Practically entire day I spent in logistical marathon setting up laboratory at Base. Equipment was considerable, it was damn expensive, and did not want to blow such place in stupid way at all. Scheme was exhausting but reliable: I drove to my house, met next van, received batch of equipment. If it was something especially valuable, compact or bulky, it disappeared without trace into my inventory. Rest I, grunting, loaded into car. Then returned to Base, unloaded everything and repeated cycle anew. Fortunately, because order was truly huge, Lucas went out of his way and personally coordinated many moments, building logistics to maximally simplify my life. Complicated it, essentially, only I myself, with my paranoia.
But by six in evening, when last box was brought inside, I closed heavy laboratory door behind me and, leaning on it, exhaled. Before me, in harsh light of industrial lamps, spread my first laboratory that could truly be called serious. Yes, there is no equipment for tens and hundreds of millions of dollars here, like in some Stark Industries, but everything standing before me, gleaming with new steel and plastic, covered practically all my pressing needs. And not only mine. I additionally consulted with Peter, and ultimately we settled on three main equipment categories, creating universal complex for under-genius engineer and genius biochemist.
First category: Production and Material Processing. Kingdom of Metal and Polymers.
This is foundation of foundations for any creator. Place where formless raw materials turn into parts, housings, unique alloys and basic components.
5-axis CNC milling machine. True king of laboratory. Huge, imposing unit for high-precision processing of metals, polymers and composites. I looked at it and saw not just machine, but tool capable of creating parts of most complex shape according to digital 3D model, from microscopic gears for gadget to load-bearing elements of exoskeleton. Thing vitally necessary. Model from Haas, weighing several tons, cost me 100 thousand greenbacks, and every cent was justified. Industrial multi-material 3D printer. If CNC machine is sculptor cutting away excess, then this printer is alchemist creating from everything. Machine for layer-by-layer printing of objects from various materials: metal powder (titanium, tool steel), heat-resistant plastic, carbon-filled composite. Thing indispensable for rapid prototyping and creating non-metallic parts of devices. Model from Stratasys cost 50 thousand dollars. Vacuum melting furnace. Heart of my future forge. Compact but powerful unit for melting and creating unique alloys in vacuum, which prevents oxidation and allows obtaining ultra-pure metals. Ideal for working with titanium, niobium and, most importantly, for my future experiments with vibranium! Price question was 30 thousand dollars. Plasma cutter and advanced welding machine. Tools of crude but necessary force. For precise cutting and welding of metals, for working with armor, housings and power frames. Full professional set cost 10 thousand dollars.
Next category: Electronics and Analysis. Nervous System and Mind.
Here I will assemble, test and debug all stuffing of my future creations.
Advanced soldering station with microscope. My tool for neurosurgery on printed circuit boards. Work with microelectronics, mounting most complex chips and components that are barely distinguishable by eye. Without this station for 8 thousand dollars, problematic to create even one truly cool modern gadget. High-frequency oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer. Roughly speaking, eyes and ears of electronics engineer. These devices allow "seeing" electrical signals, analyzing radio frequencies, debugging EMP devices, sensors and communication systems. Good Japanese model capable of catching most elusive interference cost me 30 thousand bucks. Scanning electron microscope (SEM). And here is cherry on top. Most expensive and possibly most important device of all purchased. This microscope is my portal into nanoworld. It will allow me to see structure of alloys, integrity of graphene coating, work of nanomachines (yes, Extremis is not forgotten!). Extremely important tool for quality control and fundamental research. Desktop model, considered relatively cheap compared to industrial monsters size of room, cost me 150 thousand dollars. But opportunity to look beyond edge of visible world... It was worth it.
Third category, conditionally "Chemistry and Biotechnology": Territory of Life.
This section, necessary for creating potions, serums and analyzing organics, was supervised mainly by Peter. I think his eyes burned when we compiled list, and I completely trusted his expertise.
Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. As Peter said, this is "great inquisitor of chemistry," gold standard of analysis. Machine capable of taking any, most complex mixture, separating it into components and determining their chemical composition with highest accuracy. In our specific case it will be indispensable for analyzing vampire and meta-blood, for improving NZT formula, for creating healing potions and stimulants. Monumental and reliable model from Agilent, size of office desk, cost 100 thousand dollars and now hummed in its place of honor. 10-liter bioreactor. High-tech "cauldron" for brewing potions, or more precisely, for growing cell cultures (those same cells necessary for Potion of Ash and Dawn from Moon Jellyfish) and synthesizing organics in ideally controlled environment. Essentially, this is sterile, automated womb for our most delicate projects. Price was 40 thousand dollars. High-speed refrigerated centrifuge. For separating liquids into fractions by density. Low temperature prevents damage to fragile protein structures, which is critically important when working with blood or cellular extracts. Another minus 30 thousand dollars from Blade's budget. Inverted fluorescent microscope. To not just study dead samples, but observe living cells directly in culture dish. Fluorescent function will allow "highlighting" certain parts of cells to monitor their health and division process in real time. Spy on secret life of cells. Good model with digital camera cost 30 thousand dollars.
Yes, there was most equipment in this category, including many not most expensive but vitally necessary small items. Analytical scales and set of micropipettes for ultra-precise weighing and measuring (entire set was 5 thousand). Water purification system to distilled state, Dewar vessel for storing liquid nitrogen, ampoule sealer and so on cost another 20 thousand.
Last but not least were installed: fume hood with laminar flow (20 thousand), creating sterile work zone, and cryostat reactor (20 thousand), resembling high-tech thermos for conducting reactions at ultra-low temperatures.
Of course, all previously purchased equipment was also transported from my garage, and something from inventory, like that miracle-box with rare ores. Day passed incredibly fruitfully.
In total, all equipment cost little more than 600 thousand dollars. In my past life, for such money you could buy decent house and still live comfortably for about ten years on remainder. But in world where SHIELD's annual budget is measured in billions, and cost of one Iron Man suit exceeds cost of aircraft carrier, this was quite adequate sum. Not surprising that Blade allocated money without problems. Funniest thing is that only components for Potion of Ash and Dawn lying before me in container cost more than this entire laboratory put together. By the way, about potion.
"Peter, you drove up?" I dialed his number. Enough sneaking into university laboratory, we already attracted too much unnecessary attention.
"Yes, John, I am almost at checkpoint! There is serious guy in uniform looking at me like I am trying to bring bomb. Will you meet me?"
"They will not let you in without me. Stay where you are, already coming."
Having picked up Peter and brought him to Base, I gave him brief tour. He walked around laboratory with look of child who got into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, touching equipment and muttering under his breath something about DNA replication and phase diagrams. I meanwhile wrote to Blade to resolve issue with pass for Peter. Response came in minute: "Will be done."
"Dude... This... this is just unreal," Peter finally exhaled, his eyes burning with anticipation. "5-axis Haas, Stratasys, and this is what, mass spectrometer from Agilent?! This laboratory... it is perfect! Balanced, powerful... especially for its price! What shall we do first?"
"Healing potion," I looked at him seriously. "Or, as it is pompously called, 'Potion of Ash and Dawn.' But essentially, this is healing potion. Capable of curing... well, very much. Within 24 hours."
Peter froze. His scientific enthusiasm changed to incredulous shock.
"This... what did you say? Healing within 24 hours? Critical conditions? This violates laws of biology, thermodynamics and common sense!"
"Yes," I answered calmly, approaching table where all components already lay. "For Uncle Ben. And one more of my acquaintances. There is no hope for ordinary medicine. So we will create this very hope with our own hands."
I began bringing Peter up to speed.
"I started preparing catalyst in advance," I said, pointing to rhythmically bubbling bioreactor. "Placed Moon Jellyfish cells in nutrient medium, and now there should be just enough biomass for dozen portions."
"Why exactly this catalyst? I read about them. This is one of rarest species of jellyfish that are biologically immortal, Hayflick limit does not affect them..."
"Yes, that is whole point," I nodded, pleased that he immediately caught direction of thought. "Enzyme from stem cells of this jellyfish does not just stimulate cell division. It literally hacks its fundamental limiters. It forces cells to regenerate at such speed that it contradicts all biology known to us. It gives one single, deafening command to cells: 'GROW!'"
