章 47: Chapter 47
I stood before a dozen bodies scattered in front of the door to my lab. Their flesh had already begun to decompose rapidly, releasing a suffocating stench. It was evident that a highly toxic substance had been used here, one that quickly destroyed tissue.
The smell was sharp and unpleasant, filling the air with a heavy, oppressive wave. I covered my nose and mouth with my hand, trying to breathe as shallowly as possible. Thoughts raced through my mind: who could have used such a substance, and for what purpose?
I leaned down to the nearest body, careful not to touch it. The skin showed signs of burns and blisters, typical of exposure to a potent toxin.
I acted reflexively, wasting no time. Using my abilities, I began dismantling the equipment that remained intact. Every movement was precise, every piece carefully removed and stored safely.
"Reed, what happened?" Tony's voice sounded behind me, filled with concern.
"Dr. Richards?" Parker added.
Everyone who had been puzzled by my strange behavior downstairs followed behind me. I could feel their shocked and confused gazes as they took in the scene before them.
"What the hell is this?!" Ben exclaimed, his voice full of disbelief.
Ben's question was the obvious one. He wanted to make sure it wasn't me who had done this.
"It wasn't me," I replied, trying to remain calm. "Judging by the way the bodies are decomposing, this was their own doing."
"They killed themselves?" Parker asked, his voice trembling, revealing the depth of his shock.
Despite his experience, Parker's voice reminded me that he was still a teenager. He had seen a lot, but a scene like this was bound to unsettle him.
"It appears so," I said, examining the decaying bodies. "They likely used some kind of toxic substance to avoid capture. This toxin destroys cells at an alarming rate."
Tony moved closer, his face serious and focused. He noticed what had caught my attention a moment earlier, considering the last words one of them had uttered.
"Is that a Hydra symbol?" he asked, pointing to a small emblem that hadn't yet completely dissolved under the influence of the toxins.
I glanced at the symbol Tony indicated and felt a chill run down my spine. It was indeed the Hydra symbol. I stood up, trying to process everything that had happened.
"If my eyes aren't deceiving me, then yes," I said, nodding. "That explains their resolve and willingness to commit suicide. They knew they would be caught and chose death to avoid revealing information."
"Yeah, but didn't these bastards die out after World War II with Hitler?" Tony remarked, his tone almost flippant.
"You mean something like neo-Nazis?" Ben asked, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of scum would push those kinds of ideas?"
Tony simply nodded. But I had arguments against that theory.
"A newly formed organization wouldn't have this level of weaponry and training."
The equipment that allowed them to evade my telepathy… That was troubling information. Because of this oversight, I had allowed the enemy to reach my inventions. From what I could sense, they had accessed some of my designs that weren't stored within Chronos.
After scanning Chronos' databases, I confirmed they hadn't managed to scan the device's capsule structure.
"There's some logic to that, but if that's the case, then Hydra never really disappeared. And that's a very grim prospect."
"Just what we needed... Nazis," Johnny muttered.
"What's the plan, Stretch?"
For the first time in a long while, I found myself in such an uncomfortable position. I had underestimated AIM and their capabilities.
"First, we need data."
Judging by the looks on Tony and Sue's faces, they understood what I was about to do next.
"Chronos, scan the samples."
I activated the AI only after ensuring the building was clear of intruders.
"Processing, Dr. Richards."
The AI got to work, and the results were quick to follow. I paused all my side projects to focus all resources on this task. I knew the situation demanded immediate action and full concentration.
Chronos delivered the results swiftly, and we gathered around the holographic screen to examine them.
"The substance used by the agents is a highly toxic and fast-acting poison," Chronos reported. "Its chemical structure is unique and indicates a high level of technological advancement. The methodology resembles the work of a scientist named Mathias Stockhart… Searching for connections… No ties to Hydra detected… Analyzing the preserved equipment… The software is written in a language not used in the known world… Analyzing code structure..."
Chronos couldn't identify specific individuals, but it did trace a connection to an organization called AIM, mentioned briefly in the databases I had pulled from Fury.
Tony seemed to grasp this as well, judging by the way his eyes narrowed. He had studied Fury's data as meticulously as I had.
