/simu/ - >Date: March 2nd, 2017>Time: 11:00 PM>Location - Sanctuary City - Industrial District>It's near midnight within the main construction and manufacturing hub of the city, with various corporate buildings closing up secondary operations. As most perso

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[Solo] - "Social Dynamics" Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 19:01:01 No.407

>Date: March 2nd, 2017
>Time: 11:00 PM
>Location - Sanctuary City - Industrial District

>It's near midnight within the main construction and manufacturing hub of the city, with various corporate buildings closing up secondary operations. As most personnel leave their areas of working, turning off machinery and closing down sections of buildings - a sleek, feminine figure swings through the air.

"Right about….now!"

>Said figure then detaches from a thin line at her fingertips - landing on the side of a building. Peering through the window of the building she's attached to, she then takes a small device out from her think spandex outfit - a small cut opening housing the device.

"There we are…."

>Tapping the device against the glass, the woman waits, before a soft rumbling sound begins penetrating the sides of the office. Blue electrical sparks then crackle from the machine, as a bright blue pulse moves through the window - frying all of the electronics inside. Looking smug, the woman then says:

"Easy as pie. Now to plant the evidence inside…."

>The device, an EMP to short circuit the machinery, leaves the woman able to break and enter. Vaulting carefully, she then makes a figure 8 motion as she flips up into the air - attaching a web to the window as she smashes through it - moving into the building. After landing, she then states:

"Time to get to work…."

>She then begins walking out of the office building and towards the larger, futuristic hallways of the building complex.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 19:21:36 No.408

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>>407
>Time: 11:00 AM
>Location: Sanctuary City - Downtown District

>Another figure, sleek and clad in futuristic armor, continues swinging downtown through the city's Downtown District. The known vigilante, Arachnid, continues talking on his comm link with Mosaic, stating:

"Yeah I know it wasn't exactly my fault, but I still nearly capsized the plane! I tried acting as landing gear and that barely worked!"

>From the other side of the comm link, Mosaic replies:

{"Damian, you can't exactly blame yourself for that. Micron had already compressed the wings of the plane as it was landing. I was busy fighting off the escaped MRD prisoners, and you were closer. You made a call, and it saved people's lives."}

>Silent for a moment, Arachnid then groans loudly as he says:

"Yeah? Well why does it feel like I still screwed up? If I was faster, then Micron never would've been able to reach the plane and compress it in the first place!"

>Mosaic then elaborates on his previous statement:

{"And as I just said, you can't blame yourself for that. Nobody's always on point in this line of work, not even me. Speaking of which, did you just get the alert?"}

>Looking at the edge of his digital lenses, Arachnid sighs as he then confirms:

"Yep. And right nearby too, just my luck. I'll get on it."

————————————————————-

>A few minutes later, Arachnid is nearing the corner of a large technologically advanced building with a specific logo on the front. Recognizing it immediately, he thinks to himself:

{"The DataDrive Corporation? Aren't these the guys who are trying build their own genetic recombination device? Like mom and dad? Huh. Weird."}

>Landing on the side of the building, Arachnid then notices something popping up on his lenses' scanning display. Burn marks. He then thinks:

{"Silent alarm was tripped, but there's a scorch here?"}

>After a few moments, he figures it out.

{"Compressed EMP pulse. No wonder it left a mark given the energy output it'd need to fry everything here. Looks like the company had a backup system underground - and likely caught the removal of the initial security system. Smart."}

>Arachnid then does a backflip and leaps into the building in a clean single motion.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 19:32:13 No.409

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>>408
>Deep inside of the central datacenters of the company building, large sparks fly as the final computers are destroyed. In the wake of the destruction with her bare fists, the infiltrator in spandex leaves a few calling cards - decals made to look similar to the Archeon and UP company logos - as well as various other information meant to incriminate the companies.

>As the woman in the mask and lenses smiles, her attention is suddenly brought around to the voice echoing behind her, from across the hallway into the database room.

"Do you always break into buildings this carelessly? Or am I just that lucky - getting the less than bright burglars?"

>The woman then spins around, as Arachnid looks on at her from the hallway, crossing his arms.

"You!"

>Arachnid looks down at his crossed arms and suit, before looking back up at the woman - sporting a unique, spider themed and stylized suit.

"Yeah, me. I'm guessing you're my inevitable, off brand copycat? Because I can't say I'm flattered, lady."

>Scoffing, the woman then says:

"Maybe it's out of admiration? I never really gave myself a name, but since you're here. I'd say 'Arachne' works just fine, wouldn't you?"

>Before Arachnid can respond, Arachne tosses down a set of flashbang grenades and smoke bombs - likely taken from her spandex outfit cutout as well.

{"Now's my chance to get the hell out of here!"}

>Arachne then makes a beeline for the exit - jumping up into the air to run on the ceiling as she assumes Arachnid is stunned. As she reaches the door to the exit - she's suddenly blasted across the room with a large mass of silver looking adhesive material - Arachnid's patented silk.

{"What the?!}

>Arachne struggles against the silk as Arachnid walks back to her through the door - smoke billowing out of the database room as he taps his helmet.

"Thermal vision. You may be fast, but you're not pushing out your body heat in that suit. It's slimming, I'll give you that."

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 19:43:53 No.410

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>>409
>Arachnid then walks up to Arachne, eyeing her face for any expressions.

"I'll ask you once. Who are you? What are you doing here in this place? Why are you trying to frame companies for this anyways?"

>Scoffing again, Arachne glares at Arachnid from behind her lenses.

"What do you care? You're a vigilante just like me!"

"Vigilantes don't go breaking and entering into corporate buildings just to frame them different companies. So what's your reason for this?"

>Sighing, Arachne then stops moving within the silk layers, looking sheepishly at Arachnid as she says:

"Look. There's been a misunderstanding. I thought there was a criminal coming here to trash the place, and I was setting a trap for them. They've got it out for Archeon and UP, and I figured laying a trap here would grab their attention. They were staking out this place anyways."

>Shaking his head, Arachnid looks down as Arachne slowly moves her hand to her waist.

"So who is this mystery man? Or woman. I won't assume."

>Arachne smiles as she says:

"….He's a gullible idiot named Arachnid!"

>In that moment, a glowing orange spot appears on Arachne's waist - as her suit begins heating up, rapidly melting the silk around her as she moves forward and kicks Arachnid with superhuman strength - knocking him back into the database room.

"I'd love to stay and chat, spider boy, but I've got a deadline to meet. Thanks for playing though!"

>Annoyed, Arachnid gets up and immediately lunges across the entire database room - back towards Arachne, just as she's about to make a beeline for it.

"What-"

>Arachnid then slams her into the wall, followed by her twisting her body and generating enough kinetic force and leverage to slam Arachnid back into the wall as well. The two then begin fighting with their fists and feet, exchanging blows that are powerful enough to shake the entire building.

"You're just as strong as I am. Huh."

"No, stronger, bug boy."

"You're a bug too, given your powers and your wardrobe. So I wouldn't get…..smug!"

>Arachnid then kicks Arachne to the ceiling - webbing her with a silk line to the chest and dragging her down to the ground - for another kick.

"Ack!"

>Groaning slightly, Arachne then literally rips up a chunk of the floor and tosses it at Arachnid - before lunging at him and tackling him to the floor.

>There's an expected air of silence as Arachne sits on top of Arachnid - with neither of them speaking. As Arachne continues staring at Arachnid, she then says:

"You're not bad at this. You always this rough with ladies?"

"….Only the ones who commit crimes."

>Arachnid then flips again - grabbing Arachne by the arm and spinning her around - as a glowing red light pulsates from his palm - causing Arachne to recoil in slight pain as she's sent flying backwards across the hallway.

"Agh! You little bastard! What did you do?"

>Arachne says, feeling a pain in her right arm.

>With the red glowing light of his palm fading away, Arachnid says:

"Guess I don't know my own strength. Sorry about that."

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 19:54:26 No.411

File: 1659038065541-0.png (607.62 KB, 900x1367, Arachne - 6.png)

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>>410
>Now clearly aggravated, but still interested in her new opponent, Arachne smiles and wipes away the dirt on her cheeks from the ground slide.

