Chapter 76: Warmonger 'Nick Fury'
"Dr. Ryan, the immortality serum."
"I've been busy lately, building Celestial Island and conducting experiments. We only have five doses in stock. As usual, send a blood sample from the intended recipient for testing."
The purpose of the testing was, of course, to prevent Skrull infiltration.
Furthermore, the serum wasn't given for free; it required substantial payment.
More supplies, more soldiers, and more test subjects—that's what Ryan needed right now.
After a lengthy discussion, Ross and his cabinet officials boarded their aircraft. Ross watched Ryan through the window as they departed, deep in thought.
Ross had to admit that Ryan now held sway over the entire federal government. He controlled all high-ranking officials and could influence federal decisions and even its very structure.
Ross knew it was a trap from the beginning, but he had no choice but to walk into it.
No one could resist the allure of immortality, especially those at the pinnacle of power and wealth. Even if it were poison, they would drink it without hesitation.
Many people believe that the vast resources invested in researching enhanced warriors and superpowers are meant to increase strength. In reality, that's secondary; the true purpose is to transcend the limits of human lifespan.
Why would humanity accept the Asgardians settling on Earth? Do they truly believe it's out of kindness?
Once Thor is gone, humanity will surely subject the Asgardians, who live for millennia, to experiments and dissection!
It wasn't unprecedented for Ryan to obtain the immortality formula, and countless reverse-engineering attempts had been made, but naturally, all had failed. The reason they haven't turned on each other yet is their continued need for cooperation.
If the secret to extending lifespan is cracked, or if Ryan accumulates sufficient power, that will be the day they finally clash.
After the aircraft carrying President Ross took off, Ryan planned to return to his laboratory to continue his research.
However, Sprite suddenly approached and cornered him at the laboratory entrance.
"Ryan, you didn't forget what you promised me, did you?"
Ryan chuckled. "How could I? I've identified the root cause of your growth inhibition. You just need to be patient."
Sprite, with disbelief in her eyes, questioned, "Why has my body stopped growing?"
Phastos had once been the intellectual leader among the Eternals, specializing in physical sciences.
According to Phastos's theory, the only way for Sprite to grow was to abandon her cosmic energy.
Sprite firmly believed this, which is why she doubted Ryan's capabilities.
Ryan led Sprite into the lab, opened his computer, retrieved a file, and explained, "Eternals possess near-infinite lifespans because cosmic energy constantly generates stem cells, maintaining metabolism and keeping the body in perfect condition."
"In other words, as long as you can access cosmic energy, your body will remain in its current state."
Ryan wondered if the Celestials had lost their minds, insisting on transforming an Eternal child.
Normally, Eternals could grow and reproduce naturally, like Thanos, who was born through natural means.
However, Eternals transformed by the Celestials would completely lose their ability to grow and reproduce naturally. To put it kindly, it's called transformation; to put it bluntly, they're essentially immortal slaves.
Sprite, stunned, asked, "You mean I should give up my power?"
Sprite's purpose for staying was to retain her abilities while growing into adulthood. Naturally, she wasn't satisfied with Ryan's answer.
Ryan smiled and patted Sprite's head. "Of course not giving up—suppressing. As long as you suppress the cosmic energy to a certain threshold, subtle changes will occur in your other cells. Your growth rate might be slower, but you'll be guaranteed to reach adulthood."
Sprite's disappointment vanished when she heard she could grow.
Even if it was slower, as long as she could mature, it didn't matter. She'd waited thousands of years; a few more wouldn't hurt.
Ryan's research wasn't solely to help Sprite.
He too carried Celestial genes, representing a significant vulnerability.
If someone used this type of inhibitor against him, it could theoretically kill him.
Ryan's ultimate goal was to transform himself into the most perfect being in the universe, so such weaknesses naturally needed to be eliminated.
He'd even considered having a child with a female Eternal, using the genes of a naturally born offspring to perfect his own pseudo-Eternal genetics.
However, subsequent experiments revealed that Eternals using cosmic energy were incapable of pregnancy; the fetus would be destroyed by cosmic energy-nourished cells before it could even form.
Unless Ryan's genetic material could withstand the cosmic energy assault...
Nick Fury, who had been absent for a long time, suddenly contacted Captain Marvel.
After the failure of their previous operation, Carol and several Avengers were staying at the New Asgard settlement in Norway.
Thor had just returned a few days ago and was currently plotting how to eliminate Ryan.