"Sounds like if you give it free rein, it will turn patient into one giant, fast-growing tumor," Peter said thoughtfully, not even guessing how right he was.
"Exactly. Uncontrolled growth is cancer. Therefore it comes into play," I reverently demonstrated to Peter small ampoule containing literally micrograms of super-rare cosmic powder. It was precisely because of it that order from Lucas was delayed almost 24 hours. "Protein compounds from this lichen from Titan work not at chemical but at quantum level. It is simultaneously both ideal guidance system and, most importantly, reference template. This is like ghostly image of ideal, healthy DNA. It is precisely this Marker, roughly speaking, that orders our cells to grow correctly."
We discussed recipe once more, and I made sure Peter understood everything. He walked around laboratory, his gaze directed nowhere, and then he summed up, and in his voice sounded awe of pioneer.
"When potion enters organism, Marker scatters throughout body, finding and marking all 'sick' points at quantum level, DNA breaks, cellular damage, necrosis... And Catalyst rushes to these marks and launches unrestrained restoration process, using nutrients from potion and organism itself as building materials. This is not treatment, John. This... is system restoration from backup copy."
"Exactly!" I smiled, pleased that Peter caught very essence of name "Potion of Ash and Dawn." From ash of disease to dawn of healing.
"John... this... this is madness," his voice became quieter, almost reverent. "This changes absolutely everything. This is not biochemistry, this... is applied quantum biology. Concept of protein that resonates with DNA damage... this sounds like science fiction. But if this works, then this is breakthrough comparable to discovery of double helix itself. This is biological 'system rollback to factory settings' button. It can cure cancer, spinal cord injuries, genetic diseases, even reverse aging... But in wrong hands..." his eyes widened with horror of realization. "If Marker can be 'tuned' to healthy DNA or Catalyst separated from it... this is most terrible biological weapon that can even be imagined."
"Well, here and now main thing is that this potion can save Uncle Ben's and Frank's lives. Rest is details," I shrugged.
"Yes, but we must be incredibly, unthinkably careful with this technology!"
"I would better worry about Connors's serum. In my recipe I am at least confident," I grinned good-naturedly, wanting to make Peter think about destructive potential of this regenerative crap.
"Yes... there are its own problems there," Peter admitted with sigh. "But Doctor Connors... he does not give full research data. Hides unsightly part of testing from university. I would be glad to help, but he does not really trust... neither me nor Gwen."
"Oh, what details. Will definitely need to solve this problem..."
"Problem? What are you talking about? Serum is experimental, there are still years of research ahead. Not surprising that it has number of... shortcomings. Difficult to call this problems."
"Hmm, yes, you are right. But in any case, you will be obliged to get full access to this work when you are under NZT," with Octopus it did not work out, so at least with Lizard I will try to avoid tragedy. "Just in case. If he is genius, he will not be offended by help of another genius. And now, enough talk. Time to proceed to... biochemistry. Even if quantum."
Nodding, Peter began assisting me. Theory was finished, sacred practice began.
Catalyst was already ready. Biomass obtained from bioreactor we processed in ultrasonic homogenizer. High-frequency hum filled laboratory while sound waves destroyed cell membranes, releasing active enzyme. Obtained "broth" we passed through centrifuge, separating heavy fractions. Then liquid part was fed into liquid chromatograph, which with highest precision separated pure enzyme from all impurities. At output we obtained several milliliters of concentrated, absolutely transparent liquid that seemed to absorb light. This was our purified Catalyst.
Second phase, Marker preparation, took several more hours and required almost surgical precision. Micro-sample of crystalline lichen I preliminarily froze in liquid nitrogen, from which it became fragile as glass. Then, in sterile agate mortar, I ground it to state of nano-dust, ancient method for futuristic technology. This dust we mixed with special solvent in cryogenic chamber. Low temperature allowed extracting protein compounds without damaging their fragile quantum structure. Obtained solution passed through series of nano-filters, leaving behind pure Marker extract.
This was liquid with light pearlescent tint. Volume... divide drop by hundred. This will be enough for dozens of portions, considering that Marker works at such level of microworld that Hank Pym would envy. Universe of information in drop smaller than pinhead.
