Dr. Otto needed to remain in the hospital for observation for a while after the surgery.
Batman hired the best round-the-clock caregiver and—posing as Peter Parker—stayed at Dr. Otto's bedside to make sure his recovery was peaceful.
Only after he was certain Dr. Otto had stopped trying to rush things and would calmly wait for discharge before starting his prosthetics and nuclear fusion research did Batman leave.
He was headed back to Osborn Manor, where Harry Osborn lived, presenting himself as his friend Peter Parker.
After the way Dr. Otto's mindset had shifted and he went off the rails right after Batman left, Bruce was especially worried about Harry's state of mind. Fortunately, the companionship and comfort from yesterday had helped. Even though Harry had learned from the news that the Osborn Group was now under military supervision by General Ross, his mood had remained relatively steady.
At least Batman's listening network planted around Osborn Manor hadn't picked up anything unusual.
On the rooftop of Metropolitan Hospital a short while ago, Batman had sent the documents he'd hacked from S.H.I.E.L.D. about Hulk's origin, plus the evidence of human experimentation he'd gathered, to reporter Eddie Brock via an anonymous email.
But that was only the opening volley. Batman planned to team up with Harry Osborn, the rightful heir of the Osborn Group, for a second wave of attack against General Ross.
Hulk had been born from experiments overseen by General Ross. Batman had to move fast to dismantle the military's control of the Osborn Group—he didn't want another monster to be created.
This morning Professor Miles Warren from Empire State University had urged that Professor Curt Connors be removed from Osborn in time. Batman had to see Harry.
"Peter?"
When Harry saw his friend return, he forced a smile and waved him inside.
"Harry, General Ross has forcibly taken over the Osborn Group…"
There was no small talk. Batman knew Harry had already heard the news, but to avoid revealing his listening system he reiterated the point briefly and then moved on.
"Harry, a psychiatrist has confirmed Mr. Norman's condition is a mental illness. He'll be transferred to the Ravencroft Institute in the northern suburbs—not a prison."
"That's good news. But with my father gone, the Osborn Group needs someone to step up."
Batman revealed Norman's transfer to steady Harry's emotions, then laid out his plan to counter General Ross.
"Harry, we need to file suit in Federal Court immediately, arguing that General Ross's takeover lacked due process."
"At the same time, we contact the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether the military's actions involve insider trading or market manipulation."
Harry stared. The Peter Parker he remembered was all studies and awkwardness—hardly a business strategist. But the man in front of him was methodical, mapping out what needed doing like a seasoned politician.
"Peter, when did you learn all this?" Harry asked.
"Yesterday," Batman said.
He couldn't tell Harry that the knowledge came from decades of experience in Gotham. To Harry, those words sounded different—almost impossible.
Harry inhaled sharply, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Peter, I didn't know you were doing so much for me. I… thank you."
Harry assumed Peter had learned all this specifically to help him—and Batman hadn't finished.
"I've hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on General Ross and expose it."
"And Harry, Ross's actions will inevitably spook the market and could trigger a crash."
"We need to contact the company directors and use Wall Street's capital influence to pressure the White House and Congress to end the military oversight quickly and return the company to normal so the market stabilizes."
The private investigator was, of course, Batman's other identity. Dirt exposed, legal action, capital pressure—three strikes designed to minimize the time General Ross had control.
One strategy alone would have amazed Harry, a second-generation scion with little experience in corporate takeovers. Three left him stunned.
"Is— is there more?" Harry asked, still dazed.
Batman frowned slightly and studied Harry's face, trying to read whether he wanted more because he felt the plan wasn't enough or because he simply couldn't believe it. Harry's expression mixed confusion, shock, and gratitude—clearly the latter—so Bruce didn't outline additional contingency measures.
After seeing the name "Stark" on the firearms Black Cat had sold to Joseph, Batman had also investigated Stark Industries. He knew Stark had its roots in military manufacturing and supplied weapons and equipment to the armed forces. If the first three fronts failed to budge General Ross, Batman—still posing as Peter Parker, head of Parker Industries in this guise—would open a line to Tony Stark to pressure Ross from within the military chain of command. He had too many contingency plans to count, and he didn't intend to use them all at once. Too much pressure too fast could backfire—especially before he'd secured contact with Professor Curt Connors.
That was the other reason Bruce had come to see Harry: to reach the core scientists at the Osborn Group, led by Connors, who sat on the board. Under no circumstances could General Ross get his hands on Osborn tech; the last thing Bruce wanted was another Squid Man, Green Goblin, or another Banner.
Batman could have tracked down Connors himself, but the Peter Parker persona had no professional ties to him, and a cold phone call wouldn't build the trust Bruce needed.
"My phone's not getting through, Peter."
Facing Peter Parker, Harry's trust in his friend showed. Taking what Bruce had relayed from Professor Warren, Harry picked up the phone without hesitation. But Connors's number was unreachable, and every other researcher Harry tried calling went straight to voicemail.
"Don't keep trying, Harry," Batman said, stopping him. "You follow my plan—contact Federal Court and the SEC."
"What about you, Peter?" Harry asked.
"I need to find a way to get inside the Osborn Group and contact Professor Connors directly," Batman said.
The Osborn Group was now sealed off; soldiers controlled all entry and exit. That didn't faze Batman—he had options.
As Bruce's infiltration plans began to take shape, Harry blurted out, "Peter, I can get you past General Ross's blockade."
Bruce looked at him.
Harry, excited and a little breathless, explained. "I have two identities inside Osborn. One is Harry, Norman's son—obvious and conspicuous. The other is a low-level researcher named Clark. Father originally wanted me to start at the bottom and learn the business properly, but I messed it up and that researcher identity got shelved."
"The name Harry draws too much attention and might bring unwanted scrutiny from General Ross. But Peter—you can use the researcher identity, Clark, to enter Osborn openly."
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