"Put down your weapons. Struggling is futile."
Cain's voice was calm, but his face twitched slightly when he saw how many guns were pointed in his direction. Almost unconsciously, he stepped half a pace back, positioning himself behind The Pursuer—Umbrella's towering bio-weapon.
The Pursuer stood like a wall of flesh and steel, one massive hand resting on the rocket launcher propped against his shoulder.
Nikolai's finger tightened around his trigger.
"What do we do?" he muttered under his breath. "Take a gamble?"
The gamble was simple.
Would Cain really dare to fire?
Dr. Ashford had said this was the final helicopter before the nuclear strike. If The Pursuer launched a rocket and destroyed it, Cain would be stranded too.
But—
Alice inhaled slowly.
"No. It's not necessary."
She was the first to lower her weapon.
The eastern horizon was faintly glowing.
Dawn was near.
"The missile should have arrived already," she said quietly. "Since it hasn't, someone delayed it."
Her eyes locked onto Cain.
"If he can delay it, then one helicopter means nothing to him."
Silence fell.
She understood something the others were only beginning to realize.
"We are the target," she continued calmly. "Especially me."
One by one, the others dropped their weapons reluctantly.
Metal clattered against concrete.
Deadpool, however, did not throw his pistols down.
He flamboyantly holstered both golden Desert Eagles, then raised his hands high in a dramatic salute.
He had only just "acquired" those pistols.
He wasn't about to let them hit the ground.
Cain finally stepped fully out from behind The Pursuer.
"This operation," he said, smiling thinly, "has brought me many surprises."
Alice walked forward two steps, facing him without fear.
"What do you want?"
"For you," Cain replied smoothly, "I delayed the nuclear launch. What do you think I want?"
He gestured lazily toward The Pursuer.
"The three of you have demonstrated extraordinary potential—superhuman speed, strength, neural reaction time."
He pointed at Alice.
"You are one of our parallel samples."
Then at The Pursuer.
"He is another."
And finally—
He turned his gaze to Deadpool.
"And you are the pleasant surprise."
Deadpool, who had been squatting casually with his hands behind his head, blinked.
"…Wait. Why three? Who's the surprise?"
Cain's smile widened.
"You."
Deadpool froze.
"According to our monitoring data," Cain continued, "your performance metrics—aside from raw strength—exceed both Alice's and The Pursuer's. You are the most valuable sample of this entire incident."
"A brand-new evolution."
Deadpool slowly stood up.
"…So what? A three-person tag match?"
He cupped his cheeks theatrically.
"I must inform you, in our brief interaction, I have already captured Alice's heart with my charm. She wouldn't hurt me. So it would be two versus one."
"You're amusing," Cain said flatly. "You don't need to fight anyone."
Deadpool relaxed slightly.
"You will simply remain there… and watch the two of them determine superiority."
The moment those words left Cain's mouth—
Deadpool shot upright.
The surrounding mercenaries immediately raised their rifles, aiming at his head.
Cain frowned.
"What are you doing?"
Deadpool raised both hands defensively.
"Relax! I just thought I'd be squatting for a while, so I stood up to stretch. If my legs go numb, that'll be awkward later."
Cain exhaled sharply through his nose.
He turned back to Alice.
"Begin."
His voice carried the tone of a man who believed himself untouchable.
Like an emperor giving a gladiator match order.
Alice did not move.
"I refuse."
Cain's expression darkened.
"They will die. All of them. Except him."
He nodded slightly toward Deadpool.
Alice's eyes narrowed.
"Why do you think I care?"
Cain laughed.
"You can't fool anyone."
Without hesitation—
He drew his pistol and fired.
Peyton: ???
Of all people—
The bullet flew toward him.
But—
Ding!
A metallic sound echoed.
The bullet ricocheted away.
Deadpool stood in front of Peyton, dagger raised.
"What are you doing?" Cain demanded.
Deadpool pointed accusingly at him.
"What are YOU doing?"
"Do you know who he is?"
"The data shows he's just an ordinary Black police officer."
"Exactly!" Deadpool shouted dramatically. "He's Black! There are so many people here—why did you choose him first?"
The mercenaries blinked in confusion.
Deadpool continued passionately.
"Do you know what happens if the public sees you shoot him? Equality groups will riot! They'll protest! They'll question casting decisions! This entire movie will get pulled from theaters! Our paychecks will vanish!"
He paused.
"Oh wait. I'm just a guest star from another set. I wasn't getting paid anyway. Maybe just a boxed lunch."
Cain stared.
What was this man even saying?
Suddenly, Cain's earpiece crackled.
He turned slightly, pressing it closer.
"Yes. Yes, it's me."
His tone shifted instantly.
"Of course. Under control."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
He ended the call and straightened.
The higher-ups had lost patience.
The delay could not continue.
If necessary, Alice's clones could always be used for further research.
But Deadpool?
He was new.
Unknown.
Potentially revolutionary.
Cain looked at him coldly.
"You want to perform? Then perform."
The new decision was simple.
Have Deadpool fight The Pursuer directly.
Evaluate him.
Deadpool placed his hands on his hips.
"You tell me to fight, and I fight? Do I look spineless?"
Cain raised his hand.
"Prepare to fire."
Dozens of rifles lifted in unison.
"Fight," Cain said calmly, "or they die."
Deadpool's shoulders sagged.
"Okay, okay."
He glanced at Cain.
"Can I use weapons?"
"The blade, yes. The guns, no."
Cain gestured.
"Primary weapons down."
The Pursuer obeyed.
He set aside the rocket launcher.
Dropped the heavy machine gun.
Then—
With terrifying ease—
He ripped a streetlamp from the ground and held it like a club.
Deadpool walked back to Alice.
He took his sword from her.
Handed her the golden pistols for safekeeping.
Then pulled out the tactical dagger strapped to his calf.
"Lend me some blood."
Before she could respond—
He made a shallow cut across her shoulder.
A thin line of blood appeared.
Alice stared at him, stunned.
Deadpool dipped his dagger into the blood and carefully smeared it across the blade.
He grinned.
"Perfect."
He walked to the center of the rooftop arena, facing The Pursuer.
The massive bio-weapon lifted the streetlamp, muscles bulging.
Deadpool twirled the dagger playfully.
"Listen carefully," he said loudly.
"This knife is coated with deadly poison."
Alice: …
She stared at him flatly.
Thanks.
Very flattering.
The wind picked up.
The first ray of sunlight crested over the horizon.
Nine lives stood balanced between science and madness.
Cain watched with anticipation.
The Pursuer stepped forward.
And Deadpool—
Smiled behind his mask.
-----------------------------
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