Chapter 136: Max Dillon (Electro)
Batman didn't interfere much with Professor Morbius joining Oscorp. He'd come to find Harry for another matter.
After Professor Warren and Professor Morbius left shoulder-to-shoulder, heading to the research floors between levels ten and twenty to conduct their work, Batman spoke:
"Harry, I hope you can help me find someone."
"Find someone?" Harry Osborn seemed surprised. "Who?"
"I don't know his name or have his photo. I only know he has a conspicuous hooked nose and is possibly an expert in any field—mechanical, electronic, engineering, aerodynamics." Batman said.
In the Batcave, Batman had attempted image restoration to see clearly the face of the green-clothed flyer who'd broken into Rikers Prison alongside Schultz.
But those images weren't shot by reporters' professional cameras—merely cell phone footage from Rikers Island bystanders.
The pixels were too low. Even with Batman's image quality restoration, he couldn't see facial features clearly.
But someone capable of manufacturing a flight suit with Schultz—Batman strongly suspected the individual resembled Gotham's criminal "Kite Man."
"Peter, there are so many people in the world. Your target is too vague..."
Harry Osborn thought for a moment, carefully choosing his words.
"I'll do my best to help you search and collect information. Can you tell me your purpose in finding him?"
Batman displayed a Peter Parker-style smile.
"Someone recommended him to me. My Parker Industries needs talent in this area, but I forgot his name and who made the recommendation."
Harry Osborn hesitated, then couldn't help laughing as he looked at Batman.
"Peter, looks like you and I are the same. Company affairs bring too many trivial matters, causing us to frequently forget things."
"Want me to take you around Oscorp's electronic engineering department to see if anyone there is who you're looking for?" Harry Osborn proposed. "Or besides him, whichever engineer you need, just ask."
Batman still didn't refuse. He looked genuinely eager for talent.
"Harry, please take me for a tour."
"Small matter. Compared to you helping me reclaim Oscorp, what does this count for?" Harry immediately rose, pulling Batman straight toward the elevator.
Electronic engineering departments were indispensable to every enterprise. Oscorp was no exception.
But one difference existed: Oscorp's electronic engineering department, besides handling their primary duties, often needed to rotate shifts on the building's sixteenth floor.
"This is where Oscorp researches bio-electric power generation. This entire floor."
In the sixteenth floor corridor, Harry Osborn pointed at transparent glass tanks.
The area consisted of complex large-scale instruments and countless glass tanks. Each tank held dozens to hundreds of swimming electric eels.
Blue-tinged electric light constantly flickered, making the place resemble a science fiction movie scene.
Electrical workers in gray-blue overalls and scientists in white lab coats cooperated in division of labor. Batman and Harry Osborn didn't disturb them, instead touring while Harry provided introductions.
"Yesterday I tried visiting my father at Ravencroft Research Institute where he's confined, but sentries at the entrance told me visits aren't accepted. They didn't even ask who my father was."
Harry walked alongside Batman beside transparent glass tanks. After introducing for a while, he complained.
Batman's face showed no surprised expression. Last time he'd gone, sentries similarly drove him away—only he'd used crisp green bills to clear his path.
"Perhaps after some time passes, he'll be able to leave there. Norman Osborn might be gratified seeing you manage Oscorp so orderly." Batman consoled.
Stopping at the corridor's end: "Peter, did you find the engineer you wanted?"
"No." Batman shook his head.
"If you merely need a senior electronic engineer, Oscorp has someone quite suitable for you." Harry Osborn said regretfully. "His name is Max Dillon. When Oscorp Tower was rebuilt, he personally designed the electrical systems for virtually the entire building."
"Max Dillon?"
Batman thought about the name for a moment. Seeing him not immediately object, Harry directly called out in the corridor:
"Max Dillon! Have him come see me!"
Nearby electronic engineers in gray-blue overalls turned toward Harry Osborn at the sound. A worker hurriedly left, returning moments later leading a Black man.
"Mr. Osborn."
Max Dillon wore the yellow overalls symbolizing senior electronic engineer status. Seven or eight rolls of design blueprints were tucked under his arm—clearly he'd been summoned while busy.
"This is my friend, Peter Parker." Harry pointed at Batman.
Within his own company, Harry Osborn clearly enjoyed letting everyone meet Peter. He wished he could loudly announce to everyone he had the world's best friend.
Max Dillon quickly extended one hand, his attitude deferential with transparent ingratiation.
"Mr. Parker."
Batman still wore a Peter Parker-style smile. He faithfully played this identity.
"Max Dillon. I've heard your name."
Max Dillon's face showed a trace of surprise. He pointed at himself.
"Me?"
Harry Osborn also looked at Batman with surprise.
Batman had only thought briefly—finding the name somewhat familiar—and had now recalled:
"That's right. When Oscorp Tower was first established, you designed the electrical systems. I've heard of you."
Previously, to deal with the Lizard Professor and the Hulk, Batman had researched Oscorp Tower extraordinarily thoroughly from inside out—including electrical systems. Max Dillon's name was precisely what he'd seen while reviewing materials then.
"Sorry, Harry. Max Dillon is indeed an electronic engineering genius, but he's not who I'm looking for." Batman told Harry Osborn.
Before Harry Osborn could speak, Max Dillon spoke first:
"Excuse me, Mr. Parker. From your meaning, you're searching for an electronic engineering expert?"
"Not necessarily electronic engineering." Batman said.
Harry Osborn repeated Batman's earlier reasoning to Max Dillon.
Max Dillon nodded slightly thoughtfully.
"I don't know experts with research accomplishments in all those fields you mentioned. But I do know an electronic engineering expert with a hooked nose. Though he's most likely not who you're looking for either."
Batman looked at Max Dillon. He'd already prepared for a fruitless search—never expecting an unexpected gain:
"Who?"
"Adrian Toomes. A top expert virtually everyone in electronic engineering knows. His most distinctive feature is a conspicuous hooked nose." Max Dillon said.ectronic engineering knows. His most distinctive feature is a conspicuous hooked nose." Max Dillon said.