Capítulo 34: 346-350
"Hi~ Hi~ Hi~ Hi! Triggering distrust and division among you Avengers, this is just the first step, I want to lead you towards your ultimate self-destruction, this was just a mere appetizer.
The truly exciting main course is just about to be served! Unfortunately, I had cut off all electronic devices that can connect to the network.
Otherwise, I could have enjoyed the spectacle of you fighting and hurting each other. It would have been so delightful!"
At this moment, walking within the abandoned Hydra base, the Green Goblin suddenly burst into laughter, almost as if he were having a fit. His laughter was filled with a sense of disgust and unease, giving off a chilling and shivering vibe.
Detailed investigations and analyses had been conducted on all members of the Avengers. Compared to any member within the Avengers, the Green Goblin's understanding of them was far deeper.
Because of this, the Green Goblin was well aware that using any devices connected to the network during his actions would likely expose him to the super artificial intelligence developed by Mark or Tony. This could jeopardize or even dismantle his meticulously prepared plan.
So, before officially starting on this revenge mission, the Green Goblin had taken physical isolation measures on all his devices, completely dismantling their network connectivity modules.
Even though he couldn't watch a video of Captain and Tony engaging in a fierce battle via a device, the Green Goblin could vividly imagine the brutal scene.
He understood each member of the Avengers so well that he could predict every possible action they might take based on his understanding.
The scene of friends as close as brothers, comrades who fought side by side, engaging in a violent confrontation due to their own selfish motives, was exhilarating for the Green Goblin to contemplate. It gave him a sense of cerebral climax(Mind orgasm)!
However, he quickly suppressed this surge of excitement. The upcoming plans had to be handled with even greater care and caution. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes, especially when success was within reach.
Furthermore, the Green Goblin was well aware that once his plan was successfully executed, the joy he would experience would far surpass witnessing a showdown between Captain and Tony.
Though the Avengers had successfully deduced the Green Goblin's purpose in coming to Vilnius based on Bucky's memories, their guesses and analyses about the true nature of his plan were off track from the very beginning.
The Avengers believed that the Green Goblin's intention in acquiring the large-scale bioweapon dispenser was to carry out the largest-scale human massacre in history, breaking their will and beliefs, causing them to lose what they held most dear.
In reality, what the Green Goblin desired to witness was not just that.
Massacring the entire human population living in Europe was too limited in scope for the Green Goblin. Even if he achieved this, it would be merely a relatively significant failure for the Avengers.
But if the Green Goblin could use the large-scale bioweapon dispenser he obtained from Hydra to create endless trouble, chaos, and dilemmas for them, he would relish watching the Avengers running frantically and feeling helpless. This would provide him with an ongoing source of pleasure.
When the Avengers are physically and mentally exhausted, tormented to the point of losing all morale, then he will individually break them apart, completing the final symphony of revenge!
And the source supporting the Green Goblin's orchestration of all this comes from a biological professor named Curtis "Curt" Connors, sponsored by the Osborn Group.
Dr. Connors used to be a military doctor but left the army after losing his right arm in a war.
After his discharge, leveraging his extensive medical knowledge and talent in biology, Dr. Connors became a university biology professor.
He dedicated himself to researching limb regeneration technology, hoping to help thousands of people with physical disabilities to regain health and confidence.
Finally, through a fortunate accident involving lizard tail regeneration, Dr. Connors gained inspiration and published a research paper that attracted widespread attention and acclaim in the academic community.
Coincidentally, at that time, Norman Osborn, who had not yet transformed into the Green Goblin, was eager to explore all possibilities regarding his family's genetic hereditary conditions.
He became interested in Dr. Connors' research on cross-species genetic studies, and provided ample research funding. Dr. Connors' project was finally able to commence with the support.
Through the study and analysis of lizard genome sequences, Dr. Connors identified the key genetic sequences that triggered limb regeneration in lizards. He then developed a serum containing lizard genome sequences.
After a prolonged period and substantial investment, they finally achieved success in their research. This success was not just a personal achievement for Dr. Connors; even the entire Osborn Group was astounded.
The shareholders of the corporation seemed to see the rising tide of wealth beckoning to them. Surpassing Stark Industries and the Mark Research Center appeared to be within reach.
Norman Osborn was equally thrilled. Dr. Connors' success meant a ray of hope for the genetic hereditary condition that had plagued the Osborn family for generations.
After discussions and negotiations between the parties, a significant amount of capital and resources began pouring into Dr. Connors' laboratory.
