I leaned back against couch backrest, closed my eyes and prepared for series of painful but necessary neural downloads. Will go in descending order, from general to specific. First, NE-mage information package. Essentially, this is knowledge base on all key scientific disciplines accumulated by 21st century humanity over hundreds of years. Foundation that will greatly simplify my interaction with Peter and prevent me from feeling inadequate against other geniuses of this world.
System window. Technology tab. Unlock for 400 OP.
Fortunately, I did not pass out. Headache... it was there, but tolerable. It felt like someone was trying to forcefully stuff entire Encyclopedia Britannica into my skull, passing each page through optic nerve. Migraine during strong magnetic storm, when you are additionally trying to solve integral equations. Head hummed from overload. Either NZT, working as neural coolant, smoothed side effects, or due to impersonal and fundamental nature of this knowledge, effect was supposed to be like this. In any case, I was pleased that everything went relatively harmlessly.
Next information package: "Individual Armament - XCOM Philosophy."
Again technology tab. Unlock for 200 OP.
Effect was... different. Not voluminous, but sharp. Head was pierced by short, surgically precise pain, as if needle was stuck into brain and twisted. And next second I suddenly felt uncomfortable. My ordinary T-shirt and loose sweatpants suddenly seemed not clothing, but set of vulnerabilities. Materials not breathable, easily absorb sweat. Sweat is extra smell. Extra smell is attracting attention. Sneakers... tight and also do not breathe. Foot ergonomics is disrupted, which leads to decreased endurance. Bright logo on chest is target. Everything should be comfortable, practical, not restricting movement and faceless. Everything attracting attention should be eliminated.
Stop that! I mentally barked at myself. Here, in depth of protected base, nothing threatens me. I will still have time to remake my wardrobe and habits to match this newly formed, paranoid philosophy.
With difficulty calming suddenly awakened inner tactician, I, holding my breath, shifted gaze to next, most desired and most frightening item. Improved Extremis recipe. Honestly, it was little scary to unlock it. This is, damn it, super-soldier serum. What if it turns out to be really possible to create? Will I risk it? What if formula is just good but not ideal, and refinement can take months or even years, even with Peter's genius and my knowledge...
Okay. Will decide as I go. Strength is tool. And I am supposedly engineer.
Unlock. Minus 500 OP!
This time head was not just pricked. Back of head felt like it was struck with white-hot poker. Before my eyes for moment flashed fractals of double helices and nanorobot diagrams. With bated breath I began analyzing flood of information that crashed over me.
Well... This... This is truly pinnacle of bioengineering. Project at intersection of virology, genetics and nanotechnology. Holy Grail of transhumanism. Process is incredibly complex, requiring unique reagents, much more advanced equipment than I have, and deepest understanding of process. But it... it was more than real.
Couple days of hellish work, and at output you can get unique virus-vector that will rewrite cell DNA, integrating genes of extreme thermal resistance and accelerated regeneration into them. But virus is only half of equation. Second half is bioelectric nanites. Programmable nanomachines that integrate with nervous system and create new "interface" between brain and modified cells.
As result, user gains ability to consciously control thermogenesis. Nanites intercept neural signals and transmit to cells command to "heat" or "cool down." This is key! Stability! Brain and body begin working in symbiosis with virus, not fighting it. No random overheating and explosions.
Yes, this is not just serum. This is stable and controllable techno-organic platform for total human modification. Order of magnitude higher and safer than original, unstable formula. And also... Extremis truly endowed bearer with entire complex of interconnected improvements. This was not only about regeneration and thermogenesis. This was about bone density, muscle fiber elasticity, neural signal speed, metabolic efficiency... This was complete system upgrade, turning human into full-fledged superhuman.
Technical data in my head began giving way to something more intuitive: user manual for my own potential evolution. Ability plan, each of which was more stunning than previous.
Superhuman strength. This was not just muscle building, but complete restructuring of muscular system at cellular level. Virus rewrites genes responsible for producing myostatin, protein that, like strict overseer, suppresses muscle tissue growth. By "turning off" this genetic limiter, Extremis launches explosive growth of muscle fibers, making them not only larger but significantly denser. In addition, virus improves mitochondrial function, turning each cell into more efficient "power plant." What is result? Ability to lift from 2 to 5 tons. Strength sufficient to punch through brick walls and bend steel beams as if they were cardboard. Yes, not Hulk level, but far from peak human like Black Widow, who compared to these indicators is like 3-year-old child compared to adult. This is completely different order of power.
