Marvel: Umbrella Corporation

Under the protection of a few loyal bodyguards, Norman Osborn managed to avoid the protesting crowds outside and returned home.

As soon as he stepped into his villa, visibly upset, Norman saw his son, Harry, accompanied by his schoolmate Peter, walking toward him.

"Father, the news is lying, right? You didn't hurt anyone, did you?"

Looking at his son's hopeful eyes, Norman forced a smile.

"How could I harm anyone? I'm saving the world, saving this terminally ill world."

At this moment, young Peter, about ten years old and barely over five feet tall, walked over and politely greeted him, "Good evening, Uncle Osborn."

Norman gently patted Peter's head.

"Good evening, little Peter. I'll have something nice prepared for dinner. Why don't you stay and join us?"

"Thank you, Uncle Osborn, but I need to head back. Aunt May is waiting for me at home."

After a brief farewell, Peter left the Osborn villa.

Watching Peter's departing figure, Norman smiled faintly, "What a well-behaved and thoughtful child."

.......

An hour later, after finishing dinner, Norman instructed Harry to focus on his studies with his tutor before retreating to his bedroom.

Once sure he was alone, Norman changed into a long-collared outfit and drove back to the Osborn Tower.

Since he had only recently been ousted from the board, his access rights had not yet been revoked. Using his ID card, Norman easily made his way to the laboratory.

In the lab, he glanced at the experimental hoverboard and armor prototypes before shifting his gaze to another research project—the Super Soldier Serum.

After Dr. Abraham Erskine's assassination, only fragmented records of the Super Soldier Serum remained. Osborn Industries had been collaborating with the military to reconstruct it based on those incomplete records.

Currently, the serum was still in its experimental phase and hadn't undergone human trials. The original plan was to seek the military's approval for such trials at a later stage.

But Norman couldn't wait any longer.

He needed to eliminate the meddlesome board members and reclaim his company.

Moments later, as Norman disrobed and prepared to enter the experimental chamber, a sudden alarm blared. The lab lights turned red.

"What's going on?"

Before he could process the situation, the lab door burst open, and a group of security personnel stormed in.

Without a word, they pinned him down and restrained him.

"You can't arrest me! Do you know who I am? I'm Norman Osborn, the chairman of Osborn Industries!"

The guards ignored his protests, ensuring he was securely tied up. Only then did a middle-aged man step into the room.

"You! André!"

Seeing the man, Norman's face turned pale, realizing his defeat.

André, Osborn Industries' second-largest shareholder, had long contested Norman for control of the company.

André smiled faintly.

"Mr. Osborn, as the acting CEO of Osborn Industries, I hereby declare that you have severely damaged the company's interests. Furthermore, you trespassed into the lab and attempted to steal confidential research data."

"Take him away!"

"Yes, sir."

Without resistance, Norman lowered his head and was escorted out of the lab by security.

Once the situation was resolved, André pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Adam, you were right. Norman did come to the lab."

"Don't worry, I'll fulfill my promise. You have my word. Tomorrow, send someone to copy the data, but remember, no access to the core materials."

........

The Next Day, Noon.

In the skies above Arne City, Iraq, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s helicarrier arrived to find plumes of smoke rising below.

From the high vantage point, the city's perimeter was visibly surrounded by armed forces enforcing a strict lockdown.

*Knock knock.*

"Come in."

Maria Hill entered the room briskly.

"Director, news from home: Norman Osborn has been arrested."

"He's been arrested?" Nick Fury's brows furrowed slightly.

"What happened?"

"Reports say Norman was exposed for conducting zombie virus research. In response, André, the second-largest shareholder, led a coup to remove him from his position. That same night, Norman tried to access the lab but was caught red-handed by André."

Fury rubbed his temples after hearing the details.

"Forget about him for now. We have bigger problems here. What's the current status?"

"So far, the situation is under control. While the Iraqi soldiers aren't much of a threat, the Rift Zombies haven't breached the city limits yet."

"But if the survivors in Arne City all perish, the zombies will eventually escape, correct?"

Maria nodded reluctantly.

"That seems to be the case."

"Have you located the mutant zombie?"

"Not yet."

"Keep searching. I have a feeling this mutant zombie could pose a massive threat."

"Understood, Director."

After Maria left, Fury gazed out at Arne City, an uneasy feeling gnawing at him.

......

Meanwhile, at the Military Perimeter around Arne City.

The soldiers stationed there smoked cigarettes, tossed their rifles aside carelessly, and engaged in idle chatter.

The lack of discipline among the troops was palpable. Given Iraq's long history of war and unrest, morale was at an all-time low.

Even with American efforts to establish a new government and supply outdated weaponry, the soldiers lacked a sense of loyalty or purpose. To them, serving in the military was just another day job.

The soldiers encircling Arne City epitomized this attitude. Basic defensive measures, like trenches, hadn't been implemented—not because they didn't know how, but because they simply didn't want to.

As the sun set and night enveloped the area, the soldiers switched on floodlights to monitor any potential dangers.

In one section of the perimeter, a group of soldiers chatted idly.

"What do you think happened in Arne City?"

"Maybe those extremists unleashed some kind of bioweapon?"

"Unlikely. They're all Iraqi citizens, after all."

"Who knows? Aren't those extremists supposed to be crazy fanatics?"

"You actually believe that propaganda?"

"Doesn't matter. It's just a job. Whoever risks their life is the real fool."

The remark drew nods and laughter from the surrounding soldiers.

Suddenly, a piercing, eerie alarm echoed through the night.

"WHOO... WHOOO...!!"

_________________

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