Marvel: Trading with Worlds

"Are you sure you really want to work with Senator Stern?"

Betty couldn't help but question Kain's decision to collaborate with Stern. In her opinion, it seemed like another impulsive move. 

After all, there was no shortage of investors interested in their recovery potions and Extremis virus serums. Letting someone like Stern join could make their products seem less exclusive.

Especially concerning the Extremis virus serum—an essential step in the stable production of a super-soldier serum. If it were leaked, it could lead to significant trouble.

However, Betty admitted that if Stern could truly deliver what he promised, the partnership might be worthwhile. Her primary concern was Stern's potential greed.

With 27% of the shares in the Oscorp Group, and Kain's ability to negotiate for the Osborne family's 38%, they would gain control of the company.

"Of course, Betty. I'm fully aware of Stern's background and abilities," Kain reassured her, gently tilting her head as he spoke. 

"He can provide me with very valuable resources. The Oscorp Group is just the start. If the opportunity arises, I plan to engage with even more valuable assets."

On Earth, Hydra had access to two Infinity Stones, and Kain had a ten-year window to secure at least one for research.

Although the Oscorp Group was taken over by the military for its human enhancement projects, its armament manufacturing division remained a powerful asset. 

With over 30 years of establishment, its potential was undeniable. If not for the misstep of taking on military contracts too hastily, the Oscorp Group could have eventually become the third-largest supplier to the U.S. military.

"I just feel like you should… think this through more carefully," Betty began to respond, but her words were cut off.

She had been sipping milk, but now her mouth felt slightly sour.

"Dear Betty," Kain interjected with a smirk, "I don't think this is the best occasion to discuss business. How about we change the subject?"

Betty quickly obliged, shifting the conversation. "Bruce accepted a military invitation to manufacture weapons recently. I tried to persuade him against it, but he wouldn't listen."

"Is he competing with me?" Kain asked, raising an eyebrow. "Betty, it sounds like he still has feelings for you."

"I don't know… I don't know," Betty replied evasively.

Kain stayed in Washington for a week, meeting numerous individuals, especially those introduced by Senator Stern. While he wasn't sure how many Hydra agents were among them, he was confident there were many.

Despite the undercurrents, they finalized the Oscorp Group share negotiations. Kain also distributed shares in his biopharmaceutical company as part of the deal. 

Stern and his associates didn't attempt to devalue the shares but instead worked sincerely to reduce the perceived value of the Oscorp Group's holdings.

Anyone paying attention could see the high value of the Extremis virus serum. Stern and his group weren't just interested in monetary gains; they wanted access to the serum itself.

Kain, however, had strict controls in place. Most researchers in his labs and Umbrella Corporation were marked with Chakra seals, making it nearly impossible to acquire the serum through espionage.

Stern, eager to court Kain's favor, even invited him to enjoy high-end Japanese cuisine. However, Kain had little interest in such offerings. 

If Stern had invited him to study the Tesseract, it might have been a different story altogether.

With Hydra's influence over S.H.I.E.L.D., it's entirely plausible they could get their hands on the Tesseract. 

Both of Nick Fury's superiors are secretly Hydra agents, but their arrogance is apparent. How has Nick Fury managed to hold his position so securely under such circumstances?

After returning to New York, Betty began negotiations with the other directors of the Oscorp Group about its acquisition. 

With Stern leading the charge and considering the Oscorp Group's precarious position, it seemed possible to weather the immediate difficulties. 

However, Kain had different plans. Once the production of the super-soldier serum was finalized, he intended to team up with Ross to completely absorb the Oscorp Group into his own operations.

Before long, the Oscorp Group would cease to exist, leaving only Pent Group in its place.

"Doctor, the gamma bombs are still too unstable and aren't ready for production," an assistant reported to Bruce Banner. 

Their team had made significant breakthroughs in gamma ray research, but weaponizing it was still far from practical.

If pushed into production prematurely, these weapons would likely prove disastrous on the battlefield. It would be a national embarrassment if an explosion caused more harm to allied forces than to the enemy.

"Everyone, head home. I'll be trying something different tonight," Bruce said, dismissing the team. They had worked tirelessly for days, but the results were far from satisfactory.