The sole objective was to quickly develop finished products that met the requirements of pharmaceutical regulatory agencies and market conditions.
After the serum was developed, a series of processes including pharmacological analysis, efficacy experiments, and clinical trials were necessary.
However, with the full support of the Osborn Group and ample funding, the initial stages of verifying the drug's effectiveness proceeded smoothly.
However, as time passed, Dr. Connors discovered that damaged limbs of the laboratory mice who were injected with the regeneration serum did regenerate, but they underwent a complete change in behavior.
Despite their previously docile nature, they turned vicious and bloodthirsty. Additionally, their physical strength saw a significant increase.
This discovery led Dr. Connors to realize that although his developed regeneration serum did achieve the desired effect of limb regrowth, it seemed to be influenced by the lizard genes.
The recipient organisms gradually shifted toward the behavior and habits of cold-blooded animals. This was also the last challenge that needed to be overcome to achieve the perfect regeneration serum.
About this major flaw in the regenerative serum, Dr. Connors did not report it to the relevant departments of the Osborn Group.
Because he was aware that the Osborn Group had invested a substantial amount of capital and other support into this project.
If he informed those investors at this crucial moment that the serum still had issues and needed more time and continued investment.
He believed his lab would lose all financial support the next day, and he himself would be kicked out of the well-equipped lab provided by Osborn Group.
In order to fulfill his dream and achieve his ambitions, Dr. Connors ultimately decided to conceal this discovery and secretly intensify his research efforts, hoping to resolve the issue before arousing suspicion.
However, things don't always go as planned, and many problems aren't solvable no matter how hard you try.
After conducting more in-depth research, Dr. Connors discovered that the gene sequences responsible for aggressive behavior and the dominant regenerative mechanism in lizards were the same.
In other words, according to the research framework he had initially formulated, the regenerative serum inspired by the tail-regrowth ability of lizards could not work at all.
To achieve the effect of limb regeneration, one would have to endure the side effects of drastic personality changes. The research project that consumed a significant amount of resources had now reached a dead end.
Dr. Connors, who arrived at this conclusion, was utterly devastated. He found it hard to believe that he had invested so much energy and time into a research project driven by a lifelong pursuit, only to realize that it was a laughable fantasy from the very beginning.
The strongest hope he had always held onto had now transformed into the darkest despair.
Driven by shattered beliefs and willpower, even knowing about the significant flaw in the regenerative serum, Dr. Connors injected the serum into his own body as an experiment.
This was the last glimmer of hope he could embrace. He fantasized that the serum's effects on humans might differ from those on mice, and that humans with intense emotions and higher intelligence might withstand the side effects of the lizard genes.
But perhaps "maybe" was just that – a maybe. Scientific research must adhere to strict requirements and standards; there is no room for luck or chance. The attempt Dr. Connors made with a sense of luck ultimately brought him a painful lesson.
Because the effects of the lizard genes in the regenerative serum on humans were even stronger than Dr. Connors had originally anticipated.
When the serum began to take effect, and Dr. Connors saw his lost right arm regrowing after many years, the excitement and jubilation made him feel that this was the reward for his relentless efforts over the years, granted by the goddess of luck.
However, when the arm had fully regrown, and he noticed the emergence of fine green scales on his new arm and even on his skin, Dr. Connors finally understood in his moment of collapse that this was nothing but the mockery of the goddess of fate.
After being completely covered with scales resembling those of a lizard all over his body, the side effects brought about by the regenerative serum were far from over.
Dr. Connors could clearly feel that a warm current was constantly gathering at the location of his tailbone behind him, and as this sensation grew stronger, he eventually grew a thick and powerful lizard tail from behind him!
Feeling the changes in his appearance, and seeing the reflection in the glass of the laboratory, Dr. Connors could clearly see his terrifying new appearance.
But miraculously, as time passed, Dr. Connors gradually lost any feelings of fear and panic in his heart. They were replaced with excitement over the explosive power and agility that now surged within him.
His temperament began to turn as ruthless and brutal as a cold-blooded creature, and he found himself drawn to hiding in the cold and damp darkness.
Experiencing the burst of strength within his body, Curt Connors, now transformed into the Lizard, could no longer contain his bloodthirsty desires.
He turned and charged towards the laboratory door, which was constructed from special steel and boasted the highest security technology from the Osborn Group. In front of the Lizard, this door was as flimsy as paper and was pierced through directly.
