Business Proposal (Part 5)

By: Hunter

A jolt of pain shot through James Johnson’s body as he hit the metal table. It was cold and sterile, and he heard computer printouts running off and fluid running through spiraling plastic tubes. James stood up and looked around. He appeared to be in a laboratory of some sort--one that made even Osborn Industries labs pale in comparison.

"Admiring your surroundings, Mr. Johnson?" a voice asked

"I did the same when I first entered this complex. But such technical wonders are to be expected when you have some of the world's top scientists at your disposal. Ah, the luxuries of wealth..." The voice was from a man who was apparently accustomed to being listened to and respected.

James spun around. He found himself looking at an old man. The old man's hair was a silvery color. His face was gaunt and wrinkled an affliction that seemed to cover the rest of his body as well. He floated in place in a hover-chair.

"Who are you?" James asked, a bit nervously.

"I'm Charles Burton. And once, a long time ago, this city belonged to me."

"I should have guessed," James said. "I’m in a nut house" James couldn't help but smirk

The door to James’s right opened and in stepped a man.

“Hello James” The man said, “My name is Dr. Shaw

“Could you answer a question for me doctor? James asked, “Could you tell me where I am and how I got here?”

“Alright James” the doctor said, You were brought here two days ago this is a secret hospital the public does not know about, you were brought here because of that healing ability you have.”

“And why can’t I remember this?”

“That is do to the serum we gave to you before we took you from Osborn Industries”

"No if could please follow me," the doctor said.

The doctor led the way out of the lab and into a little examination office.

James rubbed his head. "You don’t think I’m a mutant do you?

"I do think you are a mutant. No normal human could have done what you did" Dr. Shaw replied.

"It might have something to do with all the chemicals I work with, did you see if any of them had anything to do with this?”

"Actually we are checking that right now,” Dr. Shaw said.

That last experiment James thought the chemicals spilled all over my hands the tongs in the med. lab that has got to be it.

“This isn’t really a hospital is it?” James asked as he noticed that the place he was in was no lager than regular sized apartment

“I wish you hadn’t figured that out, now you can never leave here.”

“Ok now that I know that why am I really here, and are you really?”

"I'm a tired old man, Johnson. I don't have what it takes anymore. My body is wearing out..."

"I see where this is going," James said to himself.

"I want what you have. Youth. Virility. I need you because of your 'healing factor. And I've assembled some of the world's leading biochemists to get it from you. Once it's mine, once I've healed and become strong enough, I will reclaim New York City. I will be the new Kingpin of Crime!"

“And your name?

“Frank Harding”

James is taken down into a laboratory, once there here is strapped to a cold metal table.

"Ow!" James cried as the needle penetrated his skin.

"There. It's done," the scientist stated.

They had taken a blood sample to discover a way to transfer Phil's healing factor to Harding. James had considered making a run for it, but that would have been a bit difficult with three loaded weapons aimed at his head.

"Good," Harding said. "Keep Johnson contained until we're ready for him."

"As Harding’s goon squad hauled James off to lock him up, a sudden weakness came over him. He slumped over and fell to the ground.

Harding’s scientists rushed over to assess the situation.

"What happened?" one of them asked.

"He just fell over," one of the goons answered.

"Get him up on a table and run some examinations!" the head scientist ordered. "He's crucial to the project!"

"This kid is dying," one of the lower scientists observed.

"If you want us to go through with the transfer, we have to do it now, Mr. Harding."

"Let's begin, then," Harding said.

Harding was strapped to a table next to James. Wires were connected to the both of them, then to a machine behind them. The head scientist threw a switch. The procedure was under way.

James desperately wished it had been a ploy to distract them so he could work out his genius escape plan, but once again, his nature fell short. He was in horrendous pain, and the last thing that he thought before it all went black was that these scientists were more concerned with his healing factor than his own well-being. If need be, they'd splice the healing factor out, and leave the rest of him as genetically altered waste material.

Sitting in his office Norman Osborn saw anyone the Goblin formula was working to heal the wounds he got from his last encounter with Spider-Man but some scares remained. So Norman sat in his office working on plans for new Goblin weapons.

“Mr. Osborn?” the voice was coming from the phone it was Norman’s secretary.

“Mr. Osborn there is someone here to see you”

“I’m busy tell the to leave at once!”

“Yes Mr. Osborn”

As soon as Norman started to work again a knocking came from the door in his office, there was also shouting as Norman’s secretary tried to get the man to leave. Norman opened the door.

“Mr. Osborn we have business to discuss about my company buying your technology for billions of dollars”

“It’s alright,” Norman said to his secretary “I want to hear more about this”

Back at the laboratory where James Johnson was being held.

"Dispose of Johnson’s body," Frank Harding ordered. The procedure was over, and the seemingly dead James Johnson was no longer of any use to him. Harding looked over at him and shuddered--a once vibrant young person reduced to a lifeless husk, a few select DNA strands removed for Harding’s own personal use. It wasn't a pretty picture, but a necessary one--he knew from past experiences that steps in the ladder of power were often made of torn hearts and hidden corpses.

As Harding’s goons were about to carry his body away, James’s eyes shot open. He sat up suddenly, as if waking from a bad dream.

"Wha..." James began, as the group of scientists ran over and began analyzing him.

"Astounding!" the head scientist, said. "Just seconds ago he was near death, and now he's in perfect health!"

"That's of no consequence," Harding said, bluntly. "Did the procedure go as planned? Am I in possession of the healing factor?"

"Yes," the head scientist replied. "Everything went flawlessly."

"Excellent. Soon I shall--" Harding collapsed before he could finish.

"Mr. Harding!" the head scientist cried as he ran over to help Harding. He awkwardly carried Harding’s body to a large tube, placed him inside, and analyzed it to see what the matter was.

Two simple words changed the lives of Harding’s employees and James Johnson.

"He's dying..."

James wondered what had happened to Harding, but his top priority was escape. Luckily, Harding’s sudden death provided the distraction he needed. Of course, a distraction works best if a plan is had. James looked around, attempting to find something, anything that could help him. He found it in a pair of electrodes.

James knew a shock, would react with his changed biochemistry and result in giving him superpowers. What he didn't know was whether or not the electrodes would have effect. It was a risky endeavor, but it was his only hope. He attached the electrodes to his head and quickly threw the switch. Jackpot! He could feel a sudden jolt of power surge within him.

The head scientist order Harding’s goons to fire upon James. James utilized his temporary super-strength to rip the lab's metal door from its hinges and use it as a shield. He tossed the door at the goons and quickly made his way out. He could feel the strength leaving his body. Fortunately, the goons were still taken aback by Harding’s death, and did not give pursuit. James made his way back to Osborn Industries, and headed straight for the lab--he needed to perform a few tests.

James sat on his couch the next day the tests had revealed that Phil's healing factor was indeed gone. The tests had also revealed that there was absolutely nothing wrong with James physically--a fact that brought him a great deal of relief.

James had had an exciting few weeks. But he was glad that everything was back to normal.

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