For an enemy, killing him is the simplest solution.
But if every move the enemy makes is under my nose, Fang Yuan prefers to use them to achieve his own ends.
Of course, what's the price?
Usually, it's their lives.
Having contributed to Fang Yuan's great cause, he will remember them.
Despite his physical impairments, Trask is brilliant and soon became Patrick's right-hand man; his first move—build a knock-off Vought Corporation!
Any successful company will attract copycats, and Vought is no exception.
With all the money Vought makes from the Awakened, jealousy is inevitable, so Trask's proposal to imitate Vought by hiring a team of Awakened employees was quickly accepted by Patrick and the money behind him.
But Trask's ultimate aim is not profit.
"Test subjects?"
Patrick stared in shock at Trask and the proposal in his hand.
"You want to use the Awakened company as cover to collect Awakened for human experiments?" Senator Patrick was appalled.
"Do you realize what you're saying?"
"I do, Senator."
Though small in stature, Bolivar Trask's aura was formidable.
"Only through thorough research can we find ways to fight them. Let the Awakened remain popular and they'll eventually rise above humans."
"Give me money and personnel, and I'll find a way to defeat them at the root."
Patrick fell into thought.
For an ordinary man, Bolivar's pitch was enticing, but as a Senator he only seeks power and money.
"How do you plan to do it?" Patrick asked.
Seeing Patrick hadn't bothered to open the plan, Trask frowned, then calmly continued: "I'll design robots that can identify Awakened, carry heavy weapons, and fly, so Mutants can't hide."
"Accurate identification will help push the awakened one act as well."
Patrick was tempted. "How long will it take?"
"About ten years." Recognising the problem, he corrected: "With full support I can finish an Awakened detection device within five."
Even five years was too long for Patrick.
As a Senator, his term is six years, and if he doesn't rise higher, this is his peak.
Bolivar's plan is excellent—just not for Patrick.
If the experiments leaked, he'd be ruined; if they succeeded, credit could be stolen.
"We're both old foxes—Bolivar has other backers; the credit might end up theirs."
"Let me think, Trask." He didn't refuse; he still needed Trask's services.
"Too many factions are involved—I need to sort it out."
He feigned both interest and hesitation.
Thinking he had a chance, Bolivar nodded eagerly. "Of course, Senator."
Trask is a research prodigy, but he can't match Patrick in reading people.
The knock-off Vought, led by Edwin Patrick and other backers of the awakened one act, was launched as the Pioneer Company.
If Fang Yuan didn't know there are no Assassins here, he'd think they'd landed on Ubisoft's potato servers.
Eh?
Wait—Erik is an Assassin.
Ahem—this Pioneer is definitely not that one.
Pioneer told the public its name means "the vanguard in the relationship between humans and the Awakened."
Its first promise—every Awakened employee will be registered and reported to the authorities.
Unlike Vought, which handles Awakened matters internally.
Officials and capital who dislike the Awakened or back the Act now promote Pioneer; despite no products, it became the second-largest Awakened company after Vought.
Even Vought hasn't hired every Awakened, so those it rejected flocked to Pioneer.
If the pay is good, who cares about registration?
It's all aimed at Vought.
When Fang Yuan visited Xaviers Mansion for some fun with Mystique, Charles told him.
"They're not breaking the rules, so we play by the rules," Fang Yuan sighed.
He had to behave around Professor X; he couldn't be as reckless as with White Queen.
Charles is too saintly to approve of Fang Yuan using Awakened as bait.
Charles agreed—Vought must obey the law.
Fang Yuan urged: "Promote yourselves; fame is our loudest weapon."
He glared—Charles dislikes publicity, so his fame grows too slowly.
Look at Erik—every Brotherhood action is filmed, making Magneto's name louder than Professor X.
Fame isn't equivalent to the Multiverse Vought rating, but it helps.
"Alright!"
Charles understood and put the canceled activities back on the schedule.
"Professor!"
A teacher rushed in.
"A pupil's powers are out of control and he won't stop crying."
Charles smiled apologetically and followed the teacher out.
Xaviers School for Gifted Youngsters had just opened—endless tasks awaited the headmaster.
Unlike twenty years from now, he didn't have Storm, Jean, or Cyclops; the current teachers are Awakened but have weak abilities, below C-rank.
Hank could help, but he's busy being a star, so Charles does most of the work.
Fang Yuan shook his head; that's why he appointed so many lieutenants—otherwise, when would he have time to bond with Mystique, White Queen, etc.?
Oh yes, and The Twins—haven't visited them in ages.
A boss must stay informed about his subordinates' development.
You will get 90 chapter ahead for this fanfiction.
patreon.com /AZofficial