For now, Max decided to let the flow take its course. Maybe the system might provide a better world sooner or later; therefore, there was no need to leap into the Caribbean when he had no sufficient motivation to do so.
A backward timeline like Pirates of the Caribbean, probably set in the late 16th to somewhere in17th century, lacked science-based resources he could exploit, and even natural resources like minerals were difficult to access or harvest efficiently.
Moreover, it didn't seem like his system could simply snatch a mineral mine and grant it to him as some sort of reward.
Added, the world's inherent lawlessness and piracy would most certainly be included in his missions, and even some inhuman entities might be triggered depending on the storyline.
Thus, Max had his concerns and doubts regarding this world. He sighed to himself and leaned back, closing his eyes for some respite.
He loved the tranquil atmosphere, the calmness shrouding the study gradually cloaked him, bringing with it an unusual sense of serenity.
He had noticed this in the past as well. Every time he needed emotional stillness, aside from the support of Grandma Martha, this study possessed something deeply calming within it.
Maybe it was the warmth left behind by his parents. He couldn't point his finger at it precisely, but he didn't need to. That quiet connection was enough.
Max spent around an hour in a brief rest, and only then did he leave the study and head to the basement lab. Today, he had been all over the place; his next priority was the lab in the Knight Mansion.
His next wave of research and experimentation would take place here, rather than in the shared space with others in the Cell Labs. Even the Cell Labs would gradually shift to the Sky Tower.
He needed to set everything in a particular direction after the shift. Hence, before that happened, he'd need enough progress in the T-virus so he could hand over specific sections of the research to them.
As he sauntered through the mansion, his steps took him to the under-construction basement.
His eyes met with the workers moving about, and the lab had already taken a proper structural form. Only the fine detailing and electrical wiring seemed to be left unfinished.
Most of the designers and construction workers were focused on these tasks. The heavy labour part had been completed a while ago.
Max's eyes wandered around until he noticed Leo and walked over to him. "They're working faster than I assumed. Do you think the deadline might shift sooner?" he asked.
Leo nodded, a visible grin of enthusiasm on his face. "I also never thought they could finish the task this fast. Your extra income offer for overtime really worked."
Max chuckled in amusement. He had indeed asked Leo to bring in more skilled workers for the tasks and allocated additional funds for overtime pay, along with clear instructions to complete the project as quickly as possible.
And now he could see the results firsthand.
Leo glanced around with a satisfied look. "They'll finish every detail within a week at most. Sooner than that might not be possible. I'm hovering around too, making sure quality isn't compromised in the rush."
Max smacked his lips and hummed in agreement. He decided to wander around and check things out with his own eyes.
Every time he visited, the sheer size of the basement overwhelmed him. Although it had never been used before, the basement was a massive space.
Given the enormous size of Knight Mansion, the basement wasn't something to take lightly. From his estimates, even after equipping the lab with the best tools and technology across every major field of research, there would still be sufficient space left unused.
He thought he could add something else there later. But that was a thought for another time.
Gradually, his thoughts shifted back to the T-virus. His basic experiments were over. He now needed living samples for better understanding.
Even with John's memories, a volatile specimen like the T-virus couldn't provide reliable results without live test subjects.
After all, even the Umbrella Corporation had exploited human resources through cunning manipulation or sheer force to elevate its status within the global scientific community.
Max held his chin, rubbing it as a deep frown creased his forehead.
I need some progress soon. Otherwise, I'll have to leave the Cell Labs team to their own devices. Without a defined research direction to work on, I'll be burning money for nothing.'
He shook his head, his steps unconsciously taking him back to his study. Settling into his chair, he pulled out every file he had noted about the T-virus and began reviewing them again while taking notes.
He also pulled out various bioscience textbooks for cross-reference.
He scanned through every detail on the T virus, most of it encrypted in symbols only he could understand.
Of course, someone clever might be able to decipher them, but he made sure to destroy the files each day, leaving behind a summarised version purely for his own future use.
While flipping through the readings, something clicked in his head. He smacked his forehead, realising a frustratingly simple mistake he'd been overlooking.
To obtain living test subjects, he would require samples ranging from animals to humans, mostly humans, since the T-virus in the Resident Evil world had shown its most consistent and impactful results through human hosts.
Therefore, his requirement was higher than most virological research projects.
But fulfilling that requirement would need permission from multiple departments, including medical and ethical boards, and he'd have to pay significantly higher stipends to reward and retain volunteers.
Given his current standing in the public and scientific world, he had to avoid illegal experimentation and any accusations of exploiting helpless people.
Any such mistake in these early stages of his rise could be used against him later, and he was well aware of this possibility.
So, human resources was his current need. And guess what—the Pirates of the Caribbean timeline took place in an era where human life hardly mattered to most.
No morality-obsessed watchdog organisations, no corrupted governments pretending to be righteous, and no global forces interfering with scientific advancement under the name of ethics.
The 18th century was an era fraught with war, piracy, and crimes, many of which were too heinous to even speak about.
'I can find my test subjects there with ease. No one even cares about criminals either.' His eyes gleamed with determination and ruthless eagerness. He licked his lips, rubbing his hands together with visible passion and anticipation.
Max's lips curled into a thin smile. "Time to hunt," he whispered to himself, heart pounding with the thrill of discovery.
….
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