When such a monstrous creature covered in scales and with a horrifying appearance appeared in the Osborn Group building, it was impossible not to attract the attention of the people inside.
As the brains of these people began to react, the attention gradually escalated into chaos.
Because a male researcher who was closest to the Lizard had already been impaled by his tail.
Though he had sustained a fatal injury, the researcher didn't die immediately. He could feel a warm, moist, and soft object sliding along his wound.
It was the Lizard's long tongue, which had been extended from his mouth. And it was licking the fresh blood flowing from the man's wound!
Inside the building, on the same floor as Connors's laboratory, other staff members were horrified by the scene and started fleeing downstairs.
And it was during this descent from floor to floor that the chaos truly began.
From the surveillance footage, security personnel who discovered the emergency situation in the building immediately pressed the emergency alarm button and used the intercom to direct the panicked crowd to evacuate in an orderly manner.
However, amid the urgent sound of alarms and the fear instilled by the Lizard, the escape process not only failed to proceed smoothly but instead became even more chaotic.
Seeing this situation, the head of security quickly organized other security personnel within the building to equip themselves with weapons and proceed to the location of the Lizard for containment.
At the same time, the head of security dialed a series of numbers and connected to a phone number: "Hello! Mr. Osborn, this is Johnny, the head of security at Osborn Group.
A major incident has occurred within the company building. A lizard-like creature has killed one of our researchers.
Most importantly – this creature emerged from Dr. Connors' laboratory...".
"What!?"
Boom—!
Upon hearing the news reported by Johnny, the head of the security team, Norman Osborn slammed his desk.
Upon hearing this news, what he felt more than shock was concern and anger!
His concern was for Dr. Connors, who was researching the regenerative serum, and the danger he might be facing, jeopardizing the hope that the Osborn family had painstakingly built.
His anger stemmed from the audacity of someone attempting to seize the opportunity that could change the fate of their entire family. This was intolerable!
"Johnny, convey my orders. Your security department must spare no effort to control this creature, regardless of life or death! Do not let it leave the Osborn building premises, and keep the information from leaking out.
And, station guards at the entrances and exits of the ground floor lobby. No one from outside is allowed in, and no one from inside is allowed out. Make sure that every person in the building signs a confidentiality agreement.
Those who have seen the creature must be temporarily confined in a secure room. I need to speak with them individually.
For this operation, I authorize the use of the latest weapons from the Osborn Weaponry Lab. After the mission is complete, substantial bonuses will be rewarded based on contributions.
Furthermore, for any employees who sacrifice themselves in this mission, Osborn Group will ensure the well-being of their families, including medical care and education, in the future.
You do not need to worry about the aftermath. Be sure to give your all during this mission. The company believes in your abilities, and you must also trust the company and my reputation.
But remember, prioritize the rescue of Dr. Connors from the laboratory and the research results of the company's regenerative serum. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Mr. Osborn. Rest assured, our entire security department will go all out to complete the mission!"
Upon hearing the rewards and guarantees promised by Chairman Norman Osborn, Johnny's eyes lit up with excitement.
For him, this monster incident was both a crisis and an opportunity. Norman Osborn had assured them that even in sacrifice, there would be no worries for their families.
If things went smoothly, this achievement might lead to promotions and prosperity. They had a large number of people and the most advanced weapons. No matter how powerful that creature might be, it was still just flesh and blood.
People die, the world continues. Johnny decided that today he would take a gamble, striving for a bright future!
Wearing the most advanced protective gear and armed with the most powerful weapons and ammunition, Johnny, fully armed, gathered all the available security personnel within the company building around him.
"Guys, this is a great opportunity for us to shine. Whether we can make a big profit and live carefree days depends on how we perform today.
Mr. Osborn has spoken, and you all know your responsibilities. Apart from those who volunteered to guard the entrance, the rest of us will split into two teams. We'll go to the floor where the creature is and surround it from front and rear.
Remember, the most important thing is the safety of Dr. Connors and the research results of the regenerative serum. As for the creature, whether it lives or dies doesn't matter!"
As Johnny had said, today might be the only chance in their many years of life for them to turn things around and climb upwards. With so many people working together to confront a creature of flesh and blood, everyone had confidence in their victory.
More importantly, everyone believed deep down that even if there were casualties, among so many people, they wouldn't be the unluckiest ones.
With this mindset, the security team members, led by Johnny, set off with high morale and confidence toward the location of the Lizard.
