The Gas of Death [55]

Hotel Savoy - Room

The next morning, the London sun was hidden behind the typical city fog, creating a gloomy and tranquil atmosphere at the Savoy Hotel. Clark and Diana were sitting at the table, having breakfast. Clark looked at Diana with an enigmatic smile as she sipped her tea, unaware of what he was about to reveal.

"Diana, today I'm going to show you one of my powers that will help us spy and discover who Ares is."

Diana looked up at him.

"What kind of power, Clark?"

Clark smiled slightly before closing his eyes for a moment. Suddenly, his body seemed to disappear before Diana's eyes. She blinked, surprised, trying to understand what had just happened.

"Goddess Hera!" exclaimed Diana, standing up from her chair, her eyes wide as she looked around for Clark. Concern crossed her face as she looked at the empty space where he had been moments before.

Clark, still invisible, walked over to her and gently touched her shoulder.

"Calm down, Diana," he said as he slowly reappeared, a reassuring smile on his face. "I just became invisible. This power will help us infiltrate and discover what we need without being detected."

Diana sighed in relief, though her expression still showed some apprehension.

"Incredible, Clark. But you could've warned me before disappearing like that," she said, crossing her arms.

Clark smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. But now you know what I'm capable of. This power can make a difference in our search for Ares."

Diana nodded, still processing what she had just witnessed. Though she was surprised, she also felt more confident. Clark had abilities that could help them overcome Ares.

"All right, Clark. Let's use this power wisely."

...

After breakfast, Clark prepared to leave on his mission. He knew that the next step was crucial.

He looked at Diana, who was standing near the window, gazing at the city view.

"Diana, I'm going to become invisible and search for Ares. I want you to stay here until I return with information. I promise I won't take long."

Diana frowned, clearly displeased with the idea of being stuck in the room doing nothing.

"I'll wait for you, Clark, but come back soon with news. The faster we return, the faster we can eliminate Ares and bring peace," she said, determination in her voice.

Clark discreetly rolled his eyes, invisible to Diana, who couldn't see his reaction.

"Yes, Diana. And then you can rest in a grateful land," he replied with a slightly ironic, yet still reassuring tone.

Diana seemed satisfied with the response, letting out a sigh and relaxing a little more. She knew Clark had a plan, and as difficult as it was to stay on the sidelines, she trusted him.

Clark, now invisible, left the room, leaving Diana with her thoughts. She looked out at the city once more, reflecting on what was to come.

...

Laboratory - Dr. Maru's POV

I'm in my laboratory, my eyes burning with exhaustion as I stare at the test tubes before me. Deep dark circles decorate my face, but despite that, a feeling of satisfaction fills me. The pride in my work surpasses any physical discomfort. Even after losing the notes, I managed to recreate the poisonous gas—a feat many would consider impossible, but not me. I am Dr. Maru, and there is no obstacle I cannot overcome.

Holding the vial containing the gas, my heart races. I feel a wave of pride swelling inside me. The greenish glow of the substance seems even more vibrant under the laboratory light. My lips curl into a smile as I gently shake the vial.

"General Ludendorff will be pleased with this," I murmur to myself, feeling the weight of responsibility transform into a comforting certainty. This formula will change the course of the war, and it's thanks to me.

Euphoria takes hold of me, and I can't help but let out a small laugh. I did it. I recovered what seemed lost. And now, nothing can stop me.

...

London - Streets

Clark's POV

I walked through the streets of London, invisible and intangible, my presence imperceptible to everyone around me. The thick fog covered the city, and the muffled sound of footsteps echoed through the alleys. I moved with agility, using my intangibility to pass through walls and enter restricted areas. My mind was focused on one goal: finding Ares.

I started reading the minds of the soldiers I came across. Each thought, each memory, brought clues that I hoped would lead me to the target. I searched their minds for useful information, going through low-ranking soldiers on the streets, trying to gather any relevant detail.

After some time, I found a promising lead. I was reading the mind of a soldier who mentioned a colonel involved in secret meetings about military strategies. The colonel's name was Alfred Whitaker, a man who seemed to be closer to the secrets I was trying to uncover.

I followed the information, and soon I was in front of Colonel Whitaker's residence. Using my intangibility, I entered undetected. The house was silent, and the colonel's breathing from an upstairs room was the only sound that stood out in the tranquil environment.

