Chapter 3
Upon entering the large elevator (originally designed for service use, but doubling as the tour elevator for large groups) the tour finally got going as planned.
On the way up, their guide began to explain how, although public conference rooms were at the bottom, and the penthouse and living spaces were at the top, the rest of the building had a more sporadic layout. Loosely being split into different sectors of science for ease of access, the floors did not go in order of importance. This aided in the belief that all work in the tower was highly important, not just the tasks carried out by the high scientists. However as it was all being explained, the three who had heard it all a thousand times before huddled in the back, hushely chatting about the chaos that had taken place in such a short period of time.
“I can’t believe FRIDAY sassed Mr Turner like that” Ned exclaimed in Awe
“I didn’t even know she could act like that!” although thoroughly embarrassed, Peter was also relieved that it would keep the man at bay for the day.
“Honestly, how can he still get away with acting like that?” Not much in life phased MJ, but their teachers outright manhandling of her peer definitely grabbed her attention, and not in a good way.
It wasn’t long before Flash shuffled his way over the group.
“Think you’re all hard-core now, Penis? Getting fatso here to hack the AI to stick up for you because no human will? That doesn’t explain your badge though… how long did you have to spend on your knees to convince them to make yours different?”
The group never got a chance to respond before the doors opened with a small ding and Flash whipped his head round in excitement. Once out of the elevator and into the small vestibule before the main lab, Emily provided the group with the usual safety rundown
“Please do not touch, sniff, or lick anything” this caused a few giggles and raised eyebrows “you will be allowed to wander and ask the teams some questions if they seem open to speaking, but please please please remember this is an active lab! Right lets go!.....”
As the class began to flood the large room through the double doors, Mr Turner raised his arm to block peters entrance (ensuring he didn’t actually come in contact with the teen)
“Peter, I hope you understand how serious the consequences of this whole charade will be! I will be taking this to the principle when we return, and I can assure you the police will be involved”
“Uh, what have I done” The kid innocently questioned, cause truly, he was innocent!
“Oh, you want a list, do you? Okay well, let's start with FORGERY of the documents you admitted to last week, the BREAKING AND ENTERING of this tower before we arrived, what I assume could only be BRIBERY for the stunt with the headphones, the STEALING of this security badge, and finally the HACKING of the towers AI system.” Counting them off on his hand as he spoke: “All 5 of these are very serious crimes, Parker!”
“Mr Harr….”
“Save it for the judge, Peter, now get in there before you gain any more attention and for the love of God, don’t fuck up.”
And with that, Peter could only nod and keep his head down as he trudged into the lab, not feeling the usual thrill that the room brought.
As everyone shuffled around looking at different formulas and experiments taking place, Parker headed straight for his friends, trying his hardest not to meet the eyes of any of his coworkers.
“What’s up, dude? What did Turner want?”
“Oh nothing much, just telling me I’m going to get arrested for being alive essentially”
“what-”
“Junior! What are you doing here during school hours?” Came the overly cheery voice of Kieran, a tier 1 employee that loved getting peter to help on any project he could
“Shhh,” he quickly hushed “Just Ignore me, please” he all but begged in a whisper, glancing over to an enraged Mr Turner staring at the interaction.
Following the gaze of the kid stood in front of him, Kieran spotted the teacher before turning back to peter with a suddenly serious but gentle register
“Pete… what’s going on?”
“Nothing”
“Peter…”
“I can handle it! Please… jus-.”
Peter was suddenly cut off by an odd fizzing sound, volume steadily intensifying. Quickly scanning the room, Kieran and Peter simultaneously spotted where the sound was coming from, a chemical mixture that was about to blow. Next to which stood Flash, startled, and clearly holding the bottle which caused the reaction.
Whilst everyone stood frozen, Peter and Kieran sprang into action, essentially diving towards the chaos.
“KID, MOVE!” the elder exclaimed as he grabbed the bottle from Flash and pulled him back from the desk.
“Kay, grab the blanket! Ben, the crystals” The younger instantly handing out orders and pointing in the direction of said items.
He grabbed the crystals (Designed by Stark to counter almost every chemical reaction by breaking the bonds and suffocating the particles) and poured them in as Kieran grabbed the smothering safety blanket and chucked it over the beakers.
As the chemicals settled, so did the tension in the room. Everybody seemingly letting out a breath in unison. However whilst understanding slowly swept the room, fury quickly took two of the men.
“Who gave you permission to do that?” Kieran quickly snapped at Flash, although already fully aware of the answer.
“I...Uh…No one, Sir” the Flash all but stammered back
“Then WHY on earth did you do it?”
“Uhm...I-“
“Do you understand what you just did? How much damage that could have caused? The injuries you could have inflicted, not only on yourself but on everyone around here?” he gestured to the space around the work station “If Peter hadn’t been he-“
“Ah yes, Peter” the second infuriated man, Mr Turner interrupted “Your actions just there will be added to your list of wrongdoings today, you will spend the rest of the day by my side until the official consequence are established this evening back at school. You cannot pull a stunt like this and get away with it. I warned you about staying in line for the rest of the day. Those actions were disgusting”
“I’m sorry, you WHAT?” The lab employee was now overcome with astonishment, speaking towards the teacher “You are reprimanding PETER after what just happened?” anger seeping into his tone
“Yes, his actions were foolish and served no purpose other than attention-seeking. He had no idea what he was doing yet acted like he knew everything in a senseless and fruitless attempt to convince us he works here.” He spat.
“Okay, so putting aside the fact that peter not only works here but is the director of multiple labs… you are serious choosing to punish the one who saved half of the staff here, yourself included, and your class from likely fatal chemical burns, and NOT the one who was the cause of the issue by not only ignoring, but straight up going against the rules that were given for this lab?”
Whilst Mr Turner’s mouth opened and closed like a fish in an attempt to articulate why he believes his choice was right, Emily finally took charge once again.
“Right, we need to leave this lab now, and let these guys deal with the fallout of what just happened whilst we move onto the next lab on the tour. As for the two young gentlemen involved; Flash you will remain by my side until further notice as to not wreak any more havoc, and Pete, you will follow my instructions, which for the moment is simply to re-join and stick by Ned and MJ….. Back to the elevator people!” she ended with a clap.