Work For Idle Hands (Kaine and Otto)

[Kaine Parker]

Characters Appearing: Kaine and Otto
Location (s): Space Station Observatory
Previous Thread Name.: None
Plot Summary.: Kaine and Otto are doing rounds or other regular checks in on the Space Station. It has been several months and the station is now fully operational there are still shades around but Kaine seems more comfortable more than ever, and has learned to heal. In some way the both have done it and perhaps it is time to bond.

[Kaine Parker]

Several months had passed, as Kaine had felt a bit better to himself. It would allow him to be able to heal with his time with Julia. Not just mentally but physically too. Kaine had found Miguel. On one of his trips, the clone brought back Spider-Man 2099 to the Space Station. Where he could stay. The few heroes were slowly forming the new Web-Warriors to the group and knew that he may have to lead them again if they couldn’t find a Spider-Man. Kaine was not wild about the idea. He knew that it was trying to lead a circus, and often it just erupted into some chaos that was going on at the same time. Kaine had also been wearing his spider suit in case the clone needed it. Kaine donned on his red and black suit. The suit was the one he was most comfortable with.

Kaine and Cindi had adopted the leopard lizard feline as he made himself at home in the space station and had been an enormous amount of help gaining the name of Ahadi. He seemed to have strong senses of sight and smell, and it allowed them to be alerted if any shades were coming. Otherwise, he was just like any other cat.

“I have to do some rounds today, I guess… There hasn’t been a lot of activity today, but I know Otto wants to make sure that we’re all secure and don’t have any surprises.” Kaine said as he let Ahadi stay in his room for the night as he began to walk around the station. It was the room where he and Otto had been repaired, back together and the door repaired from where the shade had been trying to smash it open. Kaine felt like that had happened yesterday. However, it had been months ago. He was adjusting to their new home and starting to make sense of everything. “I remember this place well,” Kaine said. He saw the pods. He no longer feared them anymore. Instead, they were helpful at the same time.

He began to head towards the observatory as he saw all the stars were out. Kaine did notice one star was much larger than the others. The star hadn’t been there before. That was different. However, he hadn’t paid much attention to it. It was something out of reach, probably far away than he realized. Kaine had wondered what Otto had been up to since the last time he saw him. Sometimes Kaine kept to himself other days. Kaine wanted to explore and find other parts of the space station. Luckily by now, the entire station had been fully functional and had been able to get things online people could start living here if they brought more and more people in. Though Kaine didn’t mind only a handful of people here, it felt quiet, and he could be left alone. "Seems pretty quiet for now." Kaine said as he leaned on one of the railings careful not to break it and it appeared to hold his own strength. As he realized it, he noticed he wasn't as angry as he had been but the grumpiness stayed perhaps it always would.

And that didn’t bother him at all. He finally learned to have some healing in himself.

[Otto Octavius]

Otto sat at one of the tables near the window of the observatory. Out of the entire space station, this had become one of his favorite places to work. Looking out over the curve of the planet below and out into the calm and quiet of space it was very soothing. He could remember as a child he had managed to scrimp and save for months to purchase his own meager telescope so he could study the stars. But it didn’t last long. His abusive and dim-minded father made sure of that after taking his wrath out on it. Smashing it because he took too long to come in for supper …. But now he had his own telescope that could not only see the stars but millions of light-years beyond. So much for his father saying his work would never amount to much…

In front of him was a set of tablets that displayed several functions of the station as his arms worked on one each. Otto was enjoying a cup of coffee or rather what passed as coffee on this world. He combined a series of several indigenous plant seeds with various flavors and textures and managed to brew something that at least gave him the kick he needed to get going in the morning.

After several months the station was now mostly back in working order save for the hangar. The damage to that was extensive and his new fully autonomous octobots were working around the clock to get it back up to working order. The woman Nora Fries whom he found locked in a cryotube after arriving on the station via a portal had an entire level of the station to call home. While not exactly free, it was the best he could offer. Kaine had managed to bring aboard others like himself. The girl Spider that hated him, and the Spider from the future. Both seemed competent enough to not become a problem by hitting the wrong switch and blowing themselves out into space so they were allowed to remain. So for the time being things were…

“Quiet…yes.” Otto said as he heard Kaine walk in. “I rather enjoy the quiet.” He said looking over at him as one of his arms looked up from its pad and opened its pincers.

