SPIDER GWEN: EXPOSED CHAPTER 4: FINANCES AND BALANCES

“Welcome to the nine o'clock at NY Eyewitness News. This week will be sunny and still warm up to the end of August, perfect for the ceremony where the recently elected mayor, Norman Osborn will be sworn at City Hall. Anyone willing to support our new mayor is more than welcome to attend! In other news -” said the news anchor at the TV, watched by Gwen on her couch while enjoying some choco cereals. The night after she helped Luke went by peacefully, mostly due to the exhaustion from the madness of stopping Demon weapons thieves “- last night, a violent and extremely dangerous car chase nearly ended in a disaster when several members of the Demon gang tried to escape with several guns stolen from a former Fisk stronghold. Thankfully, they were stopped by FBI lead tactical agent Luke Cage, who claims he had help from an unexpected source…”

Much to Gwen’s surprise, the news anchor related accurately and also without being hostile towards Spider Woman, all based on Luke’s testimony. It was one of the very few instances when something truthful and also non-accusatory was said about her head side on the news. She also saw the injured Luke talking to reporters on scene while he was carried by paramedics into the back of the ambulance. Judging by the collar brace on his neck and a cast on his right hand, it was clear that driving his FBI issued Charger SRT-8 at 100 mph head on into a moving truck was not a good idea, even for an enhanced human like him. 

“Hope he is a fast healer…” she said while finishing her bowl, just as George came home from his night shift. He looked in a bad mood, and something told Gwen it wasn’t the fact he stayed up all night the cause of his bad disposition. 

“Dad? What happened? Another bad night at the precinct?”

“Understatement, Gwennie. Six bank robberies in one night, all at Oscorp owned banks, all perpetrated by your …“favorite” villain: Schultz.” replied George, visibly irate.

“Shocker? Wasn’t he in prison where I put him last time? ”

“He got out. One prison cop set him free, but not before giving him back his gear.”

“What??!” shouted Gwen in shock, nearly choking on her own spoon. “What the hell was his game? Did Shocker bribe his way out!?”

“I wish that were the case…” said George, visibly upset as he sat down on the couch “From what we saw on CCTV recording, the guard just walked up to his cell, carrying all the gear and opened the door for him… there was some sort of conversation between the two, and before that… the guard shot himself with his own gun…” 

“...what?” Before Gwen could speak her mind, George continued. 

“We had been analyzing the recording over and over again, and what we noticed is that the guard was moving… weirdly, like a puppet on strings, Schultz on the other hand, burst his way out through the cell’s wall after he got all his gear. He didn’t go straight to the corridor exit. So… I suppose he got freaked out after the guard blew his brains out.”

After pondering for a bit everything clicked into Gwen’s mind.

“Negative…” 

“Are you sure?” 

“No doubt. That guard probably was possessed by him. Damn it. He is growing bolder now that The Hand is out of the picture.”

“Still… normally when it comes to bank robberies, it takes time and also a lot of planning. Since Shocker got out, he has been on a continuous robbery spree: he bursts in, steals as much as he can, and leaves, he doesn’t even steal everything in the vault…” 

“Stealing the weapons that the Hand left, going after Fisk’s assets, hitting Oscorp properties… he is planning to do something, but all is directed to Oscorp alone.

“But… Why? It seems too much effort for so little gain. Sure, stealing money directly from their banks is a hit to their finances, but Obscorp is an international company with worldwide connections and businesses, not to mention insurance. At best, this is like an ant biting a dinosaur.”

“True… unless Negative is preparing to do something big…” 

But before they could pin out more clues and theories, her phone lit up. It was Agent Specter and in the current context, she wasted no time answering it.

“Kiddo, suit up. We got two Oscorp Bank branches being hit at the same time.”

“Come on, I know I am a superhero and stuff, but I cannot be at two places at the same time.”

“No need to. I’m already at one location. Demons took over the place. You go to the other bank, your old pal Shocker is making an “early withdrawal” and I need you to stop him.”

“Speaking of the devil… ok, I will be there.” replied Gwen, getting ready to head upstairs and grab her suit.

“Be careful. And good luck.” said Specter before hanging up, as he had his own dance with criminals to attend to. This time, speed was important, as it was very likely Shocker would go into hiding or move out to the next bank to hit. Heading in her room, she suited up fast and swung away, heading towards Battery Park.

Inside the bank, there was an eerie silence, as everyone was on the ground, not moving an inch. Police were on its way, along with FBI backup, ready to block any potential escape routes, but also for the agents to discreetly keep the police from spotting Spider Woman and interfere with her effort to stop the robber. Marc was busy handling the other location but was able to send some support towards her location. The ball was now in the heroine’s court, how this would play out was now depending on her. 

