Meanwhile, in a large laboratory within the Base, even though it was deep into the night, a large number of researchers were still busy in front of test benches piled with strangely shaped weapons.
If any members of the Avengers or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. were present, they would surely recognize that these weapons almost all originated from the Chitauri army, which was defeated in the Battle of New York three months prior.
The only difference was that the energy storage units, which were responsible for powering these weapons, no longer used the Chitauri's specialized purple energy crystals.
Instead, they were all powered by the Mind Stone.
No, to be precise, they were all powered by the energy continuously released from the Mind Stone!
After obtaining the Mind Stone, Hydra used advanced technology to store the powerful energy released from the scepter.
Then, they used mature reverse-engineering technology to disassemble and modify some of the alien weapons left behind by the Chitauri.
Ultimately, they successfully developed several new energy weapons and equipment that could be mass-produced on a small scale.
Hydra was able to integrate alien technology, which they had only recently encountered, into their existing weaponry in such a short time, entirely due to the cutting-edge technology and ahead-of-its-time concepts accumulated by their researchers through years of continuous innovation.
During World War II, Dr. Zola, in particular, made a groundbreaking discovery: a cross-era technology that could stably fill specialized containers with the energy released by the Tesseract, which is the Space Stone.
This enabled HYDRA's researchers to effortlessly collect and study the Mind Stone's energy.
How does the saying go?
You can mock HYDRA for being weak, but you can't say their technology is trash!
And at this moment, Dr. Lister, the chief scientist in charge of all experiments in this Base, was standing respectfully in front of a large screen.
"Dr., how are the human experiments for the 'Enhanced Soldiers' progressing?"
On the large screen, a bald man in a black leather jacket with a monocle over his right eye asked expressionlessly.
"This…"
Dr. Lister immediately replied with a troubled expression:
"Mr. Strucker, the results of the first two phases of human experiments were not ideal; all test subjects who directly touched the scepter died instantly without exception."
"Ordinary people seem to be unable to withstand the energy released from the scepter."
"If you wish to achieve the progress you anticipate, I'm afraid more test subjects will be needed."
"Oh?"
Baron Strucker seemed to notice something on the other party's face and asked indifferently:
"What's wrong, Dr.? Do you think we'll lack such things in this turbulent country?"
"In my opinion, you just need to take people onto the streets and pick a new batch of unlucky fools from those idiots who like to protest and demonstrate!"
However, Dr. Lister's worries did not dissipate; instead, he reminded him with concern:
"But Mr. Strucker, if we conduct large-scale human experiments, it won't be long before S.H.I.E.L.D. takes notice, will it?"
"If they discover the experiments we are conducting here, and our true identity as loyalists of Hydra, the consequences would be unimaginable."
"Consequences?!"
Baron Strucker scoffed with extreme disdain, as if he had heard a ridiculous joke, a cold sneer spreading across his vulture-like, sinister face.
"Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. are as inseparable as two sides of the same coin."
"But now, those fools at S.H.I.E.L.D. are already out of the game, and the trump cards we hold far exceed their imagination!"
"Dr., I have a premonition… regarding the secret of this scepter, we have only just scratched the surface.
So, I hope you can focus all your energy on the research and development of the scepter."
"As for the problem with S.H.I.E.L.D., you don't need to worry about it, because it won't be long before they have their own hands full."
"And Captain America and his colorful friends will have other agencies working for Hydra to distract them for us."
"Dr., the coming era will be one of frequent miracles; heroes and the like will all become obsolete…"
"Because nothing is more terrifying than a 'miracle'!"
Finally, Baron Strucker meaningfully reminded him:
"I hope to see new progress in this experiment before I finish handling matters here!"
The communication ended abruptly, and the large screen turned black again.
"Phew…"
Dr. Lister wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
When he turned around, his face had already transformed into a determined expression, and he loudly announced to everyone in the laboratory:
"Everyone, hurry up and prepare! The third phase of human experiments will begin in two hours!"
… … … …
… …
"Host, do you wish to immediately abandon your physical body, return to your exclusive Dimension, and become the omniscient and omnipotent Dimension Master?!"
When the first ray of morning light shone through the narrow skylight at the top of the cell and fell upon Karl, he shook his head helplessly and chose to refuse.
Time was too pressing, and he had not been able to come up with a good solution to break the deadlock.
It seemed he would have to take things one step at a time.
Just then, a sudden clamor of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the cell.
Then, the cell door was roughly opened.
Several heavily armed Hydra Soldiers filed in.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, your breakfast time has been canceled today…"
The leader said with a malicious grin, "Let's go, it's your turn to participate in the experiment."
"Bastard! Scum!"
Wanda and Pietro's eyes immediately filled with fury.
Because the Hydra Soldier who had just spoken was the culprit who had injured Karl and Pietro yesterday.
"Tsk tsk tsk, you're really full of vigor, aren't you? It seems the lesson I gave you yesterday was a bit too light, huh?"
Pietro raised an eyebrow, but he didn't take the anger of Wanda and her brother seriously.
Instead, his gaze lingered greedily on Wanda.
What a pity!
Such a beautiful girl, and I won't even get to lay a hand on her before she dies!
It's all because of that annoying guy yesterday.
But after taking two of my liver punches, he must be dead by now, right… Hmm?!
However, when his gaze inadvertently swept over the lively Karl across from him, a look of surprise immediately appeared in his eyes.
What's going on?
Was this good-for-nothing faking his death yesterday?
Damn it, not only did he ruin my good plans, but he also dared to trick me?!
Alright, alright, just wait and see how I'll deal with you later.
Of course, that's assuming you even have a 'later'…
"Hmm? Seems like I'm being targeted?!"
Facing Pietro's venomous gaze, Karl chose to ignore it with a calm expression.
Right now, for him, the key was how to resolve the impending death crisis.
He had no mind for anything else.
Subsequently, under the escort of several Hydra Soldiers, Karl and the two others passed through several heavily guarded checkpoints and arrived at the core experimental area located deep within the Base.
And in the monitoring room, responsible for collecting data and recording the entire experimental process, a researcher in a white lab coat pointed to dozens of corpses parked on both sides of the corridor outside and reported to Dr. Lister, who was reviewing data on the computer:
"Dr., the accumulated corpses over the past two days are simply too many; the corpse incinerator is already operating beyond its capacity…"