“So, how are things going? I trust the other Spiders are settling in?” Taking a sip of his coffee that made him wince slightly Otto huffed. “Seems no matter where I go Spiders follow..”

[Kaine Parker]

Kaine found Otto at one of the nearby tables. Made sense. All the busy paperwork. The tasks they had to do lied out in neat order. As Otto had been busy at work figuring things out for the day. “Hello Otto, I see you’re hard at work as always,” Kaine said. The clone saw the papers, and the octobots buzz past them. The bots were working and repairing the other parts of the ship. It had been a good idea to use less work for them. Kaine had known they were going to help with the repairs of the space station. He nodded as he took his mask off and showed his face. The clone saw he was among friends now. “Yes, the other spiders seem to be fitting in just fine,” Kaine replied.

“I’m worried about a lot of things… I don’t know if this spider team will work out. Or even if I am leader material… Not to mention the recent trust problem within the team itself.” Kaine said with a frown. It wasn't just Otto that was the problem. They had to trust themselves and be a part of a team. Kaine couldn't rely on Peter. The clone hadn't seen a single Spider-Man since he had been here. Which was fine. The spiders all have different personalities and abilities. The last Web Warrior group he had led almost ended in disaster after the portals on the Brooklyn Bridge appeared. They all went on their separate ways, and that was something. Kaine had no leadership skills learned from Peter nothing. Kaine never even tried with the first web warrior group that had clicked so easily, and these last two just fell apart. "Both Spider-Man 2099 and Silk found their rooms and are settling in," Kaine said.

“Worrying, of course, is not going to get me anywhere as Madame Webb said,” Kaine said as he summed that up. Kaine knew that there seemed to be a bad Doc Ock in every dimension, even his. This one didn't seem to be so bad. “I know I trust you, Otto, and that’s what matters. We’ve worked for several years now. I don’t trust people easily, let alone make friends with everyone…” Kaine said. He couldn't explain it. Some how, he felt like they could connect even related in more than one way than another. Kaine hadn't felt that way in a long time and he hoped it wouldn't be be rocked by a few spiders that barely knew each other.

A soft purr came from the other side of the table as Kaine blinked in surprise. the leopard lizard feline had somehow gotten out of his room or managed to push the door sliding that had kept his room shut. His sticky paw pads make a soft squeak across the metal floor. “Ahadi got out again. Ahadi's a lot smarter than some feline cats or is just an escape artist. Or he does not like being cooped up all day. I don’t blame him,” Kaine said as the feline rubbed up against his leg. “Do you need any errands for me to run?” Kaine asked as he took a ball out from his bag before tossing it for the feline as Ahadi went to play fetch as he skittered past it and grabbed it. Of course, by some miracle, Ahadi managed to avoid hitting one of the nearby computer screens. Ahadi retrieved the ball and dropped the drooly ball at Kaine's foot. Kaine thought it was gross.

[Otto Octavius]

Otto listened while he read over the tablet in front of him. He also had his concentration split in four other directions as his arms scanned over their tasks. Every so often he would reach for the green mug next to him with the words -Evil Genius- printed on the side and take a sip of his genetically modified coffee.

“Kaine, we have been over this time again. Your experience in the field and inherent Parker intellect should counter any doubt you have when leading your team. You simply need to train with them in a team setting. We know for a fact that the original Peter Parker also had trouble as a team player but he overcame that by finding his niche as it were. I am already working on a simulator that will do just that a few levels down. It should help you and the other Spiders form a more coherent bond.” He nodded but paused for a moment thinking over what he said previously.

“What do you mean? Lack of trust? Does one of the Spiders have issues with something?” Gaining his full attention Otto leaned back in his chair folding his arms. His actuators stopped and focused their lenses on Kaine as they wavered back and forth. “If you are talking about Silk and her very apparent distrust of me, I am afraid there is little we can do to sway her opinion. While I am not the Otto from her world she seems to enjoy blaming us for her planet's troubles…” He then raised a brow over his glasses.