Superhuman speed and reflexes. Obviously, brute force is nothing without speed. Here bioelectric nanites played key role. They not only serve as "interface" for controlling heat, but optimize entire nervous system. This is somewhat like upgrading biological computer. Nanites wrap nerve fibers (axons) with additional synthetic myelin sheath, essentially improved insulation for wires. This allows nerve impulses to pass at speed 5-10 times exceeding human. In synapses nanites act as catalysts, accelerating chemical reactions. At output my reaction becomes practically instantaneous. I could literally dodge bullets if I saw shooter. World by will would turn into frozen picture through which I could move. At short distances running speed can reach 80-100 km/h.
Superhuman endurance and resilience. Direct consequence of two previous improvements. Extremis changes muscle cells so they produce significantly less lactic acid, and additionally, what is even more genius, recycle it into additional energy, turning poison of fatigue into fuel. On top of all this, constant micro-regeneration makes all tissues, bones, muscles, skin, denser and stronger. I will be able to conduct combat at peak capabilities for several hours without slightest signs of fatigue. My body will become capable of withstanding blows that would break bones or kill ordinary person.
Regeneration: Biological Phoenix. This is not just accelerated healing. This is literally complete body reassembly at cellular level. Minor wounds, like cuts and bruises, would heal in seconds, leaving behind only light, warm glow that quickly passes. Bullet wounds would heal in 2-5 minutes. But most amazing is lost limbs. They can completely regenerate in 15-20 minutes. Process, described and visualized in thoughts, looks creepy and fascinating at same time. At wound site tissues first char and turn into smoldering ash, from which then, like from molten wax, new, perfect flesh will form. Effectively, bearer can survive practically any physical damage, including through-and-through wounds of vital organs. Heart, lungs, even part of brain, all this could be restored. Complete immunity to all known diseases and toxins is merely pleasant bonus.
Thermogenesis: Pocket Star. And finally, crown of creation. Ability to generate extreme heat, most powerful weapon, which essentially is even more interesting than super-strength. I will be able to heat any part of body to temperature of approximately 3,000°C. This is enough to melt steel, concrete and practically any known material. I will be able to concentrate heat in palms, creating effect of plasma cutter, or release it as omnidirectional thermal wave. Thanks to nanites, temperature control is absolute and most precise, from light heating to dry clothes to maximum combat power capable of incinerating armored vehicles.
This is not just recipe. This is literally blueprint of demigod. And now it is in my head, waiting for me to gather courage to build it.
Perfect? On paper, definitely. But engineer in me quickly silenced enthusiasms of aspiring-to-divinity dropout. Every perfect system has vulnerability. Extremis had three, and each was frightening in its own way.
First, metabolic feedback loop, or more simply, energy burnout. Super-regeneration and thermogenesis are not magic. This is physics, requiring colossal amount of energy, which virus draws directly from bearer's cellular metabolism. With normal use this is unnoticeable. But after very serious injury or prolonged use of thermogenesis at peak power, I risk falling into state of metabolic shock. Body will instantly burn all reserves of glycogen, fats, and then, in desperate attempt to sustain life, will begin devouring own muscle tissue. Most likely, I will simply lose consciousness from hypoglycemic coma. But if I remain conscious, I will be absolutely helpless, experiencing weakness and uncontrollable trembling. This is devil's bargain: power of star, but engine runs on your own flesh. Full recovery after such "burnout" may require several hours and absorption of tens of thousands of calories. However, this is red line that you still need to try hard to cross.
Second weakness I liked much less. Especially as engineer. Nano-interface vulnerability. Nanites are most complex microelectronics. Which means they are vulnerable to same thing any electronics is vulnerable to. Powerful, focused EMP pulse can temporarily "blind" or completely "burn" them. But what is scarier, some mega-cool hacker, of which there are enough in this world, theoretically can write digital virus that through radio signal will intercept control over nanites. This thought made me go cold. To imagine that someone like Doom or Reed Richards gains access to your nervous system... At best, when losing control, I will lose ability to control thermogenesis, and Extremis will "roll back" to unstable, dangerous version. At worst, enemy can force my body to overheat, turning me into walking plasma bomb, or conversely, block regeneration at critical moment. My greatest strength will become my executioner. No one should know about this vulnerability. This backdoor needs to be closed. Modify nanites, create impenetrable firewall for them. This will definitely be my personal task and item number one for refinement.
Third weakness is most mundane and therefore most annoying. It concerned not Extremis itself, but necessary equipment and reagents for it. By rough estimates, this will cost millions of dollars. There will not be enough space in laboratory room, part of equipment will have to be placed in Hub. Again turn to Blade for money? He already gave me entire kingdom. To ask him to furnish throne room too would be height of audacity.
But even with money, one key reagent needed to be obtained, and this is very, very difficult, and second one needs to be created myself in most difficult conditions. Okay, plans urgently change. Idea to take out casino under NZT, which flashed in head, was tempting but stupid. Showdowns with gambling mafia is last thing I need now. So, time to patent "Proteus" and earn as much money as possible in shortest time!
