Chương 46: Chapter 46

—= Baxter Building =—

Tony Stark arrived at the scene where Spider-Man and Johnny Storm were already locked in fierce combat. The Human Torch was battling a dragon-like humanoid, while Spidey struggled to subdue the Lizard. Both heroes were having a tough time: the dragon proved resistant to Storm's fiery attacks, and Spider-Man couldn't bring down the Lizard, who was incredibly resilient.

"Storm, leave the dragon to me," Tony commanded as he flew into the fray.

Johnny glanced at Tony and gave a quick nod, then darted towards Spider-Man to assist him. The dragon opened its mouth, ready to unleash another blast of fire at Johnny, but Tony acted faster.

BAM

A repulsor beam struck the dragon, forcing it to realize its opponent had changed. Now it faced Iron Man, ready for battle.

"Come on, let's see what you've got," Tony muttered, preparing for the next attack.

The dragon roared and charged, but Tony was ready. The force fields and computational power of his suit allowed him to anticipate every move of his opponent. He dodged with precision, countering each strike with powerful, well-aimed blasts.

—= Tony Stark =—

"By all the rules of storytelling, a dragon should be taken down by a knight in shining armor, so why aren't you down yet?!" Tony exclaimed as another powerful repulsor blast failed to significantly harm the dragon.

Dragon Man didn't respond. Instead, it opened its massive jaws, and Tony saw the fire building in its throat. Without hesitation, he dodged to the side, escaping the deadly path of the fire blast.

Thanks to Jarvis, the battle was going much more smoothly than it could have. The AI scanned Dragon Man's movements, analyzed its attacks, and suggested optimal countermeasures. Each time the dragon lunged, Jarvis calculated trajectories and provided Tony with escape options.

"Sir, my calculations suggest increasing the power of your attacks to drain a significant portion of the dragon's energy," Jarvis reported, his voice calm and confident despite the intense situation.

"Got it," Tony replied, boosting the power of his repulsors. He knew he wasn't the most experienced fighter, and the AI's assistance was crucial.

Stark focused all his will. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, his mind working at full capacity, analyzing and predicting every move of his opponent. He knew that only decisive and precise actions could bring victory in this battle.

Dragon Man prepared for another attack, but this time Tony was ready. He channeled all his energy into a single powerful blast, aiming straight at the creature's chest. The repulsor beam shot out with a thunderous roar, hurtling towards its target.

The impact was so strong that the dragon staggered back, letting out a thunderous roar. Tony didn't give it a chance to recover, continuing his assault with relentless intensity. His armor gleamed in the light of the energy blasts, his face reflecting his unwavering determination.

"Hang in there, pal," Tony muttered through gritted teeth. "I'm not done yet."

Each subsequent blast was stronger than the last. The dragon seemed to be weakening, its movements growing less sure and more erratic. Tony realized that Jarvis's strategy was working—the dragon's energy was depleting with every passing moment.

"Sir, the enemy's energy levels have significantly decreased. A few more hits, and it will be fully neutralized," Jarvis reported.

"Excellent," Tony replied, delivering the final blows with maximum precision and force.

Soon, Dragon Man collapsed to the ground, its fiery breath reduced to weak, intermittent gasps. Tony landed beside the fallen foe, feeling the wave of exhaustion from the battle wash over him.

"Looks like you underestimated the knight in shining armor," he said, breathing heavily but with a victorious smile on his face.

—= Meanwhile =—

Parker deftly dodged every lunge from the Lizard. It wasn't just his spider-sense, which alerted him to the most dangerous moments, but also the terrain that was ideal for quick maneuvers.

"Try harder, you overgrown gecko!" Parker taunted as he narrowly avoided the Lizard's tail, which swung just inches from his face.

"IRRITATING LITTLE GNAT—ARGH!" the Lizard roared, swiping his clawed hands.

BAM

Suddenly, the Lizard's body was thrown several meters away. The room filled with the smell of burnt flesh, causing Parker to hold his breath for a moment.

Spider-Man wasted no time. He instantly assessed the situation and prepared for his next move. His eyes locked onto the Lizard, not allowing him the chance to recover and counterattack.

"That was a nice hit," Parker muttered, watching as his opponent struggled to rise. "But we need to end this fight."

Parker swiftly moved towards the Lizard, shooting webs to bind his limbs and restrict his movements. He knew time was on their side, but they had to act quickly and decisively.

"Johnny, you're up!" Parker shouted, signaling the Human Torch.

"Coming in hot, Pete!" Johnny responded, unleashing a powerful stream of fire onto the Lizard, who roared in agony.

The beast thrashed wildly, trying to break free, but Parker's webbing was strong enough to hold him, and he couldn't escape Storm's fiery assault.

