The towering spire of the Umbrella Corporation's headquarters on Long Island, New York, blazed with light, its massive red-and-white umbrella logo glowing brilliantly at the pinnacle, radiating a dazzling brilliance...
Sean stood within the Hive building as Dr. Connors carefully picked up a vial of the Progenitor Virus from the workbench.
His lips parted slightly, his eyes filled with intoxicated fascination, as if the liquid flowing inside the glass tube were a grand world-renowned symphony that profoundly shook his very soul.
Meanwhile, Dr. Maya Hansen was conducting a comprehensive physical examination of the world's only Ghoul, Yoshimura Izumi.
Compared to the Progenitor Virus, she seemed far more invested in the delicate, frail girl. It was a distinction that perhaps highlighted the difference between men and women.
As for the Adamantium seized from Yashida Ichirō, Sean had handed it over to Ivan Vanko. He was certain the burly Russian would appreciate the gift. After all, even a billionaire like Tony Stark used gold-titanium alloy for his Mark-series armors. Though that was partly due to the alarming rate at which his suits were destroyed and required replacement.
"It seems I have a new research project?" Dr. Connors exhaled deeply.
After completing his work on limb regeneration, he had been searching for a new direction.
The complexity of the Progenitor Virus and its diverse mutations presented a significant challenge to him. Cross-genetic limb regeneration had been his life's ultimate ambition, and now that it was achieved, he couldn't help but feel a void. Naturally, he needed a new pursuit.
"Umbrella is already at the forefront of biological modification. Next, I want to fill the gaps in our genetic engineering capabilities." Sean placed a hand on Dr. Connors' shoulder and spoke softly, "We have the treasure trove of mutant genes at our disposal. We must learn to utilize it wisely."
Sean hadn't forgotten about Stryker's years of painstaking work; the Mutant Gene Database. It was a precious collection of an entire era, the key to unlocking evolution. There was no way he would simply leave it untouched.
After discussing future plans with Dr. Connors and emphasizing the research priorities for the Progenitor Virus, Sean left Izumi in Dr. Hansen's care and walked alone down the corridor.
Standing on the upper floors of the spire, Sean gazed down at his private kingdom, his heart swelling with satisfaction. What had once been hailed as a rising star in the scientific community had now grown into a behemoth capable of rivaling giants like Stark Industries.
In the beginning, the media had likened Sean to 'the next Tony Stark'. But now, that comparison was rarely made. Being adorned with multiple accolades, the New York prodigy no longer needed to borrow the Iron Man's fame.
After a period of explosive growth, Umbrella had crushed the monopolistic giants of the biotech industry, trampling over Worthington Industries before following in Stark Industries' footsteps to storm the new energy market.
Partnering with Koch Industries, the three powerhouses raced forward, ushering in a new era.
Even in the defense sector, a field reliant on extensive connections and cutting-edge technology, this two-year-old upstart had managed to suppress Hammer Industries with its energy weapons and human enhancement serums.
Especially after its CEO, Justin Hammer, was imprisoned, Umbrella had seized the opportunity to collaborate with a certain military figure to annex Hammer's weapons manufacturing plants.
Industry analysts concluded that any obstacle standing in Umbrella's path was doomed to a grim fate. The evidence suggested that this rising star was not to be trifled with.
The public's perception of Sean Cyphers, the well-regarded New York genius, had shifted once more. Behind that amiable smile might lie ruthless tactics, causing many opportunists and corporate predators to reconsider their covetous gazes.
As the saying went: "Learn from the mistakes of the past to avoid repeating them." No one wanted to become the next Worthington or Hammer Industries.
"Two gems." Sean sighed.
Through Skynet, he had learned of Loki's arrival on Earth and his theft of the Tesseract from S.H.I.E.L.D. No matter how fiercely the butterfly flapped its wings, it couldn't alter the inevitable crisis.
The Chitauri army stood ready beyond the vast reaches of space, waiting for the Asgardian prince to use the Tesseract to open a gateway.
Under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s summons, the Avengers were rapidly assembling. A great battle was unavoidable.
But what Sean pondered was what he could gain from this...
At present, Earth held three Infinity Stones. One was housed in the Eye of Agamotto at Kamar-Taj, practically unreachable unless one had a death wish and provoked the Sorcerer Supreme. Another was embedded in Loki's scepter, and was capable of manipulating minds and warping consciousness. And the last, the Tesseract itself, which could bend space and harness energy.
If Sean were to act, securing two of the Stones wouldn't be an issue. The real question was whether doing so would attract the attention of Thanos, the formidable entity dedicated to maintaining cosmic balance by culling half of all life.
"Ending this game early might not be a bad idea." After long contemplation, Sean concluded that only a life-or-death battle fought with everything he had could shatter the 50% threshold.
This was undoubtedly a tremendous gamble. If Thanos descended and Sean's power proved inadequate, everything he had built would crumble into ruin.
"A difficult choice indeed..." Sean chuckled softly as he looked up at the dark sky.
Stars twinkled, the moonlight was serene, yet behind that black curtain lay mysteries yet unknown.
Had his arrival thrown this world into chaos, or was he, as the Ancient One had said, merely following the tide until the final outcome arrived?
"As long as that Asgardian prince isn't foolish enough to provoke me–" Before he could finish, a piercing alarm blared.
A handsome man in a long coat strode boldly into Umbrella's main building. The two security guards tasked with verifying identities were effortlessly subdued.
With a swing of his golden scepter (like a golfer driving a ball), he struck one guard's head with brutal force, sending him crashing to the ground. The other, despite his professional training, followed suit.
This uninvited midnight guest stepped gracefully into Umbrella's lobby, stopping before a bronze statue. It was a model of the galaxy, cast in metal, exuding an ancient solemn weight.
He smirked disdainfully, "Pathetic insects. What could they possibly know of the universe's vastness?"
He had come not just for the iridium Selvig needed, but also to make a grand entrance, drawing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention to execute the next phase of his plan.
Having observed everything, Sean spoke impassively, "Dispatch the Umbrella Security Team."
Since events had taken such an interesting turn, he might as well take a seat at the gambling table and await the grand arrival of the Mad Titan himself...