Chapter 196 — External Members

Chapter 196: Chapter 196 — External Members

"Hi, Spider-Man and Darkhawk!" Jack and Gwen greeted them as they landed beside them.

"Omnix, long time no see. You didn’t forget your promise, right?" Spider-Man asked, half-joking and half-doubtful.

"I don’t forget. Don’t worry, your spider suit is getting ready," Jack told Peter.

Peter then asked Gwen why they were late, since he had been waiting around for a long time.

"Ran into a problem on the way. Hi, I’m Spider-Woman. I’ve heard about you, Darkhawk, but when did you two meet each other?" Gwen asked, since this was the first time she had met him.

Darkhawk nodded at her as Spider-Man answered, "Just a few minutes earlier. I was waiting here, and he noticed me and asked what I was doing. When I told him I was waiting for you both, he said he wanted to meet Omnix too, so he decided to wait here with me."

"Waiting for me?" Jack asked, looking at Darkhawk doubtfully.

Darkhawk nodded and said, "Earlier, when we met, you told me my power was related to an alien. Can you tell me more about it?"

"What!? Buddy, your technology is alien technology!? That’s so cool!" Peter got excited after hearing about Darkhawk’s powers and started asking him all sorts of questions about how they worked, making Darkhawk visibly awkward.

Oh! I remember it now. It was that day I followed him and he flew around in some weird shape, and I dropped some information to make him curious. Seems like it worked!

"About that, I remember it was called something like the Fraternity of Raptors. I don’t remember the full history correctly, but my organization should have the details," Jack said.

"Can you please check it out for me? It’s very important to me."

"I can check it out, but before that, I have an offer for both of you. Do you guys want to join my organization? It operates across different planets in the galaxy!..." Before Jack could even finish describing his organization’s benefits, both of them interrupted him.

"No, not interested," Spider-Man and Darkhawk said at the same time.

Gwen immediately laughed when she saw Jack’s reaction.

"Hey, at least let me finish the introduction! And you, Spider-Man, I even promised you a custom suit! You betrayed me!" Jack said, half-joking and half-hurt, his true personality slipping out since both of them were his friends.

"Sorry about that, but I don’t want to join any organization. I already have enough responsibilities, and I don’t want to be tied down by one," Peter said.

"Same. I don’t know enough about your organization to become a member just because you offered it. And I value my freedom," Darkhawk said.

Come on, Spider-Man. Don’t you want your own spider vehicles? Flying vehicles and a custom suit?" Gwen said playfully, trying to tempt Peter after seeing their conversation come to a stop.

Peter imagined all of it in his head, and his mouth almost said, "I’m in!" but he stopped himself at the last second.

Peter just gave Gwen a look.

"Stop."

"Boring," Gwen said, losing interest once Peter didn’t change his mind.

Jack wasn’t sure if Darkhawk would join the Plumbers if he found out the organization’s creator was his friend, Jack Walker. But he was sure Peter would definitely join if he knew his two best friends were the founders of this organization, and that his parents were part of it too and still alive. He would probably join 100%.

But Jack decided to save that for later.

Since Darkhawk was present, he didn’t want to reveal too much. He remembered from the comics that Darkhawk’s armor had its own consciousness or persona and could even influence its user. Until Jack knew more about how the armor worked, he decided it was better to play it safe.

"I understand you both. So how about becoming external members? Hear me out fully before you reject it," Jack said.

Being an external member worked like how adventurers worked with a guild. It came with plenty of benefits, like getting intel, support, and technology like suits or alien tech. It wasn’t a superior-subordinate relationship, and they could help whenever they wanted without being forced to follow normal Plumber missions. Even their identities could stay hidden.

"But if you use Plumber technology or resources, don’t misuse them. That’s basically it," Jack added.

Hearing the conditions Jack offered, both of them were tempted. After Jack promised they could leave anytime they wanted, they both decided to become external members.

"You don’t have to worry. This was a great decision for both of you," Jack said, happy to add two more heroes to his Plumbers.

Of course, the real reason was that from now on, every time these two saved someone, since they were now Plumber members too, Jack would get a small share of Heroic Points. So he was happy and even decided to recruit many more sheep... no, heroes, into his organization!

"Come on, guys. Today I’ll open your eyes by showing you a glimpse of my organization!" Jack said as he led everyone to a small music store in an alley.

"Your organization is hidden here?!" Peter asked Gwen with doubt as he entered the store.

Ding, ding.

The bell rang as the door opened and they stepped inside. The shop looked completely ordinary, with old ’60s and ’70s records covering the shelves. There were barely any customers, and an old man was sitting behind the counter watching TV.

The old man glanced at the group as they walked in wearing their hero suits, but he didn’t say anything and simply continued watching the TV.

"A music store? I’m not really in the mood for music, but this owner sure has some personality!" Peter said as he looked around.

"Just follow me," Jack said, walking toward a side room.

As they passed the old man, his eyes briefly settled on the Plumber symbol on Jack’s suit. For a moment, something like an old memory appeared in his eyes.

Peter didn’t notice it, but Darkhawk did.

Jack entered the side room and clicked a few hidden buttons.

Click.

A secret door suddenly opened, revealing a lift hidden behind the wall.

"Oh my god, I get it now! It’s just like those spy movies—a hidden base!" Peter exclaimed.

Darkhawk didn’t show much emotion, though that wasn’t surprising since he was in a robot body. Still, even he seemed interested as he looked at the hidden lift.

"Come on," Jack said as he stepped inside.

Soon, everyone entered the lift, and the doors closed behind them.

The lift started moving down.

And it kept going.

Peter looked at the floor indicator as the numbers continued changing.

"How deep is this place?" Peter asked.

"You’ll see," Jack replied with a smile.

After a while, the lift finally stopped.

The doors opened.

Peter’s eyes widened.

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