniffing around. One-Eyed Eagle doesn't know any different. That'll come in handy.

I'm getting up off the floor.

- You're not gonna be a problem now, are you? - The captain of HYDRA is looking me in the eye.

- Negative, sir," I answer, calmly holding his gaze.

- Fine," the arsehole turns away. - Today is your lucky day, squids, a beautiful day of final trials.

- Final trials?

- Yes, Hawkes, you can rejoice, kids. Soon I won't have to look at your faces.

- Is our stay in this dump finally over? - Hilda Hafser asks hopefully into the void.

- Yes, blondie, but before that, the final tests.

Everyone's gone silent.

- What, you don't even want to know what the tests are?

- HYDRA is good at listening, not talking.

- Good point, Parker," the captain snorted. - So, there will be no training, firing ranges or exams today. The final frontier awaits you tonight, but for now, rest.

- Rest? - Adaline tilts her head to my shoulder.

- You two have become such good friends during the recruitment process," the redhead snorted. - We'll give you time to say goodbye to each other.

The HYDRA soldiers leave and it's just the eight of us.

- All right, how about a game of cards? - I propose to my fellow inmates.

- Where did you get the cards? - Virge adjusts his glasses.

- Smuggling," I smirk.

It's good to be able to walk around the complex in your full camouflage mode after lights out. And, for example, steal a pack of cards from the guards.

- I'm in," Wask said, not at all surprised by my relaxed expression.

Deeks just nodded.

The twins stupidly ignored with arrogant disregard. And in the direction of the same Derek and Hawkes stretched a distinct disgust.

Fucking Nazis.

My sponsors and I sat down at a table, with the HYDRA kids sitting across from us.

Since we didn't have any money, we played strip games.

Not my idea, Adaline's.

Judging by her carnivorous look, she wanted to see Virge without his clothes on.

I wouldn't have thought it.

And so the game began. And as it turned out, I'm a damn good player. Thirty games later, I was the only one who hadn't lost a single piece of clothing. Spidey Sense was helping.

Whereas old Ronnie was out of the game when he was down to his trousers. He was very modest. Hawkes is in his pants for the second game. Pretty Emmy blushed and tried to cover her bare breasts, and damn Weisk calmly continues the game completely naked, but not willing to part with a bracelet on her arm.

Deeks was left only with his watch and crosses, and, judging by the glances that Hafser's sister threw at the big man, her nationalistic leanings were not so strong.

- Well, all bets are in, no more bets," said Ronald, who had become a croupier.

- That's it, Parker, I'm not losing this time," Adaline said, grinning, and tossed her bracelet on the line.

- You never know," I smirked, adding my watch to the pile.

Derek and Wodger merged at the finale losing their crosses and skirt respectively.

- Let's open up then," Wace throws up his cards, "Full house, bitch.

Ron drew three of the five cards on the table.

- Too bad," I sighed, and the fucker happily started reaching for the bracelet. - You, baby," I opened the cards. - Kare on aces.

- WHAT?! - the girl angrily flipped her purple hair. - You're cheating!

- I just know how to play poker," I pick up my watch and unwind the bracelet on my finger.

- Okay," Derek gets up from his chair. - Pete, you're going to give us our clothes back, aren't you?

I snort and return the clothes to everyone in the mini-tournament.

The day's play went by fast.

And no one even noticed the colourless and odourless gas being launched into our room. You can't cheat symbiotic feelings, though.

But let's play the part.

The whole group passes out together. I feel a few people pick me up and carry me out of the room. The rest of us are probably doing the same thing.

Five or six minutes later, we find ourselves in the same interrogation room where I was taken for the very first time, almost a month ago.

It's handy to be able to see everything around you without even opening your eyes. Thanks to the ultimate Clintar symbiosis.

I lay there for another hour, talking with Raj about all sorts of things, and finally come to my senses.

- What the fuck? - "I'm interested," I say, looking around the room.

As soon as I got upstairs, two guards came into the interrogation room, holding Emma Wager's hands.

Following them, stamping their step, walked the green-haired head of HYDRA.

- Mr Parker," he nodded in my direction.

- Madame Hydra," It would be hard not to learn a ton of information about one of HYDRA's heads at the base over the weeks. After all, it was loyalty to her that we were trained to be loyal to in the first place.

The underhanded games within HYDRA itself, classic.

- Please, Peter, just Ophelia," the brunette waved me off as one of my companions on this base was placed in a metal chair and chained up.

- What's going on? - I ask with a frown.

- Finals, Peter," the woman smiles at me. - What you've been training for, learning for. It's time to prove your loyalty to HYDRA.

One of the guards places a gun on the table in front of me. A standard Glock. The implication is pretty clear.

I take the gun in my hand.

- Why her? - I ask the only question I'm interested in.

- I'm sure you'd kill everyone else with a lot less conscience," HYDRA's head goes behind my back. - And some of them with pleasure," the woman puts her hands on my shoulders. - Make a choice, Peter.

- Don't you want all the agents? - I ask, trying not to look at Emma, who has tears in her eyes.

Good thing she's gagged.

It would have been even harder to plead.

- Weakness, Mr Parker. We destroy weakness, don't forget," Madame Hydra steps back. - Prove your loyalty, Peter.

Bearer, now would be a good time to run away, if you want my opinion.

I ignore the Clintarian and point my gun at the girl.

