NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Part 14
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Enjoying the lovely aromas, I quietly stashed the bottle of Jack at the very entrance to the kitchen, although I had to admit that a flowerpot wasn't the best place for a hiding place. But we have what we have, so there's no need to go overboard. And the rush is such a thing that slightly disposes to perfect secrecy. That's why the main thing here is to drop the bottle without much foul play and move on as if nothing had happened. By the way, what's that delicious smell?
It's like pasta with that familiar sauce and homemade meatballs. I recognise that smell from a thousand. Because when we were on the brink of poverty, we had to save every cent and all we had to eat was pasta and nothing else. The first years after my uncle's death hit May especially hard, but she persevered and only grew stronger. But the smell of pasta and homemade sauce and meatballs is forever etched in my memory. It was the day that May overcame her crisis and had the most delicious dinner of this life.
Damn, how I was hit with a wave of nostalgia, someone else's nostalgia. Quickly coming to my senses, I chased away the obsession and all unnecessary thoughts, after all it wasn't my memory. Noticing my smile and myself, May smiled back and with a sly wink, left the kitchen. Sometimes we had one rule: if you didn't cook, you did all the serving and cleaning up. And on the whole, that's pretty fair. And why not, if it's your favourite dish?
When I'd finished putting the pasta on, I started pouring it generously from the saucepan. The meatballs, which hadn't even cooled down yet, came next. It's perfect, isn't it? Turning on the music softly, I called my aunt to the table. I think I'm beginning to understand why family dinners are so wonderful, and May is smiling, so it wasn't all for nothing. When you think about it, modern society doesn't get together very much, not even in a small family circle. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it. So I'll enjoy some home comforts and pasta for all of you.
- Enjoy. - I say with a grateful smile on my lips.
- You too, Peter. - May responded immediately.
As I slowly enjoyed my meal, I thought again about how I could profit from the decoded genome of that thing and Stark's technology, because I'd even managed to hack into the systems of those unmanned suits while Harry was tinkering with his reactor. Then there was unlocking and copying the data, covering all traces and threads leading back to me in case our mad engineer decided to look for something. Although, you'd have to be paranoid, because the suits fell in the battle with that creature, so they shouldn't be looking for a hack, but it's always worth not forgetting about the banal reinsurance.
All in all, there are cloning technologies somewhere. Even though they have not yet gone to the masses, and the media are silent about it, but the very fact of their presence already gives me the opportunity to pull off a couple of projects that are vital to me in the future. And an extra body will come in handy. Everyone needs a costume to go out in public, so all we have to do is get access to the labs and borrow something from their database. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But you still have to work hard - at least to find these labs in the vast expanse of our vast country is a challenge, and you will have to penetrate unnoticed. If you think about it, industrial espionage is really not an easy job, especially for a student with no experience.
Stark technology was simpler, but also a lot more complicated. Even though I'd stolen their data bypassing the artificial intelligence, it would be a shame to make it public and not very profitable to use it for myself, even if it did have some advantages. Of course, I can slightly modify the repulsor technology for my needs, but I'm not going to go out alone against some Taliban or similar comrades. I don't deny that it's powerful, but what's the point?
Unless the ability to fly looks a bit tempting. Of course, we can adapt all this and bring it to the point, and after that we can implement it into a rhino armoured suit, but does it make sense? That's another question. If I was planning force actions and assault operations, then no doubt, but now? However, it won't be superfluous either, so I should think about adapting other people's technology to my needs. Having got rid of all unnecessary thoughts, I started to enjoy pasta again, because what could be better than a home-cooked meal and pleasant company? With good people, even silence is a pleasure.
Maybe I should treat Mei to a meal sometime. I'll buy some goodies, a couple of bottles of good wine, and we can spend an evening in pleasant company, watching our favourite shows and films late into the night. After all, your favourite aunties need to be pampered, don't they? Today you make her nice, tomorrow she will make you nice, isn't it harmony? I am exaggerating, but it is worth it to return kindness for kindness, at least in the family circle. After all, it costs us practically nothing, so why not? When people around us are happy, there is no reason for conflict, only harmony and peace, which is the best thing for productive work.
