MCU: Spider-Man: Rise of Saint

The MIT campus tour started at nine. Their guide, a senior named Sarah, led them past brick buildings and open courtyards.

"Our engineering program is split between several buildings," Sarah explained. "Each specializing in different fields. We've got mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering..."

Franklin half-listened, taking in the labs they passed. Students worked with equipment he'd only seen in pictures. Through the windows, he saw 3D printers, robotics labs, testing chambers.

Sarah pointed out different features as they walked. The student center, the libraries, the dorms. Other tour groups moved around campus, parents taking photos while their kids asked questions.

"Most freshman start in the main dorms," Sarah said, "but engineering students can apply for special housing near the labs. Makes those late-night study sessions easier."

The tour continued through campus. Most buildings were open and accessible, with students moving freely between classes. Some research labs required student IDs to enter, but nothing too intense.

"And here's our main research facility," Sarah stopped at a modern glass building. "Professor Langstrom should be waiting to meet you. He specifically asked to give you the engineering department tour himself."

The professor stood in the lobby, a tall man with graying hair and thick glasses. He kept turning his head slightly when people spoke, like he was struggling to hear.

"Franklin Saint?" He extended his hand. "Dr. Kirk Langstrom. Heard good things about your AP scores."

"Thanks." Franklin shook his hand. The professor's grip was firm.

"Mind if I steal him for a bit?" Langstrom asked Gloria and Sarah. "Want to show him our labs."

Gloria nodded. "We'll wait here."

Langstrom led Franklin through security doors into a large lab space. Students worked at different stations, some with robotics, others with chemical setups. The room hummed with equipment.

"Your application mentioned interest in chemical engineering," Langstrom said, raising his voice over the lab noise. "Any particular focus?"

"Material science mostly. Chemical compounds, how they interact."

"Interesting field." Langstrom stopped at an empty workspace. "I used to work in genetics myself. At Stark Industries actually. Cross-species research."

Franklin's stomach tightened. "What kind of research?"

"Oh, various projects. Had to shut down though. Funding cuts." Langstrom adjusted his hearing aid. "Shame really. We were close to something special."

They toured more labs. Langstrom showed him equipment that made Franklin's homemade gear look like toys. Advanced chemical analysis machines, molecular imaging systems, testing chambers.

"Students get full access?" Franklin asked, looking at a particularly advanced setup.

"Once they prove themselves." Langstrom smiled. "Talent rises quickly here."

"Must be frustrating," Franklin said. "Having to stop research when you're close to results."

"It was." Langstrom's voice hardened slightly. "But I've moved on to new projects. Better ones."

They passed a restricted lab. Through the window, Franklin glimpsed cages covered with dark cloths. A distinct chittering sound came from inside.

"What's in there?"

"Private research." Langstrom moved them along quickly. "Not part of the regular program."

More labs followed. Engineering students worked on projects that looked straight out of science fiction. Langstrom explained each department's focus, but Franklin noticed him getting irritated when machinery noise made conversations difficult.

Back in the lobby, Gloria waited with brochures about student housing. Langstrom shook Franklin's hand again.

"Think about MIT," he said. "We could use minds like yours. Especially in my department."

After the tour, Franklin and Gloria got lunch in the student center. She talked about application deadlines while he thought about Langstrom. About those covered cages.

"The engineering facilities are amazing," Gloria said. "And Professor Langstrom seems very interested in having you here."

"Yeah." Franklin pushed his food around. Something felt off about the professor. The way he spoke about his old research. His frustration with not being able to hear well.

That night at the hotel, Franklin researched Langstrom online. Found old papers about genetic manipulation. About enhancing human capabilities through animal DNA. Most from his time at Stark Industries, nothing published since.

His phone lit up. MJ asking how the visit went.

"Met interesting professor," he typed. "Used to work at Stark Industries."

"Small world. Like him?"

Franklin thought of Langstrom's hearing aid, the bitterness in his voice when discussing canceled research, and whatever was making those sounds in the covered cages.

"Not sure yet."

They had another tour tomorrow morning before heading home. Franklin kept thinking about Langstrom's comment about "better projects." About why an engineering professor had what sounded like animals in his lab.

And why no one else seemed to notice.

Back home, Franklin sat at his computer, scrolling through old Stark Industries research papers. Every article about cross-species genetics had Langstrom's name on it. Project leader, lead researcher, primary investigator.

The most recent paper stopped mid-study. No results published, no follow-up data. Just a note about discontinued funding.

His phone rang. MJ.

"Find anything interesting about your new professor?"

"More than I wanted." Franklin clicked another link. "He worked on the spider project before Tony Stark shut it down."

"The one that bit you?"

"Yeah. Langstrom led the whole thing." Franklin pulled up a research photo. Langstrom stood in a lab, younger, without the hearing aid. "Then nothing. Like he disappeared from science completely."

