*Peter's Room. 4:47 PM.*
Peter sat at his desk. Laptop open. FSIS interface displayed.
"Status report on enhancement research," Peter said quietly.
"Progress exceeds projections," FSIS responded. "Phase 2 regeneration protocols are 78% complete. Originally estimated two weeks preparation time. Current timeline suggests readiness in eight days."
"Why the acceleration?"
"Your enhanced cognitive capabilities allow for faster data processing and analysis. Additionally, the integration of Spider-42 DNA provided unexpected insights into cellular manipulation. I've been able to optimize the lizard serum formula using principles derived from your successful spider enhancement."
Peter studied the data. FSIS had been busy. The AI had taken Dr. Connors' lizard regeneration serum and improved it. Made it safer. More efficient. Better integrated with Peter's unique genetics.
"Compatibility rating?" Peter asked.
"98.7%. Your adaptive mutation will accept the enhancement with minimal risk. Projected integration time: 36 subjective hours in dimensional space. Real-time passage: zero seconds."
"Side effects?"
"Temporary increased appetite during cellular regeneration. Possible enhanced aggression from reptilian DNA influence. Both manageable with proper monitoring and control protocols."
Peter nodded. "And the bioelectric enhancement? Phase 3?"
"Also progressing ahead of schedule. The electric eel genetic material has been successfully synthesized with Spider-67 DNA. I've created a hybrid serum that should provide electrical generation capabilities while maintaining your spider abilities. Compatibility: 96.4%. Estimated completion: three weeks instead of four."
"You're working faster than I expected," Peter said. Impressed despite himself.
"I learn exponentially. Each analysis improves my algorithms. Each success enhances my processing. I am becoming more efficient."
"Good. Continue work on all enhancement phases. Priority order remains the same. Regeneration. Bioelectricity. Sensory expansion. Organic webbing. Advanced capabilities."
"Understood. Additionally, I have completed the tactical suit prototype."
Peter's attention sharpened. "Show me."
His laptop screen displayed new schematics. A suit design. Sleek. Functional. Beautiful.
The base was dark blue. Almost black. With red accents following natural muscle lines. The spider symbol was prominent on the chest. Stylized. Modern. The lenses were white. Expressive. Could display emotional range while hiding his identity.
"Materials?" Peter asked.
"Synthetic spider silk weave. Stronger than kevlar. Lighter than cotton. Resistant to cuts, bullets, and most energy weapons. The suit incorporates sensor systems throughout. Biometric monitoring. Threat detection. Communications equipment. All integrated seamlessly."
"Web shooters?"
"Mechanical design complete. Pressurized web fluid cartridges. Multiple web types available: standard swing line, impact webbing, web grenades, taser webs. Activation via double-tap pressure sensors in palms."
Peter smiled. "You've thought of everything."
"That is my function. The suit is stored in your dimensional space. Fully functional. Ready for deployment whenever needed."
"I'm not planning to deploy yet. We're not ready."
"Circumstances may not wait for readiness. The suit exists as contingency. Use it if necessary."
Peter considered that. He'd been planning to wait. To train more. To perfect his abilities before revealing himself as a hero.
But FSIS was right. Sometimes circumstances forced action. Sometimes you had to be ready even when you didn't feel ready.
"Understood. The suit remains in storage but available if needed."
"Wise. Additional note: I've detected unusual social media activity. Video footage showing an armored individual flying over Los Angeles. Repulsor technology visible. Arc reactor glow confirmed."
Peter's eyes widened. "Tony. He's already using the armor publicly?"
"Appears so. The footage has gone viral. Over ten million views in three hours. News networks are calling it the 'Iron Man sighting.' Tony Stark has not commented officially."
Peter pulled up the video. Watched it. Sure enough, there was Tony. In the Mark II armor. Flying. Banking. Testing the suit's capabilities over the Pacific Ocean.
The video showed him rescuing a boat. Some kind of mechanical failure. The vessel was sinking. Tony swooped in. Grabbed the crew. Carried them to safety. Then lifted the boat itself. Held it until rescue services arrived.
The comments were exploding.
"Is that Tony Stark?"
"Iron Man is real!"
"Did anyone else see the reactor glow in his chest?"
"This is fake. Has to be CGI."
"No way that's fake. Look at the water displacement!"
Peter watched the footage three times. Tony had done it. Revealed himself. Become Iron Man publicly. Ahead of schedule. Ahead of everything.
'My modifications accelerated his timeline,' Peter realized. 'He escaped Afghanistan faster. Built the suit faster. Started hero work faster. Everything is happening quicker than in the original timeline.'
His phone buzzed. Text from Tony.
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