...
"First team has reached the designated position. Second team, how's your situation? Over."
"Second team has arrived behind the target. Can we begin the operation? Please advise. Over."
"After I count down from three, the operation will officially commence. Maintain a safe distance, unleash all firepower, and don't give this creature a chance to escape the building.
Three!
Two!
One!
Go!"
As Johnny gave the order, both security teams raised their weapons, disengaged their safety mechanisms, and aimed their barrels at the Lizard.
Simultaneously, they showcased the results of their training beyond their normal routines. All members synchronously took small steps, dispersing around the Lizard to form a tight encirclement.
"Fire!"
With the formation set and no time given for the Lizard to react, Johnny shouted loudly to all members present. The tongues of fire gushed from the muzzles, instantly illuminating the entire space.
The roaring gunshots exploded in the ears of the crowd, and those with more acute hearing could even make out the muffled sounds of bullets penetrating flesh.
Ratatatata!
After almost a minute of continuous firepower, the security team members of both squads finally depleted their weapon ammunition. The space was engulfed in drifting smoke, making it difficult to discern the situation of the Lizard.
Despite this, for cautious measures, the team members began replacing their magazines from tactical belts around their waists, guarding against any unexpected occurrences.
In the now empty space, the tension was suffocating. At this moment, among the entire team, apart from the heavy breathing, the only other sound was the clicking sound of magazine replacements.
However, right at this moment, a new sound joined this symphony, making the already chilling atmosphere even more somber.
Ding~ Ding~ Ding~ Ding...
The clear sound of continuous metal collisions emanated from the center of the encirclement formed by the team members. More accurately, they could discern that this sound was the result of something like bullets falling from a height to the ground.
And at this moment, for such a sound to emerge from the center of the encirclement, there was only one possible explanation – the Lizard hadn't checked out, their intense barrage of firepower just moments ago hadn't been enough to take his life.
As the smoke gradually dispersed, the team members could finally make out the source of the commotion in the center of the encirclement.
There, where they had believed the Lizard had been dealt with by the intense gunfire, Lizard was using his long tongue to lick the remnants of blood on his body.
Simultaneously, muscles around wounds inflicted by the bullets were exerting force to push out the embedded bullets. Moreover, the wounds had completely healed in an instant, leaving no trace of injury.
It was only at this moment that Johnny and all the security department members participating in the mission began to feel that they had possibly made a wrong choice...
Roar!
The Lizard, who had already become extremely irritable and aggressive under the influence of the Regeneration Serum, was now experiencing waves of pain coursing through his body.
Seeing the swarm of ants surrounding him, his last trace of sanity was completely consumed by his own rage.
With bloodshot eyes, the Lizard let out a furious roar, causing a tinge of fear to grow within the members of the security department.
Among them, a few of the more timid individuals couldn't withstand the inner terror any longer. Disregarding their tasks and responsibilities, they dropped their weapons and fled.
Influenced by their panic, even those members who had managed to suppress their urge to retreat initially were now directly abandoning the mission and turning to run.
"Stop! Stop! Come back, you bunch of cowards!" Furious at the sight of his security personnel fleeing one after another, Captain Johnny shouted angrily behind them.
Unfortunately, they were already consumed by the fear in their hearts and followed their natural instincts based on bodily feedback. They couldn't hear Johnny's shouts anymore.
"Damn it, you fools!" Johnny cursed in frustration as his orders were disregarded and his subordinates continued to escape.
Initially uneasy, Johnny, seeing the current situation, realized that things had taken a turn for the worse.
The only fortunate aspect was that there remained a portion of the team who hadn't been frightened by the Lizard. Or rather, while they felt fear too, their stronger mental resilience allowed them to maintain rational thinking amidst the terror.
They were well aware that, with the monster's complete fury, discarding their armor and fleeing with their backs turned would be the most foolish choice. It would only make them the easiest targets.
It was evident that the Lizard's physical capabilities far exceeded theirs. In this open space with no cover or obstacles, their linear speed and power couldn't match his.
Seeing that recalling the fleeing members was hopeless, Johnny immediately changed his strategy and shouted to the remaining members beside him, "I believe all of you are intelligent.
You understand the situation. If you don't want to die, gather around me quickly. Otherwise, once this creature attacks, trying to fight it alone is simply impossible!"
Hearing Johnny's proposal, the remaining members acted without hesitation. They swiftly gathered according to Johnny's plan.