"….You're holding back, aren't you bug boy?"

>Crossing his arms again in a manner similar to his mentor, Arachnid states:

"Better question. Where'd you get your wardrobe and powers? I doubt Meta-Humans are starting to copy my appearance, without paying royalties that is."

>Laughing, Arachne then slowly stands up and says:

"Well I've been holding back too. But I can tell you're still stronger."

>Staring at him for a little while longer, Arachne then says in a more provocative tone:

"I wonder what else you're good at, if you're this rough…"

>Immediately recognizing the intent in her words, Arachnid then holds up a hand, preparing to fire a web.

"Yeah no thanks. I don't think a certain someone would be thrilled with me if I gave cat burglar criminals that much attention. Besides, you still didn't answer my question."

>Arachnid waits a moment before reiterating his question.

"What are you doing here? Who are you working for?"

>At that moment, loud sirens begin to blare from outside of the building with MRD helicopters surrounding the building. Over the intercom, a voice says:

["We have you surrounded! Lay down any equipment and step outside from the front door where we can see you! Make any attempt to escape, and we will neutralize you for detainment!"]

>Looking behind her at the opening of the window in the office she originally created, Arachne smiles and says:

"You know what? I'll throw you a bone, bug boy. Because you've been the first interesting man I've met in a very long time."

>Arachne throws another small device with an orange light at the Arachnid - but right past him to the side instead. The area immediately begins burning up and rapidly destroying everything in the area. The fire then begins to spread to the lower levels as Arachne says:

"Evidence is gone, but I'm sure you're gonna go play hero and save the little MRD troops that just walked in, aren't you?"

>Recognizing the play at hand, Arachnid groans and immediately jumps to the edge of a nearby window - looking back as Arachne blows Arachnid a kiss, saying in an overtly flirting tone now:

"See you around, bug boy~."

>Arachne then leaps out of the window and begins swinging away on her webbing - leaving the area as the MRD's attention is diverted towards the now burning building.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 20:02:26 No.412

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>>411
>Down below in the lower levels, MRD troops are now running for their lives - as the pieces of the burning building begin to fall over, creating large blockages and ruptures in the floor beneath their feet.

"Shit! Call for help from outside! We're going to need extraction!"

>As an MRD trooper is about to do so, part of a nearby electronic server explodes from the increased heat and rapidly encroaching fire - knocking them out.

"No! Shit!"

>As MRD troopers move around, trying to help their knocked out colleague - more fiery debris begins to fall down - right on top of them…..

"No you don't…."

>A large string of silk adhesive stretches across the room holding all of the MRD troopers - and catching the debris safely as Arachnid swings into the room.

"Arachnid! You're under arrest by MRD provision-"

"Yeah. We don't have time for this. Listen, I can get you all out of here, but that means shutting up and working with me? Got it?"

>Silent for a moment, the MRD troopers look around and consider the knocked out body of their colleague before nodding their heads.

"Good. Now wait for my signal."

>As more burning debris falls down, and the floor becomes more dangerous to inhabit - Arachnid holds both of his silk shooters together and steps towards the window - generating a massive solid slide of silk adhesive - for the MRD troops to slide out of towards the ground.

"What-"

"How did he do that?!"

"How much of that material does he even have?!"

"No time for this, people! Let's go!"

>Arachnid then gestures for the MRD troopers to begin sliding down the silk construct slide - as Arachnid himself swings out of the burning building with the unconscious MRD trooper - landing them down below - right in front of the MRD troops surrounding the place.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 20:12:20 No.413

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>>412
>The lead MRD officer in charge of the visible platoon, walks forward while standing in their armor. As his troops flank around him to the side, he walks towards Arachnid, just as he's finished dropping the unconscious trooper to the ground.

"…Well, this is a sight, I'll give you that, son."

>Slowly rising to his feet, Arachnid says:

"I know none of you will believe me when I say this, so I'm not going to bother explaining."

"….You don't have to."

>The MRD agent makes a gesture with their hand - causing the troopers to their side to lower their weapons, confusing Arachnid.

"What?"

>The MRD platoon leader then looks at the slightly burned and singed armors of the MRD troops that have just escaped the burning building.

"He got you out? All of you?"

>The MRD troopers nod their heads quickly.

"He saved us."

"Didn't even hesitate, even though we were about to shoot at him."

"Even our downed teammate - he saved all of us."

>Silent again, the MRD platoon leader turns towards Arachnid and states:

"We had eyes on you downtown - around the time we got the silent alarm notice. Unless you can clone yourself now all of a sudden…."

>Arachnid finishes his statement.

"….It couldn't have possibly been me. Huh. Well thanks."

>Crossing his arms, the MRD platoon leader says:

"Granted, we can't know for sure you're not involved, so officially you're still a person of interest, as is the rest of your vigilante pack. But we'll give you a pass for this one - since you saved my men. I respect that, and this city does too."

>Nodding slowly, Arachnid then says:

"The real perpetrator's still out there, and I need to go find them. Sorry you had to deal with this - but they're my problem now too. So, later."

>Arachnid then jumps up, dozens of meters into the air - as he shoots a silk line - immediately swinging away into the night.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 20:26:15 No.414

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>>413
>As Arachnid lands on a large skyscraper rooftop with perfect accuracy, he looks over - to the larger skyline of the city. He then taps the side of his helmet, activating his comms link with Mosaic again.

"Hey uh…Boss? I got an update."

>Mosaic speaks from the end of the line, saying:

{"Yeah, I hear you Damian. Saw what happened with the burning building too. Early reports are saying you rescued the MRD troops. Great work."}

>Nodding, Arachnid then states:

{"I think I know what happened. The woman who broke in, she calls herself Arachne. She's got powers way too close to mine - and she's been hired by someone to frame Archeon and UP."}

>Thinking for a moment, Mosaic replies from the end of the line, stating:

{"So she's sent to go mess up and destroy the genetics research for a promising up and coming startup - and attempt to pin the blame on Archeon and UP - the two biggest genetics and molecular biology companies in the world. A classic anti-competitive story, designed to bring large inquiries into their work and bring heavy scrutiny. Not surprising. You weren't able to I.D. her?"}

>Arachnid replies.

"No, she got away after lighting the building on fire, basically forcing me to save the MRD troops instead of pursuing her. But, I was able to mark her with tracking nanites before she left."

>Arachnid flashes back to the scene where he grabbed onto Arachne's arm with his glowing red palm. He also remembers their exchange.

———————————————————————

{"Agh! You little bastard! What did you do?"}

{"Guess I don't know my own strength. Sorry about that."}

———————————————————————

>Now focusing back on the present and looking back at his hand, Arachnid then says:

"The Sentry Mode function the suit has - finally found a use for it. Nanites got injected into her bloodstream from the prickling spike. I just made my hand glow to cause misdirection - make her think that I was trying to crush her arm."

>Mosaic then responds in an understanding tone, figuring out Arachnid's plan.

{"So you injected her with tracer nanites that emanate a microwave signal and a pulse through the relay networks we've set up across the city. Meaning you should have a real time location of her presence down to the meter in accuracy. Not bad, Damian. Good job. We'll track her down later - what matters is that you get back to your dorm for now. You've got your internship at Archeon, remember?"}

>Groaning, Arachnid places a hand on his helmet, stating:

"Yeah. How could I forget? I bet they're gonna love my excuse for being so tired tomorrow when I get there."

>Arachnid then jumps up and begins swinging again on his silk strands - moving quickly as he reaches the dorms of Sanctuary City University, and goes to get a good night's sleep as well.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 21:18:03 No.415

File: 1659043083241-0.jpg (2.01 MB, 2000x955, Archeon (Earth-0) - 3.jpg)

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>>414
>Date: March 3rd, 2017
>Time: 4:00 PM
>Location: Sanctuary City, Archeon Complex - Genetics & Molecular Biology Division

>Out of the 10 large buildings that make up the Archeon Complex in Sanctuary City, the 6th building is the most public and well known to citizens. The Genetics & Molecular Biology Division of Archeon Incorporated is helmed by Daniel and Dana Desmond - the world's foremost experts on genetics and genetic recombination.

