Chapter 132: Dr. Otto
"Barbara, use one of my trusts to purchase geological survey equipment. I need to conduct geological analysis of this Bat Island before specific planning."
Batman didn't object to the Oracle AI calling Hoffman Island "Bat Island." That was part of his plan.
"Leave it to me, Bruce." The Oracle AI responded.
Batman didn't remain on the island. He didn't even trust the Oracle AI—he personally conducted a series of tests on the island.
After ensuring neither his body nor the island carried viruses or toxins that could cause mass casualties if released, Batman finally approached the rear of the Arkham Batmobile.
Under the Oracle AI's control, the Batmobile's rear compartment slowly opened, revealing a double seat with metal restraint brackets.
This was Batman's configuration for transporting criminals to police stations or prisons after apprehending them.
WHOOSH!
Bracing one hand against the Batmobile's armor, Batman's cape swept dramatically upward. He vaulted into the driver's cockpit. In the next second, Venom's small head immediately popped out from his shoulder.
"Four pieces of chocolate!"
Batman extended one hand and pushed Venom's head back into his shoulder.
"I promised you, Robin. But don't rush."
Batman needed to bring Eddie Brock back to North Brother Island and conduct a thorough examination from head to toe, inside and out—searching for any residual Anti-Venom symbiotic material in his body.
Within a single minute, Batman returned from Hoffman Island—now Bat Island—to the laboratory on North Brother Island.
The moment Batman entered the lab carrying Eddie Brock bound tightly in earth-yellow webbing, he detected something amiss.
Professors Connors, Banner, and Otto appeared busy, but Batman keenly perceived their attention wasn't fully concentrated on their respective work.
Hearing Batman push through the door, all three scientists immediately turned to look, studying Batman who'd returned from Hoffman Island—where virtually every lethal virus known to humanity had been preserved for over a century.
Dr. Otto was currently working in the laboratory's corner. Hearing the sound, he only glanced at Batman without approaching—as though concerned about viruses Batman might carry.
But Drs. Banner and Connors didn't care about that. One could transform into the Hulk, the other into the Lizard Professor. Mere viruses posed no threat to them whatsoever.
Especially Professor Connors. He knew perfectly well Batman was Peter Parker. He was the first to rush over.
With only one arm, Connors ran somewhat awkwardly. But he didn't care about appearances, looking at Batman with obvious concern.
"Are you alright? Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?"
Batman looked at Professor Connors, whose concern overflowed visibly. His deep voice contained slightly less coldness than usual.
"I'm fine."
"Good, that's good..." Connors breathed a sigh of relief. He extended his hand, pointing toward the laboratory's corner, indicating Batman should look.
In the corner sat something quite familiar to Batman—a complex apparatus composed of metal support frames and various instruments. This was what Dr. Otto had been working on when Batman entered.
Previously, Professor Connors had lain on that very setup when the Hulk tore off his lizard tail.
Batman's entire face was concealed by his suit custom-built for Anti-Venom. As Batman turned toward Professor Connors, even without seeing his face, Connors could detect a trace of puzzlement.
He quickly explained:
"After learning you were going to Hoffman Island—full of viruses—to deal with that extraterrestrial organism, Dr. Otto spent last night and this morning modifying and adjusting the equipment so it could conduct comprehensive testing on your body."
Batman looked toward Dr. Otto. The somewhat pudgy middle-aged man smiled modestly.
"I worried you might bring viruses back, so I modified these instruments... To be honest, I was actually thinking of myself. I don't want to be infected by viruses you bring back."
"Is that so? We don't think that's the case." Dr. Banner chuckled from the side. "To ensure you could survive even if infected with viruses after returning, Dr. Otto practically mastered the entire virology field. Now he's the expert among us."
Dr. Otto smiled without speaking. After working through the entire night, his face showed exhaustion he couldn't quite hide. But looking at Batman, his gaze held unmistakable, genuine warmth.
Batman's face beneath the mask remained expressionless. He'd noticed Dr. Otto's unusual behavior.
When Peter infiltrated during General Ross's military supervision of Oscorp to help Professor Connors transfer biotechnology data, Harry Osborn made no attempt to hide the incident from the outside world.
'Many Oscorp research personnel witnessed my contact with Connors. That can't be concealed.'
'Dr. Otto is intelligent. Based on yesterday's careful instructions from Professor Connors, he may have deduced I'm Peter.'
Previously, Dr. Otto only knew Peter Parker and had little contact with Batman. Even in North Brother Island's laboratory, he'd always maintained a quite polite attitude toward Batman.
Only if Dr. Otto discovered the person beneath the mask was Peter Parker—who'd visited him repeatedly during his disappointment—would he exert himself to this extent helping Batman.
Batman silently analyzed Dr. Otto's thoughts but didn't verbally pierce through that thin veil.
He'd finally managed to interact with Aunt May as Bruce—listening weekly to the elderly woman share things she found interesting, passively yet fearfully accepting May's unreserved care.
But now, Batman again felt something different from familial affection from Dr. Otto and Professor Connors—more like concern and care between friends.
Batman didn't speak. He didn't know how to respond to Dr. Otto and Professor Connors' concern. He could only carry Eddie Brock—bound like a rice dumpling—to the metal frame and instruments.
---
At LaGuardia Airport's runway, separated from North Brother Island where Batman and the others were located by only Rikers Island, a small privately chartered plane gradually landed.
"Do you need me to contact Peter for you?"
Silver Sable addressed Tony Stark, who'd groomed his beard and hair on the plane and changed into a brand-new suit.
"No. I'll thank him in person later. Right now I have more important business."
Tony Stark elbowed the bearded man sitting beside him. "Got a phone? Let me make a call."
The bearded man reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a Hello Kitty flip phone, handing it to Tony Stark.
Tony Stark accepted the phone and examined it briefly, commenting casually:
"Nice style."
After speaking, Tony flipped open the phone's cover and dialed his bodyguard and driver Happy Hogan.
"My daughter gave it to me as a gift." The bearded man, pleased by Tony's offhand compliment, spoke cheerfully.
Tony Stark patted the bearded man's shoulder and brought the phone to his ear.
"Happy, I'm back."ght the phone to his ear.
"Happy, I'm back."