“Or is there something else going on?” As he spoke one of the actuators caught a glimpse of the kitten by Kaine’s feet as it moved to the floor watching it with its own brand of curiosity. While Otto did have reservations about bringing wild animals to the station especially ones that will eventually grow to over fifteen feet long. He did get a promise that the beast would be watched, taken care of, and most importantly, cleaned up after.

[Kaine Parker]

Kaine flinched, but he hid it from Otto. Kaine knew that he was being compared again to Peter. Kaine never wanted to hear that name. The way Otto put it sounded so simple. It was not out of spite, but he had proven a point. However, Kaine had his doubts. The clone wondered if the Web-Warriors would work for the third time. Kaine had no idea if it would work. The web warriors that Parker had led in his time had been so flawless, of course even that team had its ups and downs, and Peter was a bit older than he was. He was wiser. Peter knew how to lead by then. Then when Kaine fell into the Portal and the other version of New York City, he had no idea what happened to the first web warrior team he had been a part of. Kaine figured that the world had met a terrible fate. The clone knew some of that was on Peter’s hands, not his. If Kaine ever saw Peter again, he’d likely give him a big smack in the face just because of all the problems, he had faced but some he had managed to overcome.

“I get your point, but the way you put it makes it sound easy. These spiders will all have to get used to each other. The spiders have different backgrounds and personalities. I can’t tell you how often Parker had to break up fights and arguments on my old team, but eventually, we clicked. I guess I’m just apprehensive. I don’t want anyone dying on my hands or suffering.” Kaine said as he sighed. The clone rubbed the wild feline’s head gently as a form of comfort. The feline Ahadi so far seemed to be well behaved he wasn't chewing on wires or destroying the place.

“When people are around me, there’s always a form of bad luck or something bad is going to happen. Like it is here.” Kaine said as he meant inside his head. He’d prefer that the leadership position goes to someone else. However, he had no choice. “But since no one else wants the job, I guess I have no choice but to take it,” Kaine said with a sigh. The clone knew there were points in time where there were things you didn’t want. If they couldn’t find another Parker (Talk about awkward with Otto being there). Then it was left to him to lead.

“As for Cindi, I’m not even sure if she can heal, she told me what happened to her world, but we have to learn to set our differences aside and work together. Median is our home now as much as many of us will not like it.” Kaine said with a sigh. At least tolerate each other. “I suppose I am apprehensive about it. I will get used to the idea of being a leader it’ll just take time.” Kaine said. Eventually, he knew they couldn’t even escape ‘their destiny’. Not even Kaine was a big believer in those things. However, he knew that if he was unsure of the right path, he may have to speak of Madame Webb about it. Kaine also half wondered if they should send Otto into the training room at least try to get used to the other spiders, and then again, it’d be a far imaginable thing happening. Miguel had heard about Otto from his time. Cindi was another member. However, they needed more members. Which was the main thing so far, they only had three, and that wasn’t near enough to take on any of the villains "If anything, I thought of some goals for us. The first two goals are a form of trust and bond, and then finding new members three is not enough to stop anyone," Kaine said. The clone wondered if new spiders might show up.

[Otto Octavius]

Otto noticed Kaine’s reactions and felt a slight pang of guilt as he set his mug down. “Apologies. I did not mean to compare you to Parker. I simply was stating a parallel between your personalities. It was not a comparison.” Standing up his arms stacked the tables into a pile behind him.

“I am aware that the Spider’s mostly work alone in their worlds. I have found only a few instances given their timelines of them working in teams. So, it is not surprising that they will be reluctant to work in such an environment. But you have been working with Harley and I and have done well both giving orders and taking them. I have no doubt you can become a superior leader.” Otto then tilted his head.

“I do not believe in luck bad or otherwise. We are all responsible for our own fates as it were. But the job of leader is indeed a difficult one. But I am sure given your experience I am sure you can handle it.” An arm swung over picking up one of the tables as Otto tapped its surface.

“I know you and Silk have become close. I have done my best not to interact with her given what my other self has done to her world. But there may be conflict in the future given fact that we may have to work together on some missions. We will do our best not to upset her…” As Kaine spoke about his ideas Otto nodded.

