The Terran Rangers/Spiderman Volume 4:, Heather Ray [well read books .TXT] 📗

the arm he lost in a lab accident a few years ago grew back, good as new. But, the experiment had other, unexpected results. Doctor Conners not only developed the reptilian skill of regenerating limbs, he also mutated into a large beast. He became the Lizard, a deadly, seven foot tall reptile, with super strength and agility, razor sharp fangs and claws, and a mighty tail. Also, his personality was altered, so the Lizard was completely uncontrollable. It was Spiderman's greatest challenge yet to restrain the Lizard without hurting him, and return him to his normal form. He hoped there weren't any permanent changes in Doctor Conners that could somehow bring back the treacherous Lizard. Since the accident, Peter has kept tabs on the doctor, to make sure the Lizard doesn't return.

"Sorry I'm late," said Doctor Conners, closing the door behind him, "it took longer than I thought it would to get plane tickets--"

"Plane tickets?" asked Peter, worry etched on his face. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, I am," Doctor Conners said. "After an... accident that happened a few weeks ago, much of my Neogenics equipment was either damaged or destroyed."

Peter nodded knowingly. It wasn't common knowledge that Doctor Conners actually was the Lizard, but the Lizard did manage to damage a great deal of the equipment in the laboratory.

"The problem is that the budget ESU has given me won't cover all the repairs needed," Doctor Conners said with a sigh, "I know there have been some... setbacks in the Neogenics project, but I know its salvageable, if only I had a bit more funding. So, I decided to seek some assistence from other universities. The University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious research universities in the country, is considering giving my project the necessary extra funding to fix all the damage done. However, I must put together a presentation for the Board at UPenn. My flight leaves tonight."

Peter unconsciously frowned at that statement. How am I supposed to keep and eye on the Doc if he leaves New York?

"Wow," said Deborah, "the University of Pennsylvania? Will they really give you the grant?"

"If they like what I have so far," said Doctor Conners.

"How long will you be gone," asked Peter.

"We'll be gone for about a week."

"We?" asked Deborah.

"Yes. I was hoping the two of you would join me. I'll need some help getting the presentation together, and you are my best assistants."

"I'd love to!" said Deborah excitedly.

"Me too," said Peter with a smile. What luck! Now, I'll be able to look after Doc Conners easily!

"Well, you have... eight hours to pack your bags and take care of whatever you need to," said Doctor Conners, glancing down at his watch. "The flight leaves JFK at six, and we'll be in Philadelphia at six-thirty."

"Why didn't we just drive to Philadelphia?" asked Deborah curiously, "I mean, it's about a three hour drive. At most!"

"I have a meeting with UPenn's president Judith Rodin at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. I still have some things to get together both here and at Penn before then, and every minute counts."

"We'll meet you at your house at five then?" asked Peter.

Doctor Conners nodded. "Sounds good. See you all then."

Peter and Deborah left the laboratory, hurrying out of the building to get things ready for their sudden departure.

"I'll see you at five, Peter," said Deborah as she climbed into her car. Peter waved at her, and then walked to the nearest subway station, where he could catch a train headed downtown, where the headquarters of the Daily Bugle, New York's premiere newspaper, is located.

I hope Jameson gives me the next week off,

Peter thought, running a hand through his short chestnut hair. He's usually so stingy with vacation time, and he never liked me much. He's always on my back to get some good photographs of something other than Spiderman...

The subway car pulled up, and Peter boarded, along with a few dozen other commuters. After about ten minutes, Peter exited the train, and headed down the block, to the towering J3 Communications office building, where the powerful business tycoon J. Jonah Jameson runs his entire network of communications mediums, including a newspaper, and several television stations. Peter hurried to the top floor, where Jameson's office is.

"Hi, Trixie," he said to the secretary, "is Mister Jameson in?"

"He's really busy, Peter," Trixie said with a frown, "he just got back from the Bahamas for New Year's, you know."

"Yeah, I know," said Peter, walking to Jameson's door, "but it's really important, and I don't have a whole lot of time."

Peter knocked on the door loudly.

"I'm busy!" a voice barked from behind the large oak doors. Peter cringed. Jameson wasn't in a good mood. Peter opened up the door anyway, and strolled in.

"Parker!" Jameson yelled, looking up from a mountain of paperwork. "What're you

doing here?!"

"I need to ask for the next week off," Peter said.

"WHAT?!"

Jameson roared. "You had a four-day weekend for New Year's! What is it now?"

"Well, Doctor Conners is going to Philadelphia to try to get some funding for his Neogenics experiments, and he asked that I come along. I'm one of his assistants--"

"Right," said Jameson, brushing his mustache with his fingers. "You're going to Philly, eh?"

