Oscorp
George Stacy and the other officers carefully retreated from the dark alley. The place still reeked of a strange, metallic scent, as if something unnatural had passed through only moments ago. After a quick visual sweep and confirming there were no immediate signs of danger nearby, George raised the radio to his mouth without hesitation.
"Central, this is Captain Stacy. We need immediate backup. I repeat."
As soon as he received confirmation from the other end, George made a firm hand gesture, and the officer beside him began running toward Oscorp's massive main gate. The imposing building loomed before them like a giant of glass and steel—silent, yet threatening.
The security guard stationed at the gate noticed the group approaching at full speed. His body reacted before his mind could fully process the situation. He quickly raised the walkie-talkie to his ear and called for support.
"Attention, we have police approaching the main gate. Backup now."
When George reached the entrance, breathing hard, he pulled out his badge and displayed it with authority.
"NYPD," he said firmly. "Something extremely dangerous has just entered Oscorp."
He took a step forward, his eyes locked on the guard.
"We need to get inside immediately and capture this creature. Otherwise, everyone in this building is at serious risk."
George was about to move ahead when the guard abruptly stepped in front of him, spreading his arms to block his path.
"I'm sorry, Captain," the man replied, maintaining a rigid stance. "But I can't allow anyone to enter without a warrant or a direct order from my superior."
"Please return."
The officers behind George exchanged tense glances. Meanwhile, more and more security personnel began gathering behind the guard, forming an increasingly solid human barrier.
George quickly assessed the situation. If he insisted on forcing his way in at that moment, a confrontation would be inevitable, and the consequences could be severe for both the officers and the department.
"Captain, what do we do now?" one of the officers asked quietly.
George took a deep breath before replying.
"Call Norman Osborn. Explain what's happening and ask for authorization to enter."
"Understood!"
The officer immediately dialed the number Osborn had previously provided. One ring, two, three… nothing.
"No answer," he reported, frustrated.
George closed his eyes for a brief moment, understanding the situation.
"He gave us his work number, not his personal one," he sighed. "A man like Norman Osborn would never hand out his private contact so easily."
He straightened his posture.
"We're pulling back for now. Notify the precinct—we need a warrant as soon as possible. And stay alert."
The security guards watched as George and the officers withdrew. Once they left the area, Oscorp's men gradually returned to their posts. Before, only one guard had been stationed at the gate. Now, to prevent any sudden intrusion, three armed men remained there, on maximum alert.
As he walked away, George couldn't ignore the question pounding in his mind.
"Why did the Lizard show up at Oscorp of all places…?"
He turned to one of the officers.
"Have Dr. Connors brought here as well. Now."
"Understood."
---xXx---
In the surveillance office, the man who had confronted George—the head of security—watched the monitors closely, making sure the police were still outside. After a few seconds of reflection, he decided he couldn't ignore the situation.
If anything went wrong, the responsibility would fall squarely on him.
He picked up the phone and dialed.
"General Manager, there are police officers at Oscorp's entrance…"
After briefly reporting what had happened, an anxious and irritated voice echoed from the other end of the line:
"Under no circumstances let them enter Oscorp! I'm on my way there right now!"
"Understood, sir!"
The captain hung up and immediately stood.
"Attention, everyone! Double security! Do not let anyone enter Oscorp under any circumstances!"
"Understood!!!" they replied in unison.
---xXx---
In a luxurious mansion far from there, Norman Osborn lay on a massage table with his eyes closed as a masseuse slowly worked on his shoulders. The environment was quiet, fragrant, and completely opposite to the chaos forming at Oscorp.
At that moment, the butler approached, holding a phone.
"Sir, someone is calling."
"A work call?" Norman asked lazily, without even opening his eyes.
"Yes, sir."
"Ignore it. Has Harry returned yet?"
"Not yet, sir. He said he's at a colleague's birthday party."
"Very well. You may go."
Just as Norman was about to relax again, the butler returned, still holding the phone.
"Didn't I tell you to ignore work calls?"
"Sir… it's your personal number. It's the general manager of Oscorp."
Norman slowly opened his eyes, his expression changing completely.
"Everyone out."
Once the staff left the room, the butler handed him the phone and quietly closed the door behind him.
"What's the problem?" Norman asked, now serious.
"Sir, the situation is as follows…" the manager began explaining everything in detail.
As he listened, Norman's expression grew darker by the second.
"No matter what happens," he said at last, "do not let the police into Oscorp."
His cooperation with the military could not be exposed.
After hanging up, a rare expression of anxiety appeared on his face.
"That officer found something…?" he murmured to himself. "No, that's impossible. I've always been extremely careful… and the military should be covering for me…"
Wasting no more time, Norman quickly got dressed, went downstairs, and got into his car. The engine roared as he drove off toward Oscorp, in absolute silence.
---
Oscorp — 3rd Floor
Spider-Woman landed silently in front of a heavy iron gate. That area functioned as a massive freezer, used to store experimental specimens and highly sensitive medications.
"I've already breached the system… the door will open now," Cortana reported.
As soon as the voice fell silent, the gate opened with a metallic sound. A blast of icy air escaped from inside, making Gwen shiver involuntarily.
[Gwen, Peter Parker is coming here at high speed. You need to hurry.]
[George Stacy has also discovered that Peter Parker entered Oscorp and has called for reinforcements.]
Spider-Woman quickly entered the freezer, her eyes scanning the area until she located the exact spot indicated by Cortana. Within seconds, she found a small metal case. When she opened it, two vials rested neatly inside.
"Found it."
She closed the case and ran toward the exit. When she was just a few steps from the door, Cortana's voice sounded again, urgent:
[Gwen… he's already at the door.]
The next instant, the Lizard appeared, completely blocking the exit with his massive body.
"Oh, no~" she murmured.
"Spider-Woman?" the Lizard growled, surprised.
When he noticed the case in her hands, he understood everything immediately.
"Do you intend to stop the evolution of all humanity?!" he roared. "Give me that serum now! Only I can lead humans to a better future!"
Gwen tilted her head slightly, pretending to consider it.
"Sure, no problem at all. But before that…" she smiled beneath the mask. "What have you been eating to grow that much in just one day?"
"And by the way, you should brush your teeth. Yuck~"
Completely ignoring the provocation, the Lizard lunged at Spider-Woman with full fury…
(End of Chapter)