Unknown that he isn’t alone, Shocker was busy in the bank’s vault, gathering several bags of money from a pallet that was recently delivered. It looked like an excess of at least fifty million dollars, but he was taking as much as he could carry. Time was of the essence for him, it was “smash and grab”. 

“This should do it…now just get out of here and finish the job.” said Shocker as he zipped the bags shut and exited the vault, in order to head towards the exit Just then, Spider Woman swung onwards him and kicked him back into the vault. Entering after him, she then web-pulled the heavy vault door and closed it shut behind her, trapping both of them inside.

“Oops, looks like we’ll have some alone time here for a while. Wanna play 20 questions?” asked Spider Woman in a mocking way as she cracked her knuckles.

In response, Shocker shot a blast wave aimed at her head, in which she was able to dodge with ease. “No? Like, no evil robber monologue or anything? You are normally more chatty." She then dodged another shockwave right hook “Ok, if you want to play face punch, let’s go for it” then she responded with her own right hook, but only managed to receive some pain in her knuckle after punching his helmet. Distracted with her hand, she failed to notice the punch that was coming towards her. This, combined with the shockwave from Shocker’s gauntlet, sent her along with the vault door flying back in the lobby, crashing against the wall. 

“Owwww…. that’s gonna hurt for the rest of the week…” she said as she got up, holding her head until the dizziness went away, enough time for Shocker to enter the lobby too, ready to face her.

“Better make it a month!” said Shocker as he sent a massive air shockwave towards Spider Woman. Luckily she was able to dodge it in time as the entrance of the bank got blown to bits.

“Heh, now you are talking! For a moment I thought you left your tongue back in prison.” replied Spider Woman, dodging a few strong shockwaves from her opponent, responding afterwards by swinging a few chunks of fallen debris back at him, disorienting him “Come on Herman, why are you doing this? You know Norman will hunt you down and hang your head on a pike like a trophy when he finds out you robbed one of his banks.”

“I don’t have time, nor effort for your bullshit! I am more afraid of them than what Norman could do to me!”

“Them? You're talking about the Demons, right?” 

“SHUT UP!”

She began to dodge more of his attacks. However, his attack pattern was messy and less focused, he was just throwing everything at her without any thought, the fact that she could still see her prison uniform beneath his gear, means that he hasn’t taken a break since he got out of his cell. He looked tired, erratic, even the eyes behind his head gear showed how afraid he was.

“He is more scared than angry…” she thought for a moment while dodging another piece of debris that was falling from the ceiling and caught her with her webbing “Here, catch!” She then swung it at Shocker, causing him to duck and roll, avoiding the large chunk from hitting him. Before he could recover, Spider Woman climbed on him and webbed his hands together before hanging him upside down with more webbing, immobilizing him. 

“Nrrrrghhhhh… what the-...? I don’t have time for this!” said Shocker, struggling to break free, getting increasingly annoyed, as Spider Woman landed in front of him, pleased that the fight was apparently over, ready to get some more answers.

“Come on, Herman. If you come clean and give me all the info I want, then I can help you.”

“No way! If I talk, I’m dead. They made it very clear!” 

“Don’t be so overdramatic. What’s Negative planning with all this money? I know about the other banks that were hit by your robbery frenzy. Now, talk! Or I am going to use you as a punching bag before the police arrive.”

“I am… not…TALKING!!!!” Just then, Shocker overloaded his gauntlets for a second and created a shockwave powerful enough to send Spider Woman in the tellers area, right where the trapped customers and employees were kept. The lobby sustained severe damage, partially collapsing, followed by the room she crashed into. Seeing the ceiling was giving up, she immediately cast a large blanket of webbing over the hostages, catching any debris that fell, preventing any casualties, then focused back on her fight. Seconds later, she saw Shocker back into the action, freed from her webs.

“Stop this nonsense and give up! Me and my friends can protect you!”

“No! You haven’t seen what I saw!” replied Shocker in an increasingly desperate voice. It was clear something regarding the Demon Gang spooked him enough to do their bidding. 

The battle went on, this time the stakes were higher for Spider Woman, having to make sure no civilians are caught in the crossfire, eventually managing to trap his leg with webbing to the ground, making him unable to move. This however didn’t stop him, as he was still able to shoot shockwaves at her, but at least he was not a moving target anymore. But something caught her attention while she was dodging his attacks: the bank’s massive old chandelier. It was large, heavy and barely standing on the last remaining support chains. To add it up, it was right above Shocker, the perfect thing to end the fight fast and immobilize him. 