"So AIM is working with Hydra?" Tony's question cut through the silence that had fallen when Chronos finished its work and resumed thawing out the current projects.
"Or AIM is a subdivision of Hydra," I concluded. "Either way, we need to do something about this."
"Yeah… I don't think the people my father fought against would be thrilled to see me alive," Tony said, then paused before asking, "What information did they get their hands on?"
Tony had some idea of what kind of tech I possessed.
"From what I've gathered… They got hold of data on the generators. It's bad, but it could've been worse."
Tony smirked, while Sue sighed with a hint of resignation.
"Are you going to share this information with our one-eyed friend?"
"I'll have to share some of it, as he'll find out eventually."
There was no argument there. Everyone present was well aware of Fury's capabilities.
"Do that after I've completed my research on these samples."
—= Some time later =—
Tony left rather quickly, taking samples with him that he wanted to study personally, while I delved deeper into analyzing Connors' genes.
"Wow..." Parker whispered, standing next to me.
I could practically feel how wide his eyes were as he took in the data.
"As you can see, it's impossible to completely remove what he did from his genome, but we can control or suppress the transformation mechanism."
"So, you'll be able to correct Dr. Connors' mistake," Parker nodded.
I nodded in return and initiated the synthesis of the necessary compounds. With the swarm of nanomachines activated, the building's functionality was fully restored. It only needed to last for a short time before I moved everything to the island.
"You're a genius, Dr. Richards."
He said this just as the remedy was completed. It took the form of a swarm of nanomachines that would integrate into Connors' body and act as regulators for the substances needed to subdue the Lizard.
"Let's see how it works on Connors first, then you can start praising."
Parker nodded, and I suggested he proceed. He took the syringe filled with the pinkish liquid and injected it into the area where Connors' veins should be.
The reverse transformation began immediately. The Lizard started to shrink, and his scaly skin began to revert to human flesh. Soon, before us lay the unconscious form of the scientist.
—\\—
Once his body returned to its human form, Dr. Connors regained consciousness quite unexpectedly. Judging by his expression, he fully understood the precarious situation he was in.
"I suggest you remain calm, Dr. Connors," I said, trying to keep my tone gentle yet firm. "Panic will only lead to poor judgments clouded by your emotions."
Connors froze for a moment, his gaze darting around the room as he tried to process everything that had happened. I stepped forward to focus his attention and continued speaking.
"We're here to help you," I added, hoping my voice conveyed reassurance. "You've been through an extremely distressing ordeal, but you're safe now."
He nodded, his breathing gradually steadying. I sensed the tension in the room easing slightly. Peter, standing nearby, watched every move of his mentor, ready to intervene if necessary.
"What will happen to me?" Connors asked, his voice still trembling.
"In my opinion, you'll have to spend some time with rather questionable individuals," I replied, maintaining a calm demeanor. "From what I've gathered, you haven't done anything too extreme. In a way, you're lucky, Dr. Connors."
Indeed, Connors was fortunate that the Lizard had immediately retreated to the sewers, minimizing the damage.
"When will this happen?" he asked, his voice now steadier.
Connors' cooperation was a good sign, as such actions could expedite his release.
"It depends on which path the politicians choose," I replied. "I have some guesses, but to my deep regret, I'm not particularly skilled in politics. The situation with Norman speaks volumes about that."
Connors and Parker smiled, likely recalling those events and my actions.
"But there's one thing I know for certain," I continued. "Your willingness to cooperate and provide information can significantly improve your situation."
Connors nodded, his face showing a mix of gratitude and relief.
"Thank you, Dr. Richards," he said. "I'm willing to help. I'll tell you everything I know."
A certain resolve appeared in Dr. Connors' eyes, which was encouraging.
"If possible… I'd like to get this over with while I still have the willpower."
My gaze fell on his physiological readings. The data was within normal limits, allowing for the possibility of Connors interacting with Fury or his people. However, I still wasn't sure if he should proceed while in this heightened state.
"Dr. Richards," Connors said, making me look at him.
He appeared much more confident than he had a few moments ago.
"This isn't an impulsive decision. I'm a scientist too, and I know what you might be thinking. I'm certain this is the right course of action."
