Chapter 93: The Island Master's Leisurely Life
The military transport landed on Celestial Island, and Cassie, disembarking, was stunned.
Standing atop a giant hand with fingers reaching into the sky, and in the distance, a massive skull—the overwhelming scale was breathtaking. Someone with megalophobia would surely faint from fear.
"It's enormous!"
Ryan walked up behind Cassie. "You'll get used to it. Come on, I'll show you around."
They boarded a jeep and drove from the airfield into the settlement.
Construction on the town was nearing completion, and now, in addition to soldiers and workers, the area housed their families as well.
Some gathered to chat, others tended flowers and plants in front of their homes, and some prepared meals. The settlement was gradually becoming livelier.
"This place is like paradise, so peaceful."
"If you like it, you can stay for a while."
The quantum tunnel was transported to a facility behind the laboratory, and Ryan and Cassie arrived at the central plaza.
Ryan gestured around. "That's my lab over there. I'm a biomedical geneticist. In front of you is the future government center. This is my residence. Your accommodations will be right next door. Feel free to visit anytime."
"Thank you."
Cassie thanked him briefly before entering the apartment Ryan had arranged.
It was nearly 2,000 square feet, modern in style, and fully furnished with all necessary appliances.
"All the supplies are brand new. Food can be obtained free of charge at the commissary. There's also housekeeping staff on the island. If you need anything, call the community service line."
Despite the settlement's small size, it was incredibly well-equipped. Ryan was grateful for the federal government's generous support.
Furthermore, international shipping routes passed near Celestial Island, making it easy to receive supplies from Southeast Asia.
"It's late today. Join me for dinner later, then we'll visit the lab tomorrow. Write down anything you need tonight, and I'll arrange procurement."
Having just arrived in an unfamiliar place, Cassie felt insecure, but Ryan was there to keep her company.
As night fell, the settlement illuminated.
Ryan, wearing an apron, stood in the kitchen wielding a spatula. Cassie, perched on a high chair at the kitchen island, rested her chin on her hand, watching him.
He was young, handsome, refined, knowledgeable, accomplished, and even capable of cooking.
A fresh stir-fry emerged from the wok. Worried that Cassie wouldn't be accustomed to his cooking style, Ryan also prepared eggs and bacon, along with a fruit salad.
When the meal arrived, Cassie snapped back to reality. "I didn't realize you could cook. It looks amazing."
"Is it the food or me?"
"Both!"
Young people connected easily with little generational gap, and Ryan's support for her research meant they bonded quickly.
After dinner, Ryan washed the dishes, appearing very domestic.
He dried his hands, grabbed a beer and a soda from the refrigerator, and took Cassie to the porch.
They sat in chairs, admiring the pristine night sky, and discussed their aspirations.
Cassie had forgotten her initial reason for coming until late, when it was time to retire.
"Ryan, my father and the others..."
"They'll probably arrive the day after tomorrow. You'll see them soon. Good night."
Cassie, having received her answer, smiled and waved. "Good night, Ryan!"
After watching Cassie return to her apartment, Ryan went inside and pulled out his phone to check the list Corvus had sent. He found names of prominent politicians from the United States and Western Europe.
At the end, one name caught Ryan's attention.
"Maya Hansen?"
Ryan felt the name was familiar and immediately pulled up the person's profile. Seeing the photo confirmed it was indeed the Maya Hansen he remembered.
He immediately called Corvus.
"Bring back that woman named Maya Hansen."
"Understood, boss."
Corvus didn't question why Ryan wanted this woman. Whether for experiments or personal reasons was none of his concern.
The next day, after breakfast, Ryan brought Cassie to the lab.
On the way, they spotted an attractive woman sitting by the fountain in the central plaza, gazing over with a smile.
Ryan commented, "She's not human—she's a legendary immortal being. You'd better not provoke her."
"Really?" Cassie asked, glancing at Thena.
Ryan shrugged. "Of course. What we're standing on is the body of one of the oldest Celestials in the universe. It was these beings who helped prevent Earth's destruction."
Cassie hadn't expected to encounter an immortal being in person, and it profoundly impacted her worldview.
Arriving at the lab, Ryan opened the door and the white mouse flew over.
"Squeak? Squeak!"
"Her name is Cassie, and she's my colleague. You'd better be polite, understood?" Ryan gently placed the mouse from his shoulder onto the lab bench.
The mouse turned to look at Cassie and nodded in an almost human manner.
Cassie was instantly captivated.
"Oh wow, it's adorable!" She couldn't help reaching out to pet it.
The white mouse narrowed its eyes, allowing Cassie to pet it several times, then stretched out its tiny paw and pulled her toward the tablet, pressing play on a cartoon.
"Oh my god, it can actually watch cartoons?"
Ryan, tidying up the lab, smiled. "It's one of my genetically modified test subjects. Its lifespan far exceeds that of humans, and its intelligence is estimated to be equivalent to a 6-8 year old child."
The white mouse was currently the only creature in the world, besides Ryan, to possess genes derived from Thanos—genes similar to the Eternals', but distinct from them.
Furthermore, it hadn't undergone biological evolution and still retained its original mouse genetic sequence.
"You're incredible! You've achieved such groundbreaking results! Doesn't that mean humans could live longer and even have enhanced intelligence in the future?"
Ryan shook his head. "Genetic modification requires very specific conditions and can't be widely applied. At most, it can only be tested on select individuals."
Ryan wasn't lying.
Many biologists worldwide had studied Captain America's super-soldier serum, but the reason it hadn't been widely replicated was that it didn't work for everyone.
Even when Ryan was creating super-soldiers, he had to conduct extensive testing before formulating specific enhancement serums for each individual.
"Come here, I'll run some tests to see if you're compatible with genetic enhancement."
Cassie put down the fluffy white mouse and approached Ryan.
After drawing blood and running tests, Cassie asked anxiously, "So? How is it?"
Ryan shook his head. Before Cassie could show disappointment, Ryan continued, "The super-soldier serum isn't compatible, but a standard enhancement formula would work well. It won't make you as strong as a super-soldier, but it'll definitely improve your health significantly."
"Wait!"
"Are you planning to inject me with experimental drugs you're researching?"
Cassie suddenly imagined she'd been tricked into coming here, with Ryan intending to use her for human experimentation.
A second later, Ryan clarified, "Of course not. Injections aren't as simple as you think. You can observe next time there's a super-soldier enhancement. And you'd need your father's permission."
After touring Ryan's lab, they moved to the facility assigned to Cassie.
It was a modest laboratory with only basic equipment, which would need to be supplemented as needed.
Cassie was delighted with it—she'd never imagined owning her own lab.
"I love it here, but..." Cassie felt embarrassed accepting Ryan's gift without reciprocation.
Ryan smiled. "It's nothing. Your father and Dr. Pym will assist with my experiments, and this lab is just additional compensation."
Cassie wanted to accept but had no good justification.
Ryan offered her an out, and Cassie immediately took it.
"Where's the list I asked you to prepare?" Ryan asked.
Cassie immediately pulled a list from her pocket and handed it to Ryan.
"That's everything I need right now."
"I'll arrange it."
Two days later, a military transport landed at the Celestial Island airfield, and Ant-Man, his companions, and Maya Hansen were escorted down by super-soldiers.
Entering the settlement, everyone observed everything curiously.
However, upon entering the central plaza, Scott's face changed dramatically.
"Cassie!!!"
Ryan and Cassie sat close together by the fountain in the plaza's center, seemingly sharing a joke that made Cassie laugh uncontrollably.
Suddenly, someone called her name, and Cassie turned to find her father Scott standing not far away.
Her face flushed, and she immediately stood and ran over.
"Dad! You're finally here!"
Scott asked, concern and anger evident on his face, "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay home?"
Cassie looked puzzled. "Ryan said you were participating in an experimental project. We talked on the phone before, so I came."
Scott immediately directed his anger at Ryan, who nodded calmly in acknowledgment.
Furious, Scott wanted to explode but couldn't.
What audacity—holding his breath and seething with rage.
What kind of situation was this? Detaining someone's father and his entire team, then recruiting their daughter? Such outrageous villains were rare!
Cassie was confused by her father's attitude. "Dad, what's wrong?"
Scott tried hard to suppress his emotions and forced a smile. "It's nothing. I'm just worried about you."
"I'm fine. Ryan's been very good to me. He even prepared a laboratory for me, and the environment here is wonderful."
The more Scott listened, the more uncomfortable he felt, as if someone was squeezing his heart.
It was as if his precious daughter was being stolen away.
But that was the reality. While he'd been busy rescuing Dr. Pym, his home had been robbed. Not only Cassie had been recruited, but everything from Pym Technologies as well.
End of Chapter 93
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