Some people claim they have no intention of becoming superheroes, but secretly have already thought up a hero name, and even designed an entire costume.
Peter gave Bren a sly look and teased,
"You said you weren't planning on becoming Spider-Man?"
"I'm not planning on it," Bren replied. "I'm just afraid your costume will look so ugly that it'll embarrass me when I walk out."
This version of Spider-Man seemed like a mix of three different movie universes, and Bren wasn't sure which suit Peter would end up bringing out. If it was one of those baby pajamas like the Holland version, it would be utterly embarrassing.
"Okay, I'll reluctantly believe you, but..." Peter flipped through the sketches and quickly realized there was more than one design. There were color variations, but some designs looked like Iron Man suits, filled with mechanical and cyberpunk styles that made Peter's imagination run wild.
"Isn't this a bit much?"
"Just decide if you want one or not."
"Of course I do!"
In the end, Peter chose a red and blue version, which was the most common among the designs. He had wanted a version similar to Iron Spider's suit or the Spider Knight, but unfortunately, their current tech level wasn't enough to create either, so they had to put those ideas on hold for now.
"Using webbing is definitely a good idea, but the current materials just can't achieve it," Peter said thoughtfully.
In Tobey's version of Spider-Man, the webbing came from special wrist devices, while in Andrew's version, the webbing came from Oscorp. Peter had just built the web-shooters himself.
But currently, Oscorp wasn't working on webbing technology, which meant Peter and Bren would have to develop a completely new material for the webs, something with at least the necessary tensile strength.
"If Bren could turn into Spider-Monkey, this would be much easier. He could directly study the webbing structure of Spider-Monkey."
But for now, Peter would have to rely on his own efforts.
"I think I have an idea," Peter said as an idea sparked in his mind.
"Good luck. Also, I suggest adding a substance to the webbing that allows it to naturally degrade. Otherwise, in no time, New York City will turn into a giant spider nest."
Bren patted Peter on the shoulder and then, with a thoughtful expression, pushed Peter out of his room.
Bren returned to his computer and began thinking about other things.
As he had said earlier, with great power comes with great responsibility, and Peter was planning to become a hero in New York. Bren wasn't planning to save the world, but he could be a hero at home.
"Make more money, and give Uncle Ben and Aunt May a better life."
The idea of starting his own company, called "Primus Technology," just like Oscorp, haunted him. If not more, at least he wanted a company as big as Oscorp.
"Though funding and projects are problems, I don't have anything to show for it right now," Bren thought.
Right now, the most advanced things he had were Iron Man's suit and the Omnitrix. The suit was self-explanatory; many of its technologies were patented by Stark Industries. However, starting a business wasn't impossible. He could, like Hammer Industries, find loopholes in the law and partner with the U.S. government for backing.
But Bren didn't plan on supplying weapons to anyone.
His other research subject was the Omnitrix.
As a level 20 technology, the watch's abilities went beyond just transformation. In addition to that basic function, it contained advanced communication technology, enabling real-time communication across millions of light years, teleportation, and nanotechnology.
Every time the watch transformed, it would convert the wearer's clothes into a superhero suit using nanotechnology.
This was why the alien heroes in the first season had their suits change from black and white to green as the series progressed.
"Nanotechnology is a good direction, but the technological gap is too big. It's hard to realize it at this moment," Bren thought. "Besides, the funding required for such a project is beyond what I can afford."
Start-up funding was always the biggest issue.
If Bren wanted to develop technology, he couldn't just rob a few small-time thugs to raise money. Without significant financial backing, most scientists couldn't do anything. That's why Doc Ock, despite being so capable, still had to rob banks.
Bren thought for a moment. If robbing small-time thugs wouldn't work, maybe he should target the underground world's crime lords.
Like Kingpin or the Hand...
But doing that would expose him to more risks.
If it was just Spider-Man's abilities, Bren wasn't too concerned about his identity being revealed. From the moment Peter decided to become Spider-Man, it was clear that S.H.I.E.L.D. would eventually find out about their identities.
What Bren wanted to create in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s eyes was the persona of someone "with superpowers but doesn't want to be a superhero like his cousin." He was using his spider abilities as bait while hiding the Omnitrix.
The Omnitrix was extremely dangerous. Once it was exposed, S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra would do everything they could to get their hands on it.
Bren wasn't afraid of them, but he didn't want to deal with the bothersome flies.
And the origin of his funding would also be an issue. If he made any progress, those in higher positions might use it as an excuse to take credit for his inventions.
"Then there's only one other option." He grabbed his phone and found a number.
Since he didn't have money, he'd find someone to invest. Fortunately, he knew a guy with deep pockets but not much sense.
Though it was late at night, the call was quickly answered.
"Hello, Harry Potter."
"Don't call me Harry Potter!" Harry snapped as soon as he picked up. After a pause, he calmed down and asked, "You don't usually call me at this hour. How's Peter doing lately?"
He immediately asked about Peter. Are these two really not in love?
"He's doing great, probably the best he's ever been," Peter said.
Peter was like a new graduate who had just received a big job offer, still unaware that he was about to be shaped into a corporate drone, excited just to have a job.
"And you?" Harry asked. "I don't believe you're just calling me to catch up, especially at this time."
Harry was already imagining that Bren must be heartbroken, calling to vent.
But Bren's words pierced Harry's heart like a sword.
"Harry, I remember you wanted to impress Uncle Norman, right?"
"I have a plan!"