>As Damian enters the doors of the massive complex, he comes across the large arboretum of flora and fauna, artificially created for the environment. As he passes by various personnel who politely greet him and wave at him, one of them says:

"Hey Damian! Your parents are right upstairs talking to Mister Grayson."

>Politely nodding at her, Damian then says:

"Thanks. I've gotta go see them right now anyways."

>Quickly running up the stairs, Damian carries his backpack on the back of his jacket, narrowly avoiding personnel and scientists carrying important laboratory equipment. As he reaches the office building, his heightened senses activate. His superhuman hearing lets him listen in on the conversation between Aiden and his parents:

"….nderstand that, Daniel. But you don't have to worry. The MRD have already ruled out foul play from Archeon regarding the incident last night with the DataDrive Corporation. We're also working closely with the city government to investigate the situation - and trying to record security footage from the incident."

>Daniel sighs and ruffles his hair, closing his eyes for a minute as he then says:

"I know, sorry Mister Grayson. It's just-"

"You don't have to call me that Daniel. You and Dana are good friends of my father, so formalities aren't needed. I may run Archeon, but this entire division remains under your full control. You have my word, and my funding of course."

>Daniel looks at Dana, who nods in agreement, as he says:

"Of course. Sorry about that Aiden. It's just, I wish we didn't have to take so many precautions with our work, and our experiments."

>A series of animals move around in large cages and containers, all genetically modified by the research division's work on genetic recombination.

"I understand, Daniel. Your work has the potential to cure so many illnesses and diseases. Non-invasive treatments are the holy grail of medicine, and your work is paramount towards that."

>Dana then interjects.

"Sorry, Aiden. If I may. Are you sure you're OK with us spending so much money? Our operating budget is tens of billions of dollars a year. I never asked your father this due to the company back then being so small, but-"

>Aiden politely cuts her off.

"Dad's majority shareholder, and my family and I own most of the rest of the company. The secondary stock offering is for public investors. Nobody could change how we operate unless we relinquished control. You don't have anything to worry about Dana."

>Walking over to the cage containing the spiders, he then continues - watching as they quickly jump around from tree branch to tree branch at surprising speeds - faster than Daniel and Dana can react.

"Besides. You've already made a tremendous amount of money for the company anyways, so I wouldn't expect any shareholder revolts from the common stock either."

>Watching the spiders with perfect clarity - even as Daniel and Dana can't see behind his hair, he then states:

"As for the incident a year ago? With subject number #28? The ultimate genetic spider sample?"

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 21:27:36 No.416

File: 1659043655004-0.jpg (16.58 KB, 400x300, Daniel Desmond.jpg)

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>>415
>Daniel looks nervously at Dana, then back at Aiden, stating:

"I-It was an accident. We were trying to secure the specimens for transportation to the recombinant sampling room. Then of course, the Helixers attacked the division…."

>Aiden waves Daniel off, stating:

"No, it's not a problem, Daniel. I'm just stating that accidents happen. There's not much we can do to stop them, but we can choose how we react to them."

>Turning back around, he then says to both of the scientists:

"We recovered the specimen later in the day either, but it seemed to have died in the process of escaping. I doubt the spider actually bite anyone though, the area was crowded, but was quickly evacuated by security personnel following the attack. I wouldn't think any of the college kids who visited for their field trip were in any danger either."

>Crossing his arms, he then continues:

"Either way, the point is that we contained the situation and alerted the proper authorities. We're doing the same here with the DataDrive incident. So you have nothing to worry about."

>Feeling a sense of relief wash over him, Daniel nods and gives Aiden a weak smile. Dana does as well.

"Of course. Thank you Aiden."

>Daniel turns to leave, grabbing his coat and notepad as he exits the room.

"Yes, truly. We're lucky to have you. You're just like how your father was at your age - when we first met him. A thoughtful young man. Just as handsome, too."

>Dana winks at Aiden.

>Aiden feels himself turn red at Dana's words, as he scratches his chin and gives a weak smile.

"I'm humbled, honestly. Thank you Dana."

>Damian feels his stomach go queasy, as if he's about to barf. He still looks on, listening to the conversation from the outside.

{"Ugh. Gross."}

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 21:33:47 No.417

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File: 1659044026886-2.jpg (77.87 KB, 500x500, Damian - 3.jpg)

>>416
>As Daniel waits for Dana to finish her conversation with Aiden inside, he starts looking at his diagrams in the notebook. In that moment, Damian decides to finish walking up the stairs and meet his father at the entrance to the laboratory.

"Damian! How've you been son?"

>Daniel immediately gives Damian a big hug, patting him on the back.

"Your mother told me about your performance in school. Exceptional as always."

>Damian gives his dad a nod and a sheepish grin, saying:

"Hey dad. Yeah I've been doing well as always."

>Steps can be heard from the nearby hallway, as a tall young man, a few years older than Damian, walks into the room. With light hair and dark eyes, he looks somewhat off putting as he hands a data pad to Daniel.

"Oh, thank you Josh."

>The man, Josh, then looks at Damian and gives him a polite wave.

"Hey, I'm guessing you're Damian, right? Your parents are geniuses."

>Daniel sighs as he then says to Josh:

"You're too kind, Josh. But our work stands-"

"……'On the shoulders of giants and visionaries that have come before us'. Yeah, yeah I know. You're still pretty smart though boss. You and Misses Desmond."

>Putting his hands in his coat pocket, Josh then looks inside, seeing Dana shake Aiden's hand as she's about to leave.

"Still kinda crazy how Mister Grayson gives us so much funding - but I'm not complaining."

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 21:44:33 No.418

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>>417
>As Dana exits the room, she waves at Damian first, stating:

"There you are, Damian! You're late again!"

>Groaning, Damian looks away as his mother comes over and hugs him tight. Pulling back from him and putting her hands on his shoulders, she then says:

"Still, you're maintaining your grade point average. That's good. You'll be working here in no time!"

>Then turning around to Josh, Dana then gives him a warm smile and holds out her hand for him to shake.

"And I see you've met our best research assistant. Joshua. He's a senior, and he's getting ready for graduate school."

>Damian looks at Josh, who gives a light smile and then says:

"I'm only here because your parents were nice enough to give me a chance. I wouldn't say I was the best candidate though."

>Dana scowls lightly as she immediately retorts:

"We look for passion in one's work, not their credentials, Joshua. You already know this."

>Josh then nods quickly, stating:

"Yeah, of course. I didn't mean to imply."

>Damian then looks at Josh and asks:

"What research are you doing here? Retroviral genetic manipulation? Protein stimulus? Animo acid reconstruction? Substrate mapping-"

>Josh then says, giving context.

"Something a bit more outside that wheelhouse."

>Josh then points back behind him to a room, and at a canister full of an inert black liquid and goo - surrounded by multiple metallic and electrified containers in an entirely separate glass portion of the room.

"Woah. I'm guessing that's important?"

>Josh nods.

"I call it the Virion Suit. It's a chemical protoplasm. It's also multi-morphic and serves to function like an adhesive polymer-like substance. It's designed to fit over the human body and serve as a sort of 'genetic tool kit'. It assesses damaged parts of the body, and makes the necessary genetic changes to repair the damage. At least that's the idea."

>Josh sighs and closes his eyes for a brief moment.

"I'm still trying to stabilize the compound itself, and it's pretty gene hungry too. Once it gets a biological sample, it completely catabolizes it for its base amino acids, and reproduces the genetic structure within itself. Meaning it's more of a genetic vampire than a walking cure at the moment."

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 21:57:57 No.419

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>>418
>Damian looks at the sample in the background, then back at Daniel and Dana, stating:

"So it's like an artificial version of what my parents are doing then."

>Dana crosses her arms in slight annoyance, but hides it in her facial expression, which is neutral.

"It's remarkable work on its own, but yes, Damian. It runs counter to our ideals of non-invasive genetic recombination work. However it still has its potential applications."

