A Genius at Work
Peter had barely landed in his dorm and collapsed onto his bed when ERIC’s voice chimed in his earpiece.
“Sir, an email just came through from Dr. Storm.”
Peter groaned, rolling onto his stomach and muffling his face in the pillow. “Please tell me it’s not about work. I just got back.”
“On the contrary, sir. The lab is closed tomorrow.
It appears to be a day off for all researchers at the Baxter Building.”
Peter perked up slightly, his head lifting from the pillow. “Wait, really? Just like that?”
“Yes, sir. The email states that due to ongoing maintenance in certain labs, all non-essential personnel are given the day off. You are, in fact, considered non-essential.”
Peter huffed. “Wow. Way to make a guy feel important, ERIC.”
“I only relay the facts, sir.”
A slow, satisfied grin spread across Peter’s face. A whole day off. No lab work, no patrol (for now), no dealing with super-genius colleagues or flirty cat burglars. Just a full day of peace and quiet.
He could finally relax.
Or so he thought.
“Sir, I must remind you that your college project deadline is approaching.”
Peter’s face immediately fell. His entire body tensed as if he had been hit by a truck. “Oh, come on. I just sat down.”
“Procrastination will not make it disappear, sir.”
Peter dramatically threw an arm over his face. “But it might make me disappear if I pretend hard enough.”
“I assure you, sir, that will not be the case. Shall I bring up the project specifications?”
Peter sighed heavily. “Fine. Bring them up.”
A holographic display materialized above his desk, listing the detailed requirements for his Mechanical Engineering Project. He had to design, develop, and present an innovative mechanical system or device, complete with blueprints, functionality analysis, feasibility reports, and a working prototype.
It had to be groundbreaking—something genius, something that would impress his professors… but nothing that would link him to Spider-Man, the Avengers, or anything remotely superhuman.
He couldn’t just submit one of his web-shooters.
He couldn’t use the nanotech upgrades he developed.
He couldn’t present any of his work on advanced suit mechanics.
It had to be something realistic, yet brilliant.
Peter exhaled, rubbing his temples. “Okay, ERIC, hit me with some ideas.”
“Certainly, sir. Here are a few potential projects based on your expertise and the available resources…”
Idea #1: A High-Efficiency Micro-Turbine Generator
ERIC: “A compact, high-efficiency turbine capable of harnessing wind energy in urban environments. It would be designed for rooftops, providing renewable energy in dense city landscapes.”
Peter hummed, tapping his fingers against his desk. “Not bad. But it would take too long to manufacture a functioning prototype. I’d need advanced materials, and the efficiency tests would be hell.”
“Understood. Next idea.”
Idea #2: A Self-Adjusting Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation
ERIC: “A lightweight, AI-assisted exoskeleton designed to aid in physical rehabilitation. It would use adaptive feedback to adjust resistance and motion assistance based on the user’s recovery progress.”
Peter paused, considering it. “That’s… actually really good. But it’s a bit too close to what Stark was working on for Rhodey. If anyone digs deep enough, they might make the connection.”
“Acknowledged, sir. Shall I proceed with another option?”
Peter nodded. “Yeah, keep them coming.”
Idea #3: A Smart Material with Shape Memory
ERIC: “A polymer-based material that can ‘remember’ shapes and return to a pre-programmed form when exposed to certain stimuli, such as heat or electric current.”
Peter leaned back in his chair. “That’s interesting. Kinda like that liquid metal tech, but more practical. Could be used in everything from spacecraft insulation to medical stents. But how the hell do I prototype that in a week?”
“Difficult, but not impossible, sir. You do have access to advanced fabrication tools.”
Peter sighed. “True, but I need something a little simpler while still being impressive.”
“Then perhaps the following idea will be of interest.”
Idea #4: A Modular, Multi-Purpose Drone
ERIC: “A drone with an adaptable modular design. Different attachments could allow it to function as a surveillance drone, a rescue tool, or even a mobile repair assistant. The focus would be on versatility and accessibility—an all-in-one device that could be used for various tasks depending on the attachment equipped.”
Peter’s eyes lit up. “Now that’s an idea.”
He leaned forward, already running through the possibilities. “A small, adaptable drone that can be customized on the fly. Could be used by engineers, rescue teams, even disaster relief workers. Lightweight, durable, and easy to operate.”
ERIC: “Precisely, sir. You could incorporate your knowledge of aerodynamics, materials engineering, and robotics into the design.”
Peter was already sketching rough concepts on his tablet, his mind racing.
“Okay, first things first—we need a lightweight chassis. Carbon fiber? No, too expensive. Maybe a reinforced polymer?”
