Chapter 21: Cross-Age Weapons
After witnessing the capabilities of the World Snake's bioengineered super soldiers, Norman Osborn had already given up hope of perfecting the super soldier serum he had been pursuing for years. 1The World Snake's beast soldiers—a complete revolution in bioengineering—represented the future. Osborn Industries' decades-long obsession with creating a perfect super soldier seemed trivial in comparison.
If survival was possible, Norman Osborn was determined to join the World Snake. With their technological advances, the future was clearly in their hands.
Zod took only a single day to create the anti-retrocellular hyperplasia drug that could cure Norman's genetic disease. However, he didn't hand it over immediately, letting several days pass before sending the medication to Norman.
When Norman finally received the package, he eagerly opened the suitcase to reveal a syringe, three vials filled with a blue liquid, and a set of instructions. The treatment required monthly injections to suppress the hyperplasia, with regular check-ups every three months to monitor progress.
Norman wasn't surprised that it wasn't a one-time cure. Genetic diseases like this couldn't be fixed with a single injection; it was a flaw in the very fabric of their DNA.
Taking no chances, Norman took the medication to Dr. Connors, who he trusted to monitor his progress after the injection. Despite Connors' reservations—he didn't know where the inhibitors came from and was concerned about possible side effects—Norman insisted on the injection. He couldn't afford to wait any longer.
After the injection, Norman drifted off into a deep sleep, his body beginning to repair the genetic damage. When he awoke, the familiar weakness in his body was gone. He felt stronger, more energetic, and more alive than ever before. The disease that had plagued the Osborn family for generations had been cured by the World Snake.
This solidified Norman's resolve to join the organization.
Though Norman initially thought Zod would quickly move to merge Osborn Industries with Blade Technology Industry, Zod surprised him by insisting he leave things as they were. The reasoning was simple: Osborn Industries wasn't entirely under Norman's control. With too many powerful shareholders in the mix, trying to take full control would be a waste of time and resources.
Instead, Zod gave Norman his first mission: find Ivan Vanko in Russia.
Using his financial resources and influence, Norman located Vanko within two days. Zod soon found himself face-to-face with Ivan Vanko and his ailing father, Anton Vanko.
Without hesitation, Zod used the brainwashing device to reprogram both father and son, turning them into loyal scientists for the World Snake. To ensure that Anton wouldn't succumb to his fragile health, Zod injected him with the super animal serum, transforming him into a beast soldier.
The Vankos were tasked with creating a miniature, controllable cold nuclear fusion arc reactor. Under Zod's guidance, they quickly succeeded, and Zod wasted no time in learning the technology himself, even improving on their designs. The only problem was the use of palladium as the reactor's core. Zod briefly considered creating new elements from Kryptonian technology, but Earth didn't have the necessary resources.
Nevertheless, the arc reactor worked well enough for Zod's immediate plans. He was not aiming to create something as large as Tony Stark's arc reactor. Instead, Zod wanted to get ahead of Stark by developing a steel suit of his own, years before Stark would even begin working on the Mark 1.
With the miniature arc reactor patented, Zod began his work. From now on, it would be Tony Stark who appeared to imitate Zod's designs, not the other way around.
Zod then instructed his secretary, Uuld, to invite representatives from the five permanent members of the UN and other military powers to attend a new product exhibition for Blade Technology Industry.
"We are unveiling not just a new material but an epoch-making weapon," Zod declared.
Uuld was surprised by the boldness of the claim. Had they really developed a weapon that could change the course of history? Nonetheless, she followed Zod's orders.
The announcement garnered worldwide attention. Ever since Zod introduced secondary Krypton gold, half of the world's industries had experienced breakthroughs. Blade Technology Industry had become a pivotal force in global innovation. Now, the promise of a new, cross-age weapon had military organizations and industrial giants alike clamoring for more information.
Speculations ran wild—electromagnetic kinetic weapons, laser weapons, and even force field technology were all on the table.
On the day of the exhibition, the event hall was packed with military officials, corporate leaders, and other influential figures from around the world. Among the attendees was Tony Stark, who was curious about the so-called cross-age weapon. Despite Zod's recent innovations in materials, Stark wasn't convinced that Blade Technology could surpass his own designs in weapons technology. He was confident in his claim as the smartest man in the room.
Upon arriving, Stark quickly noticed Uuld, Zod's attractive secretary.
"I didn't know Zod had such a beautiful assistant," Stark quipped, flashing his signature grin.
"Mr. Stark, welcome to the exhibition," Uuld replied politely, her hands full with hosting the high-profile attendees.
While Stark eyed her for a potential one-night stand, Uuld was unimpressed. She quickly excused herself to continue attending to the various diplomats and corporate executives present.
As the audience settled in, the lights in the exhibition hall suddenly went out. Though the blackout was abrupt, the crowd remained composed—they had experienced enough grandiose presentations to expect a dramatic entrance from Zod.