Chapter 56: A Horde of Mutant Clones

Support me and be 20 chapters ahead of webnovel:

patreon.com/Draco_

For every 4 new paid patreon I get irrespective of tiers I will mass release 15 chaps of this book.

*****

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Arkley Genetics…

Sander Rice stood before the glass containers holding muscular bodies connected to various instruments. As he reviewed the latest experimental data, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"I knew I could do it. Soon, I will rule this world. Every nation will bow before me, and I shall become the sole king of Earth!"

Although X-24 had failed to capture the runaway mutant children last time, the data collected during the pursuit allowed him to further refine his mutant cloning experiments.

After three or four months of research, not only had he successfully replicated numerous Wolverine clones, but he had also made significant breakthroughs in cloning other mutants.

Given another month or two, he might even be able to replicate Professor X, Magneto, Phoenix, and Cyclops.

However, initial tests showed that these clones' abilities were significantly weaker than their originals.

Of course, Rice knew that it was impossible for the clones to match the originals in power. Yet, even if they could only reach 20 to 30 percent of the originals' strength, they were still a force to be reckoned with.

Especially since he was focusing on quantity. Given a few more years, he could create an entire army of mutant clones, remotely controlled by computers. Conquering a nation wouldn't be difficult.

A single Level 3 Magneto clone might not be very powerful, but what about a thousand Level 3 Magneto clones? Wouldn't that be enough to challenge the real Magneto?

Though his progress was just in its infancy, the potential was already there. As long as everything went smoothly, it wasn't impossible to achieve.

When that time came, no country would stand a chance against him.

If George were here, he would have told Rice how naive he was—that the world was far more complicated than he imagined.

"Bring Donald here!"

After organizing the experiment data, a thought crossed Rice's mind. He picked up a communicator and summoned the base's commander, Donald.

"Have you found any trace of those failed experiments?" Rice asked.

"Not their exact location yet, but we've confirmed they're in New York.

"Although they've been switching vehicles constantly, our tracking experts are certain they entered New York City and haven't left since. They must be hiding somewhere," Donald reported.

Recently, most of his efforts had been focused on tracking Wolverine and the group from Subject 757. He was determined to avenge the humiliation at the border facility.

Unfortunately, the trail went cold in New York. It seemed their targets had gone underground upon arrival.

"The clones will need real combat to gather useful data, and those failures need to be eliminated. Once I perfect the cloning process, I'll create a Caliban clone.

"Using Caliban's ability to track mutants will help you locate them quickly.

"But if you fail this time, don't bother coming back!" Dr. Rice's tone was icy.

Hearing this, Donald immediately broke into a cold sweat. He knew the doctor wasn't bluffing.

"Rest assured, this time, I'll bring you all their corpses, including Wolverine and Professor X."

"Good. For now, stop wasting your energy on the search. Once I finish the clone of my precious, I'll let you know," Dr. Rice said, waving Donald away dismissively.

He considered himself far superior to the scientists who had previously studied mutants—people like Dr. Trask or General Stryker. In his eyes, they were only worthy of carrying his shoes. Their Sentinel robots and synthetic mutants couldn't compare to the power of his clone mutant army.

The key advantage was that these clone mutants were all controlled by computers. They would obey his every command without fear of death or concern for rebellion. Their loyalty was far more reliable than even Donald's.

"It's a shame there's so little adamantium left. The newly replicated Wolverines will only have bone claws.

But that works perfectly—they'll be able to counter Subject 757!"

The supply of adamantium was scarce. Most of it had already been used on X-23 and X-24, leaving very little in the base. As a result, the newer Wolverine clones had to settle for bone claws, which were immune to Subject 757's magnetic abilities.

To be honest, Rice still couldn't understand why Subject 757, a failed experiment, had become so strong. He had tried replicating several more like it, but the results were disappointing—completely useless.

Five of them combined couldn't even defeat a single bone-clawed Wolverine clone. This led him to abandon the foolish idea of cloning more of Subject 757.

At the same time, in Washington, at the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters in the Triskelion, inside the director's office…

"Director, Tony Stark isn't willing to cooperate yet. It's going to take some time," Coulson reported via video call.

Nick Fury nodded. "Tony Stark couldn't have escaped that terrorist base with Dr. Yinsen completely unscathed. Based on our assessment of the site, a third party must have intervened.

"Your task now, aside from identifying who hired those terrorists to attack Tony Stark, is to figure out which third party saved him."

"Understood, Director."

After Coulson ended the call, Nick Fury picked up another dossier to review. About half an hour later, he summoned S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top spy, Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, to his office.

"After years of investigation, we've determined that Arkley Genetics is deeply connected to the disappearance of mutants.

"Recent intelligence suggests they've been using mutant genes to create artificial mutant weapons.

"I want you to infiltrate their base and find out their true intentions. If possible, obtain experimental data as evidence so we have a reason to intervene."

Arkley Genetics was a global corporation with ties to numerous high-ranking officials around the world. Without sufficient proof, S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't make a move against them without risking backlash from the World Security Council, which could freeze their funding.

The best course of action was to send Black Widow in undercover to gather evidence.

Of course, Fury was also very interested in Arkley Genetics' experiments. If their research could benefit S.H.I.E.L.D., he had no issue with his scientists continuing their work.

"Yes, Director," Natasha responded.

Dressed in her signature black catsuit, with a captivating face and a flawless figure, Black Widow accepted the mission without hesitation.

For her, this was nothing too difficult.

Her last assignment had involved infiltrating a nation's high command and gathering evidence of a general's treason. Even as the general was being arrested, he still believed he had found a love that transcended age, never suspecting she was a spy.

(End of Chapter)