ERIC: “I suggest using a graphene-infused polymer blend, sir. Strong, flexible, and lightweight.”
Peter nodded. “Good call. Now, for propulsion—quadrotor or tilt-rotor?”
ERIC: “A tilt-rotor design would offer superior maneuverability and efficiency in tight spaces.”
Peter smirked. “Damn, you’re on fire today.”
“Always, sir.”
Over the next few hours, Peter and ERIC bounced ideas back and forth, refining every detail:
• Power source: Compact hydrogen fuel cells for long operational time.
• Navigation: AI-assisted flight with obstacle avoidance.
• Modularity: Magnetic attachment points for customizable tools—thermal cameras, robotic arms, even micro-welding torches.
• Control system: Smart interface with gesture and voice commands.
By the time they had finalized the core blueprints, Peter leaned back, stretching his arms. His fingers ached, and his brain felt fried, but there was a satisfied grin on his face.
“That… might be one of the best things I’ve worked on in a while.”
ERIC: “I believe this project will meet and exceed expectations, sir.”
Peter smirked. “You think it’ll impress my professors?”
ERIC: “Considering that your peers are still struggling with basic automation principles? Absolutely.”
Peter snorted. “Yeah, fair point.”
He stood up, rubbing his eyes. “Alright. Let’s call it a night. We’ll start fabricating the prototype tomorrow.”
“Understood, sir. But before you rest—”
Peter groaned. “What now?”
“Dr. Storm has sent a follow-up email, requesting confirmation that you received the day-off notice.”
Peter frowned. “Wait… she personally followed up?”
“It appears so, sir.”
Peter rubbed the back of his neck. “Huh.”
“Shall I draft a response?”
He thought for a moment before shaking his head. “Nah, I’ll just reply myself. Don’t want to seem like I have my own personal assistant.”
“You do, sir.”
Peter rolled his eyes, grabbing his phone and typing out a quick reply.
To: Dr. Susan Storm
Subject: Re: Day Off Notice
Hey, Dr. Storm. Got your email—thanks for the heads-up. Enjoy your day off.
– Peter
He hit send and exhaled, finally flopping onto his bed.
As his eyes drifted shut, ERIC chimed one last time.
“Sir, I must say, you and Dr. Storm seem to be developing quite the rapport.”
Peter groaned into his pillow.
“ERIC, I swear to God—shut up.”
The Next Day – Peter’s Dorm
Peter sat hunched over his worktable, eyes fixed on the nearly finished prototype of his modular drone. It had been hours of intense work, but he was making real progress. ERIC’s voice filled the dorm as the AI projected holographic schematics, highlighting adjustments Peter still needed to make.
“Sir, the current flight stability is at 86.3%. I suggest fine-tuning the rotor synchronization to compensate for high-speed turns.”
Peter adjusted a small servo motor, wiping some sweat from his brow. “I was already thinking that. Maybe tweak the gyroscopic stabilizers while we’re at it?”
“An excellent idea, sir. Would you also like to integrate the AI-assisted auto-correction?”
Peter smirked, tightening a micro-screw. “ERIC, you know me so well.”
“I strive for excellence, sir.”
Just as he was about to run another test, ERIC suddenly interrupted.
“Sir, Dr. Susan Storm is calling you.”
Peter blinked. “Wait, what?”
“Shall I accept the call?”
Peter quickly wiped his hands on his shirt, confused but curious. “Uh, yeah. Put her through.”
A second later, Susan’s voice came through his earpiece.
“Hey, Peter. Are you free today?”
Peter frowned slightly. “Uh… somewhat? Why, what’s up?”
“I was hoping you could come down to the Baxter Building. I need some help with a project, and I know it’s a day off, and they are so rare and most of the scientists aren’t here.”
Peter hesitated for a second. He had planned to finish his own project, but Susan sounded… stressed. And if she was reaching out to him, that meant she really needed help.
He sighed. “Alright, No problem Sue, I’ll be there.”
Susan let out a small, relieved laugh. “Thanks, Peter. I appreciate it.” She sounded happy , relieved.
The call ended, and Peter leaned back, exhaling.
“ERIC, save our progress and shut everything down.”
“Understood, sir. Though I must say, you seem quite eager to assist Dr. Storm.”
Peter rolled his eyes as he pulled on his jacket. “Oh, don’t start, ERIC.”
“Just an observation, sir. Shall I also recommend a cologne? Perhaps one that subtly suggests—”
Peter groaned. “I’m shutting you down if you don’t stop.”
ERIC’s voice carried a distinctly amused tone. “Understood, sir. Carry on.”