"Nice work, Johnny," Parker said as the Lizard finally lost the ability to fight back. "I think he's done causing trouble for now."

"I see you've handled him," they heard Tony's voice.

Johnny looked over at Stark's battle site and saw the downed Dragon Man. Stark hovered in the air, looking relatively unscathed, though his armor showed some signs of wear.

"You don't look too hot, Stark," Storm remarked with a crooked grin.

"Not that you guys are looking much better."

—= Reed Richards =—

By the time we arrived at the Baxter Building, the Lizard and Dragon Man had already been dealt with.

"No need to rush," Tony quipped over the comms.

It seemed Jarvis had informed him that we had arrived in the city.

"Dr. Richards!" Parker called out. "Could you help with Dr. Connors' condition?"

"Mission accomplished, genius."

"Thank you all for your help."

"Whew…" Ben sighed. "Looks like Matchstick and the others pulled it off."

"Thank you for protecting our home," said Sue.

As she spoke, I was mentally disabling the ninjas sent by the Hand. These assassins had mental shields created by the demon they worshipped, but against my newly enhanced powers, these defenses were insignificant.

I didn't hold back against them, as each of them was a depraved soul steeped in sadism, willing to break into my home.

Unfortunately, I couldn't extract complete information from them. When I tried to probe into the higher-ups within the Hand, each one of them began to die rapidly.

"We'll be there soon," I said, still thinking about the people behind this attack.

Dragon Man, the Lizard, the Hand, and Fisk… Something didn't add up… This group couldn't have come together by chance.

"Don't let anyone in," I added, realizing the noise from the battle would attract Fury and his team.

"Understood," Stark replied.

—= Erst Squad =—

"Erst Squad in position," one of the operatives reported, his voice full of confidence and focus.

"Follow the directives," their commander ordered, wasting no time.

The squad leader set to work, fully aware of the seriousness of the mission. His team comprised top-tier engineers, each an expert in their field. These specialists had been handpicked to tackle the multi-layered, highly sophisticated defenses created by Reed Richards.

"Initiating protocol analysis," one of the engineers announced, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

"We've detected multiple layers of encryption and physical barriers," another added, cross-referencing data on his device. "We'll need to work step by step to avoid triggering the defense systems."

The commander closely monitored his team's progress, knowing that even a small mistake could jeopardize the mission. He was a top-tier expert himself and understood the importance of maintaining focus under such conditions.

Erst Squad's engineers began deploying their devices to breach Reed Richards' security system. Their actions were swift and precise, each move calculated to perfection. They knew they were up against not just any defense system but one of the most advanced and complex inventions.

"Initiating encryption bypass," the cybersecurity engineer reported, his eyes glued to the screen where complex algorithms were unfolding.

"Prepare for physical breach," the systems engineer added, activating devices designed to circumvent physical barriers.

Lines of code filled the commander's screen.

"All systems under control," the commander said, his voice steady and confident. "We've got this."

—\\—

"It's no wonder your organization was created," one of the operatives remarked with a hint of irony, watching the scientists at work.

The squad leader had to agree with his subordinate. The specialists they received from AIM had indeed played their part. Without them, the Erst squad would have struggled to breach the defenses set up by Reed Richards.

The scientists, to whom the comment was directed, didn't look up from their work, their attention fully absorbed by Richards' equipment and data. They knew that any mistake could jeopardize the mission.

"Were you able to extract the building's layout from the database you accessed?" the commander asked, his voice calm and businesslike.

"Yes, sir," the lead scientist replied without taking his eyes off the screen. "We've gained access to all the primary schematics and plans."

The commander only needed to glance at the scientist for him to start acting. Soon, each member of the team had the building's layout in front of them, complete with detailed descriptions of every room.

"Did Richards name every room himself?" the commander asked in surprise, studying the schematic.

The scientist shook his head and replied, "We pulled that information from the AI. The rooms were labeled this way in the AI's database."

The schematic was so detailed that it felt as though Reed Richards himself was guiding them through his building. Every room, every corridor, even the hidden corners were meticulously described and analyzed. This gave them a significant advantage.

"So, we have full access to the building's layout," the commander mused, considering the next phase of the operation. "Excellent. We now have all the tools we need to complete the mission."

The scientists continued working with intense focus, their eyes alight with excitement and concentration. They knew that every second counted and that the mission's success depended on their precision and speed.

"What weak points can we exploit?" one of the operatives asked, carefully studying the layout.

"Here and here," the lead engineer pointed to two narrow passages that could serve as entry points. "These areas appear to be the least protected, but we still need to proceed with extreme caution."

"Begin preparations for entry," the commander ordered, his voice firm and resolute. "Follow the plan and be ready for anything."

