Connors didn't waste a second. He placed the glowing vial into a special containment rig, adjusting knobs and monitors. A robotic arm carefully extracted a drop of the serum and deposited it onto a sample of living tissue inside a sealed glass chamber.
The monitors beeped wildly as the tissue began to react. What should have been gradual cell stimulation instead exploded into rapid, stable regeneration. The tissue pulsed, knitting itself together at impossible speed. No mutation spikes, no instability—just flawless, controlled growth.
Connors' eyes widened. "My God… it works. It actually works." His voice cracked, equal parts disbelief and exhilaration. He leaned closer to the screen, muttering under his breath. "No cellular decay… no rejection… this is beyond anything I've ever dreamed…"
I smirked, watching him nearly fall apart from excitement. "Guess I'm good for business, huh?"
He turned to me, gripping the edge of the desk. "You don't understand—this isn't just an improvement. This is perfection. If we continue like this… the serum could cure every physical disability known to man."
I shrugged casually. "Or it could turn people into monsters if handled wrong. Let's not forget that part."
That sobered him. Connors nodded slowly, his expression tightening. "Yes… There is always a risk. But with this…" He glanced back at the perfected vial like it was a holy relic. "…the possibilities are limitless."
Connors was still glued to the glowing vial, muttering equations under his breath, when I leaned against the counter.
"Connors," I said, voice calm but deliberate. "You're chasing a cure for yourself. I get that. But what if I told you… I'm chasing something bigger?"
He glanced up, narrowing his eyes. "Bigger? What could be bigger than restoring what was lost?"
I folded my arms, leaning forward slightly. "Evolution. The next step. Humanity has been limping along for centuries—disease, weakness, limitations. You've seen the reports. Mutants already prove the human body can become something more. Why stop at a cure, when we could reshape mankind?"
His brow furrowed. "Reshape… mankind? That's—" He hesitated, searching for the right word. "—that's ambitious. Dangerous, even."
"Dangerous?" I smirked. "So was the fire. So was electricity. Every leap forward started as something the world feared. But imagine a society where no one is crippled, no one is weak, no one has to live shackled by biology. Stronger. Smarter. Better. That's my dream, Connors. To accelerate evolution itself."
He was quiet, his eyes drifting back to the tissue sample still glowing with stable regeneration. I could see the war in his head—scientific caution against the raw temptation of discovery.
Finally, he spoke. "If what you say is true… if you really have the ability to perfect what science alone cannot… then maybe… maybe you're right. Maybe evolution is no longer a theory—it's a choice."
I held out my hand. "Then choose. Join me. Together, we can push beyond every boundary this world has."
Connors hesitated, then slowly reached forward, gripping my hand with surprising firmness. His voice was low, but resolute.
"Alright. I'll help you. But this dream of yours… we'll need to be careful. If Oscorp catches wind of this…"
I smirked. "Let me worry about Oscorp. You just focus on making history."
Dr. Connors carefully placed the strengthened vial back into its rack, still staring at it like it was some kind of miracle. His mind was racing, clearly torn between curiosity, desperation, and the scientist's instinct to question everything.
I slipped my hands into my pockets and leaned casually against one of the lab tables. "Listen, Doc. I know you're eager to dive headfirst into this, but we've got to pace ourselves."
He frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I just landed in New York today," I said, chuckling softly. "I don't exactly have an empire set up yet. No labs. No equipment of my own. No cover. For operations like this to really work, I need to establish a proper company first—something to keep things clean, legit, and out of the wrong hands."
Connors nodded slowly, as if trying to digest the reality of it. "So… you're saying I should wait?"
"Exactly. Sit tight, keep doing what you normally do here at Oscorp. Don't raise suspicion, don't change your routine. I'll handle the front end. Once I've got my company set up, with the right resources and facilities, then we'll push forward."
He hesitated. "And in the meantime?"
"In the meantime, you've already got a head start. That vial you gave me? Consider it an investment. Once I've secured everything, we'll move forward together. But for now, Doc…" I gave him a firm look, "patience."
Connors let out a long breath, then gave a reluctant nod. "Very well. I suppose… for something this big, a little patience is necessary."
I smiled, straightening up. "That's the spirit. Trust me, Doc—when the time comes, we'll change the world. But first… I've got some groundwork to lay."