Skye's hacking skills were, predictably, the real deal.
Peter had barely finished briefing her on the Life Foundation's inner workings when her slender fingers began dancing across the keyboard, leaving a blur of afterimages.
In less than three minutes, she let out a triumphant whistle and spun her laptop screen around.
"Done. I've got root access to every Life Foundation workstation, including real-time telemetry for the Drake rocket. We're in."
Peter glanced at the screen. She hadn't been exaggerating. Not only had she breached their database without tripping a single alarm, but she'd even pulled up audio recordings between Carlton Drake and the astronauts.
The reports confirmed the discovery of four distinct extraterrestrial symbiotes.
Professional work really should be left to the professionals, Peter thought, genuinely impressed.
"Excellent work. I knew you were the right choice," Peter praised.
"Keep a close eye on that rocket. If so much as a bolt shakes loose, I want to know about it immediately," Peter instructed.
Then, deciding it was time to secure her loyalty with a bit of "divine" generosity, he looked around her cramped van.
The space was a mess of beige seat cushions worn smooth, piles of laundry, and... well, the typical clutter of a teenage tech-nomad. The air smelled faintly of Gatorade and fast food.
"Don't live in this van anymore," Peter said, handing her a business card. "Go here. Tell the front desk I sent you. They'll set you up with a luxury employee dorm and a company car. Pick whatever you want—budget is $300,000."
Skye froze. Free housing? A $300k luxury car? Was this a job offer or a lottery win?
"Parker Technologies?" Skye's eyes lit up as she read the card. "I know this place! The Unicorn Generation 1 is the hottest thing in tech right now! I've been taking freelance gigs for weeks just trying to save up for one."
She looked at Peter, her gossip instincts kicking in. "Boss... do you work there? What's your position? Am I going to see you every day?"
Peter crossed his arms and leaned back, pulling off a perfectly casual "flex."
"Oh, that company?" he said. "It's mine."
Skye's expression was a masterpiece of shock. The Arbiter and the CEO of the year were the same person. Did I just hit the career jackpot?
"I know what you're capable of," Peter added, patting her shoulder. "In addition to your work for the Kinkou, you're the new Cybersecurity Director for Parker Tech. Work hard, and a million-dollar salary is just the starting line."
With his ace hacker settled, the final countdown to Peter and Gwen's high school life began. Three days later: the Midtown High Senior Prom.
Because Peter had already "dealt" with the major threats in the city, the night was relatively peaceful. However, there was a minor hitch.
Gwen, who was supposed to be Peter's date, had to ditch him at the last second to stop a gang robbery a few blocks away.
It was the classic "Spider-Totem Curse"—missing the big moments of life to save it. Peter wasn't annoyed; Gwen's selflessness was why he loved her. He was happy to wait for his girl to finish her "errands" before their dance.
As he leaned against a wall, watching his classmates move, a familiar voice drifted over the music.
"Hey, Peter. Where's Gwen?"
Peter looked up to see Felicia Hardy. Tonight, she was a vision in a backless black silk gown, looking like a rose blooming in the dead of night.
She had already turned down a dozen boys, drifting toward Peter the moment she saw him alone.
"Where else?" Peter whispered into her ear so the secret wouldn't leak. "Out being Ghost-Spider."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but notice that Felicia was... well, "well-endowed." Even without the enhancements of her Nightingale suit, she was easily a full cup size ahead of Gwen.
The warmth of Peter's breath against her ear made Felicia shiver slightly. "She's always so hardworking," she sighed.
Since receiving the Emerald Dragon Scale and becoming the Nightingale, Felicia had done her fair share of hero work, but she was more of a "hero by whim." She only went out when the mood struck her, unlike Gwen's tireless devotion.
Looking at the bored Peter and the swaying crowd, Felicia felt a sudden, impulsive urge. She reached out her hand, her expression turning into a playful, arrogant pout.
"Since you're so pitiful, being ditched by your date on the last night of high school... I suppose I'll do you a favor. I'll give you the chance to dance with me so you don't become the class laughingstock."
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