As they began to take action, the enraged Lizard also began his rampage. Just as Johnny and the others had predicted, the Lizard's initial targets were not those who remained composed and capable of resistance; he charged straight at those who had dropped their weapons and were fleeing with their backs turned.
Then, the Lizard planted all four feet on the ground, using the sturdy tail behind him to maintain balance. In a matter of moments, he caught up with the security personnel who had started fleeing.
With a gaping maw and claws slashing left and right, he effortlessly claimed three lives. Following this, the Lizard swung his tail, rapidly adjusting his body's balance. With a shift in his center of gravity, he smoothly changed direction and proceeded into a second round of charge and slaughter.
With such agile movements and gruesome methods, in less than fifteen seconds, the scattered members who had been fleeing had all turned into lifeless bodies, strewn across the ground in various positions.
The flowing blood not only stained the entire ground crimson but the pungent and nauseating scent of blood filled the air, causing Johnny and his companions who had gathered to shiver with anxiety. Their hearts raced, and they almost couldn't summon the courage to confront the situation.
Having completed the slaughter, the Lizard extended his long tongue to lick the blood off his claws. He twitched his nostrils in anticipation, greedily inhaling the sweet scent of blood in the air.
On the other side, seeing this scene unfold, the tension in Johnny and his group had reached its peak. Some had even held their breath, afraid to make the slightest sound, hoping that their presence would go unnoticed by the Lizard.
However, such wishes were mere fantasies. When the Lizard slowly turned his head, fixing them with his cold and savage gaze, they understood that their naive hopes had been utterly dashed.
"Damn it! Let's fight, brothers! There are so many of us, and we have the most advanced weapons and equipment developed by Osborn Weapon Lab. Who will come out on top is still uncertain! But if we give up resistance, we're absolutely done for. Pull yourselves together, fight for your lives, and give it all you've got!"
Johnny proved his worth as the head of the security department, exhibiting exceptional mental resilience and combat skills among the security personnel.
After motivating and boosting morale with his words, Johnny led by example. He reached into his tactical belt, retrieved a small grenade-like device, and hurled it directly at the Lizard.
This device was the recently developed Pumpkin Bomb from Osborn Weapon Lab, a weapon that hadn't undergone any real combat testing yet.
As a former soldier and the head of Osborn Security, Johnny paid close attention to cutting-edge weapon research. He had heard that this Pumpkin Bomb utilized a novel explosive filling technique, enabling it to contain more explosive material within its pumpkin-shaped casing. Its destructive power was twice that of the military's current standard issue hand grenades.
Therefore, after deciding to launch a surprise attack on the Lizard, Johnny didn't hesitate. He immediately reached for the Pumpkin Bomb as his first offensive choice.
To prevent the bomb from being flung back by the Lizard's long tail, Johnny made adjustments to the trajectory when throwing it, aiming the bomb at a higher position.
The thrown Pumpkin Bomb was closing in on the location of the Lizard in the blink of an eye. Seeing the small bomb approach, the Lizard, confident in the defensive power of his scales and his regenerative abilities, didn't even consider dodging.
As the Pumpkin Bomb reached just above his head, ready to detonate, the Lizard raised his hands in a crossed position to shield himself.
Boom!
After a thunderous explosion, the Lizard felt a fiery pain on his arms. But this time, instead of getting enraged and becoming more violent, he felt an uncontrollable surge of excitement within.
Even facing such a close and intense explosion, it hadn't inflicted severe harm on him. With his potent regenerative abilities, the bloodied wounds on his arms fully healed in a matter of seconds. This gave the Lizard a rough estimation of his current strength.
However, Johnny's mood wasn't as cheerful as the Lizard's. Seeing that even their most powerful weapon had failed to kill this terrifying creature, let alone cause significant damage, the morale of Johnny and the surrounding members had plummeted.
"Captain Johnny, what should we do now? This is a dead-end situation!" One of the members couldn't hold back their despair any longer and finally voiced their question to Johnny.
"I don't have a solution either. I've never encountered such a horrifying creature before, let alone know how to deal with it. But one thing is clear: if we give up resistance, then there's no possibility other than death.
So no matter what, we can only fight. Members carrying Pumpkin Bombs, be ready.
Next, we concentrate our firepower on attacking the monster's eyes and mouth. Judging from its previous action of shielding its face with its hands, we can infer that these weak points are no different from those of any other creature.