I take the safety off the Glock. Emma squints.

- I'm sorry," I say and pull the trigger.

There's a few pops.

But nothing.

- Blanks? - I ask in a surprised tone and raise my head.

All I see is the brunette smiling and Emma breathing much easier.

- Well, congratulations, Mr Parker," Ophelia looks at me with her green eyes. - We were right about you. Please follow me," one of HYDRA's heads turns around and walks towards the exit.

I'll follow.

We leave the interrogation room and walk down the corridor.

Here and there we see agents of all sorts. I even saw a couple in Shield jumpsuits.

We enter a spacious and rather luxurious office. It's pretty obvious who it belongs to.

- Would you like to celebrate your triumph? - The supervillainess points to the liquor cabinet.

- Thank you, but no, - I refuse, putting my hands behind my back.

- Suit yourself," the woman shrugs. - I'll have a drink. It's not every day we train such a promising agent.

- So what's next?

- I think you can go home," the brunette sips from her glass.

- Really?

- Quite, - Madame Hydra shrugs her shoulders. - Of course, we'll blindfold you again and let you go on your new assignment.

Of course.

Actually, I didn't expect anything else.

- What is my assignment? - I ask with a completely impenetrable face.

- After your return, you will be Dr Fierce's new contact, transmitting information about us. We'll also give you a frequency on which you'll receive messages about certain assignments.

- What about surveillance?

- What do you mean? - the woman tilts her head to her shoulder and runs her finger over the glass.

- Come on, you expect me to believe you haven't put cameras in my flat or something?

- Absolutely not, Peter, we respect your personal boundaries. Just do your job, do whatever it takes to elevate HYDRA and you'll be rewarded, and if you betray--

- Yeah, I get it.

It's hard not to guess what that meaningful pause means.

- Well, let's not go back to the sad stuff," the brunette clapped her hands together. - Besides, you've proven your loyalty to HYDRA, and you'll only have to confirm it in the future, but for now, you have only one task: to visit Dr Fierce and to be our eyes and ears in the Shield.

- Don't we have enough informants there already?

- Enough, Peter," the green-eyed woman shook her head with a smile. - But the Director of Shields is interested in you, and no doubt after your return you'll be taken into custody, you'll have to do your best not to be found out, but I think it'll be easier once you're trained.

- Maybe," I look away thoughtfully.

- Well, Agent Parker, please," the woman holds out the bag to me.

I sigh, but take the object and put it on my head.

Then the events take a familiar turn, passages, helicopters and, an hour later, I am dropped off on some rooftop.

I look at the helicopter and walk to the edge of the building.

I can't believe we're back in New York, Peter," Raj rustles happily.

I take a deep breath of the evening air.

It's like it's been forever, old chap.

I shut up and concentrated on my Sense. My first inclination was to detect and track any surveillance of myself, if any. However, along with that, it was as if I was sending out a signal and thus tuning into my clones.

Just like that, one moment I was standing there scanning the space, and the next I could feel that a few kilometres to the east, Cain was patrolling the streets, Delia was reading a book in Queens, and Ben was relaxing somewhere in Coney Island, in the company of a cute redhead.

It's funny, it's even gotten easier since the first training sessions.

Anyway, there's no surveillance, so it's safe to go.

A mental command and the Klinthar genetic material transforms from the pores, creating a classic black symbiotic suit.

So, Pete, home?

I wish, Raj. I'm sure everyone's excited and so eager to see the girls," I sigh, "but I have things to do.

I fly through the Centre towards one particular building in the east of Greenwich.

Twenty minutes later, I land on the roof of Sanctum Sanctorum.

I approach the glass pane and knock.

Lawfully, I get no response.

I use one of the few spells I learnt from Doc and open the window with telekinesis.

I descend into the living room of the mystical house on the cobwebs.

- Um...is anyone there? - walking down the hall. - Doc? Wong?

I didn't visit this place too often, at least I strolled around, but I always memorised the way in those rare moments, so at the moment I'm keeping a course for the meditation hall.

And my Parker luck finally works in a non-ironic way.

- Hello, Doc," I turn to the sorcerer hovering over the fountain.

- Spider? - The Sorcerer Supreme turned his head in my direction in surprise. - Wow, it's been a long time since I've seen you.

- Right," I rubbed the back of my head casually. - I had to spend some time at a summer camp, but now I'm back.

Doc landed softly on the floor and looked at me with an incomprehensible expression.

- Something wrong?

- Your aura...it's gotten darker.

- Oh," I folded my hands behind my back. - Perhaps it's a result of my recent changes.

- A mutation?

- Not exactly.

I raise my right arm, and three tentacle-like symbiotic tendrils form from my forearm.

- 'It's more likely of alien origin,' I pull the Clintar material back into my body.

- You want to tell me about it? - Doc asks with true scientific enthusiasm.

- Maybe later, Stefan," I remove the mask of my symbiotic outfit from my face. - In fact, I'd like to know if it's possible to ask for enhanced magic lessons in the near future.

- Enhanced? - The surgeon arches an eyebrow.

- I can stay in Sanctum Sanctorum twenty-four hours a day for the next few days, and with my vast theoretical knowledge and only a modicum of practice, it's time to get to the latter," I looked Strange in the eye with confidence.

- Well, if that's your wish, so be it, let's get started.

The Supreme Wizard claps his hands.