The X-Gene project had finally entered the phase I'd been waiting for—the point where theory solidified into something tangible, repeatable, and weaponizable.
Orochimaru and I stood above the cluster of terminals, dozens of live readouts scrolling in front of us. Tanks filled with nutrient fluid glowed along the walls, each containing refined biological samples, DNA strands, cloned tissue, and cultivated mutant material. The entire lab hummed with power, the kind that could rewrite a species.
And we did it.We actually did it.
Three serums—three successful serums.
The first vial, a shimmering silver-blue, radiated faint psionic pressure. Anyone with a sensitive mind could feel the hum of potential telepathy. We had successfully replicated the X-gene activation pattern that gave Charles Xavier his near-limitless telepathic abilities. This serum alone could create a telepath capable of monitoring the entire planet.
The second vial, one of my favorites, was a deep metallic crimson. Magnetokinesis. Erik Lehnsherr's gifts, codified into a stable genetic rewrite. Orochimaru kept grinning like a madman every time he looked at it—something between admiration and hunger. Being able to control metal at the atomic level was no joke. It was an ability that could reshape warfare entirely.
And lastly:The golden one.
A serum containing the isolated regeneration factor from Wolverine's genome. Pure adaptive healing, permanent biological restoration, immunity to aging, resistance to almost every toxin in existence… it was one of the most useful powers any operative or researcher could have. Even the Foundation's most durable field units had nothing comparable.
Three serums, stable, repeatable, and effective.
Orochimaru stood beside me, arms crossed, eyes shining with scientific hunger."Administrator… this is the turning point," he said, voice smooth and serpentine. "With these three alone, the 05 Council could surpass every mutant in recorded history."
"I know," I replied, analyzing the data stream in front of me. "But until we can pick abilities reliably without mutation drift, we're not injecting anyone. I want precision. No surprises."
My words immediately made the junior researchers stiffen. Even the mid-levels glanced nervously at Orochimaru. They all knew the danger of random mutation activation. Not everyone becomes a telepath. Some turn into walking disasters… or horrors.
"We'll reach that point," Orochimaru said confidently, his expression unnervingly cheerful. "Especially with the Omega mutant samples. In time, we'll even be able to custom-design abilities."
"Exactly the plan," I replied, adjusting my glasses. "Our Council will not roll dice with our biology."
Above us, the holographic display of our findings flickered, illuminating the lab with a cold white glow. Charts. Data. DNA helixes rotating in slow motion. Every projected line moved upward.
The X-Gene Project was no longer theoretical.It was real.Alive.Dangerous.
And the Foundation would decide who deserved to evolve.
I looked down at the three serums in front of me and smiled faintly.
"We're on the brink of something monumental," I said quietly. "Make sure every researcher logs their progress. We're accelerating the timeline."
"As you command," Orochimaru said with a bow and a glint of excitement.
And deep inside, even I felt it—The shift.The change.The beginning of something the multiverse would never forget.
The age of the X-Gene, shaped by the Foundation, had begun.