{T/N: Took a while, but we're back. The whole P@tre0n fiasco is resolved, and we're pushing forward again. Thank you for your patience and understanding, everyone...}
...
~Hamr Industries, Office~
Fernando, who had been summoned by his boss, entered the office with trepidation...
The mont he pushed open the door, a file on the desk was hurled straight at him. Given his reflexes, he could have easily dodged it, but doing so would only have further enraged the man.
The sharp corner of the file sliced open the security chief's forehead... Blood stread down his face in a ghastly manner... Yet, even this did nothing to quell Justin Hamr's fury.
He bellowed, "A whole month! Sean Cyphers is still alive and well, Umbrella has secured a long-term contract with the Departnt of Defense, and his energy weapons are about to enter mass production! Tell , where are your rcenaries?"
Faced with his boss's roaring interrogation, Fernando couldn't help but feel that the hefty annual salary of a security chief wasn't so easy to earn.
The renowned New York genius had taken a two-week vacation in Eastern Europe, sothing that should have been a perfect opportunity.
Fernando had dispatched two elite rcenary teams under Hamr Industries' security company. Yet, those seasoned soldiers who had incited political unrest in small nations and assassinated African tribal leaders ended up as after-dinner snacks for vampires and werewolves... though officially, they had "unfortunately perished in a firefight with local gangs"...
With his years of experience, Fernando sensed sothing was off. But the reports showed no flaws. Who would have guessed those insane Romanian gangs would resort to suicide attacks, and they just happened to target the bus carrying the rcenary team? There was no evidence of preditation.
Dismissing it as bad luck, Fernando imdiately contacted Wade Wilson the mont the New York genius returned. To be honest, Fernando couldn't stand that foul-mouthed, joke-cracking bastard. But even he had to admit... Wade was one of the best in the business.
Yet Fernando was disappointed once again. The response he got was:
"If this call isn't important, I'll shoot your balls off… Wait, what? Your boss wants to pay to take out so insufferable young billionaire? Fernando, what kind of man do you take for? Two million? Fine, I'll do it!"
Did it end there? No...
What followed was a thirty-second-long, high-pitched moan, punctuated by the rhythmic sounds of vigorous physical activity... judging by the speed and frequency, the guy had impressive core strength.
After an awkward two-minute wait, the call resud with a satisfied sigh: "Sorry, Fernando. I was just having a heart-to-heart with my moral conscience. She told very seriously, 'Wade Wilson, you can't do this. Sacrificing your noble character for a asly sum isn't worth it.' So, buddy, for the sake of my– ah! Vanessa, not so hard! My little guy is fragile!"
The beleaguered security chief was subjected to another round of wild, unrestrained slapping sounds before silently hanging up, cursing the bastard under his breath.
And that was why, a month later, Fernando still hadn't accomplished the task. From every angle, subjective or objective, none of this seed to be his fault. Unfortunately, his boss wasn't the understanding type.
"You take my money, you do your damn job! Otherwise, I'll replace you in a heartbeat. So respect the man in front of you with more devotion than you'd give God Himself!" Justin Hamr jabbed a finger into the tall and burly security chief's chest, clearly dissatisfied with his employee's performance.
He no longer cared about the consequences... as long as Sean Cyphers was gone. The energy weapons had won high praise from the DoD, and their potential applications were vast enough to propel Umbrella into the spotlight of military procurent overnight.
If it were so nobody, Hamr Industries could have resorted to hostile takeovers or aggressive suppression. But Sean Cyphers had close ties with General Thaddeus Ross, and Umbrella was backed by Stark, Oscorp, and Koch Industries... They were hardly easy targets.
"It's worth the risk…" Justin Hamr muttered to himself.
His heavily funded armored suits were about to debut, yet the energy problem remained unsolved. His so-called genius scientists were useless. If Tony Stark could cobble together a working prototype in a cave with scraps, why couldn't they?
"Forget the rcenaries." Hamr waved a hand, loosening his tie, "I've contacted a seller who has a special serum that enhances physical abilities. Round up so n from security for testing."
Fernando's eyes widened. His fists clenched involuntarily before he took a deep breath, "Without FDA approval, unauthorized human trials are high-risk. Lives would be at stake–"
*Bang!*
Another file smacked Fernando in the face.
Hamr, red with rage, roared, "Throw money at them! How much are their lives worth? Don't question again, or get the hell out!" The pent-up frustration of recent weeks exploded like a powder keg.
Hamr thought of Stark Industries' success with arc reactors and Umbrella's teoric rise. His bloodshot eyes burned. He had finally gotten his chance when Tony Stark exited the weapons market, only for Sean Cyphers to erge.
Who was to say Umbrella wouldn't beco the next Stark Industries in a few years?
Hamr had had enough of playing second fiddle. He had bought Stark's weapon factories and was ready to carve out his own empire, only for that infuriatingly polite New York genius to stand in his way again.
After dismissing his insubordinate security chief, Hamr turned on the TV. The screen displayed that detestably youthful face as Sean spoke on the Mutant Registration Act:
Listening to Sean's sanctimonious speech, Hamr hurled the remote at the TV.
*Bam!*
The screen exploded in sparks. The defense tycoon panted heavily, "Just a little longer…"
He had contacted a mysterious figure on the black market, soone called 'Mr. Blue'.
The man had demonstrated a green serum. Injected test subjects exhibited superhuman strength, rapid healing, and destructive power surpassing elite soldiers. Exactly what Hamr needed.
Lying back on the sofa, his breathing steadied. His eyes glead with cold calculation as he murmured, "Kill Sean. Then take the serum for myself…"
User Comments
0 comments from readers