The effect of the "Monkey Model" Power-Enhancing Shoes was unexpectedly good.
Although the output was far lower than the genuine article, it was incredibly stable. It didn't cause muscle strain, and its energy consumption was minimal since it relied on low-level electrical stimulation.
If I expanded this tech into a full-body suit, I could mass-produce a budget version of a Super Soldier.
Luca had this idea mainly because the military was breathing down his neck.
Tony Stark stubbornly refused to share the Mark suit technology (except for the War Machine armor he "let" Rhodey take).
So naturally, the military turned their greedy eyes to Luca.
The Haro Mech's performance in the Second Battle of New York was dazzling. The generals wanted it.
Luca had fended them off by quoting astronomical prices for "experimental prototypes," but that was just a stalling tactic.
Aurantius Industries was rising, yes. It was about to become a major conglomerate.
But unlike Stark Industries, Luca didn't have the political capital to completely ignore the Pentagon and Congress yet.
Originally, he planned to make a stripped-down "Youth Mini Version" of the Haro Mech to sell for a quick buck. But the "Monkey Model Muscle Armor" idea was better.
The military loves super soldiers, right? This isn't the Serum, but the end result is pretty close. Instant physical enhancement without the risk of turning into a Red Skull.
---
Connecticut. The Aurantius Estate. Master Bedroom.
Sherry was administering an injection to Gina.
Yes, the targeted drug Luca had been obsessing over was finally complete.
With Sherry's help, they had even improved upon the original formula Baymax derived, making it more effective.
The drug recorded in Baymax's database was a standard, publicly available medication from the future.
Luca wasn't making this for profit; he was making it for family. Improving it was a no-brainer.
"With daily injections, the patient should regain consciousness in about 30 days. Full recovery in 50 days," Sherry stated, checking the monitors alongside Baymax.
Luca let out a sigh of relief.
"Baymax, don't worry about the lab for a while. Stay here and monitor Gina. Make sure nothing goes wrong."
"I understand, Luca." (●—●)
Baymax was happy to help wherever he was needed.
Besides, the bio-lab didn't have much work for him right now. Aurantius Industries lacked connections in the pharmaceutical world. In America, you couldn't just invent a miracle drug and sell it.
Even if you cured cancer, Big Pharma would try to buy you out or bury you. The FDA would stall you. Hospitals would refuse to use unapproved treatments. The vested interests would force you to compromise.
Luca was confident he could navigate those waters eventually, but right now, Aurantius Industries had bigger fish to fry.
With Gina's drug finished, the only project left in the bio-lab was Sherry's pet project: improving APTX-4869.
Luca had greenlit it just to give the bored genius girl something to do.
Sherry didn't mind.
The army of Haro bots Luca assigned to the lab handled the grunt work of data analysis. She spent her time studying this world's medical knowledge.
Having finished her checkup on Gina, Sherry turned to Luca, her tone cool.
"Someone contacted me privately yesterday. They tried to recruit me."
"Huh?"
Luca, who had been daydreaming about super-soldier armor, snapped back to reality. He looked at her, confused.
"You've only been at the lab for a few days. Headhunters are already circling?"
"They probably assume I led the development of the targeted dissolution drug."
Luca's bio-lab was brand new. It had no reputation, few staff, and most of the work was done by AI.
For someone to target Sherry so quickly, the culprit was obvious.
"Norman. That guy has good intel."
"They didn't identify themselves. The offer was vague. I suspect it's because of my surname... they think I have a special relationship with you."
Hearing this, Luca's face darkened.
About Sherry's surname...
When Luca told Shamila to arrange an identity for "Sherry," he hadn't paid much attention to the details. He was busy in the dream world.
But an ID needs a full name.
The two women apparently had a discussion. The result? Her legal name was registered as Sherry Aurantius.
When Luca found out, he was stunned.
Combined with their similar auburn hair...
Luca had inexplicably gained a "sister" overnight.
Shamila argued it was a tradition—granting the family name to a loyal retainer. Luca just pinched his nose and accepted it. It was too late to change it now.
"If they think you're an Aurantius family member and still tried to poach you... Norman Osborn must be getting desperate."
Like Luca, Norman wasn't interested in the drug for profit.
The disease was rare. The market was tiny.
The only reason Norman would risk offending a rising corporate ally by poaching his "sister" was if his wife's condition was critical.
He must have confirmed that the data Luca sent earlier was effective for Mrs. Osborn's genetic condition.
But since he was only trying to poach Sherry and not kidnapping her, he wasn't completely gone yet.
"I need to talk to him. If I wait too long, a favor might turn into a feud."
"Shamila, the ribbon-cutting for Aurantius Materials is the day after tomorrow, right? Send an invitation to Mr. Norman Osborn."