“Just the right moment…” she said to herself as she stuck to the glass ceiling next to the remaining chains supporting the chandelier “Last chance! Give up or else…!” Seeing her up there, Shocker immediately fired both gauntlets at her, missing her again. The glass skylight shattered, but also the last chains broke, causing the large object to fall on him and pin him to the ground, immobilizing Herman completely. Trying to free himself, he overloaded his gauntlets again, but this time it backfired as they shorted and broke down completely. It seemed the fight was over and the villain was caught, ready to be taken by police.

“Sorry, Herman. You brought this on yourself. Should have accepted my help.” said Spider Woman, before turning around and attending the hostages, breaking the emergency exit open, in order to safely evacuate them. After apparently all were safely out, she was ready to make her escape too, but a sound stopped her. Looking at some debris, she saw one last client that ended up trapped underneath a heavy concrete slab that fell from a nearby wall. 

Quickly rushing towards him and lifting the heavy chunk of debris off him with the help of her enhanced strength, she saw much to her shock that it was a familiar face: it was Ben Parker.

“Oh no! Here, let me help you…” said Spider Woman, helping the slightly dazed Ben get up, but as soon as he saw her, he immediately yanked his arm from her grasp, quickly putting some distance between him and her.

“Get your hands off me!!! Don’t you ever lay your hands on me, EVER!!!” shouted Ben Parker, visibly angry over seeing her. Unlike other people in the city, he was not afraid of her, he was angry and hostile towards her, for understandable reasons. 

“Mr Parker… please, let me-”

“DON’T! I… I don’t need your help…” said Ben, not even looking at her as he looked for his cane and briefcase, keeping his distance. It was clear that unlike May, he hadn't forgiven her for killing Peter and was still hurting.

“Please, I know you’re angry at me and I don't blame you, but you need to get out, it is not safe…” replied Spider Woman, trying to get close and help him walk out of the bank by again grabbing his arm, but Ben was having none of it, smacking her hand off with the walking cane, causing her to pull it quickly, like touching a hot stove. This act was like a switch was flipped, making her look at the old man with even more fear than before.

“How dare you even stay here in front of me, after you took away my nephew…?” Ben stared at Spider Woman this time, with an expression that was a mix of anger, sorrow and sadness  “Peter looked up to you. I, however, don't even want to look at you. You don’t even know how much pain you caused.” he then exited the bank, leaving Spider Woman alone, inside. Those words struck her, even harder than the cane over the hand, as she lowered her head in sadness and shame over this encounter.

“I do know, Ben. I do. And I’m really sorry for that...” she then walked away too, still hurting. Ever since that tragedy, she has feared the day Ben and May will find out who is under that mask, knowing it will cause further grief, especially since both see Gwen as family.

Hours later, at the FBI New York office, Marc was studying the evidence recovered from his own takedown. The Demons didn’t go down without a fight but the operation was still a success, as no civilian or police casualties occurred. Lots of weapons that looked familiar were recovered, something that was worrying him.

“AK models,RPGs, mostly soviet made gear….” he whispered as he looked at the ballistic reports and compared them on a whiteboard “This is just a small fraction of what was stolen…”

“What’s wrong, partner? Came as fast as I could.” said Luke as he entered the large office. He was still wearing a neck brace and some bandages, as his injuries were still not fully healed.

“Luke, take a look at this. These guns I recovered from that robbery… they’re from those warehouses that Negative’s crew hit just a few days ago.”

“Clever motherf***ers. Using stolen guns for an armed robbery. Would have worked if they didn’t get caught.” replied Cage, looking at the photos of the guns used, but then something came to his mind “Wait… did they use the stolen explosives in the bank?”

“No. Didn’t find or smell any traces of explosive material being used.”

“Then where the hell is it? They stole about three tons of that stuff from Fisk’s place!”

“Exactly.” said Specter, showing another screenshot of all recent robberies “Stolen guns and explosives, coordinated bank robberies at Oscorp owned banks… these things are connected, If I could bet my tail on it… I would say that it could be at Norman’s election ceremony.”

“I can look out for any signs of trouble if you need. After all, I will have to attend the event. Norman wants to decorate me for my stunt the other night.”

“Don’t remind me…” replied Specter, giving a chuckle after being reminded of the incident “The higher ups were shocked when I brought them your totaled car. At least I was able to tell them my ‘insurance’ joke, smooth things over a bit over increasing our funding. Ok, keep your eyes open for anything suspicious and let me know what’s going on.”

“Sounds like a plan, partner. Let’s do this.” replied Luke, as he was ready to leave for the evening, but Marc stopped him to give him one last piece of advice.

“And hey! When you shake Norman’s hand, count your fingers afterwards. I know it is not nice to talk ill about someone, but this guy is sleazier than any politician. Be careful around him.”

Previous chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/spider-gwen-3-145230716

things are starting to be omenous... Li is planning something big...