>Josh perks up at the mention.

"Emergency medical response work. Surgical assistance. Chronic pain management. Physical therapy assistance. It can possibly even repair physiological and biological damage, not just genetic damage. There are so many applications for this research and technology - and I really hope I can work with the government in the future with it."

>Daniel interjects, stating:

"Careful, Josh. Your work here is the legal property of Archeon Incorporated, so you'd have to start from scratch elsewhere, unless Aiden decides he'd want to commercialize the technology."

>Damian then speaks up, saying:

"Yeah, and I don't think Aiden's going to be too happy about selling biological super soldier suits to the military or anything."

>Silence fills the air after Damian's comment, as he then immediately says:

"N-Not that you'd do that or anything either-"

>Josh shakes his head and raises up his hand, saying:

"No, that's a fair point. I can't assume everything will work out the way I say it will. And Mister Grayson's right. I can't just rush into this either. But I'm still willing to try. It's as you said Misses Desmond."

>Josh looks at Dana as he repeats her words.

"…'We look for passion in one's work, not their credentials'…."

>Dana nods, smiling at Josh as she says:

"Well done, Joshua. You're starting to think like a scientist."

————————————————————————

>After talking to his parents and Josh for a bit more time, Damian then waves them off as they all go back to their offices and laboratories to finish up for the day.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 22:07:19 No.420

File: 1659046039226-0.png (632.3 KB, 866x566, Aiden - 28.png)

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>>419
>After seeing them go their separate ways, Damian turns around and enters the main conference room of the division - where Aiden is waiting, arms crossed and leaning on a wall.

"You doing alright, Damian?"

>Damian sighs as he nods and puts down his backpack at the table.

"Yeah, I think I'm feeling better after a day of thinking it over. I'll start the tracking process now."

>Aiden then blinks as he sees another figure rounding the corner from outside of the windows, stating:

"….I don't think that'll be necessary."

>Damian raises an eyebrow, going:

"…What?"

——————————————————

"Mister and Misses Desmond! Wait!"

>A young woman, college aged like Damian, rushes towards them. Her wavy brunette hair slightly obscures her facial features. As she stops running and pants lightly, she then waves the hair out of her face and looks up at them both - beaming with a radiant happiness.

"I've finished the preliminary device maintenance protocols! All of the specimens are sanitary as well, so the next recombination experiment should be ready to go!"

>Sighing, Daniel smiles weakly and looks at Dana, who has a more amused smile on her face.

"Thank you, Mariah. You've done a good job helping us these past few weeks."

>Mariah nods quickly, evoking an energetic aura around her, to go along with her bubbly personality.

"Of course! Thank you both for trusting in me too!"

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 22:10:59 No.421

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>>420
——————————————————

>Aiden, from inside of the room, nods his head at Damian.

"Check your tracker."

>Damian, confused, does so and taps the side of his watch - generating a red holographic tracking signal. The signal he planted on Arachne the night before.

>As he squints at the location and the coordinates it's giving him in real time, he says:

"This can't be right. It says that Arachne is a few meters away - directly in front of me."

>Damian then looks more carefully at the readings, continuing to speak as he says:

"Almost like she's right….."

>Blinks again.

"Outside the……"

>Then it hits him, as the realization comes crashing down around him like a tidal wave of cold water in the sunlight of a beach shore.

"….Door."

>Cancelling the glowing red holographic projection on his high tech watch, Damian then quickly hides said watch under his jacket sleeve as the revelation still hits him hard.

"Holy….."

>Staring at Aiden, wide in the eyes, he finally puts himself together mentally.

"…..Shit."

>Aiden nods slowly at him, saying:

"I figured it out last night after you went back to your dorm. Her pattern of appearances and disappearances from work corresponded with all the known times she was seen swinging around the city. Given the distance from the Archeon Complex to all areas she's been reported being seen in, I did the rough calculations in my head in a few milliseconds - it's her."

>Mariah then walks towards the door, after Dana points to it, while shaking her hand.

"She's Arachne."

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 22:22:05 No.422

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>>421
>Damian then collects himself as he watches Mariah slowly walk into the room. Carrying herself with an air of innocence and politeness, she quickly jogs over to Damian and stretches out her hand.

"Hi there! I'm Mariah!"

>Damian takes the hand and shakes it, going:

"Hey. I'm Damian."

>Mariah then excitedly shakes Damian's hand, speaking:

"You're Mister and Misses Demond's son right? I've heard so much about you from them! Especially Misses Desmond! You're much taller than I thought you'd be!"

>Damian mentally examines his height compared to Mariah's, and compares it to the estimates he made last night against Arachne.

{"Complete match. Holy shit, it is her!"}

>Out loud, he then responds with:

"Hopefully good statements from mom then. Also yeah, I guess I am."

>Damian gives a weak smile as he looks at Aiden, who smiles back and says:

"Mariah's one of our newest research assistants. She's also a college student, like you. Just transferred here from out of state. Wanted to go to the world's premier Meta-Human university - despite not being one herself."

>Mariah nods in excitement as she says:

"Of course! I'm also studying to become a geneticist myself. It's an expanding field, you see. Lots of opportunities for college students like us! Wait…."

>Mariah squints for a bit before saying:

"Hey….we're in the same class right? 'Molecular Biology'! Oh! Also 'Social Dynamics'! That elective course!"

>Damian nods as he blinks, the realization hitting him again.

{"Holy shit. I go to the same fucking university as her?!?!"}

>Damian then starts to remember the attractive brunette woman in his class, usually sitting on the opposite side of the theater hall as him.

{"Well shit."}

>Now removing his hand from the handshake with the woman, Damian then asks her:

"How're you liking school here?"

>Mariah thinks for a moment, quizzically, before saying:

"It's not what I expected, but it's fun! Thanks for asking though."

>Mariah then looks at Damian more closely, narrowing them as she begins to look smug.

"Misses Desmond never told me how handsome you look though. Very attractive…."

>Damian then laughs softly and scratches his neck, stating:

"Well, I've been told that I'm a pretty face! Thanks!"

———————————————————————–

>After Mariah leaves again, Aiden then tells Damian telepathically:

{"Meet me on the roof in five minutes."}

>Aiden then pats Damian on the back and walks out of the room, with Damian still confused by the situation.

{"What is going on here? Seriously. This is way too coincidental."}

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 22:30:52 No.423

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>>422
>Time: 5:00 PM
>Location: Sanctuary City, Archeon Complex - Rooftop

>As Mosaic leans against a door - leading to a maintenance room below in the complex, he looks up and sees Arachnid flipping onto the rooftop.

>Landing directly in front of Mosaic, he looks up at his mentor and says:

"Alright boss, I'm here. What's up?"

>Arachnid slowly rises to his feet, as Mosaic leans off of the door and points out at the expanse of the building below. Including the car parking lot. Seeing Mariah slowly walking toward her car, Mosaic then says:

"Tail her and see what you can find out about her patterns as Arachne. If we're lucky, she'll lead us right back to her ringleader."

>Arachnid crosses his arms and says:

"What if she figures out that I'm tailing her?"

>Mosaic then states:

"She won't if you're careful. Besides, you're probably going to want to record proof of her becoming Arachne. That'll help you get her to cooperate."

>Arachnid cranes his head to the side, saying:

"So you want me to blackmail her."

>Mosaic looks directly at Arachnid, saying:

"Her mind's reinforced by some mental shielding. I could take a crack at it, but there's a good chance there's a psychic trap placed on it. Meaning it'll alert the psion involved, to my presence."

>Making a gesture with his hand, a drawing that moves from one point to another with his finger in the air, Mosaic continues:

"So….if the psion figures out that their trap was triggered around Mariah when she's out of costume…."

>Arachnid finishes the flow of logic.

"They'd be able to figure out that someone at Archeon is one of the vigilantes in the city…..Shit."

>Mosaic nods.

"Exactly. So, this is our best method for getting a real chance at cooperation out of her. Reveal that you've been tracking her, and she won't even think you're from Archeon either - best plan we've got at the moment."