His gaze didn't waver for even a second. So, I had no choice but to say,
"Very well."
—= Natasha Romanoff =—
Two hours after Reed Richards returned to the building, Tony Stark flew out. This was captured not only by cameras but also by numerous onlookers.
"It's clear. We need to activate our people inside Stark Industries," Fury said, his voice full of determination.
Fury was always a step ahead. The agents embedded within Stark's company were already prepared to act.
"Richards still hasn't granted entry?" Fury asked, his eyes fixed on the screen.
Natasha shook her head slightly and replied, "He hasn't been seen since he entered his building."
"Tch. These geniuses and their toys," Fury muttered, irritation evident in his voice.
Natasha clearly heard his frustration. She understood that time was against them, and every second counted.
"Unfortunately, we can't act more aggressively," Fury continued, his voice growing firmer. "There's no need to create an enemy out of thin air."
"Understood," Natasha replied.
Fury fell silent, but Natasha knew he was still listening. This was common in operations where immediate response from leadership was critical.
At that moment, Natasha's gaze caught Dr. Richards emerging from the building, accompanied by Curt Connors, Spider-Man, and his team.
"Dr. Richards, I'm so glad to see you," Natasha said, her voice full of warmth, though underlined with professional caution.
Natasha quickly noted that Curt Connors looked as if he was making a decision that could change his life. He was clearly troubled, and Natasha could understand the source of his anxiety.
"Natasha," Reed responded as he approached. "I assume Fury is listening?"
The spy frowned but gave a small nod in response.
"Good. Then we can begin."
—= Nicholas Joseph Fury =—
Reed Richards was a man of great pride and confidence. That was how the director of SHIELD would describe the scientist. Over the course of their interactions, Fury had built a psychological profile of the genius who could overshadow any scientist of this era.
It was all the more surprising, then, to hear Richards openly admit that his defenses weren't as infallible as he had believed.
Fury's thoughts were interrupted as one of his subordinates entered. It seemed the
data on Connors had been verified.
"What's your assessment?" Fury asked.
"Reed Richards' findings align with what we observed when analyzing Curt Connors' samples," the subordinate replied.
This meant that Connors was a viable subject to work with, just as Richards had suggested during their discussions. Richards knew that someone like Connors would inevitably end up in Fury's hands.
"And what about the Lizard serum?" Fury inquired.
The potential for rapid regeneration without harmful side effects was tempting, and even Fury acknowledged that there was some truth in Richards' statements.
"We'll need to have a conversation with Dr. Connors," the scientist replied with a shrug.
Fury could tell the scientist was being entirely truthful.
—= Some Time Later =—
In the end, Curt Connors received his sentence, and it seemed that Fury had pulled a few strings to ensure it was as lenient as possible. If I'm not mistaken, Fury aims to leverage Connors' genius, which makes sense considering SHIELD's limited alternatives.
These thoughts swirled in the back of my mind as I worked on the genes of En Sabah Nur. I had even postponed moving to the island temporarily to focus on this project. The situation with Hydra and AIM had forced me to reconsider my plans and accelerate my efforts to enhance my own capabilities.
"Chronos, run the simulation," I ordered, focusing my attention on the monitors.
"Simulation successful," Chronos reported after a few minutes.
"Begin the tests with the clones," I continued, closely monitoring the process.
Multiple additional checks began to avoid potential errors. Once I was fully confident that everything was functioning correctly, I initiated the integration of En Sabah Nur's X-gene.
"Administering anesthesia," Chronos informed me, his voice calm and assured.
I settled into the capsule, feeling the cold of the anesthesia spread through my body. Thoughts of the future and what lay ahead flickered through my mind, but I knew this step was necessary. Enhancing myself had become a priority given the current threats.
"Gene implantation process initiated," came the voice of Kronos, and I felt a slight tingling sensation, gradually pulling me into a deep sleep.
When I regained consciousness, all the monitoring systems displayed stable results. The implantation was successful.
"Dr. Richards, all readings are normal," Kronos reported. "The process is complete."
Since I already had the X genes, identifying the new abilities I had gained wasn't too difficult.
"The internal lab is ready for further enhancement," I whispered.
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