While Ben Reilly was looking to work with Dr. Noah Purl, the Empire State Hospital was assaulted by the Shadowforce Alpha mercenaries, who wanted to kill political refugee leader Col. Rudev Broga. After the dying Broga's bodyguard Cary Armstrong was revived by Dr. Purl and turned into the superhero named Strongarm, he and the Scarlet Spider were able to rescue the colonel and defeat the terroristic group. After Lizard's attack, Strongarm was taken to the Empire State Hospital, and then left with Gabrielle Greer. The Lizard then attacked Dr. Purl at the hospital and then escaped through the city.