Klaue's efficiency hadn't let Nolan down within hours, six test subjects had been delivered.
To gather comprehensive data and assess whether genetic responses varied by ethnicity, there were two volunteers from each major racial group: Black, White, and Asian.
He wanted to experiment on humans from different races to see if they would be affected differently.
In the lab, Logan slowly came to again, the effects of the latest sedatives wearing off. When he saw six strangers being wheeled in, a flicker of pity crossed his eyes.
This devil was actually still experimenting on human beings. With his past in mind, especially what Stryker had put him through, Logan's loathing for scientists who used humans as test subjects was absolute.
"You butcher..." he growled through gritted teeth.
Nolan didn't even blink. "That's rich coming from a man who's left rivers of blood behind in two world wars. It's an honour to be called a butcher by the Wolverine."
He signalled the assistants to strip the volunteers.
"I've made it clear this experiment carries a high risk of death. If you die, a compensation fund will be wired to the account you provided."
"Okay!" two men nodded emphatically. The rest followed suit.
With a scalpel and syringe in hand, Nolan began replicating the previous procedure. Soon, the lab echoed with howls of agony as tissue after tissue was harvested. No anaesthetics were used Nolan needed clean data, unaffected by chemical interference.
Despite the cries, Nolan remained unfazed. Once in his experimental state, he was pure logic and precision utterly detached. If necessary, he'd put himself on the table too.
The volunteers knew what they'd signed up for. The generous compensation was, in truth, the price of their lives unless one of them got lucky and survived.
"Subject 2: blood sugar is too low; self-healing factor absorption is slow..."
"Subject 4: excess protease detected in tissue fluid; regenerative factor failed to fuse..."
"Subject 1: fusion proceeding normally. Increase dosage. Begin trial on additional fluids..."
More and more data flowed in. Though Nolan possessed the [Spirit of Evolution], which neutralized most compatibility issues between powers, it didn't mean he could fuse anything and everything.
A person needs the potential to gain power for it to work. For example, without an X-gene, introducing a regeneration factor might cause cells to die off or worse, mutate into uncontrollable cancerous growths.
Nolan didn't have that problem. His body could host opposing powers like Human Torch and Iceman without internal conflict. It was like he had an infinite number of skill slots. As long as he could manufacture the "cards," he could slot them in.
The noise was becoming a distraction to the assistants. Cloth gags were stuffed into mouths. "Look at him he hasn't made a sound. And you lot are screaming like banshees."
Nolan made a precise incision across one Black subject's chest. The man's skin paled from the pain.
The others, still recovering from their own surgeries, glanced at Logan. The mutant sat motionless, silent, even as his body was harvested like a resource.
Was this... sheer willpower?
"Too much ether..." Nolan muttered, studying Logan's vacant gaze. The mutant's body had rapidly developed a resistance, requiring higher and higher doses. Sometimes the excess knocked him senseless, leaving him dazed even after waking.
Catching Logan had been easy.
Figuring out what to do with him? That was the real challenge.
For several days, Nolan buried himself in the lab.
Leveraging Hydra's research and his own data, he finally cracked most of the relevant genetic sequences. A universally applicable solution, a regenerative serum, was now within reach.
The six subjects were barely clinging to life. Still, Nolan ensured they stayed alive, no matter how tenuous the thread. His scalpel never faltered. He didn't risk procedures that might kill them, even if it meant extra work. He needed them to witness the final result.
He held up several vials most filled with Logan's harvested fluids, others containing tailored genetic binders. Since he didn't yet have access to molecular scissors for gene splicing, Logan remained his raw material.
He added and refined ingredients until the vial shimmered like a violet gem. The serum was ready.
The Black man Subject 1 gritted his teeth as the needle plunged into his vein. "You motherf***er... Give your daddy a quick death already!"
Nolan ignored him, making a light incision across his chest.
Blood gushed from the wound.
In Nolan's augmented vision, the blood flow slowed. The edges of the wound began to crust... then scar over.
He exhaled in relief. "It worked. Project 'Phoenix-1' success."
"You're a god, Nolan!"
"You created a superhero!"
Cheers erupted from the assistants. Even the other five subjects momentarily forgot their agony.
Logan watched in stunned silence.
He knew those effects. That was his ability. It was slower, less potent but it was his.
And this madman had copied it.
The revelation rocked him. He'd always believed that mutants were chosen and born with gifts that set them apart. But if those gifts could be replicated, synthesized...
Then what did it mean to be a mutant?
"Bastard! Let me out! I'm a superhero now!"
Subject 1 bellowed, drunk on his newfound power.
"Compare Subject 1's healing efficiency with Logan's. Note energy consumption and wound recovery rate."
Nolan remained calm. He didn't inject himself. Not yet. Caution came first.
The subject's outburst was cut off.
"Sew his mouth shut. He can heal now, right? Let it stitch itself back together."
Nolan said it without a flicker of emotion.
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter!