Chapter 52: Only 'Gods' Can Extend Human Life
"I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you!" Subject No. 1 screamed while thrashing against his restraints.
The gang member glared at Ryan with murderous rage, his enhanced muscles straining against the titanium bonds.
Ryan remained clinically detached. "You're truly insufferable."
"Listen, kid, you've made a big mistake. When I get out of here, I'm going to—"
Subject No. 1 continued his threats, but Ryan ignored the noise and focused on his work. He extracted additional blood samples and ran comprehensive analysis.
The data confirmed his hypothesis: the Celestial Gene had indeed integrated successfully. The subject's hematopoietic stem cells had altered their morphology and metabolic processes, gradually restoring his physiology to peak human condition.
Skin tissue density was approaching Eternal-level durability. Every measurement confirmed the experiment's success.
Even Ryan hadn't expected such immediate results on the first attempt.
He moved the examination table aside and signaled the guards. "Send in the next subject."
The laboratory door opened to admit the second prisoner—the embezzler who'd claimed innocence. "Sir, although I volunteered for this experiment, could you please be... gentle?"
He'd witnessed Subject No. 1's ordeal and had no desire to experience similar treatment.
But medical procedures always involved discomfort, regardless of technique. At least his suffering would contribute to scientific advancement.
With his frail build and history of victimizing women, he was clearly no physical threat.
The two guards struggled to restrain his panicked movements, so Ryan intervened directly. He lifted the man bodily and secured him to the examination table with reinforced restraints.
"You can leave. I'll handle the rest."
Once alone, Ryan reconnected the monitoring equipment and prepared two separate compounds: Super Soldier serum based on Steve Rogers's formula, and concentrated Celestial genetic material.
He wanted to observe the interaction when both enhancements were introduced to the same human subject.
The serum would be injected intravenously while the genetic material went directly into bone marrow. First the Super Soldier enhancement would take effect, then the secondary Celestial injection would follow.
As expected, the subject screamed like a wounded animal until Ryan applied a medical gag.
The Super Soldier serum was administered first, followed by placement in the bio-regeneration cradle for accelerated enhancement.
This particular serum was less potent than Steve's original formula, so the advanced bio-energy cradle completed the transformation within minutes.
The man emerged from the cradle completely transformed. His previously skeletal frame had filled out with lean muscle mass. While he lacked Steve Rogers's impressive physique, the improvement was dramatic.
"Incredible! Am I like Captain America now? What kind of women will want me?"
Ryan removed the gag only long enough to collect saliva samples, then immediately reapplied it.
The man was repositioned on the examination table and restrained again for the bone marrow injection.
His momentary excitement vanished the instant the needle penetrated his spine.
Ryan had expected smooth integration of the Celestial Gene like the previous subject, but something went catastrophically wrong.
Within seconds of injection, the subject's body began breaking down at the cellular level.
Muscles atrophied rapidly, blood vessels shifted from blue to black, and body hair fell out in clumps.
"Rejection reaction," Ryan muttered, studying the readings. "The Celestial Gene is attacking the Super Soldier enhancement. This didn't occur during isolated cell testing. What's different?"
In biological systems, simple addition rarely produced predictable results. Enhanced serum plus Celestial Gene had apparently equaled zero.
Rather than creating energy-conducting cellular membranes, the two genetic templates were attacking each other. The Super Soldier serum lacked the potency to resist Celestial genetic material, causing rapid blood cell deterioration and systemic organ failure.
The following day, Ryan arranged for research assistants to perform bone marrow extraction on himself.
After yesterday's failure, he'd abandoned plans for direct Celestial gene injection, preferring to endure personal discomfort to ensure experimental accuracy.
Two assistants wielded a vibranium needle—forged from fragments of Steve's shield—slowly penetrating Ryan's lower spine.
The agony was indescribable.
Ryan lay face-down on the examination table, gritting his teeth to remain silent despite the excruciating pain.
His bone marrow was immediately sealed and preserved, with small samples prepared for immediate testing.
As Ryan had suspected, microscopic analysis showed perfect cellular fusion with no rejection whatsoever. Furthermore, the stem cells reproduced and divided at rates significantly exceeding even Phastos's Eternal biology.
The conclusion didn't bring joy—only scientific satisfaction. While enhanced human cells could theoretically fuse with Celestial genetics, Subject No. 2's violent rejection proved that compatibility required precise biological conditions.
Rigorous scientific methodology remained the only reliable approach.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Ross was marketing the longevity serum to high-ranking government officials and Congressional leaders. He arrived at the laboratory carrying reports from three independent testing agencies.
The promise of extended lifespan proved irresistible, especially to aging politicians and wealthy capitalists facing their own mortality.
Ross didn't want money—he demanded absolute loyalty.
He'd branded the compound the "Immortality Elixir," with usage restricted to members of the Eternal Life Society, a pseudo-religious organization Ross had recently founded.
Fueled by the Elixir's promise, the Eternal Life Society's membership expanded rapidly, encompassing nearly half of America's political establishment within two weeks.
Some candidates flatly refused participation, even denouncing Ryan as a dangerous heretic.
Certain clear-thinking individuals recognized Ross's manipulation, while others believed that defying natural death violated religious principles and guaranteed eternal damnation.
As the Eternal Life Society's influence spread, rumors began circulating. Some investigators followed these leads directly to the military base laboratory.
Ross had anticipated such attention, implementing enhanced security around Ryan's research facility and forbidding unauthorized access without his personal approval.
Nick Fury sensed the growing threat.
"Ross is attempting a political coup," he told Maria Hill. "We have to stop him."
"How? As Secretary of State, he has executive pardon authority. No one can touch him without concrete evidence of criminal activity."
"Then we investigate the immortality serum's source, uncover the truth, and find admissible proof."
Hill turned to Fury with obvious concern. "Currently, we only know the serum originates from a classified military laboratory. Who should we send for infiltration?"
Fury considered the options carefully. "The Avengers can't be directly involved—too much political exposure. I'll handle this personally."
While S.H.I.E.L.D. developed their strategy, Ryan had already produced the first batch of Immortality Elixir.
Ross brought the inaugural recipient to the laboratory—a high-ranking Pentagon official. Before Ryan administered the injection, the officer asked a crucial question.
"Doctor, I need to know whether the immortality treatment is single-use or renewable?"
"With sufficient raw materials, second or third treatments are theoretically possible, though effectiveness diminishes significantly."
"What exactly are these raw materials?"
Ryan smiled with cold satisfaction. "Divine bone marrow."
End of Chapter 52
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