I’m Not Becoming Spider-Man - Chapter 46: The Science Fair (Patreon)

Peter had no objection to Quentina taking the school newspaper home. It wasn't worth much, and she'd been muttering something about finding inspiration in it. Who knew what had gotten into her?

That evening, Harley and Gwen came back from school and promptly collapsed onto the couch. Mary Jane, meanwhile, headed straight to her room to rest.

“Why do you two look so wiped out?” Peter asked. Wearing an apron, he brought them each a glass of milk.

“You know how Gwen and Mary Jane have the band to worry about?” Harley said. “That left me to clean the newspaper club all by myself.”

“And Gwen, don't tell me playing a few songs wore you out this much.”

“That's not it, Peter.” Gwen lay back against the sofa, strands of golden hair spilling down around her face. “We had to move our equipment. We rented a warehouse to rehearse in, and the place was filthy.”

“Sounds like you've all had a rough day. Rest up, and we'll have dinner in a bit.”

“Oh, Peter, one more thing,” Gwen called. “There's a science fair this weekend. Want to come?”

He'd already intended to go, but asked anyway, “What about you guys?”

“I'm definitely going. There should be some fascinating things to see, and Dr. Connors is giving the presentation! He's a huge name in biology and biochemistry.”

“Really? Well, if you're both going, count me in,” Harley said. The science itself didn't particularly interest her, but any chance to spend time with their little group was worth taking. “Where's it being held, anyway?”

“At Oscorp Tower, I think,” Gwen replied.

“Uh...”

“What's wrong, Harley?”

“Nothing! It's nothing. We should all go together.” It was only a science fair. Surely her mother wouldn't be there, right? Harley couldn't imagine anything more awkward than running into her in a place like that. All she could do was hope for the best.

“Then it's settled. We'll go together,” Peter said.

A science fair. In other words, Gwen was about to become Spider-Woman.

He couldn't help wondering whether that was fair to her. Was becoming a spider-powered hero really a good thing for Gwen?

“Peter? What's the matter?” Gwen asked.

“Huh? Nothing.” He returned to the present. “Come eat. Tonight we've got mandarin fish soup, roast chicken cutlets with mushrooms, French baked snails, and freshly made bread with homemade jam.”

“Yes! I've never tasted your jam before, Peter!” Harley exclaimed.

“It's just jam. Don't expect anything extraordinary.”

“It's got to beat the stuff from a jar, though, right?” Gwen asked.

“Oh, it's much better than that,” Peter assured her.

...

The Oscorp science fair took place inside the company's research building, which was normally off-limits to the public. Midtown High had been invited to bring its students because Norma sat on the school's board.

That connection was also one reason she'd enrolled Harley at Midtown. If anything happened to her daughter, Davis could contact Norma directly. She had even asked him to look after Harley, although Davis didn't think the girl needed special attention.

The Oscorp complex looked like something from a science-fiction film. The company wielded enormous influence in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and advanced weapons, with deep connections in both military and political circles.

At the front of the group, a guide was enthusiastically recounting the corporation's illustrious history.

“So, basically, a pharmaceutical and military-industrial complex,” Peter muttered.

“A what kind of complex?” Gwen asked, scratching her head.

“Just a term for a company with a lot of power. They've got piles of money, too, and apparently the employee benefits are pretty good.”

“I'd love to work here one day. One thing's certain, I'm not following my dad into the police force.”

“With your grades, I don't see why you couldn't. Right, Harley?” Peter asked.

“Uh, well, if that's what you want, I'm sure you could... Wait, I mean, your grades are excellent. Of course you'd have a chance.” Harley kept glancing around as she spoke.

“It's a little early to worry about jobs anyway,” Gwen said. “First I need to get into Empire State University. What about you, Peter? Where do you want to go?”

“Me? Probably there too. It's the closest one to home.”

“Seriously? We're still in our first semester!” Harley couldn't believe they'd already started planning for college.

Then again, she was sure both of them would get into Empire State. Neither ever seemed to pay much attention in class, yet somehow they always got excellent grades. She couldn't understand it.

“All right, everyone!” A new voice drew the students' attention. Dr. Connors, a celebrated figure in biological research, came down the steps toward them. “Is everybody here? Good. Let's move along.”

As he led them onward, he continued, “I'd like to show you Oscorp's newest advances in biological science, developed under my direction.”

All kinds of small animals, many of the sort the students would usually see only at a zoo, scampered and jumped inside glass enclosures. The sight immediately stirred their curiosity.

“Doctor! What's different about these animals?” someone called.

“Well, we've edited their genes, which may give them certain unusual traits...” Connors launched into an explanation of his experiments, but most of it went over the students' heads. Their expressions fell.

They'd been hoping for six-legged sheep or pigs with wings, not a difficult lecture on genetic engineering.

“You mean cutting and editing gene sequences?” Gwen spoke up. “Using CRISPR-Cas9?”

“Yes, that's exactly right. What's your name?” Connors asked, surprised. Few students her age knew about such things. Biology was hardly an exciting subject to most teenagers, and the material wasn't even part of their required classes.

“Gwen Stacy.”

“Lovely name. Are you particularly interested in this field?”

“Well, I happen to know a little more about it than most people.”

The two soon fell into conversation. Peter left them to it and began searching the exhibits for something else.

“Spiders, spiders... Where are the spiders?”

“Looking for something, Peter?” Harley asked. She'd finally relaxed after failing to spot her mother anywhere. Really, why would someone as busy as Norma waste time watching a group of high school students tour an exhibit?

“I was wondering whether there's a spider exhibit,” he said. “That's the one I'd really like to see. Hmm, come to think of it, I don't believe I've told you that my parents used to work here.”