This time, it seemed the research had taken a wrong turn, and they might need to start over from the equations. Unfortunately, their benefactors wouldn't tolerate such delays. 

With the conflict in the Middle East escalating, there was a growing consensus that weapon development and human enhancement projects were essential. 

The gamma bomb was being developed to fulfill that very need.

"Maybe there's another way to stabilize gamma rays," Bruce muttered as he walked into the lab. But upon entering, he frowned.

"Why hasn't the equipment I requested been delivered yet…?" he murmured. For this experiment, Bruce intended to test a new fusion equation. 

However, with mounting pressure from his superiors, he needed to produce results soon—at least enough to pacify them. Even a small, functional sample would suffice. 

Otherwise, his project might face cancellation.

The future of military research seemed to be heading toward an arms race focused on advanced equipment, leaving decades-old human enhancement programs on the chopping block.

"Boss, we've successfully reproduced the serum. Would you like to come by and take a look? If everything checks out, can we proceed with the next round of human trials?"

Kain was still resting when he received this call from Rick. It had been a month since he'd handed over the super-soldier serum formula to the research team, and while progress had been slower than he liked, the results were satisfactory.

General Ross had been hounding him daily, almost to the point of wanting to camp out at Kain's biological research center, desperate for the serum to be completed.

"I'll come by this afternoon," Kain replied. "If everything's in order, we'll move ahead with the human trials."

After ending the call, Kain turned to Betty, who was still lying beside him, her long legs draped over the edge of the quilt. He gave her a playful pat and shared the news.

Since their return from Washington, Betty had been increasingly astonished by the speed of Kain's breakthroughs. 

Both the Extremis virus and the super-soldier serum were monumental challenges for most human enhancement experts. Yet Kain had made them seem almost effortless.

By the time Kain and Betty arrived at the biological research center, it was already one in the afternoon. Security had noticeably tightened, with regular personnel rotations and an increase in manpower.

Betty's two bodyguards followed closely behind. If all went as planned, they would be the first subjects for the super-soldier serum trials.

When Rick greeted Kain, he immediately presented the experimental product.

"This is it, boss. We've run tests and calculations three times, and the serum's effects can be confirmed. However, without a sample from Captain America, we can't verify if the results are identical."

Kain nodded thoughtfully. He was aware that Steve Rogers wasn't the only one to have successfully received the super-soldier serum. 

In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, a black man had also undergone the procedure, though he had suffered inhumane treatment and now lived in seclusion. 

If a sample of his blood could be obtained, Rick would have additional data to refine the serum further.

Turning to the two retired soldiers behind him, Kain addressed them directly.

"Mr. Rove, Mr. Carlo, are you willing to seize this opportunity? I can guarantee a 90% success rate."

The stated success rate was fabricated, but Kain had complete confidence in their loyalty due to the Chakra seals he'd placed on them. 

These spells enhanced their compatibility with the serum and ensured their unwavering allegiance.

"Of course, boss," the two responded without hesitation.

Satisfied, Kain looked to Rick, who said eagerly, "Boss, the injection equipment is ready. We can start at any time."

"It seems you're more impatient than I am, Mr. Rick," Kain joked as they moved to the experimental area.

The first batch of tests included three serum samples. Once they reached the equipment, Carlo and Rove exchanged glances before Rove stepped forward. 

Following Rick's instructions, he lay down on the injection table.

Rick and his team immediately got to work. Despite countless simulations, final preparations still took time. Once everything was in place, Kain pressed the injection button himself.

The serum was slowly delivered into the experimental chamber, and changes in Rove's body data began displaying on the monitors in real time.

Drastic transformations were evident—muscle growth, increased bone density, and accelerated heart rate. Meanwhile, Rove endured tremendous pain inside the chamber. 

The super-soldier serum wasn't something one could take and then wake up stronger the next day; the process of physical enhancement demanded significant endurance and came with immense suffering.

"It's done! It's a success!"

Rick couldn't contain his excitement as the data fed back into the system. Rove's physical metrics were three times stronger than before, matching the expected baseline for a successful serum injection. 

Even his heart rate had stabilized back to normal levels.

Kain's first super soldier was born.

….

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