The Invention Left By A Little Stark | Book 2

12) Language!

The HYDRA base in Sokovia was quiet.

Strucker stood inside one of the labs, one arm behind his back and the other with a recorder. Through the window in front of him he could see Dr. List experimenting with one of the Sokovian volunteers.

With a cold stare in his eyes, Strucker lifted the recorder to his lips.

"Volunteer One." He spoke. "May 19th, 2015, 8:25am. The Cross Particle - formerly Pym - will be injected into the volunteer for experimentation. Volunteer One is a willing participant, the contract was signed."

His gaze fell back to the window and he made eye contact with Dr. List.

"Is he ready?"

Dr. List turned to his test subject. The man strapped on a gurney hesitated for only a moment before he gave a stiff nod.

"Proceed." Strucker ordered.

Dr. List filled a small vial with Cross Particles and then attached it to a needle. After doing the necessary checks, he injected the patient.

The particles disappeared into the man's body and they all waited.

At first nothing happened.

But then the man began to grimace as if having an itch he couldn't scratch or a tickled nose.

Both Dr. List and Strucker leaned forward to see if the experiment had worked, only to jump back when the volunteer began screaming in agony.

His body writhed and twisted and he begged for help as his very body structure started to twist in an inhuman nature. It was as if his head and body became jelly, expanding and shrinking erratically within mere seconds.

Then it stopped.

The volunteer was himself again, only now he had grown a few feet.

Strucker smirked and lifted his recorder once more but was yet again halted when something else happened to the volunteer.

His face turned purple and his eyes red as the veins over his body became prominent to the point it seemed like they might pop from the skin. His new scream was soundless but the pain was there as blood trickled from every orifice on his face.

Then he lay dead.

Dr. List's expression morphed from bewilderment to anger as he turned away and slammed his hands down on the table. Strucker matched this look as he abandoned the recorder to enter the experimentation room.

"What was that?" He demanded.

Dr. List sighed. "An unfortunate outcome."

"Clearly. I thought the tests were a success."

"On animals, yes. Perhaps these particles are simply not made for humans."

"No! Hank Pym and Darren Cross did it somehow."

"Their suits. We cannot hope to replicate this experiment without the necessary equipment."

"It does not matter. We will make this work. How many more volunteers can you bring out today?"

"There is space."

"Good. This time use the scepter. It worked on the twins. Perhaps it is our key."

Dr. List thought on his suggestion with a small nod. There was every chance the scepter could boost their new project in some way. After all, the twins were their only survivors. They did something right that day.

"Very well." He conceded. "As you wish."

Before Strucker could leave the room, an almighty bang shook the entire place. The two staggered and grabbed what they could to support themselves.