When it shields its face with its hands, don't hesitate to unleash all the Pumpkin Bombs you have on it. Then, we seize this opportunity to retreat. The situation here is beyond our control!"
Clang!
Just as Johnny and the others were considering retreating, a sound of shattered glass suddenly came from a distance. This noise captured the attention of everyone, including the Lizard, who turned to look in the direction of the source.
Then, Johnny saw a scene that filled him and his companions with ecstatic joy. Outside the floor's windows, the glass curtain wall had been shattered, and breaking through the building's façade were individuals gliding on Osborn Group jet gliders and wearing mechanized power suits.
Seeing the equipment developed by the Osborn Group on them, Johnny and his team knew that reinforcements had arrived!
Norman Osborn had ordered Johnny to lead the entire security department to take action against the Lizard. To ensure the flawless handling of this event, an urgent notice had been sent to their family's private mercenary team, who were dispatched to the scene.
This elite mercenary force had been established and cultivated by the Osborn family to handle discreet and unsavory situations. They not only wore state-of-the-art weapons and equipment developed by Osborn Industries, but Norman Osborn had also acquired a substantial amount of expensive black-market technology to enhance their combat capabilities and mission success rate.
This advanced technology was supplied by the Mark Research Center to the military and S.H.I.E.L.D., showcased its practicality and effectiveness through its high price tag.
The fact that the Osborn family had acquired enough of this cutting-edge technology to arm an entire mercenary squad demonstrated their significant investment in these elite operatives.
And now, this considerable investment seems to have paid off. The Lizard, who had already beaten all the members of the security department to a strategic retreat, was completely defenseless against this heavily armed and elite mercenary squad.
Faced with this armed-to-the-teeth force, the Lizard not only had no means to fight back, but it even appeared to consider escaping.
Johnny and his team, who were still on the scene, witnessed the Lizard first being forced to retreat by the machine guns mounted on the jet gliders. It eventually took refuge in a corner.
Then, his arms and tail covered in tough scales were sliced apart directly by incredibly sharp plasma blades during a counterattack. Despite its tough scales that could withstand bullets and explosions, these scales proved incredibly feeble against plasma blades, behaving as though they were cutting through butter with ease.
Feeling threatened by this elite mercenary force, the Lizard didn't dare to continue engaging with them. While its legs were still intact, it quickly turned and attempted to flee.
However, after losing its arms and tail, the Lizard's speed was no longer as swift as its peak. With just its legs, it couldn't outpace the mercenaries equipped with jet gliders.
Although the Lizard had undergone mutations, changing its appearance and personality, it retained the intelligence it possessed as Dr. Curt Connors. Knowing that it would eventually be subdued if it continued like this, it frenziedly activated its brain to devise an escape plan.
Suddenly, the Lizard caught a glimpse of Johnny and his group still watching from the sidelines. Its eyes lit up with an idea for escape.
Coincidentally, at that moment, its previously severed arms and tail had regrown. The Lizard swiftly changed its posture from bipedal to quadrupedal, using its tail to maintain balance as it ran. It made a rapid turn and charged toward the location where Johnny and his team were situated.
"!"
Seeing the Lizard suddenly change direction and head towards them, Johnny was caught completely off guard, his nerves shattered and face turned pale. His mind had only one thought: turn around and run.
...
However, perhaps due to the abruptness of the danger, even though his brain had issued the command to flee, his body refused to respond. His feet seemed as if they were glued to the ground, rendering him immobile.
In the blink of an eye, the Lizard had closed the distance and arrived in front of Johnny and his group. Instead of opening its bloodied mouth to devour or wielding its claws to tear, to the astonishment of Johnny and the others, it extended its tail behind and with a sweep, pulled them all towards itself.
"You better stop right there and let me go. Otherwise, before I die, I'll send these hostages to hell!" The Lizard looked at the approaching mercenaries with a triumphant look of scheming in its eyes. Its voice was low and hoarse, carrying a thick sense of threat.
"Our boss made it clear before we set off – he offers the best compensation for sacrifices made by the security department. Their families will lead lives free from worry. Since they are here, it means they have accepted the boss's terms. So, for the sake of the entire Osborn Group's interests, go ahead and die!"
Among the elite mercenaries, a figure who seemed to be their leader responded to the Lizard's threat with merciless resolve, shattering its hopes of escaping.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Just as the mercenary leader said, to fulfill their mission and protect the interests of the Osborn Group, all the mercenaries opened fire without hesitation at the security personnel in front of the Lizard.
