Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse

16 - Devious Plan

A tense silence hung heavy in the air of the hotel room. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting long shadows that danced across the plush carpet. Varian, his face etched with a mixture of worry and determination, stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the industrial complex that loomed in the distance.

Lashanie, her blue combat suit shimmering faintly, paced restlessly beside him. The playful banter that had filled the room just moments ago had been replaced by a focused seriousness.

"We need a plan," Varian finally said, his voice barely a whisper. "Miguel's expecting us at the complex. We can't just walk in blindly."

Lashanie stopped pacing, her mismatched eyes meeting his. "Agreed. But causing a diversion head-on seems a little... predictable, don't you think?"

A slow smile spread across Varian's face. He remembered the prototype communicator Peter B. Parker had given him before their last mission – a device specifically designed for interdimensional communication. A risky proposition, but in this situation, risk was their only option.

"Actually," he said, his voice filled with newfound hope, "I might have an idea."

He reached into his pocket and retrieved the small, sleek communicator. With a few taps on the holographic interface, he activated the device, a faint blue light pulsing to life.

Lashanie raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What are you doing?"

Varian grinned. "Calling for backup."

He spoke into the communicator, his voice clear and concise. "Attention all Spider-Forces. This is Varian. We're... indisposed at the moment, but we have a lead on Miguel's location. Industrial complex on the outskirts, southwest of your current position.  We could use some... extraction assistance."

He finished his message with a hopeful sigh, a tense silence following as the message broadcasted outwards. The wait felt like an eternity, the silence broken only by the distant thrum of city life.

Suddenly, a series of thwips and cracks echoed through the air, growing louder with each passing second. Lashanie rushed to the window, her eyes widening in surprise.

A blur of red and black shot past the window, followed by another in blue and gold. Then another, and another. The Spider-Force, responding to Varian's call, was swinging into action.

"Looks like your backup arrived, Green Spinner," Lashanie said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Varian joined her at the window, a wave of relief washing over him as he watched the Spider-Force assemble on the rooftop across the street. Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, Pavitr Prabhakar, and even the grizzled Peter B. Parker, all stood ready, their eyes fixed on the hotel room.

With a synchronized web-sling, they propelled themselves towards the window, landing gracefully on the fire escape outside.

"Varian!" Miles Morales exclaimed, a grin splitting his face. "We got your message. What's the situation?"

Varian, his heart swelling with gratitude, launched into a quick explanation. He pointed towards the industrial complex, detailing Miguel's presence and their plan to create a diversion.

As he spoke, a mischievous glint appeared in Lashanie's eyes.  She nudged Varian playfully and turned towards the assembled heroes.

"Alright, Spider-Force," she declared, her voice ringing with confidence, "let's give Miguel a show he won't forget!"

The ragtag team of heroes exchanged determined glances. They were outnumbered, outmatched, but they had each other, and that was all that mattered. With a unified cry, they turned their attention to the industrial complex, a new plan hatching in their minds. The fight to rescue their friends and take down Miguel had just begun.