“Hmm. A good idea. I have already instructed my Octobots to search for any new portals looking for Mrs. Fries husband. I could also have them search for any new Spiders as well. Your kind gives off a specific radioactive energy signature. It should not be a problem to locate any new arrivals.” Otto, them began to walk to the door to continue on his rounds when he paused to see the small animal. Looking down at it Otto frowned slightly. Bringing an animal onboard that could grow to at least fifteen feet long and carnivorous may not have been the best idea as it played with a ball on the floor.

“You are sure that creature is tamed? I do not think I wish to wake up to it sitting on my chest trying to chew on my face one morning…”

[Kaine Parker]

“It’s alright, Otto," Kaine said as he waved a hand. "I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to recover over being treated like Peter. I feel he’s a big shadow standing over me when I don’t even want it there. A shadow that can’t be removed.” Kaine said. It was something he could never take off his shoulder. Or off his back. However, would Peter in his dimension be proud of him? A part of him doubted it for following an evil path for so long. Another part of him wondered that he might be on the good side, and he would be pleased. It was hard to say, but it was clear Parker wasn’t here. That was fine with him.

“I guess I have a lack of confidence in myself, becoming a leader again. It will not heal overnight, it'll take time getting used to being a leader again. However, I'm glad that you have confidence in me.” Kaine admitted. Nor did he think that he was a perfect candidate for it either. Kaine knew there were likely other heroes better suited for the job. Someone more deserving than he. Kaine had even attempted asking Miguel to be a second in command, at least if he had a breakdown or something someone else could take over.

Kaine nodded and wondered if Silk would ever be able to trust Otto. Well, it took Kaine a long time to trust him because he was riding on the hopes of trying to get himself cured. This man was a different Otto, with different ambitions, and so far, Kaine hadn’t seen any evil or malicious deeds come afoot. “That is good." Kaine agreed. "Hopefully, we can try and find common ground. As for the spiders, I wouldn’t be surprised if more show up at some point. The portals seem to be opening up at random. However, the octobots can help us. With the group that I joined in my dimension there were five of us. We went on many missions together. But I know this team is going to be different. But we can try and put our differences aside.” Kaine said with a soft nod agreeing with Otto. It was true of what Otto had said. Spider heroes naturally stayed and worked alone, but even forced or agreed-upon terms, they came together and started to work together. It didn’t seem to be a natural formation. Then the Bat heroes did it. This seemed to take more time.

“You’re right on both of those.” Kaine agreed. “I don’t think it’ll be long before more spiders arrive. We just have to find them. Cindi and Miguel are from different dimensions. So more may come out soon with different backgrounds.” Kaine said as he was a little bit weirded out if he found more Kaines. There also may be other Ottos. Other villains. The number of dimensions seems to be infinite. And he knew Madame Webb probably knew that already.

“Otto, can you at least have a bit of time for Ahadi? Ahadi is young, and we can teach him things. I think having a feline lizard around might benefit us. He sees well in darkness, and I bet he could even see those shadow creatures before we saw them.” Kaine said. “We also found out he likes to fish a lot…” He said. The clone wondered if Ahadi could learn more. “I have also been teaching him commands like roll over and stay,” Kaine said. The spider wondered if those were any other use towards them.

“To be honest, we found him by accident,” Kaine admitted as he rubbed Ahadi’s neck gently as the feline rested at his feet. The ball kept him occupied for some time. “Perhaps we can teach him to stay away from the machines and your arms… He hasn’t destroyed anything yet.” Kaine admitted knowing that yet was a big one as far as he knew. Ahadi was too little. And like a kitten or a puppy, he was likely not going to stay mad at him for long.

[Otto Octavius]

“Apologies Kaine. I didn’t intend to compare you to Parker. I was merely stating a fact given you and he have the same DNA structure you are prone to the same behaviors. I was not measuring you to him.” Otto said as he raised an eyebrow over his glasses. He forgot Kaine tended to be sensitive to such things at times. Of course, he would be too if he were compared to Parker at every turn like his compulsive creator.

“I am sure you and the other Spiders will make a cohesive team in the coming months. You Spiders do always tend to work along but the universe seems to think you can be more effective in a group.” Otto muttered. “After all why else would the force behind the portals keep bringing more and more..and more of you here….” He said with a slight huff.

