With Zod's super brain, the step of shaping a human body was finished quickly. What remained was activating brainwaves and "awakening" that body.
The sleeping figure, eyes closed, looked remarkably like Android 18. As for abilities, Zod had also copied a cellular structure similar to mutant genes into her.
If this step worked, then next Zod would probably create artificial mutants like the White Queen, Mystique, and a whole batch of man-made mutants.
Electromagnetic waves simulated brainwaves and infiltrated the body, then imitated nerve currents to drive the entire system into activity.
The heart began to beat. Blood began to flow. The lungs expanded and drew breath. The stomach secreted digestive fluids. The internal organs all started functioning.
But only the brain, despite being stimulated many times, still produced no brainwaves.
"If Frankenstein could succeed, then my science version of creating a person has no reason to fail…"
Zod grabbed the body's head with both hands and increased the electromagnetic output. Android 18 began to visibly tremble. Even her eyelids quivered. Her eyeballs moved rapidly under the lids, like someone dreaming.
Suddenly, a powerful current exploded from her body. The surrounding instruments did not budge at all. They were made from Zod's "atomic alloy." Even if he smashed them himself, it would be hard to break them.
She opened her eyes. Electric light surged within them.
Like a newborn, she had no awareness, and no sense of good and evil either.
She charged straight at Zod and reached out to grab him.
Zod did not move.
Then Android 18 was restrained midair by an invisible magnetic field, unable to move an inch.
"Even if she's like a baby, no consciousness and no thoughts, that just means she's a blank sheet…"
Zod controlled the magnetic field and flipped her over and over. Then Android 18 started crying, mouth wide open as she bawled.
Zod ignored it. His soundproofing was excellent anyway, so he did not fear any misunderstandings.
After checking her from head to toe and confirming there were no major problems, Zod made Android 18 float in front of him. Then his psychic power invaded her brain.
He casually shaped and rewrote her memories, giving her awareness and the ability to think.
"I am… Android 18?" She looked at the man in front of her. He was her creator, and also very strong.
Looking at Android 18, Zod began to think.
"So does that mean I can create all the characters I've seen before? But it's only their form. Their soul, their abilities, and their core are still different."
Then he released the magnetic restraint. Android 18 dropped to the ground at once.
The Android 18 he created naturally did not have the strength to crush Super Saiyans. Even Zod himself might not be able to beat a Super Saiyan, so how could his creation possibly manage it?
But the future was not necessarily the same.
After all, Zod Heath carried the Life Codex, a genetic database that recorded all Kryptonian genes. He could absolutely use that gene library to create artificial humans.
When that time came, he would have a Kryptonian legion. The three great empires of the cosmos, Thanos's Black Order, all of it would be nothing but trash.
"Still, I have to guard against unfair things like the Mind Stone and the Soul Stone."
Zod had never dared to make a Kryptonian legion for exactly that reason. And also because he lacked proper incubation facilities. Back on Krypton, he had been a weapons and materials researcher, not a genetics or biology specialist.
"Android 18, how do you feel right now?" Zod asked.
She was naked, but with a flick of Zod's hand, atoms reorganized into clothing woven from vibranium fiber on her body.
"I… feel very good," Android 18 said after a brief hesitation, not refusing to answer her creator.
Based on Zod's observations just now, he estimated Android 18's strength had likely surpassed 100100 tons and was close to 200200 tons. Her body was immune to blades and bullets, highly resistant to both physical and energy attacks, and she could even release energy waves.
In terms of raw combat power, she was probably comparable to Blonsky's Super Abomination.
After instructing Android 18 to stay here and not run around, Zod went to keep his appointment for Uld's birthday.
In New York's most high-end restaurant, Uld had deliberately changed into an outfit completely different from what she usually wore.
"Zod, you're here."
Uld realized there were no diners in the restaurant at all, only servers.
She had originally planned to book the place out, but when she asked the manager, she learned the restaurant had already been bought by her boss, Zod Heath. It would only be used as a private restaurant.
This was a restaurant with very low public visibility, known only in upper society. Uld would never have dared to even imagine it before. Only after becoming Zod Heath's secretary assistant at Blade Tech Industries did she become qualified to enter. Many rich people tried to make reservations, and the restaurant would not even acknowledge them.
The owner behind the restaurant was a very capable person. Many people tried to acquire the place, and all of them failed and walked away empty-handed. But when Zod Heath said he wanted to buy it, the owner simply gifted it to Zod.
Zod bought it because he valued the view over New York's night skyline. It let him play the role of an untouchable big shot for once. Normally, he would not waste money on something so meaningless, even if he no longer lacked money.
The restaurant manager's behavior surprised Uld.
He cleared the entire venue, politely seeing off every guest, then personally changed into a server's uniform to serve Uld himself.
As a group of social elites left, they looked at Uld with meaningful eyes. Not only were they not angry, they even warmly offered her their business cards.
Zod raised his wineglass and clinked it gently with Uld's.
"Tonight you're beautiful, like you stepped out of a painting. I'm afraid if I speak too loudly, I'll startle you back into it."
"Thank you for the compliment!" Uld was delighted.
"Your birthday gift." Zod took out a box.
"Having you come is the best birthday gift for me," Uld said, but she still accepted the box.
When she opened it, she saw a sapphire the size of a pigeon egg.
It was crystal clear. Under the restaurant's lighting, it shone with a dazzling brilliance, so captivating that Uld's gaze was immediately stolen by it.
"I think cool tones suit you," Zod said with a smile. He liked cool tones too, mostly blue and black.
"Does it have a name?" Uld asked, utterly enchanted.
"The Azure Empress. It's the finest sapphire," Zod said.
"I love it. Thank you." Uld put the sapphire away.
"As long as you like it." Zod nodded.
/-\
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