Wasteland Universe, base camp.
Peter returned directly here because Miguel said they had finished cleaning up the other side of the battlefield and had covered it up with the assistance of the local Peter Parker and Strange.
When Peter arrived at the alliance headquarters, he heard Miguel explaining to Jessica and the others why they had retreated.
"I've told you, ma'am, the enemy's objective at this stage is merely to prevent the birth of a Spider-Man. We have already ensured that the Spider-Man of that universe was successfully born, so they will not be enemies for the time being—at least, he won't be a target of that Wasp Sisterhood."
As for the Inheritors, although pulling in such a novice made Miguel feel quite uncomfortable, considering the urgency of the situation, Miguel still decided to let the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man join the alliance to protect his safety.
"Ah, you're back. How is the situation?"
"Very smooth. These guys who deal in gods and mysticism have absolutely no idea about the value of technology. Strictly speaking, our enemy this time is merely the Spider-Wasp All-Mother, not Morlun."
As Peter spoke, he glanced at Cindy. Drawing Morlun over this time was entirely because of Cindy. As "The Bride," Cindy would attract the attention of the Inheritors. Originally, back in the 616 universe, it was considered relatively safe, but because they came out, it instead drew the opponent's attention.
Peter brought his attention back, subsequently opening the computer to check the location of the tracker he had injected into the Spider-Wasp All-Mother's body.
"Alright, if the intelligence is correct, then we have already found the opponent's exact location. Unless the Spider-Wasp All-Mother truly can convert ogres into Spider-Wasp monsters, but from the looks of it now, that is highly improbable."
Peter looked at the location on the map, took a deep breath, and then turned to look at the others, delivering his analysis.
"We can confirm two points right now. First, the opponent isn't considered powerful yet, which is exactly why they chose to prevent the birth of Spider-Men instead of directly converting Spider-Men from the start; they don't have the confidence to defeat so many Spider-Men."
Peter analyzed immediately, and then Jessica picked up on Peter's line of thought and continued: "Second, the opponent should be quite unfamiliar with technology, right? That's why they wouldn't think of methods like cloning."
Peter locked onto the opponent's current location on the multiversal resonance map, then looked at Miguel: "We don't need too many people. Especially considering the opponent's strength and reproduction method, I'm afraid the more people we have, the more disadvantageous it will be for us instead."
Miguel frowned. He knew what Peter meant. The Spider-Wasps thrived by feeding on Spider Totems. Just like the Spider-Wasp All-Mother infecting Morlun earlier—while it wasn't impossible, the grunts born that way were nowhere near as powerful as those born from Spider Totems.
Peter nodded and continued: "In other words, if we can send out a small squad to launch a direct raid on the opponent, there is an extremely high probability of achieving a miraculous effect, and it will absolutely catch them by surprise."
"Even so, if the squad has too few people, would it end up having no effect?"
Miguel voiced his own worry: "Among the Spider-Men currently in the alliance, apart from you and Takuya Yamashiro, there are none who are sufficiently powerful. Our combat strength is insufficient."
"I actually feel like just the two of us would be quite enough."
Peter spoke half-jokingly, and then his expression turned solemn: "I am aware of this point. So what I want to say is that this is a crisis targeting all Spider Totems. Well, at least it's a threat. Since that's the case, there's no reason for only us to be responsible for this threat."
Hearing this, Miguel became thoughtful, and then it suddenly dawned on him: "You mean to say..."
"Right, we look for the Web-Warriors. Since this thing inherently threatens them as well, they have an obligation to contribute a share of effort."
Peter's plan was very simple, yet also very effective. After finishing his piece, he looked at the others: "This mission is very dangerous. Our enemy's target is all Spider Totems, and you've also seen how the enemy expands their numbers, so..."
"I want to go with you."
The one who spoke these words, to Peter's surprise, was not Gwen, but Cindy. Peter looked at Cindy with some astonishment, while Cindy gave her answer very definitively.
"I want to go with you. Before, because I had to guide you back to our universe, because I am a special totem or for some other reason... No, not just because of that. Even back in New York, we virtually never operated together."
"It's very dangerous."
"Right, you will be in great danger."
Cindy used the exact same words to silence Peter. Miguel witnessed this scene, then pulled Peter to the side: "My recommendation is, if possible, you might as well take them along."
Peter looked at Miguel in disbelief.
"I've told you, you protect them far too well, and that isn't a baseless statement. Given their abilities and talent, they should be much more mature by now, much more adapted to the battles we have to face, but what is the reality? They are about the same as most newcomers. The other two are one thing, but that Spider-Gwen has virtually no combat experience whatsoever, or rather, no experience dealing with supervillains at all. She's about the same as a novice."
"Listen, Miguel..."
"Of course, I know you want to protect others, that's your business. I'm merely making a suggestion; I have no right to interfere. But another matter is the real reason behind my recommendation. If you leave Cindy Moon here, then the entire base camp could become a target for the Inheritors."
Miguel questioned Peter in return: "If the entire Inheritor family charges into the base camp because of her, tell me, do we have any possibility of winning?"
All at once, Peter snapped awake. Given the current combat capacity of the Inheritor family, even if both he and Takuya Yamashiro were present, they absolutely were no match for the entire Inheritor family.
Of course, the Inheritors had their own weaknesses, such as a fear of radiation, which was precisely the reason the base camp was built in the Wasteland Universe—because there indeed was a certain amount of radiation here. However, this radiation wasn't a panacea; it couldn't protect them forever.
Thus, after weighing the options, Peter let out a sigh.
"Alright, Cindy, we go together. But you must absolutely pay attention to your safety; your safety is more important than anything."
Having said all this, Peter suddenly felt much lighter. Just as he was about to let out a long breath, he suddenly saw Gwen raising her hand as well.
"Me! I want to go too!"