Chapter 26: Join the Glorious Evolution!
Ryan and Frank began an uncomfortable cohabitation in their underground hideout.
Ryan couldn't stand Frank's perpetual smell of gunpowder and blood, while Frank resented Ryan's obsessive cleanliness and scientific routine.
In the evening, Frank returned from reconnaissance to find Ryan sitting at his computer, reviewing genetic data while eating a bowl of instant ramen.
Frank grabbed his own bowl from the kitchen counter, copying Ryan's method of adding the flavor packet to the noodles.
One bite was enough to make him grimace.
While eating, he approached Ryan and quipped, "Honestly, you're more reliable as a cook than a scientist."
Without looking up from his screen, Ryan replied, "Nothing you do goes according to plan."
Ryan slurped down the noodles and tapped the keyboard twice, causing new molecular structures to appear on the monitor—Jessica Jones's enhanced DNA sequencing.
Frank, confused by the scientific data, sat back on his cot and continued eating.
Ryan finished his meal, wiped his mouth, and began typing frantically. Moments later, a centrifuge machine following his programmed instructions produced a vial of pale blue serum.
He walked over, retrieved the still-warm enhancement compound, and said to Frank, "Clear your schedule tomorrow. The serum's ready. We're heading to the outskirts."
Ryan had been analyzing how S.H.I.E.L.D. kept finding him. After reviewing their previous encounters, he concluded they were likely monitoring New York's power grid for unusual energy signatures.
This time, he planned to take Frank to an abandoned location outside the city for the enhancement procedure and prepare an escape route.
Frank casually agreed, set down his bowl, and stood up. "I've got business tonight. Meet me at 0800 sharp."
Ryan knew Frank was hunting down leads on his family's killers, so he let him go.
But Frank didn't return until noon the next day.
Ryan was furious.
Two days earlier, Frank had tracked down one of the men responsible for his family's murder: Agent Carson Wolf, a Homeland Security operative involved in the cover-up.
Frank had infiltrated Wolf's residence, extracted the truth through interrogation, and eliminated him.
However, NSA analyst David Lieberman had become involved. Lieberman knew Frank was alive and had been investigating the same conspiracy from within the system.
Last night, Frank had broken into Lieberman's safe house to determine if the analyst was friend or foe.
Initially, everything proceeded smoothly, but Frank underestimated the civilian analyst. Lieberman managed to inject Frank with a fast-acting sedative using a disguised injector pen.
This caused Frank to miss his appointment with Ryan.
Fortunately, Lieberman harbored no ill will toward Frank and actually wanted to form an alliance to investigate the conspiracy.
Frank learned crucial information from Lieberman.
The root cause was Operation Cerberus—a black ops mission from several years prior that was completely off-books, lacking both agency documentation and congressional oversight.
Frank realized he'd been betrayed by high-ranking government officials orchestrating the cover-up.
All evidence now pointed to Agent Orange—the shadow figure who had authorized Operation Cerberus.
"To get your revenge, we're going to need serious firepower," Lieberman offered.
Frank checked his watch and said calmly, "I know where to get it."
Frank hadn't forgotten his appointment with Ryan. Though he was late, he felt no remorse about it.
Back in Hell's Kitchen, as soon as Frank entered the basement, he saw Ryan's scowling face.
Frank waved dismissively. "Hey, man, whatever you're planning better happen fast. I've got a war to fight."
Ryan grumbled, "You're the most unreliable partner I've ever worked with."
Frank shrugged. "Probably."
The two left the basement and drove to the abandoned Hammer Industries facility in the suburbs that Ryan had scouted earlier.
Inside the factory stood a pre-assembled biomechanical enhancement chamber—similar to the technology Ryan had observed in old S.H.I.E.L.D. files about the Project Rebirth program.
After powering up the systems, Ryan gestured for Frank to strip and enter the chamber.
Frank didn't hesitate. He would endure anything to avenge his wife and children.
Ryan approached the enhancement chamber carrying the serum, taunting, "Fair warning—this is going to hurt worse than anything you've experienced. Try not to scream too loud."
"Nothing could hurt worse than losing them."
"We'll see about that."
Ryan activated the sequence. The chamber door sealed, and six injection needles extended toward various points on Frank's body.
Frank truly was made of iron—he didn't even flinch as the needles penetrated his skin.
"Initiating enhancement protocol," Ryan announced, gradually increasing the bioelectric current.
The chamber immediately bathed Frank in intense blue energy, similar to the cosmic radiation that had transformed the Fantastic Four, but controlled and focused through Jessica Jones's genetic template.
Ryan had conducted this experiment multiple times and knew exactly what to expect.
Reality hit quickly. Within twenty seconds, Frank's initial stoic silence transformed into agonized screams that echoed through the abandoned facility.
Ryan pulled out a protein bar and leaned against the control console, monitoring Frank's vital signs while listening to the tortured howls.
The power wasn't shut off until the energy readings in the chamber reached critical saturation levels.
With a hydraulic hiss, the chamber door opened, releasing a cloud of superheated steam.
Frank stumbled forward, then collapsed face-first onto the concrete floor with a resounding thud, sending dust particles swirling through the air.
Ryan grabbed a towel and casually covered Frank's exposed form, then drew a blood sample with a syringe.
Frank slowly turned his head toward Ryan. "For a minute there, I thought you were trying to kill me."
Ryan smirked. "I thought you were a tough guy, but you screamed louder than Reed Richards when he got his powers."
Frank's eye twitched, but he abandoned any thought of arguing with Ryan.
Still sprawled on the ground, unable to move, Frank whispered, "Did it work?"
"How should I know? We need to get back and run tests."
Fearing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrival, Ryan secured the blood sample and helped Frank to his feet.
After Frank dressed, they immediately evacuated the facility.
Ryan's paranoia proved justified. Ten minutes later, several black SUVs converged on the factory.
The vehicles parked in formation at the facility entrance. Captain America Steve Rogers, Black Widow Natasha Romanoff, and Hawkeye Clint Barton followed Director Peggy Carter inside.
Seeing the still-warm enhancement equipment, Carter sighed. "Ryan's creating more super soldiers. We have to stop him before this gets out of control."
Hawkeye crouched near the chamber, analyzing trace evidence and energy residue signatures.
Captain America stepped outside, scanning the perimeter with his enhanced senses, hoping to detect any sign of Ryan's presence.
Carter was about to order the equipment's confiscation when Black Widow approached.
"Director Carter, since Ryan's so elusive, why don't we establish surveillance on this location? He might return."
Carter considered the tactical merit and approved the plan.
"Install covert monitoring systems and motion sensors. Station agents on all major routes out of the city. Contact the NYPD and issue a citywide BOLO for Ryan."
Including this incident, Ryan had now conducted three unauthorized enhancement procedures, putting tremendous pressure on Carter's operation.
End of Chapter 26
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