>Nodding, Arachnid fires out a web line to a nearby building anchor point and looks at Mosaic, stating:

"You really are smart, boss. Honestly."

>Arachnid then jumps off of the building's rooftop and begins swinging rapidly, and with precision - carefully hiding behind various buildings as he keeps track of Mariah's car.

>Mosaic, looking on, says:

"Yeah, I know."

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 22:38:33 No.424

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>>423
>Time: 5:30 PM
>Location: Sanctuary City - Downtown District

>As Mariah rounds the curve to her apartment building complex, she parks her car and quickly gets out of it. Muttering to herself, she says:

"….Idiot still hasn't paid me for my troubles yet…."

>Referring to her contractor, she then adjusts her clothes slightly, as she looks down at her cellphone. Just then, she gets a new message.

["You botched the job. You're not getting payment until you do it properly."]

>Annoyed, Mariah begins tapping a response, clearly angry.

["I already told you. The bug got in the way. Wasn't part of the plan!"]

>Another text message appears on her cell phone.

["Doesn't matter. You're a professional, and I expect as much from you. Don't forget who stole that spider, and engineered you into what you are."]

>Silent, Mariah curses to herself, mouthing profanity as she then mutters out loud:

"…Fucking asshole."

>Silent, she then sighs and types on her phone again.

["Alright…..What do I need to do now?"]

>After a few moments, a text message response appears:

["New coordinates. Get it done properly this time."]

>Mariah is then sent the coordinates, sighing for a moment before she then says out loud:

"Oh now you send the coordinates on time. Prick."

>Looking around to make sure that nobody's watching her, she then quickly runs to a nearby alleyway, at the very end of the apartment complex - and begins changing into her Arachne costume underneath.

>All the while, an invisible and cloaked figure watches her from nearby…..

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 22:50:58 No.425

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File: 1659048657782-4.gif (1.99 MB, 500x280, Punch - 2.gif)

>>424
>After a few minutes, a web patch appears high at the end of the alleyway - undetected to normal pedestrians. The web patch holds Mariah's clothes as Arachne takes perch on the rooftop above - looking over her surroundings.

"….Alright. Second DataDrive building should be somewhere in the Finance District of the city…."

>As Arachne is going through her phone, looking at the coordinates, a voice from behind her calls out.

"Hey, we need to talk."

>Recognizing the voice, Arachne swears beneath her breath as she stands up and turns around, going:

"Listen, bug boy. I don't know how you found me, but I'm not in the mood for your shit-"

>As Arachne turns around, Arachnid is crossing his arms, motioning one of his arms out to snap his fingers.

"What are you-"

>As Arachne is confused, she then looks down and sees a third person perspective of her as Mariah typing on her phone - with a clear zoom in of the messages.

"What-"

>Immediately feeling her heart racing, Arachne then stumbles backward as she still holds the phone in her hand. Stammering she then says:

"H-How d-did you g-get t-this?!"

>Then, the footage shows the entirety of Mariah changing - fully, into Arachne, suggestive footage and all.

>Feeling her face turn red in anger and embarrassment, she then shouts:

"You fucking pervert! God damn you!"

>Arachne then slams her phone on the ground in anger - right as Arachnid makes a gesture with his hand, creating a silk pad to catch it harmlessly - before it could drop and break.

"I tracked you here with nanites I planted into your body last night."

>Thinking to herself, Arachne then immediately remembers the exchange from the night prior, with her feeling a searing pain in her arm.

>Looking down at her arm, she then looks back up at Arachnid and shouts:

"You God damned bastard! I knew it! You were tricking me with that 'I don't know my own strength' bullshit!"

>Arachne gets up and begins rushing down Arachnid, taking swings at him. As she continues weaving her punches at Arachnid, trying to connect with him, he says:

"I had to find a moment where I could get proof that you're Arachne, and that your civilian identity is who it is. Only got that just now."

>Arachnid then flips forward, doing a perfect handstand on a pipe exhaust for the roof as he continues speaking.

"Wasn't my first choice, but I felt it was the best one given the situation!"

>Arachnid then leaps up into the air from his handstand with his right hand - narrowly missing Arachne's punch which nearly caves in the entire rooftop.

"Hey! You're lucky that place was abandoned!"

>Arachnid says as he lands down on the floor of the rooftop - a crater away from Arachne now.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 22:58:07 No.426

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>>425
>Picking up the phone, Arachnid watches as pulsing red light moves from the phone to his wrist - then to the rest of his body as his suit downloads the information stored in the phone.

"Needed this too, thanks."

>After a few moments, Arachnid then says:

"….So that's your name. Mariah."

>Now truly shocked, Arachne stammers and falls backwards, panicking.

"Oh no. Oh God no! No! I'm not going to jail for stealing! I'm not!"

>Arachne starts sobbing uncontrollably, in a way that Arachnid can tell isn't being faked, as he eases up and goes:

"H-Hey! I'm not trying to screw you over here! I'm not!"

>Arachne keeps sobbing uncontrollably, putting her hands up to her face as she says:

"I'm ruined! Oh My God I'm ruined!"

>Silent for a moment, Arachnid then says:

{"Well. Aiden can wipe her mind later if this was a mistake so…Might as well."}

>Arachnid hesitates, as he slowly takes off part of his mask - before putting it back on his face.

{"No. There's another way to prove that I'm not trying to screw her over here."}

"Arachne!"

>Arachnid says out loud, with enough force to shake her out of her sobbing.

"What?! The fuck else do you want from me?! You've ruined my life!"

>Arachnid tosses her phone back at her, as she catches it effortlessly.

"I think I know who your boss is. Just from what I've learned from the rest of the vigilantes in this city. The messenger mentioned the whole 'engineered you into what you are' idea right?"

>Silent for a moment, Arachne says:

"….Yeah, what about it?"

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 23:06:05 No.427

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>>426
>Arachnid then elaborates.

"….You were bitten by one of the spiders from Archeon, weren't you? That's the only explanation for your powers. Since there's literally nobody else in the city like me."

>Silent for a moment, Arachne then states:

"…So what if I was?"

>Arachnid then begins pacing back and forward as he puts a hand to his chin, stating:

"…..So, that means you would've been genetically unstable. The retroviral compound itself isn't just recombinant, it's also parasitic. It doesn't just change DNA sequences, it overrides them. Corrodes the base pairs of the amino acid structures. Breaks them down."

>Confused and surprised by Arachnid's extensive level of knowledge, Arachne then states:

"….Which means there would need to be a stabilizing agent…..My god….That's what he did to me."

>Placing a hand on her mouth, Arachne reels from the shock of the revelation, as Arachnid mentally hits her with another bombshell.

"I know, Mariah. It was Chiral wasn't it? The very same guy I'm trying to stop."

>Arachne is then dead silent for a moment as she then says:

"….You know then. Oh My God. You know about him…."

>Hesitating, Arachnid then sighs and says:

{"I've figured it out so far. She really is just another victim of his. Well, might as well go for it. Build up her trust completely while I still have leverage."}

"Yeah, Mariah, I do."

>Arachnid then slowly takes off his helmet as he states:

"….Because I've been in a similar situation - just with someone who wanted to help me. Not harm me."

>Taking off his helmet with one hand, Damian holds it by that same hand, as Arachne's world is turned upside down.

"….Damian?"

>Arachne then takes off her mask, revealing her face as Mariah, and crying tears of happiness.

"….It is you!"

>Surprised, Damian says:

"Well yeah, I'm not sure why you're so happy-"

>Mariah then jumps forward, meeting Damian at the edge, grabs him by the chest and kisses him deep on the mouth.

"Mmmmhhh!!!!!"

>Damian's eyes are wide in surprise still.

Event 07/28/22 (Thu) 23:14:41 No.428

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>>427
>Immediately after kissing him, Mariah grabs him and drags him overhead, before slamming him into the ground.

"Asshole! I can't believe I found you attractive! God damnit! Why do I have such shitty taste in men?!?!"

>Looking away, angrily, Mariah is still blushing as she then reflexively blurts out:

"….You like what you saw then?"