I climbed the stairs slowly, heading towards the colonel's bedroom. Upon entering, I found him sleeping soundly. I approached and touched his head, focusing on his memories. Images of meetings, strategies, and finally, what I needed: Sir Patrick's address.

'Well, now I just need to go to this castle and confirm Sir Patrick's identity. If he really is Ares, I'll come back and talk to Diana.'

With the information in mind, I left the residence as discreetly as I had entered. It was time to move on to the next step, and with every passing moment, I felt we were getting closer to the final confrontation.

...

Dr. Maru's Laboratory

Dr. Maru was anxious, awaiting General Ludendorff's arrival. She moved restlessly around the laboratory, her eyes watching the test tubes and vials that were neatly aligned on the table. The tension was evident in her expression, but there was also a glimmer of anticipation. Finally, the laboratory door opened abruptly.

Clang!

The sound of the door reverberated through the quiet room, and General Ludendorff entered with firm steps. His imposing figure contrasted with the delicacy of the scientific equipment around. His eyes fixed on Dr. Maru, who quickly turned to him with a determined smile.

"General, look what I have for you," Dr. Maru announced, her eyes gleaming with pride as she carefully picked up a vial containing the poisonous gas.

Dr. Maru walked over to Ludendorff, her hands holding the vial with the utmost caution, as if she were holding the key to victory. She handed the vial to him, her eyes fixed on the general's face, searching for a reaction.

Ludendorff took the vial, examining it closely. His expression was a mixture of approval and expectation. He looked at Dr. Maru and opened a satisfied smile.

"I told you you'd manage."

Dr. Maru nodded, her eyes still fixed on the vial. There was exhaustion in her posture—her dark circles were deep, a result of a sleepless night—but the pride was evident. The feeling of having contributed to something grand surpassed any fatigue.

"I stayed up all night, but it was worth it," she said, her voice filled with determination. She knew this moment was crucial, and her work had not been in vain.

Ludendorff held the vial firmly, his eyes fixed on Dr. Maru. He took a step back, still observing the green liquid, his mind already projecting the next steps in the military campaign.

"With this, victory in the war is guaranteed."

Dr. Maru smiled at the confidence in Ludendorff's voice, but she wasn't satisfied with words alone. She knew it was necessary to prove the gas's effectiveness in practice. With a gesture of her hand, she indicated a side door leading to an adjacent room.

"General, I've prepared a quality test for you to see the power of the gas in action. We have a prisoner of war whom we'll use as a test subject."

Ludendorff raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He followed Dr. Maru into the adjacent room. Through a large glass window, they could see a prisoner tied to a chair in the center of the room. The man was clearly terrified, his eyes wide as he looked around, trying to understand what was happening.

Dr. Maru approached a control panel beside the window and adjusted a few levers. "We're going to release the gas now, General. Watch closely."

Ludendorff crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on the prisoner. Dr. Maru pressed a button, and a hissing sound began to be heard as the green gas started to fill the room.

The prisoner immediately began coughing, his eyes watering as he tried in vain to break free from the restraints. The coughing quickly turned into screams of agony. The gas seemed to penetrate his lungs, causing unbearable pain. His muscles contracted involuntarily, and he writhed in the chair, trying to escape from something inescapable.

aaaaaahhhh!

The sound of screams echoed through the room, muffled only by the glass that separated the laboratory from the testing area. Ludendorff watched it all with an impassive expression, his eyes narrowing slightly as the prisoner succumbed to the effects of the gas. Within minutes, the man's body went still, his face twisted in a permanent expression of pain.

Dr. Maru, without any sign of remorse, turned off the gas flow and looked at Ludendorff.

"Well done, Dr. Maru," said Ludendorff, his tone cold but satisfied. "This is the kind of weapon we need to secure our supremacy. You did an excellent job, and your dedication will not go unnoticed."

Dr. Maru bowed her head slightly, the pride still evident in her eyes. "Thank you, General. I'm ready to produce more when needed. This is just the beginning."

Ludendorff nodded, still watching the lifeless body through the glass. "Prepare yourself, Dr. Maru. We have a lot of work ahead, and we cannot fail."

Dr. Maru smiled, determined. "We won't fail, General. With this gas, the world will see our power."

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