Discussions and a new focus

(Apologies, this one is late thanks too some strong bouts of depression recently. Alongside that it looks like we might FINALLY be able to move out of this hell hole soon. Rats in the kitchen is a fun thing to deal with... anyways here's the latest, again sorry for the delay. As things are going currently I can't promise a new chapter each week.)

After the introductions naturally Peter had some questions for me, quite a few concerns regarding who these people were. Explaining how Octavius had been for lack of a better term Cured of her more criminal mindset took a bit of time, at first he had assumed and nearly accused me of manipulating her mind before I reminded him that I couldn't do that even if I'd wanted too, that my powers wouldn't let me. I explained how Octavius had been manipulated by her tentacles, how they had fed her ego and driven her mad enough that they could mostly control her without losing her brilliant mind. That and a few explanations on my power and how it had worked, helped him to feel a bit better, though he still didn't like the idea of giving the Lizard it's own body, worried that it would be completely free to do as it wished if they weren't exceptionally careful.

With Marko though, Peter had few issues, only asking if I really intended to hire him for security to keep the building safe. I showed him that I'd already signed off on it as I truly did want to help Marko have another chance, I'd even given him a large signing bonus to try and help him with anything he might need for his daughter. Peter seemed to agree with me on that, so from there I handed him what I told him was HIS company card, to put it to use for anything the lab might need. I only asked him to warn me about any larger purchases or resources needed, he and I were about to go our separate ways when a screen popped up in front of me. "I know that look, you just got a pop up didn't you?" Peter asked.

Hello there! It's been discovered that the previous error impacted more than originally thought, as such we are currently still in damage control mode essentially. First things first though, we are happy to inform you that your system can now interface with the lab building! This increases security measures considerably, helping to block out hacking attempts, as well as granting you a warning system if the building should come under attack for whatever reason. This will also help you to remain informed if someone working at the lab should try to steal any research and escape with intent to sell or use for themselves. There are additional features as well, such as allowing those with a company card to put money directly towards upgrades to the facilities.

Objective available: Upgrade facilities: Resource storage. For containing materials needed for experiments or development.
Objective available: Upgrade facilities: Security station. Guard stations, Barracks for people working late nights or long hours. Food hall included here.
Objective Available: Upgrade facilities: Electronic Defense and Research Station. Anti hackers R&D, further upgrades include an A.I. assistant capable of fighting off most hacking attempts and eventually even those from the most brilliant minds.
Objective Available: Upgrade facilities: Robotics and Engineering Research Wing. Further upgrades can unlock robotic guards and cyberwarfare suites.
Objective Available: Upgrade facilities: Biology, Chemistry and Genetics Research Wing. Further upgrades allow for finding cure's for numerous medical diseases, including things to assist people in living longer healthier lives and the eradication of afflictions such as Gout and Arthritis for example.
Objective Available: Upgrade facilities: Civilian Research Wing. Further upgrades include helping to repair damaged environments, better renewable and clean energy, even includes research to help assist in fixing economic problems.
Objective Available: Upgrade facilities: Military Research, Development and Applications. Armor, weaponry and much more effective ways to hold super powered criminals. Further upgrades can help give an edge to surviving and solving the cataclysm from the vision.

I never hit accept so fast in my life... I sent an invite to Peter as well so he could see the new objectives. He was a bit concerned with the whole A.I. assistant thing but other than that he was ecstatic! This kind of info only made him more determined to help, especially since there were things here that could be done to help them survive that vision. We didn't get any further in talking about it though as the door was opened by Marko a moment later. "Uh Sir? Might wanna come see this..." Peter and I followed him even as I couldn't help but make a request of him. "Please just call me Zane. Alright Marko? I'm probably too young to be getting called sir." I heard a chuckle from him in response as we headed back to the center room.

When we arrived we saw a circular console in the middle of it, from it came multiple blue screens that showed numerous area's weren't made yet. A red message at the top suggested heavily that the storage area be focused on first so that materials could be properly brought in and stored, I saw it mention how materials like those used in the Foundry could be put towards upgrading and building up the facility further. "So what's the foundry?" I heard from a very curious looking Olivia. Connors was also looking at me for a moment, in between looking at the console with surprise and wonder. "First I'd like to ask how this console got here?" I asked only for Connors to respond. "It practically grew out of the floor, almost like liquid metal taking shape! I noticed wiring being pulled into it as well before it fully solidified."

I blinked for a moment, staring at it before tapping a few screens. "The Foundry is my PERSONAL Lab, so I don't understand why it's being referenced here. I didn't set up any connection between the two after all..." I explained, going through some more screens before finally finding one that showed a bar, a rather LARGE number for the amount of money it would cost to upgrade and get facilities being built, and finally a message stating that through use of high grade materials the total amount of money required for upgrades would be reduced further and further. The better the resources used for upgrading, the less cash would be needed to get the lab fully up and running. "I'm gonna see about getting some materials I have access to down into storage. Peter can you hang here for now? Let me know if that number goes down yeah?" I got a nod from Pete as I headed outside for a few minutes before heading into the storage area with a special case, one currently keeping some Adamantium in it's heated, liquid state. Calling Peter for appearances I let him know I was about to store one of the much higher grade materials I had gotten hold of.

Once it was properly stored, which only took a few swipes on my inventory screen to send it into the storage of the lab, I asked if anything had changed. "Yeah, it's asking if we want to use that material to upgrade facilities... According to this it looks like it'll cut down the cost of upgrading by 40 percent!" Peter explained only to almost shout in surprise, I sent the go ahead and the console opened up asking if we wanted to use cash or card for the cost of this upgrade. "I was not expecting to feel like I'd gone to the grocery store today, but go ahead Peter, use the company card. I'm coming back up." About a minute later I arrived just in time for Peter to pull the card back out as a little chime and a congratulations message appeared on the console with the words "Upgrade commencing..."

We were all stunned as we watched the room we'd been standing in change, the flooring taking on a more high quality hard wood kind of appearance, the walls taking on a cleaner appearance. We even saw one of the doors to a future lab location take on a bit of a more high tech appearance, reinforced glass and metal allowing people too look inside without actually getting in if they didn't have a badge. Speaking of which several badges were produced out of the main console for everyone, full access badges for the scientists and a special security badge for Marko. From here there was quite a bit of questions being asked, I was going to start answering them when my phone went off. Upon seeing who it was my face dropped. "Uh Peter? I'll entrust you to answer their questions, this doesn't look like something I can ignore." It took a mental message for Peter to understand what this was about. Both of us agreeing that informing the Doctors and our new head of security about my ability to contain and carry resources in a pocket dimension would likely be as much as we'd share for the time being. Peter explaining to them that anything beyond what he was saying about my abilities was something they would have to ask once I was able to return. Connors was the first to make a guess that I was helping out a team of hero's, Peter explaining how that was for the most part an accurate way of putting it, though it wasn't his secret to share.

While they continued their discussion I stepped out onto the roof to answer the call I'd received. "Everything alright Betsy?" I heard a sigh from the other side before an answer cam through. "Yeah... So I'm currently keeping the situation under control but well...