"Until MIT hired him."

"For engineering, not genetics." Franklin leaned back in his chair. "Why switch fields?"

"Maybe he couldn't find work in genetics after Stark canceled his project."

"Maybe." Franklin remembered those covered cages in Langstrom's lab. The strange sounds. "But something feels wrong."

He dug deeper. Found an article about Langstrom from before Stark Industries - brilliant geneticist, groundbreaking research in sonar technology. Work on echo-location in bats.

"Says here he studied bats." Franklin read more. "Their hearing abilities specifically."

"And now he wears a hearing aid," MJ said. "Think there's a connection?"

Franklin searched for more recent articles. News about MIT's engineering department. Photos of Langstrom at science conferences. Always turning his head to hear speakers better.

"He lost his hearing," Franklin said. "Started wearing the aid right after leaving Stark Industries."

"That's sad."

"Yeah, but check this out." Franklin opened a new tab. "MIT's been ordering lab equipment. Stuff for genetic research, not engineering."

"Through Langstrom's department?"

"Listed as 'general supplies' but the serial numbers match genetic sequencers."

MJ was quiet for a moment. "You think he's still doing genetics research?"

"In an engineering building. With covered cages."

His phone buzzed. Text from MIT's admissions office thanking him for visiting, inviting him to apply early decision.

"I need some air," Franklin told MJ. "Going on patrol."

"Text me when you're done?"

"Always do."

Franklin suited up and headed out. Even with the usual car thefts and muggings keeping him busy, his mind kept going back to those cages in Langstrom's lab.

*****

Dr. Kirk Langstrom stood in Times Square, adjusting his hearing aid. Too much noise. Too many sounds bleeding together. Screens above showed news footage of Spider-Man saving people from a fire months ago.

He checked his phone again. Online reports said Spider-Man appeared most often in Queens. But after six hours of searching, nothing.

"Should have planned this better," he muttered, heading for the subway. His hotel room in Manhattan had research papers spread across the bed - everything he could find about the wall-crawler.

The subway ride gave him time to think. One day in New York, wasted. His hearing aid ringing, making him wince.

Back in his room, Langstrom looked at his notes. Spider-Man started appearing after the Stark Industries spider project shut down. The timing couldn't be coincidence.

His phone alarm reminded him - time for his evening medication. Pills that didn't work. Just like his hearing aid that couldn't restore what he'd lost.

Tomorrow he'd try Queens again. One more day before heading back to MIT.

The next morning, Langstrom walked through a Queens shopping district. Different strategy today - stay in one area, wait for something to happen.

He passed a cafe, then stopped. Through the window he saw a familiar face - Franklin Saint, the MIT prospect. The boy sat with a girl, both drinking coffee.

Langstrom hesitated. He needed to focus on finding Spider-Man. But that boy's test scores, his interest in chemical engineering...

The door chimed as he entered. Franklin looked up, surprised.

"Professor Langstrom?"

"Mr. Saint." Langstrom walked over. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Just getting coffee with..." Franklin turned to the girl. "This is MJ. My girlfriend."

"Professor Langstrom," MJ said. "Franklin mentioned meeting you at MIT."

"All good things, I hope." Langstrom pulled up a chair. "Actually in town looking at potential research sites. Queens has some interesting laboratories."

"For engineering projects?" Franklin asked.

"Among other things." Langstrom's hearing aid whined. He adjusted it quickly. "Still considering MIT?"

"Still thinking about it."

"Your application would be fast-tracked. Someone with your abilities..." Langstrom tapped the table. "We could do remarkable work."

"What got you interested in working with spiders?" Franklin asked.

"Captain America actually," Langstrom said. "The only successful super soldier. Made me wonder if we could replicate that success using animal DNA instead of a serum. Spiders seemed promising."

MJ glanced at Franklin. Something passed between them.

"What kind of work?" Franklin asked.

"Theoretical now. But with the right minds..." Langstrom leaned forward. "Ever wonder why some genetic modifications work while others fail? What makes certain subjects compatible?"

"Like the spider project at Stark Industries?"

Langstrom's fingers tightened on his cup. "You know about that?"

"Read about it online. Seemed interesting."

"Interesting." Langstrom laughed. "Yes, very interesting. Until Stark shut it down. Called it unsuccessful because only one test subject showed results."

"One subject?"

"A spider went missing. Never found it. Or whoever it might have affected." Langstrom stood. "But that's ancient history. Good seeing you, Mr. Saint. Miss..."

"Watson," she said.

"Miss Watson. Hope to see you at MIT in the fall, Franklin."

Outside, Langstrom's hearing aid squealed again. He yanked it out, shoving it in his pocket. One more night to find Spider-Man before heading back to his lab.