"Yeah."

"I'll let you go on a paid

vacation on one condition," said Jameson, rising to his feet, "I want you to get me some photos of the Purple Knight."

Peter's eyebrows rose. "The who?"

"The Purple Knight," Jameson repeated, sipping his coffee. "Several eye-witnesses reported a flying woman in purple and gold armor saving them from car accidents on New Year's Eve. This woman only appeared in Philadelphia, predominantly West Philly, where the UPenn campus is located."

"Yeah," said Peter, "so?"

"So, no one has any proof of her existence! A few people said they saw her, but there aren't any pictures of her! Now, since you're so good at tracking Spiderman, I figure you can make some use of the time you'll be spending in Philly, and track down this Purple Knight. Get some photos, and maybe even a statement from her."

"But, how do I find her?" asked Peter. Jameson smiled.

"You'll find a way. You always do."

Peter left Jameson's office, and went directly home. Along the way, he was constantly immersed in thought.

The Purple Knight, eh? I guess some mutant has decided to keep an eye on Philadelphia. Well, they need a superhero over there. New York has me, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four! I'm sure I can find this Purple Knight. I just need to know more about her. I need to do a bit of research before I get to Philly...

Peter strolled over to the small house he and his Aunt May, his sole living relative, live in. As he closes the door behind him, the scent of cinnamon fills his nostrils.

"Are you baking, Aunt May?" he called as he walked into the kitchen. The aged woman smiled affectionately at her nephew as she spread icing over a freshly baked cinnamon coffee cake.

"Well, it's so cold today, I thought you'd enjoy some hot cake and coffee when you got back," she said. "So, how was your meeting with Doctor Conners?"

"It went well," Peter said, pouring some freshly perked coffee into a mug. "He invited me and Deborah Whitman to go with him to Philadelphia. He has a presentation to give to the board at UPenn."

"Wonderful," said May, "it seems like ages since you've gone somewhere!"

"Well, I've been busy is all," Peter said with a shrug.

"So, when are you leaving?"

"Tonight. I'd better start packing. Call me when the cinnamon cake cools a bit."

Peter kissed his aunt on the cheek, and hurried up the stairs. He immediately turns on his computer, and while it started up, he opened his closet and pulled out a few outfits for the trip, including two Spiderman suits, just in case. He threw the clothes into his suitcase, and sat down at his computer. He logged online, and went to the Philadelphia Inquirer website.

"Now, to see exactly what the reporters in Philly do

know about this Purple Knight," he said aloud, accessing the New Year's edition. Sure enough, on the cover was the article about the mysterious Purple Knight. He scrolled down the article, sipping his coffee as he read.

"Strange," he said aloud, "most of the accidents prevented were between 30th and 42nd streets. That's right where the UPenn campus is located! And these eye-witnesses are mostly either students at UPenn and the neighboring college Drexel or professors and staff members. This Purple Knight seems to have adopted University City, the few miles of Philadelphia in and around the two big universities. I wonder why..."

"Peter!" May's voice called. "The cake's ready!"

"I'll be right there!" Peter called, printing out the article on the Purple Knight. He then found a map of University City online, and printed that out too. The folded the sheets of paper, and put them in his backpack.

I'll read up on the Purple Knight on the airplane,

he decided, walking down the stairs towards the kitchen, and tonight, Spiderman will see just what's going on in the city of Brotherly Love.

Chapter Three

After school, Alexis and Dawn walked home. Snowflakes began to lightly coat Philadelphia, and the two girls enjoy watching the flurries fall as they walked.

"So," said Dawn, "what are you doing tonight?"

"Well, Denise has work at four, so I'd better go home directly," said Alexis with a sigh. "She's working until nine o'clock tonight, so I'm babysitting Jonny all day."

"Too bad," said Dawn, "I was hoping we could go catch a movie. Its Friday!"

"I know, but its not so bad. I mean, next week, Denise started classes again after Winter Break. Then, things're going to be tough. Juggling school and work doesn't leave her with much time to take care of Jonny."

"Its a good thing your mother came last month to help out," said Dawn, "I mean, Denise was really struggling through her final exams. If you mother didn't help, I don't think you would've even been to class at all the week before Christmas."

"You're probably right," said Alexis, as the girls walked to the apartment complex where she lived. "Maybe the two of us can catch the movie tomorrow night?"

"I hope so," said Dawn, waving as she left. "Take care, Lex!"

"See ya, Dawn!"

Once her friend was out of sight, Alexis entered the apartment building, and went to the apartment she shared with her sister and nephew. As soon as