Next, final phase, was not just chemistry but almost sacred rite, full-fledged potion synthesis. In sterile flask on magnetic stirrer we mixed synthetic nutrient medium and colloidal, ionized silver. Solution was slowly heated to precise temperature of 36.6°C, temperature of healthy human body.
Into heated, barely swaying base, with constant stirring, we very slowly, literally micro-drop by micro-drop, introduced Marker extract. Solution immediately acquired light pearlescent shimmer. After hour, when it again became perfectly homogeneous, Catalyst purified was added just as slowly. Ready elixir was held another thirty minutes at constant temperature, after which quickly cooled in ice bath and poured into dozen light-proof ampoules. Potion was ready.
And system did not keep itself waiting.
[Created advanced potion "Potion of Ash and Dawn." Complexity: Medium. Received +300 OP!]
Reverses tissue aging inside body. Heals wounds, restores damaged organs, returning them to peak functionality, as if time turned back.
[Created advanced potion "Potion of Ash and Dawn." Complexity: Medium. Received +250 OP!]
...
[Created advanced potion "Potion of Ash and Dawn." Complexity: Medium. Received +10 OP!]
This is why own equipped laboratory is so profitable! One batch and whole avalanche of OP! This is literally 1,150 points from bush! Considering 250 OP I had, my balance now was fucking 1,400 OP. This is enough to cover all four planned purchases.
I stood in middle of laboratory, feeling how not blood but pure potential ran through veins. Time for upgrade. First, and already long overdue, improved Extremis formula for 500 OP. Yes, I understand that process of its creation will not be among simplest, and this laboratory may not be enough. But this is my path. My key to rewriting own source code. I will at least understand where to start from. Delaying this purchase further is crime against myself.
Second and third, recently received information packages from system. Individual Armament for 200 OP and NE-mage technology for 400 OP. This was debt of honor. Already today I wanted to create suit for Blade. Not just functional, but make it with soul, considering how much he did for me. Wanted to approach this matter thoroughly, and this knowledge was necessary for me.
And will help fourth thing that by rights should have been unlocked at very beginning of my path. But OP were too valuable, I hurried somewhere unclear... and ultimately, of course, not complaining. I would not be here, in this laboratory, with friends and allies. But fatigue pills (though rather anti-fatigue) from Arcanum recipes always itched at my subconscious level. Remaining 300 OP were just enough. I will unlock them, create, recoup costs and get more OP on top. This is upgrade of my most fundamental resource, time.
So, plan for night is ready. First I transfer potions to Blade, let him give them to both Frank and Uncle Ben. Process needs to be carried out discreetly. Next I unlock all information packages and recipes, craft anti-fatigue pills. After which, under their effect and taking into account obtained knowledge, I create suit for Blade. Settle debts. And then... then I will finally be able to engage in personal projects. This will be very long and productive night!
"Hello, drop by, pick up healing potions," I dialed Blade, not embarrassed by Peter, who with undisguised interest listened to our dialogue. "Yes, besides Frank, will need to carefully cure one more person. Yeah, thanks, waiting."
"Who was that?" Peter asked curiously when I ended call.
"Most right nigga in world," I grinned. "Think you will find common language. And now sorry, I will crash on couch in hub for couple dozen minutes."
Actually I was preparing for mental storm. For headache from avalanche of information that I was about to digest. Leaning back on couch, I just in case took out and swallowed NZT pill to speed up assimilation process.
And at same moment when world around acquired crystalline clarity, I realized that I was fucked.
Cold, sticky horror pierced me. Logical chain that my ordinary brain missed, under action of NZT, formed with deafening clarity. Fisk is master of conspiracy. And in this Universe existed meta-bastard named Chameleon, genius of disguises. Considering preserved company capitalization, death was most likely staged. And Gwen... Gwen in conversation with Jeffrey mentioned name of her father, George Stacy. And this information could not fail to reach Fisk's ears.
Why?! Why could I not put together this trivial chain without doping?!
Eh, will have to disappoint Blade. His plan to "get out of country" is postponed. But from other, selfish side... maybe this will keep him in USA little longer. We will need all possible help.