It would seem that, as the owner of a genetic lab and engineering workshop focused on enhancing and increasing strength, developing assistive technologies, and searching for and creating means to gain superpowers, one might feel like a master of the situation. In other words, someone prepared for any scenario and unpredictable situation.
However, while unpredictable situations are almost always predictable for me, I'm not yet prepared for every scenario. It's not easy when you know the future, the power of your enemies and their capabilities, but you're not adequately prepared to fight back—you lack both the time and the resources.
The only good thing is that I have fairly strong allies I can rely on and trust. However, in my case, allies and trust alone won't get me anywhere. It's not that I'm downplaying their abilities, but I'm used to relying only on myself first. No, I'm not a loner and I know how to work in a team.
Still, I always strive to be able to avoid asking for help, especially in situations where my life is at stake. Relying on others over and over again can lead to a loss of responsibility for my own life, and the day may come when no one can help, no one to shift the responsibility to, and you're left alone to face danger.
Therefore, it's best to be prepared for such a contingency in advance and rely solely on your own strength. But sometimes, even with remarkable resources and strength to protect our own lives, we lack the same ability to protect those near and dear to us. And that's perhaps the most frightening thing of all.
That's why, in addition to myself, I'm also refining my people so that, having gained power, they can stand up for themselves and, if necessary, dispatch an enemy to the ends of the earth. Silver, Victoria, and Barbara, having taken Dr. Erskine's serum, have already taken the first step in this direction. My security guards, Sasha Bordeaux and Tatsu Yamashiro, weren't left out for long and also gained super-soldier power.
Therefore, I gave them a couple of days off so they could adjust to their newfound powers. After I became a super-soldier, the girls were dejected and joyless—I couldn't really say I needed their services, as I had significantly outstripped them in strength. Now, Bordeaux and Katana, having once again stood alongside me, can continue to protect me with their heads held high.
Of course, I've repeatedly told them that I won't abandon them and, in any case, they will remain my bodyguards. But the soul is a dark place, and despite the sincerity of my words, they remained anxious for a while. Fortunately, now sparks of happiness are playing on their faces again.
One more important point is worth mentioning: the highly respected Professor Rao also couldn't resist the pleasure of becoming a more perfect person! But what do you think? She injected herself with the serum not to become stronger, but to... Quote: "I need more time for my research!" I know, the reason is quite... insane.
What sane person would want to work more than they are supposed to? And yet, such a person exists - Dr. Kavita Rao. Okay, it's not such a surprising phenomenon. Some, passionate about their profession, sometimes do even worse.
I can't help but admire such goal-oriented people who are in love with their work. And now, thanks to the new capabilities of her renewed body, Kavita is able to conduct her research practically around the clock: sleep and fatigue no longer frighten her.
"Everything ingenious is simple!" Dr. Rao cheerfully noted while mixing the green mixture with some substance. "Why didn't I think of that? Hm, apparently my thoughts were occupied with the wrong things... And yet," here she tore her gaze away from the experiment and looked at me meaningfully, "I'm quite surprised that you offered me the serum too... Alex, I'm almost certain that you're the only one who would dare to do such a stupid thing," Rao concluded.
"If giving the best genetic engineer in your lab—an engineer whom I completely trust—the opportunity to work harder and more productively is stupid... Then I simply don't know what wisdom is."
"I'm flattered that you think that of me," the lady scientist said with a sweet smile and returned to the test tubes with the Lazarus Pit waters.
"Any progress with the healing water?"
"Oh, there are some... But not as many as they could be," there was displeasure in her voice. "You know, I have to do this research practically alone. Pamela has been busy with her personal secret project for some time now! Her help is limited to purifying the planet's life source. The rest of the time, she's busy with her own affairs. I already barely managed to develop three ampoules of the serum in such a short period of time. Mind you, I did this practically alone!"
"Sorry, Kavita, I understand everything... Apparently, Ivy really does have a project that she doesn't want to talk about yet. Let's give her some time. Let's get back to the Lazarus Pit. What can you tell me already?"
"Nothing concrete yet, except for its miraculous properties. I'm a woman of science, of course, but this substance even gives me a mystical thrill. I've almost achieved a breakthrough... I need a little more time…"
"Okay. What does Bruce say?"
"He agrees with me, at least regarding the potential of the planet's source."
Yes, Bruce Wayne was actively involved in the Lazarus Pit research. His reason for his increased interest in Ra's al Ghul's healing water is quite touching. My winged friend wants to prolong the life of his adopted father. Alfred has long since reached his advanced age. It's clear that the Wayne family butler is finding it increasingly difficult to fulfill his duties with each passing day.
Alas, there are few in the world who can withstand the merciless passage of time. Pennyworth is already old, and therefore simply cannot withstand the changes in his body under the aggressive onslaught of Erskine's serum. Yes, he won't become a super-grandfather. But Bruce, like me, like all of us, does not intend to accept such a sad outcome for our beloved butler. And the Lazarus Pit is that very straw of hope we are grasping at, one that could help Bruce's adopted father. Let's clench our fingers and support our scientists.
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Thank you all for reading and everyone who is supporting me through p@treon.
It means and helps alot.
You all can read extra chapters on [email protected]/annihilator009