"Damn you lunatics!" In this moment, even the Lizard, who is now mutated into a cold-blooded creature, was horrified by the ruthless and decisive control of capital. This pure malevolence, distinct from its genetically-rooted behavior, was chilling to witness.
It wasn't for survival or desire. It was a pure instinct to eliminate any obstacles in its path without mercy. The bloody and dark side of capitalism was fully on display at this moment.
Deprived of the security personnel who had acted as its shield, the Lizard had no way to retreat. Eventually, it was ensnared by a capture net woven from graphene fibers, falling into the hands of the mercenary group.
"Boss, the mission has been completed. The anomalous subject has been successfully captured alive. However, inside Dr. Conners' laboratory, we found no trace of the doctor and no evidence of the finished regenerative serum."
"Bring that creature, along with the data files from the laboratory and surveillance footage, to me. Make sure to leave a few individuals to handle the aftermath. I don't want this incident to appear in any media reports tomorrow, understand?"
"Yes, boss!"
The leader of the mercenaries responded respectfully to Norman Osborn on the other end of the phone.
"You all heard the boss. A few of you come with me to handle the data files in the lab. Leave three people to guard this lizard creature, and the rest of you clean up the surviving witnesses of the entire incident. Then, publicly announce it as a case of malicious activity caused by corporate espionage. Alright, move out!"
After the Lizard incident, the Osborn Group kept a low profile for a long period. This particular event was suppressed through a combination of force and financial control, ensuring it didn't become public knowledge. Norman Osborn also thoroughly destroyed all related records.
As for the research on the regenerative serum, it was completely driven underground. The official narrative was that Dr. Conners had been kidnapped by corporate spies, and the Osborn Group had lost all research data.
In truth, from the laboratory surveillance footage, Norman Osborn knew that the lizard creature confined in the lab as a research subject was, in fact, Dr. Conners himself. It was due to an impulsive injection of the unfinished regenerative serum that he had transformed into the current monstrous form.
While the event caused by Dr. Conners' reckless actions was suppressed, the subsequent effects didn't diminish with the calming of the storm.
When Norman Osborn announced the failure of the regenerative serum project and the impending closure of the entire lab, the other shareholders of the corporation erupted in protest.
Leaving aside the massive profits that the successful launch of the regenerative serum could bring to shareholders, the exorbitant funds invested in the project's initial stages alone made them unwilling to see it abruptly terminated.
Apart from Norman Osborn himself, all the shareholders who were in the dark about the truth expressed strong dissatisfaction and voiced their objections.
However, when faced with reality, even the most stubborn traditionalists had to bow to it.
The reality was that all data backups in the lab were gone, Dr. Conners was missing, and even if Osborn Group was willing to invest again from scratch, they couldn't find a qualified lab director to recreate the regenerative serum formula.
In the end, confronted with the reasons presented by Norman Osborn, the decision to shut down the project was passed.
Yet, due to this incident, a significant rift and conflict emerged between Norman Osborn and the other shareholders. It's important to note that while Norman Osborn was the founder of Osborn Group, after multiple rounds of financing, his shareholding was no longer enough to guarantee him absolute authority and control within the company.
The reason why Norman Osborn could confidently remain in the position of CEO was primarily due to the infighting and divisions among the various factions of the shareholders.
In such a factionalized scenario, even without owning over fifty percent of the company's shares, Norman Osborn didn't have to worry about his power and status within the company.
Not to mention, being the company's founder, he had consistently demonstrated excellence, bringing continuous profits to the company's shareholders. Thus, prior to this incident, the power structure within the Osborn Group could be considered relatively stable.
But this time, the turmoil was unlike any before. Norman Osborn's decision not only caused severe losses to the entire company and all shareholders, but also placed him in opposition to all shareholders.
This provided an opportunity for the previously feuding factions of shareholders to temporarily set aside their conflicts and unite. Mobilizing each other, they formed a cooperative alliance, utilizing their numerical advantage to strip Norman Osborn, the founder, of his position as chairman.
For Norman Osborn, losing the chairman's position was a significant blow. It meant he could no longer influence the judgments of other shareholders, and it redirected the company's research focus away from the hope of finding a cure for their family's genetic disease.
Therefore, this setback not only removed him from the center of corporate power and eliminated his absolute influence over Osborn Group, but it also foreshadowed a massive catastrophe for the Osborn family's future.