- Your pasta is divine as always, May. Thank you for being you. I don't know what I would do without you, because you're the best thing in my life,' I smiled warmly, looking at her tenderly, and I wasn't being sly. - Next time I'll spoil you. I'll buy you some goodies, take your favourite wine, and we'll sit up until the morning, watching our favourite shows and movies. - tears welled up in May's eyes. Pulling herself together, she pulled out a napkin and gently wiped the tears away.
- Peter,' she said softly. - I love you too. You gave me a reason to go on living. After Ben's death, I was in a deep depression, but it was your smile and timid requests to make that unfortunate pasta that gave me the strength to move on. I'll let you in on a little secret,' May smiled slyly. - I didn't know how to make pasta until you asked me to. - The slyness on her lips was replaced by a warmth of heart. - So we live for each other. It's a strange symbiosis in our family. And yes, Peter, I want to tell you something important,' May continued after a pause of a few seconds. - Next time you cook. - Once again she winked like a fox and left the kitchen, leaving all the dishes to me.
Oh, you're a rascal,' I thought to myself. As she walked away with a wistful look, I smiled. I guess family wasn't so bad after all. Well, or at least not boring. Putting on my headphones, I started clearing the table and washing the dishes quickly to the rhythmic sounds of good old rock. After I finished cleaning up, I headed into the living room, where the news was playing softly. A familiar newscaster with a gorgeous moustache was habitually saying something about crime.
- The plague of our century. - Jameson said pathetically. - New synthetic drugs have flooded all the poor neighbourhoods of our city, and cases of overdose have tripled, and that's just in the last week. The police have also received dozens of reports of monster attacks, giant lizards and green men. That's a lot for these junkies to see, isn't it? - John grinned and continued.
- Since a new kind of synthetic drug is extremely affordable and costs a couple of quid, we may be on the verge of a new cartel war. Why are the heroes inactive, you ask? They are only dealing with matters of national importance, so we can't rely on the protection of rogue guys. Only the police and maybe the NSA will help us. In the meantime, be vigilant and stay out of the ghetto areas and other places. - the aging newscaster said calmly.
- Let's move on to the next news item of the evening,' Jameson continued. - A revolutionary new painkiller by Dr Connors is steadily taking over the pharmacological world. Don't think of it as an advert, but the statistics speak for themselves, and who knows, it may be our countryman's development that makes it to the world market. Isn't that a reason for every American to be proud? - the announcer winked at the viewer.
- And now for some cultural news. Wilson Fisk is opening an exhibition centre in Hell's Kitchen, where all local talent can display their work. All the money raised will, of course, go to charity and the needs of the orphans left behind by the string of bombings throughout Hell's Kitchen. - Jonah's pensive gaze was replaced by a couple of shots of flaming buildings and the silent screams of people who couldn't get out of the fire trap.
- Adrian Tooms' company was suddenly no longer bankrupt and, after receiving a generous tranche from a tycoon and highly successful industrialist you know, had risen like a phoenix. Tooms decided to strengthen its production facilities and announced a recruitment drive for a subsidiary company to produce ultra-modern protection for SWAT units - police special forces and various private military companies. So, if you dreamed of tying your life to the spirit of militarism, you've come to the right place. - the announcer grinned again.
- And now for the next news item. Norman Osborn held a private press conference in the bowels of Ozcorp with renowned armourers from all over the world and presented new weapons and modern defence under the code name 'Patriot'. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? Do you think our Homeland Security will buy anything so patriotic? - Jameson's sarcasm was pouring through the screen.
- Breaking news, an unidentified man in an isolation suit storms the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. - the announcer continued calmly and almost boredly. - Wait, is he controlling the electricity? - Jonah said curiously, studying the amateur recording on his smartphone. - As you can see, the crime situation in the city is only getting worse, and now petty criminals are almost brazenly trying to steal our gold. Where are the police and special forces when we need them so badly? - Jameson was genuinely puzzled.
And indeed, this is a great chance to 'return' the loot, albeit to themselves. All I have to do is sneak out of the house and get to my Rhinoceros, and then I'll find the brazen thief and expropriate everything for science and my own needs. Connecting via phone and special pirate software directly to the satellites, I started to drive the truck literally full of gold right up to the place where he was lying. Or did he think it would be that easy?
Uh, no, brother, running from the police isn't enough. Turning off the TV, I stealthily left the house and made my way to my basement.