1.H | VIDEO | Locked from Peter Parker/Spider-Man

[doctopussy]

[ The man on screen is wearing a bright white suit and white tie over a black shirt. He's framed the camera angle so his great big metal arms aren't visible, however. He's wearing sunglasses even though it's evening by now. His haircut is questionable. ]

As is often the case, when one wants to live a quiet life it's often interrupted. Since my arrival a few months ago, I've been occupied with the search for scientific progress. But it has become increasingly clear to me that I need to expand not only my scientific boundaries but my personal and political ones. Like it or not, we imPorts have found ourselves thrust into a world where our very existence has become politicized.

But as atoms bond to create something new, so too must we bond together to become stronger. To that end I feel the need to introduce myself.

[ He doesn't, and won't, outright say that this post is a response to Spider-Man making a list of his past and future crimes, but it is. He wasn't going to attempt to clear his name except a certain upcoming election has made him deem it prudent. ]

I am Dr. Otto Octavius.

I believe some of you may know me by a different name -- I understand the amount of alternate universes and timelines can become confusing for even those well-versed in such things.

[ He sighs, the picture of a man tired of having himself confused by an alternate version of himself. ]

Regardless, I am formally offering my scientific expertise if needed. I hope you all deign to give me a chance.

Comments

[cantwalkwithoutit]

My, but the network is just alight with political speeches of late.

[doctopussy]

Of late? From what I've gathered from reading, it's often the case, between new imports introducing themselves -- which I admit this does fall under albeit much delayed -- and the occasional announcement or advice-seeking.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

If I didn't know any better, I would think you were running for office. But that does seem to be the mood here, of late.

Were you seeking advice?

[doctopussy]

Time will tell. [ He absolutely intends to, but he feels he needs to set himself up as a person who exists before he sets himself up as a candidate. ]

As for whether or not I'm seeing advice, possibly not unless you have a method of ridding someone of an unnecessary and irritating so-called superpower. Currently that's the only thing alluding my talents.

Video

[liverletdie]

This was surprisingly level, for you.

[ He says, leaning back in a dim room, but in the background there are definitely unpainted pieces of armor. ]

But yes, I'm sure you're being hounded for something someone else did.

[doctopussy]

[ Otto is immediately on edge, though he keeps it from his face at least. He can play the game. ]

If you subtract the sarcastic tone, yes. I only wish to make use of the second chance at life I have been given.

[liverletdie]

Oh yes, of course.

So what's the big plan, then? For the great Doctor Oct-- [ A skip. ] --avius?

[doctopussy]

[ One day he will strip you of your armour and wring your neck, Stark.

He smiles. ]

What else does one do with a second chance but find a new direction? To push forward into a bold new future.

Voice

[driftsintobuffetline]

You're just going to vaguely offer up "scientific expertise" without specifying what that expertise is in?

Perma-video; voice isn't nearly dramatic enough for him apparently

[doctopussy]

It would be too long of a list for the average layperson.

[ He briefly pauses to take a sip of tea. An observant person might notice it's not a human hand that's delicately tipping the teacup, but rather some sort of metal claw.

Either he's doing this on purpose or he needs to relearn how to use his actual hands. It's a tossup. ]

If there's any field which I'm not currently familiar with, I can quickly rectify.

(I'm sorry I fell off the planet and failed to tag back)

[driftsintobuffetline]

[Newt notices, but he's too annoyed by this guy's arrogance to bother with robot arm right now.]

Lucky for you, you're not talking to the average layperson. Not to toot my own horn, but I hold six degrees in VARYING areas of "scientific expertise." Be careful your ego isn't writing checks your brain can't cash. 'Cause you've got a lot of impressing to do, considering the scientific expertise around here. You can't trip over a rock without finding another engineer or physicist. Hell, I know a guy who invented a time machine, another who can make portals with his watch, a kid who created mind-controlled nano-bots, and I'm married to a hot-shot theoretical physicist who mapped and closed a transdimensional rift...IN ADDITION TO programming 300 foot tall battle robotic suits to fight GIANT MONSTERS.