However, fate sometimes operates this way – troubles seem to come one after another, especially at your lowest point. Misfortune tends to knock on your door when you're most down on your luck.
Just as Norman Osborn lost his position as chairman, his son Harry Osborn's inherited genetic disease suddenly flared up, leading to life-threatening complications and unconsciousness.
In this situation, Norman Osborn decided to advance the research project on the regenerative serum through scientists secretly recruited within the family. Simultaneously, he took his critically ill son to the U-GIN Genetic Laboratory in Seoul, seeking Dr. Helen's help. He hoped that her Regeneration Cradle technology could improve Harry's condition.
...
"All my misfortunes are the result of you damned greedy capitalists and the high-and-mighty Avengers. Once I complete this long-prepared plan today, none of you will escape my retribution—Hi Hi Hi Hi!"
Within the dark and narrow underground passage, the Green Goblin lost track of how long he had been advancing. Finally, he arrived at the heart of the entire Hydra base – the highly classified chamber containing the massive biochemical gas dispersal device.
The chamber's entrance was old-fashioned, with a World War II-era, special steel explosion-proof door. However, due to years of neglect, the door's electronic control system and opening mechanism had all malfunctioned, requiring a violent dismantling approach to gain entry.
Fortunately, the Green Goblin had prepared for this. He raised his right hand and pressed the activation switch on his left-arm bracer. A high-energy cutting laser beam shot out from the emitter, striking the chamber's door and immediately leaving a red-hot molten metal.
Under the sustained output of the high-energy laser beam, this outdated special steel couldn't withstand such high temperatures. Following that, a hole appeared, large enough for a single person to pass through.
Entering through this hole into the chamber, it wasn't as dilapidated and defeated as the outside. Instead, it was clean and orderly, as if it had been freshly cleaned earlier that morning.
Various technological prototypes and important research materials were neatly arranged all around, and bore no signs of the passage of time. If it weren't for the design and decor of the entire space exuding an atmosphere reminiscent of the first half of the twentieth century, the Green Goblin wouldn't even believe that no one had entered here for decades.
But for the Green Goblin, this was good news. It indicated that the entire secret chamber was well-sealed and adequately protected. Under such conditions, the long-sealed machinery and equipment were unlikely to suffer from aging and malfunctions.
If the internal environment here wasn't too different from the outside, the Green Goblin would instead worry about whether the massive biochemical gas dispersal device, after years of erosion from dust and moisture, still retained its originally designed performance.
"Let me see where the treasure I've been searching for so desperately is placed—"
The Green Goblin began following the route within the secret chamber, searching for his ultimate target in this operation.
Soon enough, he confirmed his ultimate goal for this journey and walked towards the largest glass containment box in the secret chamber. Through the glass, he could see a mushroom-shaped metal mech standing over five meters tall.
The top canopy of the mech imitated the unique structure of fungi spore dispersal, designed and manufactured using principles of biomimicry.
The cylindrical body in the middle, which accounted for nearly two-thirds of the entire device's length, contained the pressurization and delivery structure for the release of biochemical weapons.
The most critical component, the nanoscale energy wave generator, was also located in this section.
It was through the accelerated action of the nanoscale energy wave that the released biochemical weapons could surpass their diffusion limits within a short period, covering the entire continent of Europe.
The rectangular apparatus at the bottom served as the loading device for the biochemical weapons and the liftoff mechanism for the entire device. Depending on the category of biochemical weapon, the liftoff height and release altitude needed to be confirmed, allowing the biochemical weapon to leverage atmospheric conditions for faster diffusion speed and a broader range of impact.
However, moving such a massive release device, which was over 5 meters tall, was an impossibility for the Green Goblin without mechanical assistance. "It seems that achieving my goal isn't going to be as smooth as I had planned."
Gazing at the large-scale biochemical gas dispersal device standing before him, the Green Goblin couldn't help but show a hint of dilemma on his face.
He gritted his teeth and let out a long sigh. Since he hadn't prepared for the transportation, he could only continue to explore the entire secret chamber to see if Hydra had left behind any useful tools for him.
He had meticulously designed a series of traps to lure the Avengers into the game, and with considerable effort, he had successfully executed his plan up to this point. Except for situations where there was no other choice, the Green Goblin was unwilling to falter at this critical juncture.
"Since the members of Hydra were able to transport such a massive and heavy contraption into the secret chamber, they must surely have corresponding transportation equipment and means."
With this thought in mind, the Green Goblin continued searching within the secret chamber...
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