"Please come in, Mr. Emil Blonsky."
A graceful Japanese woman led him into the main structure of Umbrella Corporation.
This research institution, hailed as a rising star, had undergone multiple expansions with two towering skyscrapers resembling unfurled sails added to its periphery... one dedicated to biological modification and the other to genetic engineering...
Internally, Umbrella referred to these heavily guarded, top-secret buildings as 'Babel' and 'The Hive'...
Blonsky's destination today was Babel, which was located to the right of the main building, fully overseen by Dr. Connors and exclusively devoted to biological enhancement experiments.
With a faint sense of unease, Blonsky followed Yuriko through the bustling lobby and into a transparent corridor connecting to Babel. From a distance, the three closely situated buildings appeared like clustered mountain peaks, linked by straight sky-bound pathways.
The artificial intelligence, Red Queen, guided the way ahead, leading Blonsky into an employee-only elevator. A series of automated verification procedures granted access seamlessly.
As the elevator ascended, the hardened soldier gazed downward, feeling as though he were stepping into a tower leading to heaven. The view expanded until the entirety of Long Island sprawled beneath him.
Upon exiting the elevator, his eyes landed on a metal plaque inscribed with a line of Hebrew script:
«Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth...»
It was a passage from Genesis in the Old Testament...
"Follow me," the lifelike Red Queen instructed.
Stepping into the enigmatic building's interior, Blonsky was first greeted by an expansive botanical garden...
Lush, oversized flora thrived... thick green vines coiled like pythons, towering trees so massive, multiple adults couldn't encircle them, and strange glowing plants shimmering faintly...
As he proceeded, he caught glimpses of enormous, ferocious creatures; crocodiles floating in deep pools, lizards draped over thick tree trunks, and even the hulking silhouette of a one-horned rhinoceros.
Animals and plants coexisted, forming a complete, self-sustaining ecosystem.
"Rich people and their eccentric hobbies..."
Unaware of the purpose behind it all, Blonsky muttered under his breath, assuming this was merely Sean's personal indulgence... like wealthy hunters who mounted animal heads as trophies to flaunt their taste and power.
In truth, what he saw was only the tip of the iceberg. Beyond the simulated walls of the botanical garden lay creatures of mythic proportions... a mountainous white gorilla leaning against a cliffside, idly scratching a tree as if writing its name... George...
Then, there was a colossal winged wolf casting shadows as it circled overhead, and in the nearby swamp, a brown-scaled crocodile with jagged fangs capable of swallowing a bison whole.
These were Sean's 'pets', bred for future genetic engineering. Even though they were injected with the Metis serum, they lacked the human-like learning capacity of Caesar the chimp.
Instead, a combination of the Goblin Formula and reverse-engineered Super-Soldier Serum had proven more effective, their massive doses triggering drastic physical transformations and bestowing them terrifying strength.
Blonsky noticed the building's interior was hollowed out like a towering spire. Riding the elevator to a higher floor, he found Sean, who had extended the invitation, engaged in lively conversation with an Asian woman clad in a blue-and-white uniform...
"This is Dr. Helen Cho, from Seoul, South Korea... She's a world-class expert in genetic biology. Her invention, the Regeneration Cradle, will ensure your survival." Sean made brief introductions.
The brilliant female scientist's intellect and creativity had even earned the respect of the notoriously arrogant Tony Stark. Currently, she served as one of Umbrella's lead researchers in biological experimentation.
"I'm glad you ultimately accepted Umbrella's invitation." The young man shook Blonsky's hand warmly, a faint smile playing on his lips, "I'll fulfill my promise to you... I'll grant you a younger body, and greater strength. You'll step into a world beyond imagination! And trust me, that world belongs to men like you."
Blonsky nodded reflexively. After the Brazil operation, he had formally retired from the military...
Though General Ross had attempted to persuade him to stay, the suspension of the Hulk pursuit made continuing feel meaningless. He declined the offer to transition to a desk job, instead accepting Sean's invitation.
During their phone call, the enigmatic young man had hinted at Umbrella's ongoing human enhancement experiments... ones requiring a soldier of exceptional physicality and willpower.
At the time, Blonsky hadn't agreed immediately. But after returning home and reflecting, the thought of an ordinary life became unbearable. In the end, he chose to participate in the highly risky project.
"I, too, wish to regain my former strength... to feel that fire for life again." Blonsky clenched his fist, the image of the green giant from the operation flashing in his mind.
That unparalleled might was the power he truly coveted.
"No. You'll be stronger than ever before." Sean's words carried profound meaning.
This compact man, forged in Siberia's bitter cold, had served in the British Royal Marines before being transferred to Special Operations Command. His record brimmed with glory, earning him a reputation as one of the military's finest.
A lion like this was precisely the kind Sean wouldn't let slip away...
In his view, were it not for the Hulk's limitless rage-fueled power, the green behemoth would stand no chance against the Abomination. With his tactical brilliance and combat mastery, Blonsky's potential far exceeded what he had shown.
Inside the lab, Dr. Connors and his assistant, Gwen, had been waiting. All equipment and preparations were complete.
If this experiment succeeded, it would prove Umbrella capable of mass-producing super-soldiers with extraordinary physical prowess... Something that would undoubtedly help them strengthen ties with the Department of Defense.
"The human trial consists of two phases," Dr. Connors explained calmly, "First, we'll inject the serum into the central spinal column, this may cause some pain. The second phase involves vaporized injection, converting a measured dose into gas to ensure full cellular absorption, achieving complete bodily transformation."
Blonsky's gaze locked onto the vial of green solution in the doctor's hand...
Rumors of the military's Super-Soldier Program had reached his ears... the legendary Captain America, Steve Rogers, had been the product of such a serum, leading troops to victory against the Nazis.
'Maybe I can become someone like Captain America...' The thought flickered in his mind.
"I'm a soldier. Pain doesn't scare me... I only crave power." Blonsky stared at Sean, his eyes burning like fire... a reflection of his ambition and hunger for strength.
"You'll get everything you desire." Sean's voice was measured.
He admired this unyielding, razor-sharp determination. A warrior willing to risk death for greater power was born for the battlefield, destined to bathe in the blood and terror of his enemies.
The Abomination would become a blade in Sean's hand, cutting down any who stood in his way...
The young man harbored no doubts about wielding such a weapon... Those who craved power most also feared the strong. Even enhanced, Blonsky would remain beneath him.
Absolute loyalty was a myth. But so long as he maintained his own strength, betrayal would never be a concern.
"Don't disappoint me, Blonsky."
Sean watched as the hardened soldier stripped down and strapped himself to the operating table, a faint smile curling his lips...