Chapter 200: Who Are You?
"This experiment carries risks." Professor Warren stated.
"All experiments carry risks." Professor Morbius crushed vampire bat organs into the centrifuge, addressing Warren.
Max Dillon's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. His work remained incomplete when Harry Osborn summoned him. Currently he wanted rapid conclusion—or preferably immediate departure:
"Professors, seems there's nothing requiring my assistance. Perhaps—"
"No. I need you." Morbius looked at Max. "Subsequent treatment continues employing electroshock therapy. Just with additional components."
Max felt nauseous. He'd witnessed Morbius extract liquid from separated bat organs, inject it into centrifuge tubes, then directly into his own bloodstream.
He couldn't comprehend these mad scientists' objectives—only that they apparently pursued medical treatment.
But none of this concerned him. Today was his daughter's birthday. Max wanted to finish work early, purchase the cake she'd wanted forever during his commute home, then enjoy family dinner together.
"Understood. I'll cooperate fully." Whatever his private thoughts, Max dutifully adjusted equipment beside the insulated chair.
He'd operated these systems countless times recently. Could manage them blindfolded without error.
But maintaining caution, Max carefully inspected all equipment, confirming zero safety hazards before allowing Morbius to sit.
"Seventy-sixth experimental trial. Subject: Michael Morbius..."
Harry Osborn recorded the experiment from the sidelines. Professor Warren assisted Morbius applying various electroshock therapy auxiliary tools to his body.
As Max activated the switch, weak electrical current continuously transmitted through Morbius.
Human-safe current didn't mean comfortable. Morbius's body spasmed with each electrical discharge.
During previous experiments, such spasms gradually weakened—signaling the trial approaching dangerous thresholds. Typically treatment terminated at that stage.
But this time differed. Morbius's spasms didn't diminish. Instead they intensified dramatically, his entire body contorting violently.
The insulated chair featured restraint mechanisms preventing Morbius from inadvertently contacting equipment or dislodging electrode patches through body movement.
Normal humans couldn't break such restraints—hence requiring supervision during Morbius's treatments.
But as Morbius's convulsions escalated, the restraint straps audibly tore.
Before Harry or Warren could react, one of Morbius's hands suddenly broke free—excessive force causing it to strike Max Dillon.
CRACK!
The unexpected blow staggered Max. His equipment operation faltered momentarily. He looked up angrily toward Morbius.
"Professor, what are you doing?" Anger edged Max's voice as he moved to shut down the electroshock apparatus.
He'd merely complained about being struck unexpectedly. Max harbored no genuine resentment toward Morbius.
But as Max focused on the equipment, an ice-cold hand gripped his throat.
"Morbius! What are you doing?!" Warren detected the problem, rushing forward several steps attempting to pull Morbius away.
CRASH!
Morbius had straightened upright from the chair. His long hair cascaded loose, obscuring facial features. He forcefully hurled Max across the room.
Amid crackling electrical sparks, Max flew into a massive cluster of operating electronic equipment, crashing through multiple devices. His body immediately tore open, skin shredded.
'Something's wrong!'
That thought flashed through Harry's mind. He rushed toward the thrown Max, discovering burned clothing plus extensively charred skin.
He'd been struck by undiminished electrical current from damaged equipment. Currently unconscious with shallow breathing.
"Professor Warren! Help me lift Max!" Harry shouted.
Warren didn't respond. Harry looked questioningly toward Warren's position—then reacted with shocked horror:
"Morbius! Have you lost your mind?!"
Morbius had buried his head against Warren's neck—biting down viciously!
Warren hadn't even managed a grunt. His limbs dropped limply.
Harry couldn't spare consideration. He rapidly scanned surroundings, then rushed toward a corner fire extinguisher, swinging it into Morbius's back.
HISS!
Bone-chilling sound emerged from Morbius's mouth. Harry gripped the extinguisher tightly, watching Morbius slowly raise his head.
He glimpsed a face nearly devoid of muscle—just ashen-gray skin stretched across bone structure.
Then that face lunged toward Harry with terrifying speed, opening its fang-filled maw to bite Harry's throat.
---
"Doctor Banner, I've anticipated this moment extensively."
"Knowledge acquired through reading cannot match my information processing capacity. From the day I learned about Batman from General Ross and deduced your identity beneath that mask, I've craved access to your mind."
"Possessing your intellect combined with that perfect body—you'll enable my next evolutionary phase..."
The Leader's murmuring voice echoed in Batman's consciousness. The next instant, Batman's visual field transformed.
No longer the gamma facility's underground plaza. Instead—a blank white space. The Leader stood before him, hands clasped behind his back, expression smug.
But that smirk vanished rapidly.
He discovered that even within the mental realm, the figure confronting him wasn't Bruce Banner. Still the pitch-black suited Batman with razor-sharp cowl ears.
"Where's the knowledge? The knowledge I require? Why is your mind completely blank?"
The Leader exerted maximum psychic control attempting to extract Batman's memories. But he obtained nothing. The Batman before him resembled stagnant water—impossible to extract any information.
"Wrong. This is wrong." The Leader's breathing accelerated, staring fixedly at Batman. "Are you even human or some other organism?"
"Whatever you are, you're not Bruce Banner. All my previous conclusions were incorrect!"
Batman regarded The Leader impassively. He could block Martian Manhunter's telepathy. A Leader whose capabilities he'd already mapped posed minimal threat.
Facing The Leader's persistent demands, Batman provided one response:
"I am Batman."
The next instant, The Leader was forcibly expelled from Batman's consciousness. He remained positioned beside the gamma apparatus, expression now registering shock and confusion.
Amid shock and confusion, The Leader developed profoundly intensified interest toward Batman.
Simultaneously, rushing wind approached. While The Leader invaded Batman's mental space, Red Hulk in physical reality had closed distance—one massive fist hurtling directly toward Batman's faceplate.
***
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