The team of operatives and scientists began their preparations for the next stage of the operation. Each knew their role and was ready to execute it with maximum precision. They checked their equipment, calibrated devices, and coordinated their actions to ensure everything went smoothly.

"Ready for activation," the engineer reported after completing the final adjustments.

"Good, let's move," the commander said, raising his hand to signal the start of the operation.

They began their cautious advance into the building, following the carefully crafted plan. Every step was measured, every action deliberate. Their work was the culmination of countless hours of preparation and training, and now it was time to prove what they were capable of.

"Move out," the commander said quietly as they advanced. "We can't afford to fail."

They headed toward Reed Richards' laboratory, where all the secrets of the absent-minded genius were stored.

—= Reed Richards =—

At the building's entrance, I was greeted by Fury's men, who had already secured the area and established a perimeter. Leading the procession was Natasha Romanoff. The redheaded spy greeted us with a dazzling smile, as if welcoming old friends.

"Agent Romanoff, thank you for securing the area," I said, nodding respectfully. "But from here on, I'll handle it myself."

Natasha tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with hidden irony.

"Are you sure you can manage without us?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with a subtle strength.

There was no need to waste time breaking through the mental shields she had built up over years of training. Everything was written on her face. She was practically telling me that I was overstepping.

"I'm sure," I replied, trying not to waste time on further conversation. "We appreciate your help, but we have our own plan."

Unfortunately for her, I had neither the time nor the patience to play games. I was certain that Fury, who was more than displeased with me, was a minor issue compared to the fact that someone had crafted such a plan against me.

I walked past Natasha and her team, heading toward the building. We couldn't afford any distractions—every second was precious.

The barrier around the building had been breached, which was already bad news. As I stepped through the entrance, I noticed the numerous defensive systems, now destroyed by the assault of two lizard-like creatures. The scene was alarming, but I knew our defenses had held long enough to allow for evacuation and to organize a counterattack.

Surveying the area, I saw those who, along with the remaining defensive systems, had managed to protect my home not only from the intruders but also from Fury's agents. At that moment, Stark, Parker, and Storm were busy devouring pizza.

Stark noticed me first. His eyes sparkled, and he grinned widely as he finished his slice.

"Hello, Reed! I see you finally made it, and we decided to grab a bite," he said with a light smirk.

Hearing Stark's words, Parker hurriedly finished chewing his pizza. It seemed he wanted to immediately ask for my help with Connors. Johnny just nodded, clearly pleased with his current situation, and raised his remaining pizza slice in greeting.

"Good to see you guys," I replied, assessing the situation. "Looks like you handled things pretty well here."

"Well, we did what we could," Tony responded, still smiling. "But help is always welcome."

Parker finally swallowed his pizza and quickly chimed in, "Dr. Richards, could you help with Dr. Connors' condition?!" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"Of course," I replied with a reassuring nod. "But first, there's something I need to finish."

At that moment, I unleashed my telepathy in full force. If Dragon Man had a consciousness, I couldn't access it, but the Lizard was an open book to me. His only mental defense was a primitive animalistic rage, which was a simple task to overcome given my experience with gamma mutants.

I quickly navigated Connors' mind and realized that the Lizard was merely an alter ego of Connors, not something separate like the Hulk. Understanding this, I began my search. Soon, Connors' entire memory opened up before me, both in his human form and as the Lizard.

Unfortunately, I couldn't trace back to the mastermind behind this plan through the Lizard. A mere pawn had approached him, offering a chance to acquire some of my technology, which was enough for the Lizard to attempt breaking into my home.

I delved deeper into Connors' mind, searching for additional clues or traces. However, everything I found indicated that the Lizard acted on a naive impulse, swayed by promises and unaware of the full extent of the conspiracy.

This took no more than a minute in real time.

"What did you find out about Connors and this Dragon?" I asked Tony and Parker, knowing they were both resourceful individuals who likely tried to study Connors and the Dragon.

"Connors altered his DNA using a very crude method. I have some ideas on how we might help him, but I have no idea what long-term effects it might have," Tony replied.

Parker nodded sadly.

I was about to ask about the structure of his DNA when suddenly my electromagnetic senses picked up something off.

"DAMN IT!"

—= Erst Squad =—

"Incredible…"

"He managed to create generators of this level?"

"I can't even comprehend what this dome is for."

The scientists were praising Reed Richards and his genius. They had already obtained data on the generators Richards used and had started cracking the next level of defense, which led to the dome in this very room… when suddenly each of them felt a tightening grip around them.

The squad leader realized the plan had gone awry.

"Hail Hydra," he whispered before biting down.

In that very second, the poison capsules within his body—and those of his subordinates—activated.

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Chương 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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