Trask Industries and The Mystery

When it comes to gravity, the concept of universal gravitation might seem a bit elusive to Max. After all, he doesn't consider himself a stellar student or a scientist. Universal gravitation? He's more familiar with one of the four fundamental forces.

And then what? Well, not much more... he's aware of that too.

However, Max doesn't let his lack of expertise in theoretical physics bring him down. Being an art enthusiast, he doesn't find it surprising. He can still grasp theoretical knowledge, and sometimes, practical application outweighs theory. With the special energy in the his space at his disposal, Max believes that mastering and sensing it could yield desired results, even without a thorough understanding of the underlying principles.

Max has a subtle feeling that once he truly masters this energy, his capabilities within the his space might extend beyond mere flight.

Simply put, Max explores the his space. Since it's based on the Ability of the Door-Door Fruit, he figures that by using his Ability more diligently, he might discover the process of creating doors.

So, Max starts repeatedly opening and closing doors in the his space, engrossed in his research.

.....

In the morning

Max didn't drive straight to the Mutant Placement Center. Instead, he headed to a bustling park nearby. Parking the car, he brought Lauren out, and then called Jestner.

Before long, Jestner arrived, carrying a suitcase.

"Why choose this place?" Jestner inquired, frowning. The park was crowded with people.

Max smiled without offering an explanation. Jestner didn't press the matter. The reason was simple: lack of trust. Glancing at Lauren, standing nervously next to Max, Jestner handed over the suitcase.

"Two hundred thousand, and you can take a little extra."

"Not necessary. You should be well aware of the consequences if any money goes missing," Max replied, accepting the box. Jestner gestured towards Lauren and escorted her away.

Waving his hand to activate the door, Max stepped through and walked back to his car.

From a distance, he observed several identical cars dispersing at an intersection ahead, making it challenging to discern which one Lauren was in.

This was expected. Jestner wouldn't take someone away without precautions.

Surveying the separated cars, Max followed one, almost as if he had a tracker.

In reality, although Max didn't have a physical tracker. Max discreetly placed a ultra small door on her neck, easily concealed under her hair.

While continuously opening the door required constant energy input, Max could effortlessly sense its position, essentially tracking Lauren. This precaution served to guard against Jestner, even if he employed advanced equipment for surveillance.

In a different space, Max shadowed the car all the way.

After over an hour, the vehicle continued to navigate the city. Max remained patient, interpreting the prolonged journey as an indication that Jestner intended to take Lauren to her family.

The three-hour circular route was nearly complete, and most people wouldn't be so meticulous unless they were keenly aware of being tracked. After a few more minutes, the car in front pulled into the parking lot of a particular building.

"Trask Industries?"

Seeing the name of the building, Max was slightly taken aback. If he recalled correctly, the founder of the Sentinel Program was Bolivar Trask, and Trask Industries was established by him. Bolivar was the individual Mystique assassinated in 1973, a key moment in the altered timeline of this world. He should already be dead in this timeline.

"I wonder if it's a coincidence or something else." Max contemplated this but continued to follow without hesitation.

In the underground parking lot, Jestner and the two agents escorted Lauren out of the car. A man in a white coat stood nearby – Professor Campbell, the head of the Sentry Public Service Station.

Jestner was dissatisfied with Campbell after the failure to hand over Juggernaut, but this time Campbell took the initiative to find him, wanting both Andy and Lauren. Initially resistant, Jestner eventually relented, but not without warning.

"You better be careful; he might show up at any time," Jestner reminded Campbell.

"That would be better," Campbell replied with a smile, proceeding to put a neck ring on Lauren.

His excitement was palpable. Campbell pays special attention to Andy's case. Now that Lauren's Mutant identity is exposed, Campbell is eager to have them under his control.

The Straker last name triggers a memory for Campbell. In the mid-20th century, the Hellfire Club boasted two notorious Mutant siblings, the Fenris twins – Andreas and Andrea Strucker. Andy and Lauren are their descendants, perfectly inheriting the older generation's Abilities.

One can control aggregation, and the other can control fission – a process akin to creating a hydrogen bomb. The power of these siblings is comparable to a hydrogen bomb, as proven by the Fenris twins. Understanding their significance, Campbell is keen to secure them.

With Jestner departing with the prisoners, Campbell, now completely focused on Lauren, guided her into the elevator.

"Don't be afraid. Your parents and younger brother are safe. You'll see them soon," Campbell assured Lauren with a smile as the elevator doors closed.

The scene Max witnessed was a flurry of activity, with security guards and researchers in white coats moving continuously. Campbell gestured for Lauren to change clothes, but he was eager to head to the laboratory.

"Are you all set?"

"Ready."

"That's good; the protagonist will make an appearance soon. I hope for success!"

....

In a his space, Max examined the layout of the surrounding environment. It was apparent that this wasn't the research site for the Sentinels project; it was the Hound Project's research site. Especially Campbell—Max hadn't seen Campbell during the Juggernaut incident, but he recognized him when Campbell appeared in the underground garage.

This guy was in charge of the Hound Project. In TV shows and movies, he had captured Andy and Lauren, treating them as subjects for Ability testing and killing Sonya. Max wasn't going to let history repeat itself, whether it was for Sonia or Lauren, who had already paid a considerable price.

As the Lauren family wasn't in immediate danger, Max didn't accompany Lauren in her exploration.

Since this was the Hound Project's research site, Mutants selected for the Hound Project should be present. Max turned around and swiftly located dozens of Mutants with uncomfortable expressions and neck collars in a specific room.

These Mutants were confined to this room, with some looking relatively normal, while others trembled, clearly struggling with drug addiction. Max didn't recognize any familiar faces among them and, for now, couldn't discern their abilities. Max didn't harbor any immediate plans for these individuals. The Viper had mentioned that once addicted, their fate could be death, and saving them might be futile.

Max considered checking files to learn about the abilities of these Mutants. If he found any valuable ones, he might take them away, potentially offering assistance. Regardless, even if things turned dire, they could contribute to the Viper's gene research.

However, he currently had no idea where to find these files, so he decided to leave and check on Lauren and the others.

After Lauren changed into fresh clothes, she finally reunited with her parents and younger brother. However, in the sterile atmosphere of the laboratory, the emotions of the family reunion became inherently complicated. Lauren's mother, attempting to convey her feelings, was abruptly halted.

Lauren and Andy found themselves escorted into the laboratory.

"What is this!?"

"You are not following the procedure. We have our rights. I want to consult with a lawyer."

Lauren's parents protested vehemently at Campbell, who merely smiled. "A lawyer? Certainly, if you survive."

"Now, I need both of you to hold hands and manifest your abilities."

"The wall in front of you is constructed from Adamantium. I hope your abilities will cooperate as anticipated; otherwise..." Campbell didn't finish his sentence, but the person beside him pointed a gun at Lauren's parents.

"What do we do?"

Andy looked at Lauren with a sense of panic.

"It will be okay. Someone will come to rescue us, I promise," Lauren reassured with unwavering certainty.

....

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