>Damian, still trying to process all of this, says:

"I mean….I mean…..Sure? No wait, that was inappropriate I'm sorry! But I didn't have a choice, like I said."

>Looking back at him with an annoyed look on her face, she then says:

"….You're still a God damned pervert. But….I'm glad it's you."

>Pulling him up, Mariah looks at Damian in the eyes again, still tears in her eyes as she mutters.

"….You really are handsome."

>Now fully red in the face, Damian then slides his helmet back on his face, saying:

"….Back to business first. Someone could look up here."

>Mariah gives a quizzical look, then immediately reacts with surprise on her face, stating:

"Huh? Oh right! Shit…."

>Placing her mask back over her face, she then lets go of him arm, saying:

"…So. You said you know about him? Chiral?"

>Arachnid nods slowly, saying:

"He's the guy behind the recent Meta-Human kidnappings, and a lot more too. But the fact that he experimented on you means you're a Meta-Human too Mariah. Your Meta-Gene probably just activated when he did so."

>Mariah looks away from Arachnid and slowly walks back to the edge of the rooftop, holding her arm with her hand as she looks somewhat dejected still.

"Yeah, I know. It was the stabilizing agent. He used something, some kind of weird device, to bind an activation agent to my DNA - I think that's what stabilized me."

>Arachnid then looks at Arachne, stating:

"Making you the second spider person in the world, that we know of at least."

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 21:35:03 No.429

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>>428
>Holding the phone in his hand, Arachnid eyes it for a moment, looking somewhat despondent behind his mask.

"….We've been trying to find the guy for months now. Mosaic and I have, I mean."

>Tossing the phone back at Arachne, she catches it effortlessly with one hand, placing it back in the pocket strap of her costume.

"And you've found nothing on him? Seriously? He can't be that hard to find. I mean, he kidnapped me!"

>Silence fills the air between the two for a moment, as Arachnid then turns to look over the edge of the rooftop - towards the city at large.

"….We know he's likely got multiple powers. Probably because he's some kind of freak scientist with genetics. But we're not sure where exactly he's hiding either."

>Doing a double take, Arachnid then spins back towards Arachne, shocked at her response.

"Wait what? He kidnapped you? I thought you were from out of state?"

>Rolling her eyes behind her lenses, Arachne then says:

"I've been here this entire time you idiot. You just never noticed me."

>Arachnid then places a hand on his helmet, reflexively facepalming as he understands the implication.

"Right. You started showing up as Arachne a few months ago - around the time we started learning about Chiral in the first place. You would've had to have been in Sanctuary City the whole time, as he doesn't grab people from out of city. For whatever reason, he can't leave."

>Arachne nods slowly and places her hands together, making an exaggerated swooning motion.

"My hero. So quick on his feet, and light on his back~"

>Groaning, Arachnid then jumps off of the rooftop and starts swinging into the city.

————————————————————————————

>As Arachnid whips past a city street, flipping in mid air to spin a new silk line in a perpendicular direction - another strand of webbing catches up to him from the side.

"What? Trying to ditch me now? Am I not too good for you?"

>Arachne says, annoyed, as she swings alongside Arachnid in the air.

"No, it's not that. I'm just not used to working with other people-"

>Arachnid vaults over a rooftop of a large building, mid discussion. Beside him once again in the air, Arachne scoffs.

"Oh bullshit. You work with that Mosaic guy all the time. I'm guessing he's your partner."

"No, he's my boss."

"Oh right, of course."

>Arachne says in a sarcastic tone, as both of the Meta-Humans continue rapidly swinging throughout the city.

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 22:00:42 No.430

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>>429
>After a few minutes of improvised web / silk swinging, Arachne then stops beating around the bush.

"….When were you going to tell me that you were Arachnid?"

>Arachnid looks at Arachne for a moment, stating:

"….What?"

>Both of them swing in parallel motions around another building, each moving with supernatural precision to vault off of the building's rooftop. Now launching themselves even higher into the air, they each instinctively web / silk zip towards the nearby construction pipe. Instinctively, they both hold onto each other as they move through the pipe, fastened in place and hanging in the air.

"………."

"………."

>Arachnid and Arachne then stare at each other for an extended moment, before they both then push away - swinging again in parallel, and at high speeds.

"I was going to tell you once you helped us find Chiral and stop him."

"You are so full of shit, Damian!"

"What?! It's true?!"

"You only told me just now because you felt sorry! Not because you wanted to!"

>Arachne then swings in an arcing fashion, jumping onto Arachnid's chest and grabbing a fistful of his costume as she glares at him.

"Because you needed to, in order to make yourself feel better!"

>Now both free falling from the sky, Arachnid scowls as pulls Arachne's hand away - spinning them both in mid air. Instinctively, he then grabs onto Arachne and fires another silk line - now swinging the both of them with one hand.

"Is this what you wanted?"

>Arachne's cheeks flush red, with her mask hiding the rest of her face.

"Just shut up and carry me."

———————————————————–
>Time: 5:30 PM
>Location: Sanctuary City, Financial District - DataDrive Complex

>After about half an hour of swinging, Arachnid lowers himself and Arachne down to a rooftop in front of a large building. As both of them are now in the Financial District, their separate demeanors shift.

"This is the place right?"

>Arachne nods slowly as she moves from Arachnid's grasp.

"You don't have to be here, Damian. I just need to do this, and he'll let me go."

>Crossing his arms in annoyance, Arachnid replies.

"Like hell he will. We've seen what this guy does to his experiments. He treats them like tools, and when a tool isn't useful anymore, he discards them."

>Arachne's expression darkens as she slowly begins to brace her arm with her opposite hand, tightening the grip in clear pain and fear.

"I-I'll still have an window to leave the city! It doesn't matter!"

>Arachnid walks up close to Arachne and places a hand on her shoulder.

"You're not going to feel at peace as long as he's still there. He took you and….changed you without your permission. He basically stole weeks of your life from you because of his own desires."

>Arachne feels herself choking up a bit again, holding back tears.

"…God fucking damnit! I can't…I just can't….."

>Arachnid holds her again, more tightly this time.

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 22:06:58 No.431

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>>430
>Arachnid then speaks to Arachne, after holding her for a few more seconds.

"You're not going through this alone anymore, Mariah. You've got me, and the people who are helping me."

>He then pulls back from her, but keeps his hands on her shoulders.

"We're not going to let Chiral do this to you. We're going to find him, and we're going to stop him; to save you and everybody else the bastard's captured and experimented on."

>Arachne actually gives a weak smile for a moment, before putting a hand on Arachnid's helmet.

"….God. I had to find you interesting. A dork like you."

>Hesitating, Arachne and Arachnid then both feel the same supernatural sensation - the warning sense that has aided Arachnid so many times in his career so far.

"….Are you sensing?"

"Yeah."

>They then both say in unison.

"….Danger."

>Immediately acting on instinct, both of them immediately jump up into the air - as the building catches fire. Spinning around and landing effortlessly on their feet on the ground, they're both met by the instigator of the explosion.

>A humanoid figure in a magma body walks slowly through the burning fire of the building, a flame atop their head. Giving a smug smile, the figure reveals themselves to be the late Vulcan, confusing Arachnid.

"What?! You're supposed to be dead! There were reports about it from the MRD!"

>Narrowing her eyes at Arachnid for a moment, Arachne then says:

"…He's dead? Then what the hell is this?!"

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 22:22:04 No.432

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File: 1659133323170-3.gif (1.09 MB, 500x231, Car Throw.gif)

>>431
>Vulcan dusts his molten fiery hands, charring the dust particles that stick to them. Giving a light chuckle, he then says:

"What good's one matchstick if it's blown out like a candle? That's why the boss man's got backup plans and contingencies - like me."

>Pointing at himself as he makes an exaggerated bow, Arachnid comes up with the explanation first.

"…..Cloning. He cloned you and implanted you with his memories!"

>Clapping his hands in a mocking gesture, Vulcan-2 laughs as he replies:

"Ohh look at you! You're definitely the brains of the operation then, that's for sure!"

