[You have been injected with Tony Stark's special suppressant. Current status: full power sealed, body weakened, anger response disabled.]
[Antibody formation in progress... Completion: 75%. Awaiting next injection.]
"Guess that means I'm benched for now?" Marcus asked dryly.
It was his third time being injected with Stark's so-called "special anesthetic." After one more dose, his body would finish producing antibodies—making the drug completely useless against him. The moment that happened, the man inside the armor would finally become prey.
Tony nodded curtly. "You're not exactly welcome in Hydra territory. You saved Fury, and sure, I'm grateful—but don't mistake that for me trusting you."
Marcus gave a faint smirk. Paranoid as ever.
He had been considering following them into the coming battle to stir things up, but Tony's hostility left little room for negotiation. Still, Marcus wasn't worried. Six superheroes against a handful of Hydra infiltrators? That fight would be over before it began.
"Fine," he said, stretching lazily. "I'll stay here and take a nap. Try not to die while I'm gone."
He reclined in the SUV's back seat and closed his eyes, feigning sleep while the others climbed out. Moments later, the vehicle's doors shut behind them, and Fury led his small army of heroes toward the Triskelion, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s main headquarters.
The war between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra had officially begun.
---
Marcus's body remained still, but his mind—his consciousness—shifted elsewhere, slipping back into his proxy body in Queens. When he opened his eyes, the sterile scent of disinfectant filled his nose.
He was standing in what looked like a research lab. Metal cages lined the walls, each containing animals of different species—rats, monkeys, dogs, even birds. In front of the cages stood Alex and three other mutant infected, waiting silently for him.
"Alex," Marcus said, stepping forward. "How's the virus research coming along?"
Alex immediately turned, dropping to one knee. "My lord, you've returned. As you can see, the infection experiments on the animals are still underway. However, we've made some initial progress with the Zombie Virus Serum you provided."
"Oh?" Marcus arched an eyebrow. "Show me."
Alex led him to the adjacent lab, where rows of test tubes lined the steel tables. Each tube contained liquid in various shades of crimson and black—samples of the virus diluted to different concentrations. Most of the colors were faint, indicating careful rationing of the original serum.
Alex pulled out a notebook from a drawer and flipped through the pages. "As you instructed, I've prepared three feasibility reports regarding the zombie virus and its potential applications."
First: On the Feasibility of Infecting the Global Water Supply
"When the virus is diluted beyond approximately one part in ten thousand," Alex began, "it completely loses its infectious properties. In large bodies of water—oceans, lakes, even public reservoirs—it would be rendered harmless almost instantly."
"In other words, the virus cannot be spread through Earth's natural water cycle. Contamination on a global scale through waterborne infection is… impossible."
Marcus frowned but didn't interrupt.
Second: On the Potential Infection of Marine Life and Microorganisms
"The zombie virus requires bodily fluid exchange—mainly through saliva or blood—to propagate. That's why infected hosts exhibit enhanced biting behavior; it's the most efficient transmission method."
"Carnivorous and omnivorous species, like humans, can spread the virus efficiently through such direct contact. Some herbivores with strong jaw structures can also transmit it by biting. However," Alex continued, "in the ocean, carnivores are a minority. The vast majority of marine life is herbivorous or filter-feeding, incapable of the biting behaviors needed for transmission."
"Even species that could, like sharks or certain predatory fish, instinctively avoid infected individuals. The virus can reproduce within aquatic hosts but cannot spread efficiently between them."
"As for marine microorganisms—they lack the biological complexity to carry or transmit the infection. To put it simply, infecting the ocean would be thousands of times more difficult than infecting the land. Spreading the virus globally through the sea is infeasible."
Third: On the Possibility of Mass-Producing the Virus Serum
"Currently, the base structure of the original virus remains unknown," Alex admitted. "Despite our best efforts, we've been unable to decipher its underlying mechanism. We cannot synthesize or reproduce the active viral components artificially. Mass production, at least with current resources, is impossible."
Marcus sighed, crossing his arms. "As expected. Nothing's ever simple."
He had prepared himself for disappointment, but hearing it confirmed still stung. "I figured as much. The system was never going to hand me an easy apocalypse."
Then he gave Alex a sharp look. "Tell me you've got something better to show for all this work. You didn't waste that serum for nothing, did you?"
A rare smile crept across Alex's face. "Of course not, my lord."
He walked to a nearby cabinet, pulled open the door—
—and a man in a torn white lab coat tumbled out, his hands bound, his eyes wild with fear.
"Please—please don't throw me back in with those things! I'll do whatever you want! Anything!" the man screamed, trembling as he tried to crawl away.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "He's… infected? No, wait—he isn't connected to my link. He's not one of mine."
"Correct," Alex confirmed. "He was once an ordinary zombie. After being injected with ten milliliters of the virus serum diluted to one-thousandth strength, he transformed into this—neither human nor undead."
Alex gestured toward the man, who was now curled in a corner, muttering incoherently.
"He bleeds and salivates infectious material, meaning his fluids carry the virus. However, other zombies ignore him completely, and he shows no signs of typical infection behavior—no decay, no loss of reasoning, no aggression."
"In short, his body is identical to that of a living human, and yet he cannot be controlled through the psychic link. He is unaffected by the virus's mental network."
Alex straightened and declared proudly, "I've designated this new form as the Carrier."
Marcus's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "A carrier… Interesting. Infectious like a zombie, but visually human—and immune to my control."
A slow smile crept across his lips.
"An untraceable infiltrator… A wolf walking among sheep."
He chuckled. "So, what you're saying is—I could send a few pretty Carriers out into the world, let them seduce the right people, and watch the infection spread through high society?"
Alex tilted his head slightly. "If that is your command, my lord."
Marcus laughed softly. "Oh, don't tempt me. There's no shortage of morally bankrupt men in power—and a beautiful virus is the perfect weapon for them."
He turned back to the writhing man on the floor, his expression darkening with fascination.
"Very well, Alex," Marcus said quietly. "Continue the experiments. I want to know just how far we can push this new strain."
____
T/N:
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