Unstoppable Spiderlings

Episode 4: Emerald Spider

If he were to be honest with himself, he'd say how much this office creeps him out. Not like he couldn't hold his own if he absolutely had to, but Jackal can't help feeling like he is a midget in this huge penthouse. Maybe it's just that he doesn't have fond memories of Hell's Kitchen, or maybe it's that he doesn't fully know the person he's working for. Either way, he knows the less time he spends here the better. That's why he's yelling at his bodyguards to hurry up through the corridors, while he has no trouble wheeling the tank behind him with a pep to his step.

"I can walk down the hallway without help, thanks," Jackal mutters angrily, however the two guards both hear him.

The one on his right, a tall, burly looking guy with big arms and a sharp chin, grits his teeth and says, "We don't like it either. Just tolerate it, bub, for the Big Man."

The Big Man, eh? That's all he ever hears whenever someone talks about his boss. If only he could get a name, but even the great Miles Warren can't crack who sits in the chair across the desk whenever he enters the office. Groaning slightly, he rolls his eyes and tugs on the cart harder, trying to get as far away from these guys as possible.

Finally, he enters the grand, golden double doors and finds himself standing once again on the red plush carpet. The big window across the room is being cleaned by a maintenance worker, but Warren ignores him just as the guy is probably being paid to do the same. What happens in the Big Man's office, stays in the office.

"You're early," the Big Man says, once again staring out his window despite it being sprayed with Windex.

"No, I'm eager. You should be, too," Jackal says, annoyed. He wheels the cart to the center of the room and crosses his arms over his chest.

"This isn't a project we can rush, Warren," the boss grumbles. "We need to have everything accounted for if we are going to take down the Spiderlings."

Ignoring the comment, Jackal uncovers the tank by pulling the blanket down. "I wouldn't worry about that. This is merely a test run to limitize their strength. If we are lucky, our first attempt will squash them like the bugs they are, and we will have this monster under our control going forward."

For the first time since he's been here, the Big Man turns around to look at what he made. Let's just say, he really did earn the title Big Man. He has to weigh at least four hundred pounds, but it looks to be all muscle (which slightly intrigues Jackal). His suit is white with a purple and black striped tie, a blood red rose in one breast pocket, and a purple handkerchief in the other. There is a black cane in his right hand that has to be about four and a half feet because it reaches the bottom of where his ribs should be, and Jackal can see the man is over six foot tall altogether.

"Armor? I thought we were giving people powers to combat the Spiderlings. This is not what you promised me," he says, lowering his eyebrows.

"This suit will enhance the person's strength and durability. Nothing can penetrate it, and it has no effect on liquids, meaning it will never erode or rust. It's utter perfection," Jackal sniggers, rubbing his hands together. "We just need the right candidate. Someone who would take kindly to this armor and never take it off again..."

Thinking, the man hums before coming to a decision. "No harm, no foul as they always say. I'll support this little test of yours as long as it impresses me. But next time, I want something... more."

"Of course, sir. This is only the beginning of a long ride," he says with a sickening grin, showing his pointed teeth. "Now, as for the candidate?"

"There's a mafia member who's been giving me trouble as of late, stealing from my people and sometimes even turning their loyalty to his family. I'm still not sure who he works for, but I do have a name," he says, Jackal waiting eagerly for a response. "Aleksei Sytsevich."