Baxter Building – Susan’s Lab
When Peter arrived, Susan was already deep in her work. She had her hair tied up in a messy bun, loose strands framing her face. She was biting her lower lip in concentration, her fingers moving swiftly over a holographic interface displaying complex DNA sequences.
She looked exhausted.
But when she saw him, her expression brightened—only to turn slightly apologetic.
“Hey, you made it.”
Peter nodded, setting his bag down. “Yeah. Though I gotta say, I wasn’t expecting to do genetics today.”
Susan sighed. “Sorry for disturbing you on your day off. I just—none of the available scientists are qualified for this, and I remembered you have a background in biochemistry too.”
Peter waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to help.”
ERIC, still deactivated, would have absolutely had something suggestive to say about that.
Peter stepped beside Susan, looking over her work. “So, what are we dealing with?”
She exhaled, pulling up a set of data charts. “We’re mapping a DNA sequence for an experimental cell regeneration process. The problem is that we’re getting too many mutations in the simulation. If we can’t stabilize it, it won’t be safe for human testing.”
Peter studied the data, his scientific brain kicking into high gear. “Okay… looks like the sequencing algorithm is introducing errors in the third replication phase. What if we tweak the nucleotide pairing mechanism?”
Susan blinked, impressed. “That… actually might work.”
Peter smirked. “What can I say? I’m a genius.”
Susan chuckled. “Don’t get cocky, Parker.”
For the next few hours, they worked closely together, testing hypotheses, fixing errors, and recalibrating the sequencing model.
Peter stole glances at Susan more than he wanted to admit.
Her intelligence was breathtaking. The way she analyzed data, connected dots, and problem-solved—it was almost hypnotic.
And then there was the fact that she was drop-dead gorgeous.
But Peter forcibly reminded himself:
She would never be interested in someone like him.
And even if she was, getting close to her was a bad idea.
His life was dangerous.
His luck was horrible.
And if he got attached, something bad would happen.
But that didn’t stop him from staring.
And apparently, Susan noticed.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught him watching her, more than once. She blushed slightly but said nothing.
She didn’t mind.
Break Time – Chinese Takeout
Nathaniel, reminded them to take a break.
Susan stretched, sighing. “Wow, it’s been hours. I’m starving. You want to get something to eat?”
Peter hesitated. “Uh… yeah, sure.”
Susan smiled. “Let’s get Chinese takeout. Nathaniel, place an order for us.”
As they waited, they continued discussing the project, refining their theories. But soon, the conversation shifted to their daily lives.
Susan leaned back, crossing her arms. “So, Peter… what do you do when you’re not being a genius?”
Peter smirked. “Oh, you know. Sleep. Build stuff. Maybe save the world in my free time.”
Susan chuckled. “I almost believe you.”
Peter forced a grin. If only she knew.
Soon, their food arrived, and they sat together, eating and talking.
Peter found himself really enjoying her company. She was smart, funny, and easy to talk to.
But a part of him felt guilty.
He was lying to her.
He couldn’t tell her he was Spider-Man.
He couldn’t tell her he was technically an Avenger.
He couldn’t even tell her about his own past.
For the first time in a long while, that really bothered him.
A Moment
After dinner, they went back to work. Hours passed, and finally, they had a breakthrough.
Susan lit up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Peter, we did it! The sequencing is stable!”
She was so happy that she—without thinking—hugged Peter tightly.
And then, in a rush of excitement, she kissed his cheek.
The moment froze.
Peter stiffened.
Susan pulled back abruptly, eyes wide. “Oh my God, I—”
Peter quickly recovered. “Hey, hey—it’s okay. Seriously.”
Susan’s face burned red. “I didn’t mean to—I was just excited—I—”
Peter chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hey, no worries. You were happy. I get it.”
She still looked flustered, but she nodded. “Okay… good.”
The atmosphere was suddenly charged, but neither of them acknowledged it.
Finally, Susan yawned. “It’s late. We should call it a night.”
Peter nodded. “Yeah. Good work today.”
Susan smiled. “You too, Parker.”
On the Way Home – ERIC’s Teasing
As Peter walked back to his dorm, he reactivated ERIC.
“Sir, I must say—what a performance.”
Peter groaned. “Oh, here we go…”
“Dr. Storm was quite taken with you. And that hug? That kiss on the cheek? My sensors detected a significant increase in her heart rate.”
Peter scowled. “She was just happy.”
“Denial is not a healthy coping mechanism, sir.”
Peter grumbled. “Not happening, ERIC. Drop it.”
“Very well, sir. But I will definitely bring this up again.”
Peter rolled his eyes.
His life just got a lot more complicated.