“Though I find it odd. Even in the other world, there were several different Spiders but not a single Octopus…Hmmm…Perhaps having just one of me is enough.” Otto said as he smirked. He paused however when Kaine spoke about his pet before looking down at it.

“Kaine, we had a deal. We would allow for that creature to be brought onboard but you and your Spider girlfriend were to take care of it. That means feeding it, walking it, and cleaning up after it. I don’t have time to be playing around with pets.” He said before standing up a bit more stuff than usual.

“Even as a child I never had a pet. Father wouldn’t allow it. It takes too much time from work to care for a pet. Even as an adult I never obtained an animal companion. A pet is a large responsibility, one I refuse to take on in light of other things..” He said as one of the arms looped down to observe the feline as it pawed one of the claws.

[Kaine Parker]

“It’s alright, Otto. Just half my life, I’ve been compared to him. I think one day I’d give anything not to be compared to him.” Kaine said with a nod knowing that he was sensitive towards it. He knew Otto meant no harm. However, in truth, he would have to move on eventually. Madame Webb even though it was a good idea to move on. He’d have to learn some way. But Kaine was surprised one way or another, Otto might’ve had a pet Octopus. Kaine would’ve teased him about it. “I understand some people don’t have time for pets,” Kaine said.

“Otto, there was another you in my dimension… You caused a lot of trouble and were Spider-Man’s arch-enemy for a long time. But that wasn’t my business I kept out of Parker’s way most of the time.” Kaine admitted knowing he didn’t talk a lot about his dimension other than speaking of the Jackal. Kaine remembered the final events well on his own dimension before he came here. There had been trouble as the web warriors assembled then out of nowhere Kaine got sent into a portal, the sinister six had attacked and they had come to the rescue. Almost. “I don’t think I want to go back there anyways… Believe it or not, I felt like nobody wanted me other than Spider-Man, or I didn’t belong. It’s strange.” Kaine admitted with a sigh as he rubbed the feline’s head gently. He wasn’t about to mention Aunt May and Otto getting together. That alone, was a bit freaky as if he wanted to start calling him uncle.

“Oh, I did want to show you something. Cindi and I have been testing out what Ahadi can do. I know that we can take care of Ahadi and not neglect him. It’d be wrong to do so.” Kaine said. Kaine knew the agreement still stood. Kaine tossed the ball not horizontally, but this time vertically in the air as it went towards the ceiling, and he webbed it. Ahadi watched the ball with some glowing green eyes of his. And at first, he didn’t seem to understand it. But he was looking around the room, studying it. The feline found a spot where there was just a wall and nothing else, not even a server.

“I think a good name for their kind would be Saber lizards. Just a name I made up. But watch.” Kaine said as he stood, patiently while Ahadi began to climb the walls just like a spider except for sticky paw pads. Eventually, he made his way towards the ceiling just a few inches from the ceiling. As Kaine had his hands out to catch him. Ahadi made his way towards the ball and grabbed it with his teeth. “His suction cup feet stick to just about anything. I noticed that last night when he was on the window looking out, watching space go by.” Kaine said. Ahadi descended back down the ceiling with the ball in hand. “One of these days, we need to figure out what his abilities are or at least what his genetic make-up is,” Kaine said as the feline stood back down at his feet, chewing on his ball. He did notice Otto’s arms but paid no attention at least, not yet anyway.

[Otto Octavius]

“Think nothing of it. I know what it is like to live in the shadow of someone…Most of my young life in fact.” Otto paused as he looked back at him. He knew another Otto? Knotting his eyebrows, he had to admit, he would have liked to meet this other Octavius. But perhaps it was for the best he did not. Given the fact that Silk’s version of him destroyed their world, one can only imagine what two of him would be capable of.

“Hmm I see. Sometimes I feel like my world is nothing now but a dream. A past life that I need to separate myself from, good or bad. There are times I feel there is no going back..” Holding his arms behind his back he watched Kaine play with the small creature. Using the pads on its feet it climbed the walls just like one of the Spider’s as Otto arched a brow.

“Fascinating. It has feet like those of a gecko. Where you Spider’s uses microscopic hairs it uses layers of scales. If you can train it, it may be useful to you in battle.” The upper left arm swung over as Otto spoke to it.

“We still have a few things on the agenda today, if you wish to join us?”