>Before Vulcan-2 can speak further, Arachne rips a nearby car door off of its hinges with superhuman speed and precision - spinning it in her hand as she aims the blade directly at Vulcan-2. She then launches the improvised blade weapon right at Vulcan - splitting him in two.

>Silent, Arachnid can only watch as people look on in terror and begin running away from the chaos. Stunned, he then looks at Arachne and says:

"What are you doing?!"

>Arachne sighs and looks at Arachnid again, stating:

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm disarming the threat."

>Arachnid points at the now dismembered molten body of Vulcan-2, saying:

"He's still a human being! He's-"

"A clone of a piece of shit who gave up his humanity for power. "

"Or a person who didn't have much of a choice given his circumstances, and went with the only option he was given to survive."

>Arachne is silent for a moment, before responding.

"Whatever, at least he's dealt with-"

>Suddenly, massive plumes of fire appear from all directions - converging on their location. As their Extra-Sensory Perception warns them immediately, they respond quickly - backflipping high into the air, in lockstep, to land down on the ground meters away.

"Eyes up! There's more of them!"

>On the various rooftops of the nearby buildings, Arachnid can see a dozen or so copies of Vulcan, each assuming a different pose from their counterparts.

"Shit…This was just a trap, for Chiral to eliminate you. He never intended to give you a second chance!"

>Gritting through bared teeth, Arachne responds with:

"Yeah, I noticed. Too bad for him, I'm through being his fucking puppet."

>Arachnid nods, saying:

"Yeah. Good to know."

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 22:34:09 No.433

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>>432
>As Arachnid and Arachne begin engaging the Vulcan clones in combat, they begin making progress, slowly disabling the clones with a combination of fast reflexes and near flawless teamwork. As the Vulcan clones are slowly being defeated, Arachnid says to Arachne:

"Remember what I said, Arachne! You're on our side now! He's not going to get to you, without getting through me!"

>Arachnid then delivers a webbed up dual-fist strike on the head of a Vulcan-clone, right after zipping towards him. The strike sends the Vulcan clone skidding towards the ground - knocking them out.

>At the same time, Arachne grabs a Vulcan clone by the rock mantle on its chest, crushing it with the sheer force of her arm and hand. As the magma falls to the ground, with some of the rocks colliding with her hand, Arachne feels her heart rate slow down - the anxiety easing in her mind.

"I'm in control. Not him….I'm in control….Not him…."

>As the Vulcan clones are defeated, Arachnid walks over to Arachne, who is panting lightly. As he does so, a crowd of people quickly rush towards him. A person with their cell phone then quickly begins recording them both.

"Arachnid! Arachnid! What you did was insane, holy shit!"

>The guy then turns his attention towards Arachne, still catching her breath.

"Is this your girlfriend dude? She's got a great body-"

>Arachnid webs the phone camera as he replies:

"She's my crime fighting partner. Her name's Arachne, and we're here to help protect the city."

>Taking Arachne by the hand, Arachnid then jumps up into the air - and carries her with one hand as he begins swinging with the other.

"….Thanks for that again. I just….."

"Don't mention it. Last thing you needed was a PR fiasco anyways."

>Silent for a moment, Arachne then asks Arachnid:

"…So….What now?"

>Still focusing on swinging, Arachnid says:

"I'm taking you back to your place, so you can rest."

>Arachne, seeing her gaze begin to wane towards his chest, then says:

"….Your dorm's closer."

>Arachnid suddenly feels taken aback.

"I-I mean. It's the boys' dormitory. You're not supposed to be there anyways!"

>Arachne doesn't relent.

"….I can sneak out easily enough. You all have the attention span of a gnat."

>Sighing, Arachnid nods in her direction and says:

"Alright. My dorm then."

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 22:41:57 No.434

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>>433
>Time: 7:00 PM
>Location: Sanctuary City, Sanctuary City University - Dormitories

>After about an hour of rest and relaxation, Mariah walks out of Damian's dormitory restroom, fixing her hair as she wears a general Sanctuary City University set of clothes - taken from the University Store.

"Thanks. I'll reimburse you whatever that cost."

>Damian shakes his head as he rubs his eyelids.

"It's fine, Mariah. Really. You don't need to thank me."

>Mariah then sits down next to Damian, looking at him.

"No, I should thank you. For everything you've done."

>Both of them are silent for a moment, as Damian replies.

"I was just doing my job, helping out."

>Mariah shakes her head, saying:

"Any other person would've still kept the footage on their phone as blackmail leverage. But you deleted it. I saw you do it with my own eyes."

>She then puts her hand on his own, looking directly in his eyes.

"You also trusted me enough to show me your identity - and you dumped your boss's stupid blackmail plan immediately."

>Mariah's eyes narrow as she then whispers into his ear.

"….You put a lot of trust into me, and I should repay you for that…."

>Before Damian can respond, Mariah webs his door completely shut - before moving to sit on top of him.

"….You don't really have to…you know."

>Damian says, now clearly embarrassed.

>Mariah looks at him, with a smug expression on her face.

"I know, but I want to."

>Mariah then kisses Damian on the lips as she webs the light off in the room.

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 22:48:59 No.435

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>>434
>Date: March 4th, 2017
>Time: 5:00 PM
>Location: Sanctuary City, Archeon Complex - Genetics & Molecular Biology Division

>Damian is finishing up his internship work at Archeon Incorporated for the day, as he hears a knock on the laboratory door. Looking up he sees Mariah waving happily at him.

{"Well, I knew I couldn't put this off forever. Here goes nothing then."}

>Packing up his lab equipment and storing it, Damian then packs up his backpack and flings it over his shoulder. As he walks out of the door, he appears face to face with Mariah, who is in a very happy mood.

"Hey Mariah, I uh…"

>Mariah gives him a peck on the cheek - and not a kiss on the lips.

"What? I thought you were going to-"

"I'm not dense, Damian."

>Silent for a moment, Damian looks around quickly, making sure nobody saw the gesture Mariah just made. After confirming that nobody did, he then says in a lowered tone of voice.

"You mean, even after last night you're not….."

"No, because you're not. I can tell, and it's pretty obvious."

>Damian's face becomes red as he begins stammering.

"I-I w-well. I-It's j-just that I d-don't really s-see you a-as a-"

"I know. There's someone else isn't there?"

>Mariah, her hands now in her pocket, looks amusingly at Damian, who feels his face get even more red from embarrassment.

"W-Well it's complicated. I d-don't think she'd be fine with you telling m-me."

>A voice from the hallway, walking towards them, then speaks.

"It's Blake."

>Damian is then floored to find Aiden walking toward them both, with Mariah rolling her eyes in mild annoyance.

"…Hello Aiden."

"Hey Mariah."

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 22:57:30 No.436

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>>435
>Damian is confused for a moment as Aiden appears.

"Uh hey, Mister Grayson! I didn't mean to talk on the job or anything-"

"He knows, Damian."

>Damian then again looks shocked as he turns towards Aiden, who nods.

"She came to see me right at the start of internship hours, filled me in."

"Why? I thought she was keeping that close to her chest-"

"Because he told me that he was your 'boss' the moment I walked into this building. He knows, Damian."

>Silent for a moment, Damian then sighs and drops the act.

"….Then you know she's in trouble."

"I do. That's why I've set her up here in a more secure location. She'll be staying here residentially at Archeon for now."

>Damian blinks for a moment.

"Aiden, the apartment complexes here are expensive. I don't know if her salary can cover that-"

"It's free. I'm giving her one of the old suites nobody in my family uses."

>Aiden then gestures for them to go to the roof after him.

——————————————————————————

>After all 3 of them reach the roof of the building, Aiden then turns towards Damian and Mariah, who are both confused. Mariah speaks first.

"…H-How long are you giving me that complex?!"

>Aiden speaks in return.

"As long as you want. Until you're ready to head Archeon's Genetics & Molecular Department once Damian's parents retire in a few years."

>Mariah is floored by the statement, stammering.

"W-W-W-W-W-W-WHAT?! You can't do that! I'm not sure if I'm qualified-"

"You had the highest performance evaluation scores of any research assistant in the history of the internship position. Your grades as an undergrad are exceptional, and you're arguably second only to Damian himself."

