I do not trust Betty. The ninjas are quite dedicated to the association but it's possible to remove them from it. The association is not known for treating its members properly. So it will be difficult… but still possible to bring the ninjas to my side.
But Betty is quite venal... As long as she gets enough money, she won't mind betraying me.
"That is something I will have to change. But for now…"
I took out a file with the names of various mutants and humans on it. They were the 'potential' members of my association.
Currently, I had three names who I wanted in my association.
The first was 'Silver Sable.'
Her mother was killed by the Nazis and her father founded a group 'Wild Pack' which she later joined. She is an expert martial artist, marksman, and swordsman with a multitude of other skills to boot.
She was one of my top choices.
The second person on my list was 'Neena Thurman' or as the others know her… Domino. The queen of luck herself.
The world went crazy when Captain America appeared, the super-soldier serum was deemed as a godly serum which will bring peace for humanity. And to an extent… it did. But is also destroyed an equal number of lives.
Project Armageddon, Project Golden Sentry, Project Centipede, Project Winter Soldier… The list goes on.
The number of human and mutant lives destroyed to make a perfect enhanced being were countless. Many died just for the sake of creating someone who could break through human limitations.
Domino was a perfect example of that. Her entire life was destroyed because of Project Armageddon and when her powers were deemed worthless, she was thrown away.
But her powers will be extremely useful to me. Why? Because-
"Luck is a superpower."
No matter what others say… Luck is a superpower.
And finally, I had Marc Spector, the Moon Knight. He's not a fan of his father's religious faith and so he left the house and started his boxing career. Later he took the name Moon Knight to start his Superhero/villain job.
He is an expert martial artist, great with armed combat, and his strength increases on the lunar cycle.
These three are the ones that 'will' be in my association.
…
…
[A few days later]
"Laser?" Peggy was confused at both 'my' and Howard's idea.
"Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, in short LASER." Howard 'explained.'
"Is that supposed to explain something?" Peggy was a little annoyed. Lasers were not invented yet, so Howard giving her the full name of the laser… was nowhere near enough to fully explain it.
"It is a light emitted through optical amplification which is based on the principle of electromagnetic radiation. So simply put, it is a ray of light that can be made strong enough to cut through anything."
Peggy looked towards both me and Howard. "You are not kidding right?"
Both Howard and I shook our heads.
"You are planning on creating a weapon as dangerous as that?" Her eyes nearly popped out of the sockets.
"Not exactly." I chuckled at her shocked expression.
"It can also be used in the field of medicine." Howard's statement made her even more confused.
"How?"
"There are a lot of diseases that are caused by infected cells. If we can properly develop the laser to control its intensity, we will be able to kill those infected cells which will ultimately cure the disease." The look on her face showed that she was already invested in this.
"When are you starting?" Her question made both me and Howard chuckle.
"With this, we will be able to help the soldiers even more. Many of them suffer from radiation-related diseases that affect their cells. And if you two can create such a cure… it will be monumental." Peggy's eyes were as wide as a saucer while saying this.
Howard and I exploded in laughter at her excitement.
"Don't worry your pretty little head, Peggy." Howard smiled. "It will ruin your beauty."
Peggy was lost in her thoughts so she was unable to hear what he said.
But… was Howard trying to flirt with Peggy?
…
…
[Weeks later]
I bought a few shares from Sony. At first, Morita didn't want to give me those shares because of my nationality but ultimately sold them as the amount I offered nearly made him faint.
"It's about time for the meeting."
[An hour later]
It was hilarious looking at the nervous scientist sitting in front of me. His fidgeting hands displayed his nervousness pretty well.
"Thank you for agreeing to this meeting, Mr. Lennon."
The man sitting in front of me was none other than the head researcher of the Golden Sentry Serum.
"So, Mr. Lennon. Have you finally made up your mind?"
The man looked up at my masked face and nodded. "I have."
All the deals related to my business are made by 'Marcellus Hanley' while all the mutant related problems are solved by the 'Jester.'
Both these personas are extremely important to make sure that things are systematic. Sinister is the only person that knows both Marcellus and Jester are the same person.
And Sinister is the type of guy who would have figured out my identity without much effort.
"Now, Mr. Lennon. As Mr. Essex must have explained to you, you will work under me and I will provide you with as much money and resources you will require. But I want this project to be completed within 10 years… at any cost."
The Golden Sentry Serum would have been impossible to make without the information about Weapon X… but we have Essex, the one responsible for the start of project Weapon X.
The Weapon X data is not required with his assistance. Despite the fact that I cannot trust him in any imaginable way… I cannot deny that he is the best genetics researcher after Apocalypse. Even geniuses like Stark, T'Challa, and even Richards are no match for him when it comes to genetics. The only one better than him in the field of genetics is En Sabah Nur… And comparing him to a 'God' is saying something.
"I would require assistance for this project." Lennon finally spoke up.
"Of course! I will provide you with some of the best researchers in this world. You don't have to worry about that." It was true. I already had multiple names on my list that I was going to appoint for my research facility.
"So can you do it?" He thought about it for a while.
"Yes." But ultimately agreed.
"Welcome aboard, Mr. Lennon."
________________________________________________________
[A/N: I wonder what Logan is doing?? 🤔
Discord Link: https://discord.gg/GwFen4t]