Marvel: Gene Extraction

Chapter 15: Abducting Dr. Helen Cho

"Nexus, set a course for South Korea. We're going to find Dr. Helen Cho," Ethan commanded.

"Affirmative, Progenitor."

BOOM!

The Transformer launched into the sky, streaking towards the Korean peninsula.

Ethan had collected enough genes from deceased scientists. Now, his sights were set on a living one: Dr. Helen Cho.

She had only made a brief appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and she wasn't particularly famous, preferring to keep a low profile. Despite this, many viewers considered her to be one of the most intelligent people in the Marvel Universe, simply because she had once openly criticized Tony Stark's Iron Man armor, and he hadn't been able to offer a rebuttal.

At this point in time, Dr. Cho had not yet developed her nanotechnology or the Regeneration Cradle. But Ethan was confident that if he provided her with the foundational concepts, she would be able to bring the technologies to life in record time.

The Transformer's cloaking system allowed it to enter South Korean airspace completely undetected. And with Nexus, finding a single person in the world was a trivial task.

Following Nexus's directions, Ethan landed the Transformer silently on the roof of a heavily guarded research facility.

He exited the robot and made his way down from the roof into the building. A few minutes later, he found Dr. Helen Cho in her laboratory. She was wearing a white lab coat, engrossed in studying the liquids in a series of beakers and vials. With her delicate features, graceful figure, and the intense focus on her face, she was captivating.

At least, Ethan was captivated.

Dr. Cho sensed a presence and turned. Seeing a tall, powerfully built stranger in her lab, she immediately became guarded, crossing her arms over her chest. "Who are you?"

"My name is Ethan Hunt. I'm not here to harm you, so please, don't be alarmed," Ethan said in a gentle, reassuring tone.

"I've never seen you at this facility before," Dr. Cho said, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"I'm not from this facility," Ethan replied. "I came here specifically to find you."

"Why? I don't even know you," she said, her nervousness apparent.

"I've come to you with a proposition," Ethan said with a charming smile.

"What kind of proposition?"

Ethan raised his arm, and a holographic projector on his wrist whirred to life, displaying a dynamic image. It showed a man wearing sunglasses. A liquid metal flowed from the glasses, automatically covering his entire body and transforming him into a robot.

The image then changed. It showed a grievously wounded person, their skin torn and bleeding. The person was placed into a 'Regeneration Pod'. When they emerged moments later, they were completely healed, jumping and moving without any sign of injury. The wounds had vanished.

Seeing the two technologies, Dr. Cho was visibly moved. "What is this technology?" she breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Nanotechnology and the Regeneration Cradle," Ethan answered.

"Why are you showing me this?" she asked, still confused.

"These are just my initial concepts," Ethan explained. "They haven't been developed yet. That's why I need your help."

"I'm sorry, but my country would never allow me to leave," Dr. Cho refused. Although she was fascinated by the potential of the technologies, Ethan was a complete stranger who had appeared out of nowhere. She couldn't just leave with him; she was afraid he might be a dangerous man.

"Come with me," Ethan coaxed, "and I will give you everything you need. I will fully support your research, without limitation. What do you say?"

"My country already provides me with all the support I need," she replied, shaking her head. "I don't need yours."

This is going to be difficult, Ethan thought. An idea sparked in his mind. He smiled. "Aren't you curious how I was able to find you? And how I got into this facility without being detected?"

"How?" Dr. Cho's curiosity was piqued. She knew that the facility was a top-secret government installation, guarded by a large number of soldiers and equipped with signal jammers. It was impossible for an ordinary person to find it, let alone get inside unnoticed and locate her specific lab.

"Because I was sent by S.H.I.E.L.D.," Ethan said, pulling out the credentials he had been given. "If you don't believe me, see for yourself."

As a nationally prized scientist, Dr. Cho had of course heard of S.H.I.E.L.D. She took the ID card and examined it carefully. Then, she walked over to her computer and typed in a code. The S.H.I.E.L.D. official website appeared on the screen. She entered the ID number from Ethan's card, and his file immediately popped up.

Ethan Hunt

S.H.I.E.L.D. External Agent

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 220 lbs

Abilities: Transformation into Titan form

...

Seeing the official file, Dr. Cho finally relaxed. In her mind, S.H.I.E.L.D. was an organization of heroes, saviors of the world. Anyone who was a part of it had to be a good person.

She handed the ID card back to him. "I'm so sorry," she said apologetically. "I misunderstood you."

"The reason S.H.I.E.L.D. sent me," Ethan said, his voice dropping to a serious, urgent tone, "is because the Earth is on the brink of destruction. We desperately need your help."

He decided to spin a tale to get her to come with him. Once she was on his island, it wouldn't be so easy for her to leave, even if she discovered his lie.

"The Earth is about to be destroyed? That can't be true!" Dr. Cho said, shocked.

Ethan nodded, his expression grave. "It is. S.H.I.E.L.D. is currently engaged in a war in space with an alien race. They are numerous, and their technology is far more advanced than ours. We're losing, badly. It's only a matter of time before they reach Earth. And when they do, they will destroy it."

"The Earth needs you, Dr. Cho," he continued, his voice full of conviction. "We need you to develop nanotechnology so that our soldiers can wear nano-armor into battle. We need you to develop the Regeneration Cradle so that our wounded can be healed."

"What if I can't do it?" Dr. Cho asked, the weight of the world suddenly on her shoulders.

"Just do your best," Ethan said with an encouraging smile.

"Then... I should go and speak with my superiors," she said, turning to leave.

Ethan grabbed her by the arm. "There's no need. S.H.I.E.L.D. has already communicated with your government. You're to come with me directly."

"Oh," Dr. Cho said, looking dazed.

"For the sake of world peace, come with me," Ethan said, his voice full of righteous purpose as he began to lead her out of the lab.

"Wait, my purse!"

"You don't need it. I have plenty of money. I'll give you whatever you want."

"But my ID is in there!"

"You won't need it. I'll get you a S.H.I.E.L.D. identification card. It's valid in every country."

And just like that, Dr. Helen Cho was whisked away by Ethan Hunt.

When they reached the rooftop, she was stunned by the sight of the massive, awe-inspiring Transformer.

"This... this is a robot?" she stammered.

"This is a Transformer, developed by S.H.I.E.L.D.," Ethan continued his charade.

"Your organization is truly incredible," Dr. Cho said, full of admiration.

"Nexus, transform into jet mode," Ethan commanded.

"Affirmative, Progenitor."

KSHHHK-CHUNK-VRRRR!

The Transformer quickly reconfigured itself into a sleek, futuristic jet.

"Wow!" Dr. Cho gasped.

The cockpit canopy opened automatically. Ethan took the pilot's seat. Dr. Cho, without any prompting, excitedly climbed into the co-pilot's seat beside him.