>Looking between the two of them, Mariah then says:

"….So why aren't you giving him the position? You said it yourself. He exceeded even me!"

>Aiden looks at Damian and says:

"….Because the woman you're interested in, if you're lucky, probably will make you a counter offer a few years in the future, now won't she?"

>The air is dead silent as Damian looks away - completely red faced.

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 23:07:03 No.437

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>>436
>Mariah then gives a slight and bittersweet smile, as she feels a light tear falling down her cheek.

"So that's what it's about. Of course. I should've known when I pried for an answer right now."

>Aiden looks down in respect as Damian looks back at Mariah.

"It's not you. It's just….There's something about her I can't explain. She's something else."

>Mariah wipes the tear from her face, then sighs and rolls her eyes in annoyance.

"Then go tell her, you moron."

>Damian raises an eyebrow.

"But I-"

>Mariah flicks his cheek with her finger.

"Past is set in stone. No use dwelling on what-ifs. Besides."

>Mariah whispers into Damian's ear.

"I got all that I wanted from you last night. Thank you."

>Moving back, Mariah turns her attention towards Aiden, and says:

"As for you? Blackmail? Really? I thought you were better than that, Aiden!"

>Aiden crosses his arms and closes his eyes.

"Took the safer approach. Didn't want to risk Damian revealing his identity if he didn't feel it was necessary. But I'll give him credit for having faith in you."

>The wind blows by a bit more, moving Mariah's hair in front of her face, and hiding more tears.

>Aiden then turns towards Damian, saying:

"I think we've got a lead on where to find Chiral. Done enough research and corroborated enough MRD reports, eyewitness reports and secondhand investigative reports by private investigators - to triangulate a few areas where Chiral could be."

>Aiden then elaborates further.

"He's likely either somewhere deep in the catacombs of the main sewer system deep beneath the city, hiding somewhere in the Industrial Sector at the far reaches of the graveyard expanse of the city's edges - or hiding in plain sight - somewhere within the Downtown District of the city. Likely using an entire building as cover to avoid suspicion regarding his operations."

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 23:29:58 No.438

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>>437
>Damian starts thinking to himself.

"….The catacombs wouldn't make sense. You said those areas were near the MRD labs that your brother found, right?"

>Aiden nods, building off of Damian's deduction.

"Correct. The MRD would likely encounter him and start a large scale conflict almost immediately, since he'd have nowhere to hide."

>Mariah then ponders for a moment before stating:

"Wait a minute. The junkyard doesn't make that much sense either. That place has been swept clean in recent months - thanks to the Brigadiers using that place as their hideout."

>Aiden snaps his fingers in response to Mariah's rationale.

"Exactly. A long term base of operations couldn't be established there long before the Brigadiers holed up there - it'd be found and dismantled by the MRD in days."

>Both Damian and Mariah then look at Aiden, who then says:

"Which means he must be somewhere directly in the city - likely somewhere downtown. It's the perfect place to hide in plain sight, and to avoid MRD activity - since most of the criminal activity that happens there is regular street-level Meta-Human crime. A large observational presence isn't really required at the MRD because of it."

>Aiden then looks at Damian, stating:

"Mariah's identity is known to Chiral for obvious reasons. So you'll have to stay away from her for a while, until we finally stop him once and for all."

>Looking then at Mariah, Aiden says:

"You too, Mariah. Stay here in the Archeon Complex for now. You can go back to Sanctuary City University for your undergraduate classes still. Chiral doesn't have the guts to attack places like that, so you should be safe there. Still, I'm giving you a personal security detail and escort to and from the university until this matter is settled."

>Damian and Mariah both nod, as Mariah then says to Aiden in response:

"So what are you going to do, Aiden? He's going to come after you too, eventually."

>Aiden then generates a glowing black and red glowing ring around his body - which displaces space to superimpose his Mosaic costume onto his body. Now looking back at the two college students, he then says:

"What else? I'll bring the fight to him, before this gets out of hand. I have an idea of who he is, where he is, and what he's planning. Now I have to go stop him."

>Mosaic then leaps up into the air with speed and force several times greater than what Damian and Mariah can produce - leaving them both stunned.

"…..Could he always do that?"

>Mariah says looking back at Damian in amazement.

>Damian shakes his head in wonder, still staring at the sky above.

"….I-I don't know."

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 23:41:01 No.439

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>>438
>Damian then looks back at Mariah, who's dried her tears at this point. He then looks at her, taking her hand as he says:

"….I know I'm going to sound like a complete asshole for asking this but…."

>Holding her hand tight, Damian then says:

"….Can we still be friends?"

>Mariah closes her eyes for a moment and then takes a deep sigh. Thinking through the situation and reminiscing on her past few experiences with Damian, she then opens her eyes and says:

"You're the best friend a girl could ever ask for, Damian. I'd love it if you stuck around with me."

>Mariah gives a legitimately happy smile, a sense of relief being washing over her body from the truth being revealed.

>Damian then looks down at the watch underneath his wrist - a black, silver and red watch with the same familiar circuitry as his Arachnid suit. Noticing the gesture, Mariah then asks:

"….And why don't I have a watch like that? Or a suit like yours?"

>Damian smiles and then lets out an amused sigh for a moment.

"Stick around. Who knows? You might get something fun as well."

>Now looking more interested, Mariah smiles again as she says:

"Yeah? Well I'll hold you to that."

>Mariah then begins taking off her top, causing Damian to look away in embarrassment.

"M-Mariah what are you doing?!"

"Changing into my outfit, dummy. Not everyone has a super fancy high tech futuristic watch now do they?"

>As Damian is turning away, he presses a button on his watch - that generates a series of pre-programmed nanites. The nanites form the complex nanoweave, artificial tissue and the collective mesh of the Arachnid Suit. After turning back around, Arachnid then looks at the now changed Arachne, stating:

"Are you ready to go let off some steam?"

>Arachne nods, smiling, and saying:

"Sure. Oh, and until you've grown a set and actually made your move?"

>Arachne leans forward to Arachnid, whispering in his ear once again.

"I'm going to take my time with you these next few months~. Hope your dorm is soundproof~."

>Arachnid then mutters in embarrassment as he leaps dozens of meters into the air, and begins swinging - with Arachne following right behind him.

Event 07/29/22 (Fri) 23:54:24 No.440

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>>439
>After a few minutes of swinging, Arachnid and Arachne move with extreme precision and dexterity, weaving through the complex structures of the large metropolitan city. As they each take turns weaving in and out of each other's motions and movements, Arachnid reminisces about the past few days - taking it all in stride and considering his improvement at his job as a hero.

"So you've got backup webs besides your organic webbing? Not bad!"

"It's called silk. The compound I use. Synthetic adhesive polymer. My own formula."

>Genuinely impressed, Arachne then lands on a building and effortlessly parkours over all of the obstructions at blindingly high speeds. Now flipping off of the edge of the rooftop, Arachne then generates more webbing from her palms as she begins swinging again in the air.

"You've got extra canisters then! No wonder you never run out during a fight!"

"I need the extra cartridges for an emergency situation."

>Arachnid then vaults onto another rooftop, clearing over it in its entirety with a single handstand motion from his hands. As he lands on the side of a building, high up in the city, Arachne lands beside him, putting a hand to her cheek.

"…God. There's just something about you…."

>Arachnid then looks at Arachne and says:

"Well it's like I said before. Stick with me, and you'll see that I'm full of surprises."

>Arachne smiles as Arachnid grabs her by the waist, more confidently this time, and shoots out a silk line with his right hand - attaching it to a building across from them. After looking at Arachne who takes off his mask partially to give him a deep kiss on the lips, Arachne then puts the helmet back fully on his face, saying:

"I'm going to savor every minute with you, bug boy - until she finally takes you away from me."

>Arachnid simply responds with:

"Hope you enjoy the ride then."

>Arachnid then jumps off of the side of the building, holding Arachne firmly with his arm - as he then swings them away from the building and throughout the city, gracefully and expertly too.

[The End - of Part 1]