More than two months had passed since the incident involving Killian and the so-called "Mandarin."
People gradually forgot about the man who once claimed he would bring terror and a new world order.
The world returned to peace.
For Kagura Hitomi, the battle brought her quite the bounty.
In addition to the QP and new skills she earned from completing the mission, her automaton core had also leveled up, unlocking new abilities.
Among them was the rather "pay-to-win" energy recharge feature, which, while a bit exploitative, provided an invaluable edge in critical situations.
Beyond her personal enhancements, Kagura also reaped significant gains from AIM's technology and resources.
The entire AIM Advanced Idea Mechanics company, its personnel, equipment, and experimental technologies, all became hers. Additionally, she acquired a brilliant biologist—Maya Hansen.
The most prized loot, however was the Extremis virus sample.
This cutting-edge virus could grant an ordinary person physical prowess on par with Captain America and rapid regeneration capabilities, even surpassing the Super Soldier Serum.
To perfected the Extremis virus and stabilize it, as well as to fulfill her promise of providing Maya Hansen with a stable work environment and curing Deadpool's disfigurement, Kagura established a new biotech research institution under Rhodes Island Industries—"Rhine Lab."
Rhine Lab is specialized in biotechnology and medical advancements, providing military and civilian bio-medical equipment and services.
Their headquartered is in Berlin, with branches in London, Paris, and New York, it attracted top-tier scientists from around the world.
And Kagura made Maya Hansen became the chief scientist of the New York branch, while the true head of Rhine Lab was none other than the renowned gamma radiation expert and Avenger—Bruce Banner.
To Kagura's surprise, Dr. Stephen Strange also voluntarily joined Rhine Lab as the chief consultant for neurosurgery.
Holding the report of Strange's recruitment, Kagura couldn't help but smile. "Fate works in mysterious ways. Since you've acknowledged my work, let's cooperate well, future Sorcerer Supreme."
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Two Months Later, New York, Rhine Lab Research Center
The research lab wasn't large, but it was pristine and sterile.
The room was encased in military-grade reinforced glass, with airlocks and decontamination chambers at the entrance.
This was a top-tier sterile environment.
In the center of the room lay a massive, semi-transparent "coffin." This expensive machine was, in fact, the prototype of Rhodes Island Industries' latest full-body medical pod.
Developed as part of the "Cradle of Life" project, co-funded by South Korea and Rhodes Island Industries, this groundbreaking medical technology could perform nano-level tissue repair and 3D bioprinting.
Though still in its early development in 2013, this technology laid the foundation for future advancements in nanotech.
Currently, the only "Cradle of Life" prototype housed a very special patient—Deadpool, Wade Wilson.
He was awaiting the final tuning of the Extremis virus, becoming the first person in the world to receive the perfected version to repair his DNA and heal his disfigurement.
At the control panel outside the sterile lab, Kagura and Maya were making the final adjustments to the virus.
"Honestly, I still think we should follow Tony Stark's formula for stability," Maya commented while working on the holographic interface.
"I spent over a decade studying that equation. I can't accept your complete overhaul of it."
"I didn't want to break it to you, Miss Hansen," Kagura replied while inputting test data, "but Stark's equation was actually nonsense. It doesn't solve the stability issue."
"What?! You're kidding, right?"
"I'm not. I had Cortana analyze it. The equation doesn't stabilize the virus—it just allows it to affect inorganic matter."
"Inorganic matter?! That's insane! Tony told me it was for stabilizing the virus!"
"Well, he wasn't entirely lying. It did improve the virus... just not in the way you expected. Anyway, I've finished processing the data. Running the final integrity simulation now. We're ready to proceed."
"Extremis Virus 2.0 ready. Initiating final integrity check and preparing for injection. Let's hope he doesn't explode."
Maya activated the injection system and handed control over to Kagura.
"Relax, this is my masterpiece. It's safe, eco-friendly, and won't cause random combustion. A gentle, user-friendly Extremis 2.0!"
Kagura closed the test window and activated the medical drone within the sterile lab.
Neither she nor Maya would enter the lab to maintain the sterile environment. The drone would handle the injection remotely.
"Hey, Wade, wake up. We're about to begin the injection," Kagura spoke through the communication device.
"We'll be monitoring your vitals in real-time. Let us know if you feel uncomfortable. Not that I expect any issues, but... well, if you have an allergic reaction, that's on you."
"Oh my God, I missed you! My custom-made Extremis is finally ready? Am I about to become hot and handsome again? This is amazing! Once I'm healed, will you be my girlfriend? I swear, I—"
'Click.'
Kagura coldly cut off the transmission with a blank expression. "Enough. Just shut up and enjoy the pain. You won't die anyway. Hmph."
"Extremis Virus 2.0 sample ready. Virus successfully transferred to the 'Cradle of Life' prototype. Injection system activated."
"Target's vitals stable. All readings normal. Initiating Extremis 2.0 injection in 3... 2... 1..."
"Injection complete."
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