Chapter 48: A Man Who Can Live and Die with the Universe
Blonsky's transformed state as Abomination bore little resemblance to the Hulk's muscular physique. Instead, his frame appeared more skeletal, with pronounced bone protrusions and gill-like structures flanking his elongated skull.
With surprising delicacy for such a massive creature, he inserted the vibranium needle into his forearm. Luminescent green blood flowed through the tubing, passing through the reinforced glass barrier into the collection vial in Ryan's hands.
Abomination maintained the draw until the container reached capacity.
"When can I expect release?" Blonsky's voice retained its human intelligence despite his monstrous appearance.
Ryan secured the sample with satisfaction. "I could arrange your immediate departure through... unofficial channels. Legal release requires more time, but shouldn't be much longer."
Blonsky naturally preferred legitimate freedom—years of incarceration would mean nothing if he became a fugitive.
As Ryan departed the facility with his precious cargo, Nick Fury's black SUV pulled into the parking area. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Director had come to recruit Abomination for his own purposes, but Ryan's presence complicated matters significantly.
Fury watched the military convoy disappear before proceeding into the prison, filing this encounter away for future consideration.
Ryan's Humvee navigated Washington D.C.'s congested streets when a spectacular crash erupted at a busy intersection ahead. Three delivery trucks had collided simultaneously, creating a twisted maze of metal and scattered cargo.
While his driver focused on the accident scene, Ryan spotted something extraordinary through the windshield—a figure standing calmly amid the wreckage, completely unharmed despite being at the collision's epicenter.
"Follow that man," Ryan instructed, pointing to the individual now walking away from the carnage as if nothing had occurred.
"Yes, sir."
The Humvee maneuvered around civilian vehicles and emergency responders, maintaining visual contact as their target entered a sedan and drove toward the suburbs.
How could anyone survive impact from three commercial vehicles? Even enhanced individuals would show some sign of distress, yet this person appeared completely unaffected.
The pursuit led to an elegant estate in Virginia's horse country. Ryan exited the military vehicle, studying the property's manicured grounds and colonial architecture.
"He's got money," Ryan muttered, leaving his driver with the Humvee while approaching the main residence alone.
The mansion's interior remained eerily quiet except for classical music drifting from the second floor. Ryan followed the sound to an ornate study filled with leather-bound books and vintage furniture, but found it empty.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
Ryan turned to face the accident survivor—a distinguished gentleman wearing an expensive green blazer, yellow dress shirt, and white slacks. A colorful silk ascot completed his refined appearance, suggesting old money and cultivated taste.
"I witnessed your encounter with those trucks," Ryan said directly. "I'm curious how you emerged unscathed."
"Oh, your curiosity seems rather excessive," the man replied with practiced charm. "Craig Hollis, at your service. And you are?"
"Ryan."
Hollis retrieved a crystal tumbler and Cuban cigar from a side table, settling into a leather armchair with casual elegance. "Mr. Ryan, enhanced individuals appear regularly since the Battle of New York. Superhuman abilities hardly constitute front-page news anymore."
The Chitauri invasion had indeed normalized the extraordinary. Between the Avengers' public activities and increasing metahuman incidents, the general population had adapted to a new reality of powered individuals.
Ryan searched his memory before recognition dawned. "Mister Immortal."
Hollis smiled ruefully. "Someone called me that once, though it was many years ago."
Craig Hollis, also known as Mr. Immortal, possessed perhaps the most unique ability in the Marvel universe—true immortality. He could be killed by any means, but would resurrect indefinitely with complete healing of all injuries. Not even cosmic entities could permanently end his existence.
His resurrection occurred rapidly after death, though non-fatal injuries healed at normal human rates. Paradoxically, suicide often proved the fastest treatment for serious wounds.
"Mr. Hollis, is it true you cannot die?" Ryan asked, approaching with obvious interest.
Hollis raised his glass thoughtfully. "I've lived quite long enough, actually, but—"
His words ended abruptly as Ryan's hand punched through his chest with surgical precision.
"You..." Hollis glanced down at the fatal wound before his head lolled forward, life extinguished instantly.
Ryan withdrew his hand, fascinated to observe the chest cavity sealing itself within seconds, tissue regenerating at an impossible rate.
"Damn, that hurt!" Hollis gasped back to consciousness, rubbing his now-intact chest with obvious irritation. "Ryan, that was incredibly rude!"
Without warning, Ryan's hand shot forward again, this time crushing the man's skull completely.
Several seconds passed before bone and brain matter reformed, Hollis awakening once more with growing alarm.
"Wait, what do you want? I don't believe we've ever met before!"
Ryan produced his military credentials with a satisfied smile. "I'm a research consultant for a classified laboratory. Your unique physiology interests me greatly. I'd like to invite your cooperation in some experiments."
Mr. Immortal recoiled in horror, shaking his head frantically. "Absolutely not! I refuse! Leave my home immediately or I'm calling the police!"
Ryan's precisely calculated blow rendered Hollis unconscious without triggering his resurrection ability. He hoisted the limp form over his shoulder and returned to the waiting Humvee.
"Back to base," Ryan commanded, barely containing his excitement at this incredible discovery.
The laboratory had been cleared by the time they arrived. Ryan secured Hollis to an examination table with reinforced restraints just as consciousness returned.
"Dear God, get that thing away from me!" Hollis struggled against his bonds as Ryan approached with an arterial needle.
"Don't worry, Mr. Immortal. I'll be very gentle."
Ryan's definition of gentle involved inserting the needle directly into a major artery and drawing blood continuously until the collection tank filled completely. Hollis visibly deflated as his blood volume dropped to lethal levels, then rapidly regenerated to normal within moments.
"This is illegal! I'll sue you! I'll have you imprisoned!" Hollis thrashed helplessly against the restraints.
Ryan gestured casually with the needle. "Mr. Hollis, please keep quiet. Continue shouting and I'll suture your mouth closed."
The threat achieved immediate silence.
"You can't die anyway," Ryan observed with clinical detachment. "What's there to fear?"
Hollis glared at his captor with impotent rage. "It still hurts, you psychopath!"
End of Chapter 48
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