Patent is needed not only for money. This is primarily strategic move. It is necessary for establishing certain connections and as guarantor of protection for Peter and me. I will become too valuable asset in eyes of some people to be simply removed. Of course, fact that for other people I will become thorn in backside, I conveniently overlooked. But these are risks that will have to be accepted. Main thing is to manage to create Extremis by time when ill-wishers move to active actions. Ideally, of course, for conditional SHIELD to reach out to me and offer contract and protection. Considering our screw-up with Fisk, this is more than realistic, but...
"Yo, daddy in building!" Blade's cheerful voice rang out.
Heavy elevator doors opened with hiss, and vampire hunter stepped out into hub, interrupting my intense strategic session. I even flinched from surprise.
"What's up? How is scientific life?"
"And good health to you. Science is moving, but could be better," I chuckled, greeting dhampir. "By the way, there are two news items. Bad and very bad. Which one should I start with?"
"I hope this is not about healing potions?" he immediately clarified. Receiving my negative nod, he exhaled with visible relief. "Then let's start with bad. Will leave very bad for dessert."
"Fisk is most likely alive." At these words his face, previously relaxed, instantly petrified.
He was silent for second, and then sinister grin appeared on his lips.
"You think so too?"
"Yes... Too... smoothly everything went. In addition, I know for sure that there are metas capable of transforming into other people. Would not be surprised if Fisk had someone like that in service. Well, and capitalization of his fund... it is already beginning to recover."
"Makes sense," Blade nodded, his grin becoming even wider and more predatory. "But this is even better. Frank will deal with this bastard himself. For real. What is second news?"
"Hunt for me and Gwen will most likely start soon. If it has not already started..."
"No, Fisk is unlikely to want to mess with me again, or you... Damn, right," he slapped his forehead. "Fucking special services. Everything constantly gets leaked, analyzed, regurgitated, and ultimately interesting personnel are either left alone or they try to suck them into abyss of their intrigues."
"Yeah... Gwen, in theory, can still be left alone, do not think her identity was secret for them before this. But me... This is something new and incomprehensible."
"Well, hang in there, kid. You are not stupid, and now you have cool base and lab. Think you will manage." Here dhampir finally noticed Peter, who silently and tensely analyzed our dialogue. "By the way, I am Eric. For my people, Eric or Blade."
"I am Peter Parker," Peter answered, shaking extended powerful hand. "Colleague and friend of John's. But... can you explain to me what is going on at all? What does Gwen Stacy and dead Wilson Fisk have to do with this? And what hunt from special services?"
"Long story," I sighed. "Will tell later. Now Eric needs to perform his healing duties, and we need to do ours."
"Oh, you seemed to mention something about 'Proteus'?" Peter immediately perked up, trying to latch onto something familiar in this flow of madness.
"Yes, and it will be too."
"But this will take lot of time, and it is already quite late and..."
"Yes, we will solve this problem first," I said, handing Eric two vials with potion and briefly explaining instructions by which he pours vial for Frank himself, and uses his mental abilities to make Uncle Ben drive home and drink there. "But what is harder to solve is laser sight on my forehead."
"Do not worry," Blade encouraged me, patting shoulder. "What does not kill us makes us stronger. And special services do not kill outright, they first try to use. So you will get out. Okay, I am off, will return most likely tomorrow. See ya."
And he left, leaving me alone with my thoughts. And with Peter, who judging by his face, had no fewer thoughts.
"Am I... also at risk?" he asked carefully when elevator doors closed.
"You are bearer of unique knowledge and my closest associate. So everything is possible," I answered with sigh. "But in principle, if you do not stick out for now, there is chance they will not touch you. Main thing... um, stick with me and everything will be fine. I hope."
"Confidence you certainly do not lack. But okay, I am not one of those who escapes to lifeboat at slightest trouble on ship," Peter said firmly. "Better tell me, what kind of adventure did you have? I understand Gwen was there too? She, by the way, said she wants to return to lab starting tomorrow. Is this because of you? And how will you solve problem that it is late now and..." here Peter yawned infectiously.
I sat down on couch, ignoring his questions. Fatigue is bottleneck. Constriction that prevents us from moving forward. Time to expand it. Going to technology tab, I spent last 300 OP on fatigue pill recipe.
"Huh, this will be easier than I thought," I muttered, getting up from couch after dozen seconds. Simple and elegant formula blossomed in my consciousness. "Let's go, Peter. Before I tell you about Wilson Fisk, we will fight very concept of fatigue, because while we sleep, draugr levels up, and we need to be stronger than draugr!"