So come on, Dr. Otto Scratchansniff. What've you got.

private

[doctopussy]

Let's take a walk.

[ He makes the feed private. Oh he's annoyed alright, there's nothing he hates more than having his ego questioned. He gives the communicator to one of his arms, which allows the camera to get enough distance that Otto's arms become obvious; they look to be about six feet long, four of them in total though one of them is holding the comm.

He's inside, and he puts down the teacup and gets up, his arms extending and lifting him into the air a little. A little more of the room becomes clear. He's made it something of a makeshift laboratory; it's obvious he's low on funds and had to scrape what he could get, but the wall is plastered with papers, even blueprints for something -- though he's in control of the camera the entire time, so whatever the blueprints are, they're never in focus enough for Newt to be able to see exactly what he's working on. Looks big though. And robotic.

He moves past, before opening a window and exits, though he's still on the second floor. He doesn't fall, however - the arms merely extend to their full length and continue carrying him away.

The whole while he's doing this, he's talking. ]

After I got my PHD -- nuclear physics -- I worked for the US Atomic Research Center [ Has he realized that's a thing that existed just in his universe? Probably irrelevant. ] the mechanical engineering was something I picked up to better pursue my work. As my work changed, I picked up new avenues. Biochemistry, for example.

I have returned people to their natural states, have built laboratories underwater, survived on other planets, created robots and a machine capable of turning the virtual into reality, and cured the world of cocaine addiction. [ Which didn't last (it was part of a villainous plot, and he's trying to avoid actually saying why he's done all this junk), but details.

Comic book science is Kind Of Super Bullshit, but he doesn't realize that. It's simply the world he lives in. ]

But do not get me wrong -- if you could introduce me to any of the people you were so eager to namedrop, I would be delighted to pick their brains. There are always greater heights to achieve.

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[shutterbugged]

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[doctopussy]

[shutterbugged]

[voice]

[hellrisen02]

Wow, he wasn't kidding about the "hi I'm obviously dabbling in mad science" schtick.

[I'm sorry, did you not want sarcastic wisecrackers in this post?]

...Funnily enough, you remind me of someone. [5 someones, actually. No, make that 6.] Don't happen to work in the area of mechanical engineering, do you?

permavid

[doctopussy]

Science isn't good or evil, it's a tool to be used. An interest in mechanical engineering does not make one a mad scientist.

[ So, yes, basically. ]

permavoice

[hellrisen02]

That sounds exactly like something a mad scientist would say. But alright. [Very skeptical tone, here.]

Anyway, I didn't say it did. I've known some great mechanical engineers in my time! [Okay, they were also mad scientists, but they only wanted to kill the government. There's a difference here.] And of course science isn't evil, just like people aren't evil. Just greedy. Or cowardly. Or completely nuts.

[Which one are you, Dr. Octavius? Hmmm?]

[doctopussy]

And of these mechanical engineers that you so happen to know, which of them remind you of me?

[airshow]

Nice nerd speech! What're your scientific specialties, Doc? You look like a guy with his fingers in a lot of pies. So to speak.

[doctopussy]

You would be correct in that assumption. I specialize in radiation, physics, biochemistry, robotics, to name a few. But if you consider this a "nerd speech", why do you have an interest in my qualifications?

[airshow]

[ James gives a low, impressed whistle. ]

To name a few, huh? Talk about a jack of all trades! And hey, I didn't say nerd speech like it was a bad thing.

[Text]

[sleight_of_hand]

We know you by a different name?

So... O2?

text

[doctopussy]

Not the worst name I've been called, though not what I'm referring to. I doubt anyone would seriously refer to me as dioxygen.

Some might call me Doctor Octopus.

text

[sleight_of_hand]

So... Doc Oc?

Dare I ask WHY you're called that, or is the answer obvious?