Marvel: Gene Extraction

Chapter 14: Awakening Mental Power

BOOM!

The Transformer rocketed into the sky, reaching an altitude of a thousand meters in an instant.

"Nexus, begin systems test," Ethan commanded.

"Affirmative, Progenitor."

The massive robot soared through the air, executing a series of complex, high-speed maneuvers. Despite its immense size, it moved with astonishing agility.

"Transformation test," Ethan ordered.

"Affirmative, Progenitor."

The Transformer descended, landing softly on the island before beginning its metamorphosis.

KSHHHK-CHUNK-VRRRR! It reconfigured itself into a sleek, futuristic jet.

KRRR-CHUNK-KSHHH! It shifted again, becoming the heavy-duty truck.

VRRR-CLANG-KSHHHK! It morphed into a massive, earth-boring drill.

CHUNK-HSSSSS-CLANG! It became a submarine.

Finally, with another series of complex mechanical shifts, it returned to its humanoid robot form.

"Transformation functions are all nominal," Nexus reported.

"Good," Ethan said. "Let's proceed to the weapon systems test. Take us to the bottom of the ocean."

The weapons he had designed were far too powerful to test on land; the explosions would attract unwanted attention from every government on the planet. The deep ocean was the perfect testing ground, the crushing pressure and vastness of the water would muffle the blasts.

"Affirmative, Progenitor." Nexus crouched, then launched the massive robot into the sea. Mid-air, it seamlessly transformed into the submarine, slicing into the water with a thunderous splash.

Ten minutes later, they reached the crushing depths of the abyss. Ethan initiated the weapons test. The submarine shifted back into its Transformer form.

"Minigun," Ethan commanded.

A six-barreled rotary cannon emerged from the Transformer's shoulder.

"Open fire."

DA-DA-DA-DA-DA!

The minigun spun to life, unleashing a torrent of bullets that tore through the water, leaving trails of cavitation in their wake.

"Missile launcher."

A missile pod extended from the Transformer's forearm.

"Target the undersea mound ahead."

WHOOSH! A miniature missile shot from the pod.

BOOM!

The resulting explosion was immense, completely obliterating the underwater hill. The shockwave sent the massive Transformer stumbling back several meters.

Ethan proceeded to test the rest of the arsenal.

Flamethrowers.

High-yield missiles.

Gatling guns.

Pulse cannons.

And more.

After the weapons test was complete, Ethan had the Transformer morph into its drill form and burrow deep into the earth's crust. It tore through mud, sand, and solid rock, pulverizing everything in its path. Only after reaching a depth of several hundred meters did he stop to check the systems. Finding everything in perfect working order, he returned to the surface.

SPLASH!

The Transformer burst from the water and flew back to the villa.

Back in the lab, Ethan stepped out of the robot's chest cavity. "Nexus," he said with deep satisfaction, "you truly are an invaluable assistant. Without your help, I never could have made the Transformer so perfect."

"It is my honor to be of service to you, Progenitor," Nexus replied, its tone almost... fawning.

Ethan chuckled. "Heh. You really are something else. You've even learned how to flatter me."

"It is all thanks to you, Progenitor. Without you, I would not exist."

"Alright, that's enough brown-nosing," Ethan said. "I have a new task for you. I need you to find the burial locations of every deceased genius-level scientist."

"Affirmative, Progenitor."

A few minutes later, Nexus's voice filled the lab. "Progenitor, I have located the burial sites of the following individuals:"

"Dr. Abraham Erskine."

"Date of Death: 1943."

"Cause of Death: Assassinated by a U.S. government agent."

"Most Notable Invention: The Super Soldier Serum."

"Howard Stark."

"Date of Death: 1991."

"Cause of Death: Assassinated by Hydra."

"Most Notable Invention: The Arc Reactor."

"Obadiah Stane."

"Date of Death: 2009."

"Cause of Death: Killed by Tony Stark."

"Most Notable Invention: The Iron Monger suit."

The list went on.

"Excellent work, Nexus. You never disappoint," Ethan said, a predatory smile on his face.

The scientists Nexus had found were all legends. If he could extract the genes of every single one of them, he would become the most intelligent scientist the world had ever known.

The thought alone was thrilling.

After a hearty meal, Ethan suited up in his Transformer once more and left the island, embarking on his gene extraction pilgrimage.

With the precise locations provided by Nexus, finding the graves was easy. However, the cemeteries were guarded during the day, so he operated under the cover of night.

America, Germany, Russia, Japan... he flew from country to country, a phantom in the night.

As Ethan was extracting the genes of the tenth deceased scientist, his system's familiar chime sounded in his mind.

[Ding! For successfully extracting genes ten times, the Host has been awarded a Growth Bonus Pack.]

With trembling excitement, he opened the pack. Inside was another vial of 'Evolutionary Genes'. He was ecstatic. He had already seen how powerful the evolutionary genes were. They had transformed the Abomination's flawed DNA into the perfect form of a Titan Giant. Used on the genes of other superheroes, the possibilities were endless.

Since he was already collecting the genes of countless scientists, he decided to save the evolutionary genes for later, for when he acquired the DNA of another super-powered being.

The new reward only fueled his ambition. He continued his journey, a global tour of the graves of the world's most brilliant minds. He sought out every famous scientist, every true innovator. He had no time for theoreticians or those who were all talk and no action.

A month later, Ethan felt... different.

He felt like he had become a god.

His brain was operating on a level he hadn't thought possible. Its processing speed was so fast that even Nexus, with the power of the entire world's computer networks at its disposal, couldn't keep up. When he looked at things now, he no longer saw their surface appearance. He saw their fundamental nature, their composition, their purpose. His mind instinctively analyzed everything around him.

He could even perceive the subtle energies that permeated the air.

"My god," he whispered in awe, "this feeling... it's incredible." He was scared of his own potential.

"Progenitor," Nexus's voice interjected, "I can detect massive energy fluctuations emanating from your brain. They are so powerful, they are even beginning to affect my own systems."

"You're kidding," Ethan said, shocked.

"It is the truth, Progenitor," Nexus affirmed.

"Energy fluctuations from the brain... could it be... mental power?" he wondered aloud.

His mind immediately went to Professor X from the X-Men films, a man whose mental power was so immense he could control minds from miles away.

Ethan picked up a toothpick and placed it on the table in front of him. He focused his mind, concentrating all of his willpower on it, willing it to rise.

Slowly, unsteadily, the toothpick began to wobble. Then, it lifted into the air.

"Hahahaha!" he laughed, a wild, ecstatic sound. "My mind has become this powerful! This is amazing!"

The moment he broke his concentration, the toothpick clattered back onto the table.

"A psychic attack... nothing can block it, except for something like Magneto's helmet," Ethan mused, a new determination hardening his features. "This power... I must master it."