Chapter 154: Lizard Professor Reappears
Doctor Octavius's new armor employed completely different control methods from previous tentacles.
Previously, portions connecting tentacles to the spine had tentacles autonomously reading Doctor Octavius's neural signals, converting neural signals into electrical signals for propulsion.
Therefore Batman had only needed sonic tools to stop Doctor Octavius's mechanical tentacles, severely affecting even Octavius himself.
But the suit Doctor Octavius currently wore didn't present such circumstances.
No neural signal reading devices would be implanted into Doctor Octavius's body. Instead, it relied on countless micro-sensors woven into the suit reading Doctor Octavius's bioelectric signals.
Through bioelectric signals, the armor and the system Batman specifically manufactured within could identify Doctor Octavius's intentions, successfully controlling tentacles.
Naturally, this armor wasn't without flaws. Since it utilized bioelectric signals controlling tentacles, it required Doctor Octavius's certain degree of physical coordination to use tentacles.
Unable to operate like previous directly neural-connected mechanical tentacles—thought activating, tentacles moving as freely as one's own limbs.
Even the tentacles themselves weren't one hundred percent mechanical tentacles but utilized materials similar to Batman's cape plus small amounts of metal skeletal frames.
This both satisfied certain degrees of heavy object lifting functionality while allowing tentacles to completely retract into the backpack behind the armor when unnecessary.
"Thank you, Batman." Doctor Octavius slowly descended from midair. Four tentacles behind him obediently shortened, completely hiding inside the backpack behind Doctor Octavius.
Professors Connors and Banner's gazes followed the tentacles completely around to Doctor Octavius's back. They began wondering how those four tentacles—appearing two to three meters long moments ago—could squeeze into such a flat backpack.
Doctor Banner was typically reserved, but now he proactively inquired:
"Batman, how did you accomplish that?"
"I mean those tentacles all retracting completely."
Batman maintained his persona, treating himself and Peter Parker as two separate people.
"Parker Industries possesses a material called 'memory fiber.' Peter provided a portion to me, which I utilized in manufacturing tentacles."
"Thank you, and please thank Peter for me too." Doctor Octavius exhaled a long breath, speaking to Batman.
From the moment he'd donned the armor, Doctor Octavius had felt a profound, long-absent calm emerging from deep within.
Since arriving on North Brother Island, even while sleeping Doctor Octavius had remained highly mentally tense. The slightest disturbance would startle him awake.
Doctor Octavius hadn't complained about the fear accompanying sharing an island with two scientists capable of transforming into monsters.
He'd even initially tried adapting to that fear, until Doctor Octavius felt prolonged mental tension might affect his experimental state. Only then had he finally voiced his problems when Peter Parker came to the island.
Now Doctor Octavius had finally calmed down. Like someone with tinnitus suddenly recovering normality, his mentality had completely adjusted to optimal condition.
"Memory fiber?" On another side, Doctor Banner still contemplated Batman's previous answer, hesitating half the day before speaking. "Batman, could Peter also make me pants using memory fiber?"
Words falling, before Batman could respond, Doctor Banner himself stood awkwardly in place somewhat at a loss, stammering without managing a second sentence.
Batman remained expressionless. His gaze looked downward at Doctor Banner's pants. The entire pants—excessively loose—worn on Doctor Banner resembled more a skirt.
But he had no choice wearing them this way. He couldn't possibly need to strip naked every time transformation into the Hulk was required.
Pants too tight wouldn't work either. Doctor Banner transforming into the Hulk would directly explode them.
This resulted in Doctor Octavius wearing new armor, Professor Connors—not transforming—continually wearing normal clothing, and Batman perpetually wearing the Arkham armor.
Only Doctor Banner wore a white lab coat outside with loose, baggy clothes inside—like a beggar.
"Doctor Banner there's no need to feel embarrassed," Batman's voice rumbled low. "I've already prepared them for you."
Words falling, Batman extended both hands downward. One purple, one green—two pairs of pants appeared in Batman's hands.
These were items Batman had manufactured when creating Doctor Octavius's armor and tentacles, using extremely elastic fabric rather than the "memory fiber" like Doctor Banner mentioned.
Mentality adjusted, Doctor Octavius now resembled that spirited scientist once more. Strong confidence practically radiated from him. He couldn't wait to dive into nuclear fusion research.
But on the laboratory's other side, Batman and Connors and Banner presented completely different aesthetics. Batman held one pants in each hand before both scientists, motionless.
"Thank you." Doctor Banner still felt somewhat embarrassed. But Professor Connors calmly accepted Batman's gift.
Both exchanged glances, also imitating Doctor Octavius earlier by ducking behind the curtain to change. Several minutes later they emerged respectively, except both still wore white lab coats, neither deliberately displaying the newly changed pants.
Doctor Banner appeared somewhat happy. He excitedly headed toward the nuclear fusion device where Doctor Octavius stood, but a pitch-black web strand shot out blocking him.
Professor Connors prepared returning to his corner sitting down to meditate, but Batman similarly blocked him with webbing.
"What's wrong?" Doctor Banner scratched his head somewhat confused.
"What must come will come. I must directly face the power within my body." Professor Connors understood perfectly why Batman had stopped him, speaking to Doctor Banner.
Batman nodded slightly.
"It's alright, Professor Connors. Try transforming into the Lizard. The Hulk and I will be here helping you."
Finishing speaking, Batman discovered the light beside him darkening. Doctor Banner had already transformed into the Hulk.
Currently the Hulk stood with arms crossed. Developed muscle blocks clustered together. Hearing the name Batman mentioned was "Hulk" rather than "Banner," the big green guy grinned revealing white teeth.
Professor Connors looked at Batman, then glanced at the Hulk deliberately flexing muscle blocks for him to see, knowing this guy was provoking him again.
"I also have responsibility for mastering the power within my body rather than becoming a monster driven by instinct."
Professor Connors took several deep breaths, scenes from this period flashing through his mind.
In human form, he and Doctor Banner were good friends mutually learning emotional control, partners with Doctor Octavius jointly researching new prosthetic limbs.
But presently he was about to transform into a monster again...
Professor Connors squeezed his eyes shut. As he suddenly opened them, both legs had completely transformed into golden vertical pupils.
"Hehe, big lizard's coming," the Hulk jeered from the side.
***
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