Chapter 39: The Hydra Experiment

In the dimly lit office of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, two reports lay open on his mahogany desk, the contents bringing a sinister gleam to his cold eyes. The documents detailed two of the most recent developments to come out of the Hydra base in Sokovia. 

Report: Subject Wanda Maximoff

Date: The Day of the New York Invasion

Incident:

During the recent events involving the Chitauri invasion of New York, subject Wanda Maximoff entered a catatonic state. What began as an epileptic-like seizure quickly escalated. Witnesses, including her twin brother Pietro Maximoff, reported that during this episode, Wanda's body underwent a transformation. Her appearance, once that of a 23-year-old woman, regressed in age, with her physical form now resembling an 18-year-old. The exact cause of this regression is unknown. The subject is currently in a coma, though no clear neurological damage has been identified.

Notably, during her seizure, a shockwave was emitted from her body, causing significant environmental damage within a 30-foot radius. The shockwave also affected her twin brother, launching Pietro Maximoff into the air and infusing him with unexplained abilities. Based on preliminary observations, this may be linked to latent genetic factors.

Current Status: Subject remains in a medically induced coma for observation.

Report: Subject Pietro Maximoff

Date: The Day of the New York Invasion

Incident:

The subject experienced a sudden transformation during an unexplained energy event triggered by his twin sister Wanda Maximoff. Witnesses state that he was lifted into the air and subsequently displayed signs of superhuman speed. Initial tests suggest that Pietro Maximoff can now move at velocities beyond anything previously documented. Early estimates indicate a potential ability to surpass Mach 2.

The subject was sedated during an interrogation after he attempted to escape, and has been placed in a neighboring cell to his sister for further study.

Current Status: Subject remains sedated and under observation for future experiments.

Baron Strucker rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he scanned the reports again, his mind racing with the possibilities. The Maximoff twins are perfect. Hydra has always wanted to replicate the success of super-soldiers, but these two… their potential far exceeds even that of the original Super Soldier Serum.

His thoughts wandered to the experiments he could conduct—perhaps enhancing Pietro's already incredible speed, pushing him to new limits. Could they create an army of speedsters, soldiers who could outmaneuver any foe? And what of Wanda? Her powers had yet to fully manifest, but Strucker knew that with the right manipulation, she could become one of Hydra's most powerful assets. 

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted as a bright, blinding light engulfed the entire Hydra base. Strucker leaped to his feet, his heart racing in sudden panic. The walls around him seemed to warp, and in the blink of an eye, everything vanished.

On the Storm Chaser, the scene in the brig changed in an instant. Cells that had been empty moments before were now occupied by prisoners from the Hydra base in Sokovia, all disoriented and confused. The Hydra personnel had been transported aboard the dreadnought, unaware of their new surroundings.

Yelena Belova, standing near the control console, glanced over at the newly occupied cells with a raised eyebrow. She chuckled and called out to Mason, who was monitoring the brig from the opposite side.

"Max has been busy again," Yelena quipped with a smirk. "Looks like we're back to rounding up Hydra agents."

Mason, dressed in his Space Marine armor, leaned against the console and returned her grin. "Guess I'll go grab the LSD then. Protocol's still the same, right? Drug them up before beaming them back down to Earth?" His voice was half-joking, though there was a seriousness beneath his humor.

The X-Men, who had followed Max into the brig to observe, shared confused glances. Kitty Pryde was the first to speak, her voice incredulous. "LSD? Did I hear that right?"

Mason turned towards her, arms crossed casually as if he were recounting an everyday occurrence. "Oh yeah. We had a bit of fun with the Red Room personnel a while back. Used LSD to make them more… cooperative before teleporting them into the Pentagon. They started wandering around the halls, tripping, making a scene. It was... effective."

Kitty blinked, then exchanged glances with her teammates. Logan grunted, his eyes narrowing as if trying to figure out whether Mason was serious or not. Beast's face showed a rare flicker of amusement, while Storm shook her head, exhaling softly.

"Not exactly standard procedure," Logan muttered.

"Definitely not," Storm added with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey," Mason shrugged, "it worked, didn't it?"

Max, overhearing the conversation, smiled at Mason and Yelena's banter. "Enough about the Red Room. I want these prisoners sorted. We need detailed lists: first, hardcore Hydra agents; second, the ones who are only in it for the money; third, those who were coerced or blackmailed into working for Hydra. Finally, anyone here who was brought in as an experiment subject. We need to know their rank, their role—whether they were scientists, fighters, or administrative officers."

Yelena's fingers danced over the console as she began inputting data, scanning the Hydra prisoners' records. "On it, Max," she replied. "We'll get the lists together."

Max motioned for the X-Men to follow him as they approached two particular cells at the far end of the brig. In one, a young woman with auburn hair lay unconscious, her face pale and peaceful in her coma. In the neighboring cell, her twin brother, Pietro, was also unconscious, his breathing steady as he remained sedated.

"These two are important," Max said quietly, turning to the X-Men. "That's Wanda Maximoff… and her brother, Pietro. They're both powerful, but Hydra's been experimenting on them. We need to handle this carefully."

Beast stepped closer to the cells, observing the Maximoff twins through the glass. "They've been altered," he murmured. "Their physiology is off the charts. Wanda's energy readings… they're chaotic. Pietro's metabolism is beyond anything for a normal Person."

Logan crossed his arms. "So what's the plan? We just wake them up and hope for the best?"

Max shook his head. "No. We'll monitor them first, make sure they're stable. When they wake up, we'll figure out the best way to approach them. We can't risk setting off Wanda's powers before she's ready."

Storm's eyes softened as she gazed at Wanda's sleeping form. "Do you think she'll trust us?"

Max's expression was unreadable as he glanced at the unconscious twins. "That… remains to be seen. But we'll do everything we can to make sure they're on our side."