Sweet Dreams Shattered

The next morning, an inspection team from the Department of Defense arrived at Osborn Industries together. The leading official was General Thor. He seemed to ignore Norman Osborn's enthusiastic greeting entirely and coldly demanded to go straight to the laboratory to inspect the progress and status of the Human Enhancement Serum.

Led by General Thor, the team dispatched by the Department of Defense poured into the laboratory. Norman followed closely behind, vaguely sensing that something was wrong, though he did not have time to think it through.

As they entered the laboratory, the chief scientist in a white uniform was introducing a new type of aircraft to the Department of Defense team. This was another research project undertaken by Osborn Industries, and the Department of Defense procurement team had previously expressed considerable interest in it.

"...This is the first-generation prototype. It is made from a brand-new alloy and equipped with a gravity-sensing system, which perfectly solves the critical issues of aerial flight and balance. It has a payload capacity of around one ton and a top speed approaching 500 miles per hour. It also has remote-control equipment and can carry twelve miniature air-to-ground missiles, one minigun, and five thousand rounds of ammunition. The production cost is roughly six million dollars..."

The chief scientist pointed at the aircraft hovering in midair as he spoke. It resembled a huge bat with its wings spread, its entire body glinting with a dark green metallic sheen. A user could stand atop it to operate it. The engine at the rear emitted a green halo of energy, churning up intense air pressure and producing a piercing roar that nearly drowned out his explanation.

"I have no interest whatsoever in such a little toy. It is already obsolete."

General Thor, the leader of the Department of Defense team, spoke coldly. He glanced at the aircraft circling overhead, a trace of contempt in his eyes. Its exorbitant cost and narrow, low-end range of applications meant that this new aircraft held no appeal for the military. What they needed were weapons that could be mass-produced and deal devastating damage, not this sort of high-end product meant to swindle research funding.

Why was Tony Stark so favored by the military brass? Because he could always produce worthwhile equipment with exceptional technological content, things that would never become outdated so easily.

"General, this new aircraft was the weapon the Department of Defense specifically designated for procurement last time..."

Norman stepped forward at once, relieving the research director's embarrassment. His face was covered in an eager smile. Though General Thor's attitude was unpleasant, he had no desire to offend such an important Department of Defense official.

"There is no need to say more. Like my predecessor, it has been swept into the garbage heap of history... You may not know this yet, but that man was dismissed for accepting bribes. I will not make the same mistake."

Norman's heart jolted. If that were true, it meant that all the terms Osborn Industries had previously negotiated with the Department of Defense had been voided. Everything would have to begin again.

Looking at the arrogant expression on General Thor's face, Norman suddenly felt a sense of dread. His gaze swept across the laboratory, and he discovered that two directors who normally never involved themselves in industrial production had also come: the bespectacled Mr. Barr and wheelchair-bound Mr. Fay. The two were major shareholders in the company, backed by Wall Street interests. They were pure and detestable financial speculators, interested only in squeezing greater profits from Osborn Industries.

Why are those two here?

Though he found it strange, Norman had no time to dwell on it. General Thor had no interest in the new aircraft, so he hurriedly handed over the report on the physical enhancement program. This new Department of Defense procurement officer was far harder to please than the last.

"We conducted vapor inhalation tests on lab mice, and their physical abilities increased eightfold. This proves that our research direction is correct. If we continue our research, we will soon be able to create the Super Serum from World War II..."

Norman stayed close at General Thor's side, explaining the Human Enhancement Serum's experimental progress in detail while deliberately glossing over some of its unresolved flaws.

"That sounds fairly good." General Thor nodded faintly, then asked as though in passing, "Are there any side effects?"

Norman Osborn's expression changed instantly. He looked toward the research director standing to one side, but the balding old man could not withstand General Thor's sharp gaze and told the truth in full—

"After undergoing the vapor inhalation test, the lab mice displayed obvious violent tendencies and frenzied aggression. We must return the entire project to the formula stage before we may be able to resolve this problem."

"General, it is only a minor problem. It will not take long to solve..."

"Enough, Mr. Osborn." General Thor coldly cut off Norman's defense. The Department of Defense procurement officer sneered. "You just attempted to deceive the Department of Defense. That is an unforgivable offense! And results like these are fundamentally incapable of satisfying the military. What we need are Super Soldiers. If, two weeks from now, you can show me a 'Captain America,' then everything will be negotiable..."

"Remember, I am giving Osborn Industries only two weeks. If you still cannot deliver by then, I will revoke your research funding, along with your qualification as a Department of Defense supplier."

After delivering his judgment from on high, General Thor left with the Department of Defense inspection team. Only Norman Osborn remained where he stood, his limbs cold and stiff. This capitalist tycoon who had dominated the business world felt as though he had fallen into an icy abyss, his heart filled with coldness and despair. If Osborn Industries could not become a Department of Defense supplier, then all the enormous funds invested over the years would vanish like bubbles. The massive deficit would be enough to completely break the company's financial chain.

The higher one stood, the harder one fell. Norman Osborn had staked nearly everything on this opportunity. He had even borrowed an enormous sum from the bank. But General Thor's stance was now clear: he was unwilling to pay for the next stage of research and development. All of Norman's reckless investment would yield no return. The prior operating costs and research funds would generate no profit, and the business empire he had painstakingly built over decades was suddenly in danger of collapse.

As Norman Osborn's dream shattered, his eyes abruptly turned vicious. He thought of the two company directors who had left alongside the Department of Defense team, and he seemed to understand something at last. Perhaps General Thor had never intended to make Osborn Industries a Department of Defense supplier in the first place. This had all been a carefully planned conspiracy!

"No one can take it from me!" Norman's face twisted viciously. He could not bear the tremendous price of losing Osborn Industries.

After driving everyone else out of the laboratory, Norman kept only the research director behind. Following several hours of hesitation and thought, he made a dangerous decision.

"Mr. Osborn, this is far too risky! The Human Enhancement Serum has not yet reached the stage of human trials. Your life will be in danger!"

The research director grabbed Norman Osborn, who had lost his usual calm demeanor. He understood the man's urgency, but any research result intended for use on humans had to undergo repeated testing and data comparison.

"I do not have any more time! If I cannot secure the Department of Defense contract, Osborn Industries is finished!"

Norman shook off the research director and removed his shirt. He was facing the greatest crisis since the company's founding. If he could not overcome it, the commercial empire he had built with his own hands would instantly become nothing but ruins!

Those Wall Street bankers would certainly not let such a perfect opportunity pass. Like starving wild dogs, they would pounce without regard for anything else.

"Give me the catalyst! The experiment has to succeed!"

Norman made up his mind. He lay down on the experimental apparatus and had the monitoring lines connected to him. He was then sent into a sealed circular chamber. Under the research director's operation, green gas continuously poured in through openings. Before long, it filled the entire circular chamber, like a dense fog swallowing Norman Osborn's figure.

In the empty, deserted laboratory, shrill screams of agony rang out. The vital-sign curves on the computer grew weaker and weaker along with Norman's howls, as though a terrifying demon were being born within the thick, spreading green gas!

P.S. La la la, as usual, this newbie asks for recommendations and bookmarks! ヾ(ω`.)