"Commencing live experiment number seven."
"Reducing serum activity… converting electrical charge to bioelectric stimulus for cellular regeneration. Nutrient solution and serum to be administered simultaneously."
"Begin injection."
As the dual injection entered the test subject, Rory immediately yanked the breaker switch.
The generator whirred to life.
A stream of current surged through the converter and softened into low-frequency bioelectricity, channeling straight into the box housing the test mouse.
Squeak! Squeak squeak squeak, !
The mouse shrieked in distress.
The louder it screamed, the more thrilled Rory became, not out of cruelty, but because screaming meant survival.
Every previous subject had died, if this one lasted, even a little, it meant breakthrough.
SQUEEEAK!!
BANG!
The reinforced iron chamber restraining the mouse burst open.
A creature the size of a cat, gasping and trembling, slumped against the glass of the containment unit.
Hsshh… hsshhh…
It wasn't dead.
Barely alive, it panted heavily.
Its bloodshot eyes locked on Rory's… with unmistakable malice.
"Oh crap, !"
This was exactly why Rory had designed fail-safes in advance, he hit a red emergency button without hesitation.
Sirens buzzed as steel plates began descending, sealing the containment zone shut.
THUMP!
THUMP!
THUMP!
Just as the plates were closing, the mutant mouse lunged, smashing itself against the reinforced glass.
Crack, !
A visible fracture bloomed across the surface.
Rory's heart almost stopped.
Crash!
At the last possible moment, the final steel layer slammed shut.
The rodent, now in a frenzy, smashed headlong into the steel and knocked itself out cold.
Rory exhaled sharply.
Wasting no time, he pulled out a vibranium needle, drew a vial of blood, and rushed to analyze it.
Half was stored in cryo. The other half went straight under the microscope.
He logged his findings, scarfed a much-needed meal, and packed up a briefcase.
It was time for a meeting with Stark Industries' investment division to discuss contract renewal.
Inside the case was a sample of his new anti-depression medication, not revolutionary, but marketable enough to net Stark a solid profit.
Rory caught a cab to Stark Tower.
At the reception desk, he gave his name and purpose.
Within minutes, the same investment manager from months ago stormed into the lobby, red-faced and furious.
"You little bastard! You scammed me! I'm not only pulling funding, I'm suing your lying ass!"
Rory calmly raised the case.
"The drug is ready. With clinical approval, you, me, and Stark Industries, are about to become very rich."
The manager blinked.
"You… you finished it? But… I went to your lab, it was empty!"
"Poor conditions. Tight space," Rory shrugged. "I moved and forgot to update you. No need for the tantrum."
"Ahem. Right. Of course… let's review your results."
That quick, the manager's tone flipped like a light switch.
He ushered Rory into an office while he ran upstairs to notify leadership.
Ten minutes later…
Steve Rogers received an update at Peggy Carter's residence.
By the time he arrived at Stark Tower, Rory was already deep into his presentation:
"Gentlemen, this data speaks for itself. In America, over one in ten individuals require antidepressants."
"Current treatments include numerous side effects, weight gain, libido issues, insomnia, gastrointestinal distress…"
"This new drug? Side effects are nearly nonexistent."
BANG!
The office door swung open.
Steve Rogers stormed in, followed by Peggy Carter and Howard Stark.
The investment manager leapt to his feet at the sight of the big boss.
Howard waved him off dismissively.
He scurried out, shutting the door behind him.
Click.
Rory tossed his pen onto the desk.
"Steve. Why do you haunt me like a ghost? You're back with the woman of your dreams, shouldn't you be giving Peggy all your energy instead of acting like some obsessive mutt following me around?"
Before Steve could speak, Peggy Carter stepped forward.
"You know who I am?"
Rory smirked.
"Of course. Agent Peggy Carter. Co-founder of the SSR. First love of America's national icon…"
"Enough! Stop talking!"
Steve cut in, panic flashing in his eyes.
If Rory kept going, he'd risk exposing time travel.
Rory leaned back on the desk, arms crossed, eyes cool and unreadable.
"Rory," Steve said firmly. "What have you been doing lately?"
Steve Rogers believed in absolute justice.
Some would call him a sanctimonious idealist.
To Steve, saving the many justified sacrificing the few.
He never asked why someone turned bad, only how to stop them.
Rory chuckled darkly.
"And who are you, exactly? Why should I tell you anything?"
Peggy stepped in again.
"Since you know I'm SSR, then you also know I have the authority. As of now, Steve is employed by SSR. He has the right to investigate you."
Authoritarianism at its finest.
Twisting the rules at will, using the government as a weapon against the individual.
How could an ordinary man fight back?
Just like proving you're not insane, you don't get to decide. The system does.
Rory exhaled, placed a hand on his briefcase, and said flatly:
"You saw what's inside. If I want to live well, I need money. I'm making money. What part of that is criminal?"
Steve couldn't read the scientific documents.
But his gut screamed something was off.
"Rory, I know how smart you are. If you really wanted, you could've built some miraculous gadget in days. But you didn't. You spent three months on this… and during that time, I happen to know you left the country."
"That's enough!" Rory snapped.
His tone turned cold as ice.
"What do you want from me? Should I unveil world-changing tech just to satisfy your paranoia? Or would you rather wait until I do, and then condemn me for 'disrupting the timeline' from atop your moral high ground?!"
"No, listen, Rory, that's not what I meant…"
Steve realized he'd pushed too far.
He had no evidence. Only his own suspicions.
But to Rory, it was clear: Steve was trying to crush him before he could even stand up.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter