Chapter 1: Compound V
"Listen, listen, is this even human language?!!!"
Alexander Pierce was almost fuming.
After a brief silence, his intensity slightly diminished, and he spoke again:
"Alright, alright, I can ignore whatever tricks you're pulling over there…"
"But there's one thing I must warn you about in advance: if your idiotic actions alert Nick Fury and the Avengers, and thus affect my Insight Project, I will personally kill you, you bastard!!!"
The call was immediately disconnected.
"Hmph, isn't he just relying on Dr. Zola's algorithm to predict risks in advance? What's there to be so arrogant about?"
Baron Strucker's eyes glinted menacingly as he roared at the black screen of his phone:
"Compared to the cause I pursue, your much-desired Insight Project is utterly insignificant."
"To actually fantasize about eliminating dissidents through big data algorithms and forcing the entire World to submit, I think you're the real fool!!!"
"However…"
"That brat, 380, actually posted the video online. Does he want to be an internet celebrity? Or a worshipped Superman?"
Baron Strucker's face showed a hint of disdain.
"Although times are progressing, young people nowadays are becoming more and more superficial, and they've lost their grand ideals and aspirations!"
In his opinion,
Karl was just a vulgar brat who wanted to become famous online with his superpowers and then rake in fame and fortune!
However, such a "brainless" approach actually made him feel more at ease.
Because a short-sighted enemy like this, even with Superman-like strength, was nothing to fear.
"Officer, I've thought of a good idea…"
Just then, Jilade, the Base supervisor who had been standing cautiously by, suddenly said with a fawning expression:
"Since the enemy is a superhuman, why don't we also send out superhumans to deal with him?"
"Hmm?" Baron Strucker was stunned for a moment, then asked back with some confusion:
"Haven't all the Mutant slaves we have lost their superpowers due to the Mutant Extermination Project?"
The Mutant Extermination Project he referred to was a secret plan initiated by S.H.I.E.L.D. over a decade ago, tacitly approved by the Security Council, and finally carried out in secret by a company named Yuckley Genetics.
It was a secret plan to completely exterminate Mutants hidden among humans through "genetically modified food"!!!
The specific implementation method was:
Yuckley Genetics would distribute its specially developed m43 virus, which had no effect on ordinary people but would suppress Mutant abilities and completely eliminate the random appearance of Mutant genes in the process of human reproduction, through secret official channels.
It was widely distributed among the raw materials of various food, beverage, fast food, and pre-made meal companies worldwide, thus achieving "foolproof" results.
Facts proved that the Mutant Extermination Project was quite successful!!
Since 2004, after the last generation of naturally born Mutants came into existence,
To this day, Mutants have quietly faded from the grand stage of history.
In the dark corners of streets and alleys, people no longer saw those ugly-faced but super-powered "freaks."
Even the once World-renowned X-Men gradually began to be forgotten by the World!
"Hehe, you're right, but you seem to have forgotten something…"
Jilade's face showed a smug expression, "Previously, my people obtained a batch of newly developed Temporary Compound V reagents from inside the Vought Corporation."
"I heard that this newly developed product can grant people temporary superpowers for 24 hours."
"Why don't we use it to create a temporary superhuman army and then capture Experiment Subject No. 380?!"
"Vought Corporation?" Baron Strucker pondered for a moment, then said with a contemptuous expression:
"Is that the pharmaceutical company that attempts to create superhuman idol groups through secret infant experiments and swindles money all over the country?!"
Jilade: "Exactly."
Baron Strucker let out a cold snort from his nostrils, questioning with disinterest:
"I remember the Department of Defense's assessment report stated that the Compound V developed by the Vought Corporation is not only expensive but also only suitable for infants, with a success rate of less than one-thousandth for adults after injection…"
"Presumably, these Temporary Compound V also have some unknown side effects, don't they?!"
"Just as you said." Jilade gave an awkward smile, explaining with some trepidation:
"Unlike ordinary Compound V, while these Temporary Compound V can grant ordinary people superpowers for 24 hours,"
"They also rapidly form a large number of malignant tumors in the user's body, and generally, after 3 to 5 uses, the user will die suddenly!!"
"Only 3 to 5 uses?"
Baron Strucker was quite dismissive of this.
"Hmph, such uncertain and limited superpowers are even cheaper than those 'extinct' Mutant aberrations."
Although Hydra had always wanted to create a superhuman army exclusively for itself,
Whether it was Mutants or users of Compound V,
In their eyes,
They were all trash that had to be disposed of after use!
The former were inferior trash due to genetic mutation!
And the latter were drug-addicted trash who got an explosive boost from drugs!
Alright…
In fact, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra had also coveted the Compound V formula.
But the most core and crucial part of the formula was held by a mysterious scientific researcher whom even they couldn't track down.
Coupled with the fact that using infants for experiments could easily expose clues,
Therefore, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra soon both gave up on Compound V.
In contrast,
Human experiments conducted using the Mind Stone were clearly superior!!
Not only was the initial investment cost almost zero,
But it could also "create" superhumans like Karl, who had stable abilities and enormous potential!!
However, Jilade's current suggestion was undoubtedly a good way to quickly break the stalemate.
A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and Baron Strucker immediately ordered:
"Immediately organize personnel to conduct drug experiments, then screen out suitable candidates for combat from them to form a superhuman suicide squad…"
"This time, no matter what, you must bring Experiment Subject No. 380 back to me!!"
"Yes, Officer."
Just as Jilade was about to turn and leave, he was called back by Baron Strucker again.
"Oh, by the way, remember to tell the people in Sokovia to find a way to retrieve all the bodies of the Boka Squad members…"
"They might be useful in Dr. Fritz's experiments!!!"