Amazing Spider-Man Annual#26(1992)

A group of techno-thieves have attempted to rob a cargo shipment at LaGuardia Airport only to be interrupted in the act by Spider-Man. The wall-crawler had originally come as Peter Parker to photograph the arrival of new computer processors that were being shipped in from California when he stumbled upon the theft. The wall-crawler makes short work of the armed thieves. However, one of the thugs begs to be let go because he is a three-time loser who will go to jail for life if he is convicted again. In exchange for his freedom, the man offers to tell Spider-Man where a number of people are scheduled to be killed. Not willing to let anyone die, Spider-Man agrees and learns that the hit is going to happen in Fortune, New Jersey. Spider-Man then lets the man go, briefly considering going against his word, but recalled how bad he felt betraying Venom recently. Meanwhile, Dwayne Taylor spends his day scans the records for the Taylor Foundation for anomalies as there is something strange going on. Suddenly, he gets a phone call from his fellow New Warrior, Speedball. He has called to see what Dwayne is up to since he has been spending time away from the New Warriors. Speedball is unaware that he has been followed by a gang of armed soldiers in a surveillance van. Seeking to capture themselves a super-hero, the armed thugs use a dampening field to trap Speedball and prevent him from using his kinetic powers to fight back. That capture abruptly ends Speedball's phone call, leaving Dwayne Taylor wondering what happened to his teammate. At that moment, Spider-Man laments the idea of web-slinging all the way to New Jersey as it will take him all day. His thoughts are interrupted when he spots a purse snatching in process. The web-slinger briefly considers leaving it for the police to handle, but can't shirk his responsibility. After webbing up the purse snatcher, Spider-Man swings away. With the wall-crawler gone, the woman walks off without calling the police, having decided that it is not her responsibility. While back at Dwayne Taylor's penthouse, Dwayne worries about Speedball. He recalls having heard that someone has been snatching superheroes recently. Suddenly, his computer search hits pay dirt, when he finds a memo advising all Taylor Foundation employees to stay away from Fortune, New Jersey, as it may prove fatal. Taylor decides that this deserves looking into and decides to call his allies in the New Warriors. While in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Chinese heroes known as Auric and Silver are attempting flee armed soldiers who have ambushed them. Despite their attempts to escape, they too are contained in stasis fields that negate their powers. By this point, Spider-Man has arrived in Fortune, New Jersey, but is left wondering where this attack is going to happen. Elsewhere in town, a number of moving trucks pass through the streets. Inside a scientist named Schott is about to test a wave generator that will destroy all life in the area while keeping the structures intact. When his technicians worry about the loss of life attracting attention, Schott assures them that the bomb they set at the nearby dam will help cover up their involvement. By this point, Spider-Man has been drawn to the vans by his spider-sense. Ripping the doors off one of the vans reveals Schott and his weapon. He orders his armed guards. As Spider-Man fights off the guards, a local police officer decides to help the wall-crawler out. In response, Schott has his technicians blast the police officer with their weapon, scorching him to death. Seeing what the weapon can do, and hear they intend to unleash it on the whole town horrifies Spider-Man. Just as Schott begins activating the device to eliminate the whole town, Night Thrasher, Nova, and Namorita arrive to lend Spider-Man a hand. While the three members of the New Warriors handle the guards, Spider-Man destroys the weapon, prompting Schott and his minions to flee the scene in order to evade capture. When Spider-Man and the others try to follow, Schott tosses phony concussion bombs to distract the heroes. In the aftermath of the battle, one of the technicians willingly surrenders, having a change of heart. He warns the heroes about the device that is going to be used to destroy the nearby dam. Nova and Namorita rush to the scene and destroy the device before it can go off. In the aftermath of the crisis, the technician says he was working for Target Technologies, a company that operates outside of Rutherford. Night Thrasher has some personal matters to deal with, and asks the others to look into Target Technologies. As he parts company, he wonders if he should have told them what he knows about Speedball. While back in Manhattan, a group of powerful businessmen meets in a boardroom. Among those gathered is Justin Hammer of Hammer Industries, Carlton Drake of the Life Foundation, Jonas Hale of Roxxon Oil, plus representatives for Stane International, the Brand Corporation, and many others. The chairmen of this conspiratorial group is told informed that Speedball is now one of their prisoners. This is a delight to this man, who tells his allies that soon the whole world will know about them. That evening, Spider-Man, Nova and Namorita arrive at the headquarters of Target Technologies. With the help of his spider-sense, the wall-crawler is able to lead his allies past the security systems and get into the building. However, their presence was already prepared for as the security doors shut close once they are inside. Suddenly, they are attacked by three Dreadnought robots. The trio are forced into a weapon's testing room, where they struggle to destroy the three robots. However, Nova manages to destroy one using bullet proof plastic as a shield, while Namorita finds a blaster that can destroy another. While in New York City, Night Thrasher has traced Speedball's phone call to the payphone where he was captured. Detecting a number of energy residual energy sources, makes Night Thrasher realize that he might be dealing with some serious trouble and will need to call on some more friends. While back in New Jersey, Spider-Man, Nova, and Namorita destroy the last of the Dreadnaughts. That's when they are informed that those were the previous models. Suddenly, a wall panel opens up and an army of the latest models of Dreadnoughts emerge to face the exhausted heroes. This story is continued in Spectacular Spider-Man Annual Vol 1 12...