The eyes on the television shifted.
The silver-blue patterns on Lightning's chest abruptly tightened. Allen arched his back on the hospital bed, and the monitor screamed.
Yang Ming reached the bedside in two strides.
"Cut the connection."
"There's still something coming from the moon-"
"Cut it first."
The silver-blue patterns went dark. Allen's grip on the sheets slowly loosened, and his heart rate began to fall.
Only after checking that the drainage tube hadn't been pulled loose did Yang Ming turn toward the television.
[00:59:41]
The red tissue on the screen forced open a maintenance hatch. A hand wearing a work glove reached through the gap, then was dragged back inside.
Thor put down the bucket of popcorn.
This time, no one spoke.
"What did that response prove?" Yang Ming asked.
"Something received the probing signal. I can only roughly estimate the distance and direction." Lightning left Allen's chest and formed a humanoid shape beside the bed. "The full coordinates haven't been transmitted yet."
"And once they are?"
"Hive will confirm that this place can sustain the fleet. The first Mother Nests will arrive in a few weeks at the earliest. I can't estimate how many will follow."
Venom clung to the side of Gwen Stacy's neck, retracting his teeth one by one.
Lightning looked at the man on the bed.
"They'll divide the city into breeding grounds. They'll keep the useful bodies and use the rest as food."
Peter had already pressed his Communicator.
"Emergency assembly. Symbiotes have taken over Launch Base Seven. We have less than an hour to stop the launch."
The first sound over the channel was rustling fabric.
"Location," Frank said.
"I'm here," Matt joined in next.
The faint click of a charging handle came from Mindy's end. "Dad's getting dressed."
"I haven't