Chapter 47: A Villain Who Wants to Be a Superhero
"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"
The small white laboratory mouse crouched on the metal table, its bright eyes fixed on Ryan with unmistakable intelligence.
When Ryan produced a syringe, the mouse displayed remarkably human-like fear, backing away from the approaching needle.
Ryan's lips curved into an intrigued smile. "Now you're an interesting little specimen."
As the needle drew closer, the mouse actually pushed it away with its tiny paw, emitting two distinct squeaks of protest.
Such deliberate, purposeful movement indicated intelligence far beyond typical rodent cognition.
Ryan set the syringe aside, genuinely fascinated. "You don't want the injection?"
"Squeak."
The mouse turned counterclockwise—a clear, deliberate motion.
"Can you understand what I'm saying?"
"Squeak!" Another counterclockwise turn.
Ryan leaned back in his chair, studying this unexpected development. Through systematic testing, he established a simple communication system: counterclockwise meant "yes," clockwise meant "no."
The mouse demonstrated comprehension of basic concepts, vocabulary, and even abstract ideas like geometric shapes.
This discovery opened an entirely new research avenue.
The brain remained humanity's greatest mystery. Intelligence, memory, reflexes, creativity—all stemmed from neural complexity. In the Marvel universe, mental fortitude proved equally crucial for wielding cosmic forces.
Through three genetic enhancements, Ryan had inherited over ninety percent of Thanos's physical strength. But his enhancements had focused purely on bodily improvements, leaving his neural pathways unchanged.
This mouse had received identical serum, yet experienced cognitive enhancement instead—two completely different evolutionary paths from the same source material.
Ryan immediately began documenting these findings, though he still needed blood samples for analysis. Despite the mouse's pitiful expressions and clear reluctance, scientific necessity demanded biological data.
The mouse's emotional range throughout the procedure—from hope to resignation to indignation—rivaled any human subject Ryan had studied.
"Angus!" Ryan called to one of Ross's assigned laboratory assistants.
"Yes, Dr. Ryan?" Angus hurried over, expecting another complex research task.
"Build our friend here a proper habitat. Something comfortable."
Angus suppressed his confusion. He'd anticipated cutting-edge weapons research or superhuman enhancement protocols, not... interior decorating for rodents. Still, he knew better than to question Ryan's methods.
"Of course, Dr. Ryan."
Blood analysis revealed fascinating data. The serum Ryan had engineered specifically matched his genetic template, meaning the mouse now carried Ryan's DNA markers. This explained their unusual bond—the creature recognized him as kin.
During research sessions, the mouse remained perfectly still, either grooming itself or observing Ryan's work with obvious interest. When fatigue set in, it would curl up in Ryan's lab coat pocket for naps.
Six intensive days yielded multiple breakthrough formulations: standard Super Soldier serum matching Steve Rogers's enhancement, a secondary cognitive serum derived from the mouse's altered biology, and Eternal hematopoietic stem cells extracted from Phastos's bone marrow samples.
The Eternal stem cells, stripped of pure Celestial genetic material, couldn't grant superhuman abilities but dramatically improved human physiology. They reactivated dormant cellular regeneration and metabolic efficiency, potentially extending lifespans by decades depending on individual biology.
Ross's surveillance team documented every procedure, but Ryan's advanced notation system and genetic encryption remained impenetrable. Each serum required Ryan's unique biochemical signature to unlock—an impossible barrier for outside analysis.
On the seventh day, Ryan left the laboratory entirely.
A military convoy transported him to a maximum-security facility outside Washington D.C., where one of General Ross's most dangerous failures remained imprisoned: Emil Blonsky, the creature known as Abomination.
Ryan had always wanted to study Hulk genetics directly, but Banner remained beyond reach. Blonsky represented the next best opportunity—a failed attempt to recreate the Hulk's power through scientific enhancement.
Prison officials escorted Ryan through multiple security checkpoints into the facility's deepest levels. Heavy blast doors opened to reveal Blonsky's containment cell—a reinforced glass cylinder offering no privacy, monitoring his every moment.
Blonsky, wearing standard orange prison attire, turned from his simple chair to study this unexpected visitor. Years of isolation had dulled his edge, but curiosity remained.
"I don't recognize you," Blonsky said, his British accent still crisp despite prolonged incarceration. "New researcher?"
Ryan approached the cell's feeding slot and extended a collection vial. "Put your arm through."
Blonsky complied without resistance. Prison had taught him the futility of defiance.
Ryan inserted the needle efficiently, drawing bright red blood. "Does your blood only turn green after transformation?"
"That's correct." Blonsky watched the collection process with professional interest.
Ryan signaled the guard. "Open the cell. I need to go inside."
"I'm sorry, sir, but that violates containment protocols," the guard replied firmly.
Instead of arguing, Ryan handed Blonsky a reinforced vibranium needle through the slot. "I need a sample of your transformed blood. Draw it yourself after you change."
Blonsky examined the specialized equipment with confusion. "Why would I help you?"
Ryan produced General Ross's authorization documents. "I'm consulting on military enhancement research. Cooperation might expedite your release. Refusal guarantees permanent imprisonment."
Emil Blonsky had once been Britain's finest special forces operative until General Ross recruited him for the Hulk capture mission. The promise of superhuman enhancement had appealed to his warrior's pride—he'd witnessed the Hulk's incredible power and craved that strength for himself.
The experimental Super Soldier serum had worked initially, granting him enhanced speed, strength, and reflexes comparable to Captain America. But obsession with defeating the Hulk led him to demand Banner's gamma-irradiated blood be added to his system.
The resulting transformation created something stronger than the Hulk but utterly uncontrollable. After his rampage through Harlem and subsequent defeat, Blonsky found himself imprisoned while Banner became a celebrated Avenger.
Now, hearing mention of possible freedom, Blonsky shed his prison uniform and triggered his transformation without hesitation.
Abomination stood nearly twice the Hulk's height, his scaled hide and bone protrusions marking him as something far removed from human. Unlike Banner, Blonsky retained full consciousness during transformation—a tactical advantage that should have guaranteed victory.
Unfortunately, the Hulk's power increased with rage, while Abomination's remained static. In their final confrontation, raw fury had overcome calculated strength.
The massive creature carefully manipulated the tiny needle, drawing the requested sample of luminescent green blood with surprising dexterity.
End of Chapter 47
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