"Nick Fury wants to meet. I'm heading out for a bit. Don't make any moves before I get back."
Thor didn't seem concerned. Although he had dealt with Gorr the God Butcher, he had also lost Jane Foster forever. Since then, Thor had once again turned to drowning his sorrows in beer.
After Captain Marvel left, Thor turned to Dr. Banner and asked, "Who is this Ryan? I've only been away from Earth for a short while. How has everything changed so drastically?"
There were varying opinions about Thor's true strength. In the final battle against Thanos, even with Stormbreaker and Mjolnir, Thor was no match for the Mad Titan, while Captain Marvel managed to hold her own against him.
Based on that conclusion, Captain Marvel might be slightly stronger than Thor.
However, objectively speaking, the out-of-shape Thor was facing Thanos at full strength, while Iron Man and Captain America, barely reaching A-level capabilities, were at best providing support.
Captain Marvel entered the scene at the very last moment, facing a nearly exhausted Thanos, weaponless and battered by an army of superheroes.
It was difficult to determine who was truly stronger.
But in Ryan's opinion, Thor actually surpassed Captain Marvel.
Thor with Stormbreaker had nearly killed Thanos, who possessed all six Infinity Stones. His power was truly formidable.
So it was understandable that Thor didn't take Ryan seriously; after all, there weren't many beings in the universe stronger than the God of Thunder.
Meanwhile, Captain Marvel arrived at the agreed meeting location and spotted Nick Fury behind a tree.
"Where have you been?" Carol demanded as she approached.
Nick Fury shook his head. "The federal government has been completely controlled by Ross, and S.H.I.E.L.D. has been labeled as traitors. I could only evacuate my people temporarily, and I've just recently secured a safe location."
After explaining, he asked, "Carol, what's the situation on your end?"
"After you left, Doctor Strange organized another operation, but it failed. Rya—Ryan severed one of his arms."
Nick Fury appeared shocked, then asked calmly, "What are your plans now?"
"Strange is planning to find Wanda. Together with Thor and me, we'll deal with Ryan."
If Wanda joined them, Carol didn't think Ryan would stand a chance.
Nick Fury, stroking his chin, analyzed, "The federal government is now in Ross's hands. Ross obtained life-extending serums from Ryan. According to my intelligence, Ryan now commands a team of enhanced super-soldiers. If we want to take action, we must mobilize an army."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. rescued Luke Cage before we went underground. I also located Clint Barton, and James Rhodes is with me. I'll be meeting with Spider-Man and Ant-Man later. We need to gather all our forces to ensure success this time."
Carol, still unaware that the Nick Fury before her was an impostor, nodded in agreement.
"And we have the Asgardian and Wakandan forces. We should mobilize them all."
The Asgardians were descendants of an advanced warrior race, with nearly every individual possessing Captain America-level strength, but they had suffered heavy losses in the war against Thanos and currently had few capable fighters.
Wakanda possessed more advanced equipment and technology, but weaker individual strength. If they were going to face Ryan, they should focus on high-level combat power.
Nick Fury, however, emphasized the need to mobilize larger armies. Carol, though puzzled, dismissed this suggestion.
The false Nick Fury's true intention wasn't just to provoke conflict between Ryan and the Avengers, but to instigate war between the federal military, Asgard, and Wakanda.
Ideally, the entire human race would be drawn into this conflict, giving the Skrulls an opportunity to rule Earth.
This fake Nick Fury had actually appeared after Ryan's battle with the Avengers in New York. His goal was to exploit the deaths of Captain America and Falcon to provoke conflict and war.
"Let's split up. You convince Thor to gather the Guardians of the Galaxy and Asgardian warriors, while I'll contact the other heroes and Wakanda."
If the Guardians were also brought in, their combined strength would rival that of the force that faced Thanos.
Unaware of the deception, Carol immediately agreed to the fake Nick Fury's proposal.
Back in New Asgard, Captain Marvel recounted her meeting with Nick Fury in detail.
"Nick Fury wants us to immediately mobilize all available forces and begin the assault before Ryan is fully prepared."
Bruce Banner sat in contemplative silence for a long moment before speaking. "I still can't understand how we reached this point with Ryan."
Carol shrugged. "Don't ask me that question."
It seemed that the more powerful the superhero, the less adept they were at strategic thinking. Captain Marvel was no exception.
End of Chapter
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